Lee Jae-myung "The Winner's Judgment Reflects Party Sentiment (Dangsim)"
Woo Won-sik, a five-term member of the Democratic Party of Korea, was elected as the candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly to lead the first half of the 22nd National Assembly. Although it was expected that Chu Mi-ae, a six-term member of the Democratic Party of Korea, would receive support from the strong pro-Lee Jae-myung faction and pro-Myung (pro-Lee Jae-myung) lawmakers, an unexpected elimination occurred.
Woo Won-sik, the candidate elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, is raising both arms while holding a bouquet at the general meeting of elected members held on the 16th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to select the candidates for the 22nd National Assembly's first half Speaker group. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
On the morning of the 16th, Woo was elected as the candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly by securing majority support out of 169 votes cast at the Democratic Party’s general meeting for the selection of the Speaker candidates for the first half of the 22nd National Assembly held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Chu, who ran against Woo, was eliminated.
Upon accepting his election, Woo stated, "The public agreed with the leadership and social direction shown by Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, through the election, and the candidate was able to win the election with his support." He added, "As Speaker, I will lead the first half of the 22nd National Assembly well, based on whether it helps the people and whether it is right." Furthermore, he emphasized, "This will be a completely different National Assembly from the 21st National Assembly. If there is any deviation from public sentiment, regression, or delay, I will handle it according to the National Assembly Act. The Speaker is not just a simple moderator."
Previously, the political circles had anticipated that Chu, supported by the pro-Lee faction, would likely be elected as the Speaker candidate. Jo Jung-sik, a six-term lawmaker classified as pro-Lee, had entered the Speaker candidate race but withdrew after declaring support for Chu. Jung Sung-ho, a five-term lawmaker considered a leader of the pro-Lee faction, also withdrew from the Speaker candidacy, leading to interpretations that the mind of Lee Jae-myung, known as Myeongshim (明心), was leaning toward Chu.
After the general meeting of elected members, Lee Jae-myung told reporters, "I believe any candidate will fulfill the role of Speaker well in accordance with the will of the people." When asked if the party’s sentiment leaned toward Chu, he replied, "Since it is the elected candidate’s judgment, shouldn’t that be considered the party’s sentiment?"
Meanwhile, for the Democratic Party’s candidate for Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, four-term lawmaker Lee Hak-young was elected, defeating four-term lawmakers Nam In-soon and Min Hong-chul. Lee said, "I promise that the Democratic Party and the National Assembly will take the lead in resolving the suffering sincerely received from the people," adding, "I will work hard as a communicating assistant to become a Speaker who represents both public sentiment and party sentiment."
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