"Like a Party Serving an Emperor"... Democratic Party Speaker Candidate Primary Amid 'Myeongshim Controversy'

Leadership 'Traffic Control Theory' in the Speaker Election Process
Park Ji-won Criticizes "Mindless Repetition Controversy as Clumsy Politics"

The Democratic Party of Korea's next National Assembly Speaker candidate primary was ultimately held on the 16th amid the so-called 'Myeongshim controversy,' which centers on where Representative Lee Jae-myung's intentions lie.

For now, the Democratic Party denies that the leadership, including Representative Lee, intervened to coordinate matters related to the next National Assembly Speaker candidate. On that day, Jin Seong-jun, the Democratic Party Policy Committee Chair, said on YTN radio, "It is common for candidates to withdraw or unify through direct negotiations or decisions during party primaries or election processes," and rebutted, "What basis is there to say that the representative was involved in such matters (Speaker primary)?"

Choo Mi-ae and Woo Won-shik, candidates running for the Speaker of the National Assembly, greet attendees at the elected members' general meeting held on the 16th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to select the candidates for the 22nd National Assembly's first half Speaker panel. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The controversy arose as sudden unification announcements and candidate withdrawals followed one another. On the 12th, Representative Jeong Seong-ho informed reporters via text message that he was withdrawing. On the same day, Representative Jo Jeong-sik, after a lunch meeting with President-elect Choo Mi-ae, expressed support for Choo and withdrew from the race. Reports emerged that Democratic Party Floor Leader Park Chan-dae played a role in this process. Additionally, President-elect Choo publicly stated on the 13th that "(Representative Lee) hopes things proceed naturally and smoothly" and "It would be good if he does well," sparking new controversy. Representative Woo Won-sik, who also ran for the Speaker position alongside President-elect Choo, actively joined the Myeongshim controversy. On the 14th, he introduced on a YouTube broadcast that "(Representative Lee) said, 'The National Assembly must fight firmly but also achieve results with stability, and Woo Won-sik hyung is just the right person,' and told me to 'work hard and do well.'"

Criticism has continued both inside and outside the party regarding this matter. Former National Assembly Secretary-General Yoo In-tae harshly criticized in a CBS radio interview, saying, "It feels like a party serving an emperor." On the 13th, Democratic Party Representative Woo Sang-ho said about the controversy, "Since the Democratic Party values bottom-up nominations and internal democracy, candidates were decided based on the judgment of the members. It is inappropriate for the representative or any leader to intervene in organizing the structure."

However, the controversy persists. Democratic Party Supreme Council member Go Min-jeong pointed out that the response denying the coordination was "too late." President-elect Park Ji-won, who initially considered running for Speaker, revealed that a meeting with Representative Lee was a turning point for his decision to give up running. On SBS radio, Park said, "Representative Lee did not explicitly tell me to withdraw, but the flow of the conversation made it clear." Regarding the controversy over coordination, Park also mentioned, "It is politics to communicate within the party, honestly exchange opinions, unify, and form alliances, but playing the Myeongshim game and making it appear so is clumsy politics."

According to National Assembly customs, the party that wins the most seats in the general election recommends a candidate for Speaker, who is then elected by vote at the first plenary session of the 22nd National Assembly. According to the National Assembly Act, the Speaker is elected on the seventh day after the start of the members' term, so the official election procedure will take place at the plenary session on the 5th of next month.