The Democratic Party Faces Difficulties Finding a Candidate for 'Temporary Position' Emergency Committee Chairperson

Challenge for Leadership by Lawmakers with 5+ Terms
Joo Ho-young Prime Minister Speculation, Na Kyung-won Party Leader Proposal
Party Recovery, National Convention Rule Decision Task
Mentions of 4-term, Defeated, and Non-candidate Figures

As the People Power Party sets its direction toward a managed Emergency Response Committee system, difficulties are expected in selecting the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson. The chairperson is tasked with key duties such as managing the party after the general election defeat and deciding the rules for the upcoming party leadership election, but finding a suitable candidate is not easy as major figures within the party are aiming to enter the leadership.

According to political circles on the 25th, the People Power Party has settled on having a senior lawmaker with at least five terms in office take the role of Emergency Response Committee Chairperson. Among the 22nd National Assembly elected members, those with five or more terms include lawmakers Cho Kyung-tae, Joo Ho-young, Kwon Seong-dong, Kim Ki-hyun, Kwon Young-se, and Yoon Sang-hyun, as well as former lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Cho Bae-sook. Initially, Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok was considered to take the chairperson role to manage the party, but voices from elected members in the Seoul metropolitan area argued that it would be inappropriate for those responsible for the general election defeat to take the forefront, leading to his withdrawal.

The problem is that among the senior lawmakers with five or more terms, no one is willing to readily take on the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson position. This is because the term is at most three months, after which they must step down, so the practical benefits are not significant. First, lawmakers Cho Kyung-tae and Joo Ho-young are six-term lawmakers of the 22nd National Assembly and are candidates for the next National Assembly Deputy Speaker. Moreover, Joo is also being mentioned as a potential next Prime Minister candidate centered around the Democratic Party, making it unlikely for him to take on the chairperson role.

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is deep in thought at the discussion forum titled "Tasks Left by the 22nd General Election," hosted by the Yeouido Research Institute at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Senior lawmakers with five terms such as Yoon Sang-hyun, Na Kyung-won, Kwon Young-se, and Kwon Seong-dong are likely to aim for the next party leadership. Although the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson is not barred from running as a party leader candidate through the party convention, if the chairperson who decides the convention rules runs, they could be embroiled in accusations of unfairness. The so-called 'Na(羅) Lee(李) alliance theory' (Na Kyung-won for party leader, Lee Cheol-gyu for floor leader) includes former lawmaker Na and lawmaker Kwon Young-se as major party leader candidates.

Given this situation, there is speculation that even four-term lawmakers or those who did not run or lost in the general election might be appointed as Emergency Response Committee Chairperson. Senior spokesperson Jung Hee-yong said after a closed-door meeting with senior lawmakers with four or more terms the day before, "There were those with five or more terms and also those who said four or more terms would be fine." Key four-term lawmakers in the party include Kim Sang-hoon, Park Deok-heum, and Han Ki-ho.

Since the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson decides the party convention rules, it is expected that behind-the-scenes efforts for appointments will intensify. In particular, the non-Yoon faction, which advocated for an innovative Emergency Response Committee, and elected members from the metropolitan area are demanding a change in the convention rules from the existing 100% party member vote to 70% party member vote and 30% public opinion poll. This has led to speculation that a figure capable of leading party innovation may challenge for the chairperson position. A party official said, "Currently, Floor Leader Yoon is selecting candidates for the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson and attempting individual contacts. It is also evaluated that Yoon will appoint someone who can somewhat accommodate the demands of the non-Yoon faction."