Lee Meets Woo Won-sik, Selected as Democratic Party Candidate for 22nd National Assembly Speaker
Woo Emphasizes Ties with Lee... "Partners in Socioeconomic Reform Values"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with Representative Woo Won-sik to congratulate him on his election as the Democratic Party candidate for the Speaker of the 22nd National Assembly's first half. Representative Woo emphasized their close relationship by mentioning that he served as Lee's campaign committee chairman during the last presidential primary.
Lee said, "Representative Woo has been one of the most reformist and progressive politicians within the party, closely connected to the field," adding, "There were many points where our thoughts aligned." He continued, "He took on the role of senior vice chairman of the Basic Society Committee, which I prioritize most, and played a significant role in organizing the committee nationwide and spreading its policies." Lee currently serves as the chairman of the Democratic Party's Basic Society Committee.
Lee also expressed high expectations for Representative Woo. He stated, "At a time when the government and ruling party are recklessly pushing forward, Representative Woo knows very well what role our National Assembly should play and why the people overwhelmingly granted the Democratic Party a majority of seats in this election," adding, "I believe he will operate the National Assembly not with mechanical neutrality but truly centered on public sentiment and will." He further said, "I understand he often says, 'Politics is the strongest weapon of the weak. The center of the body is not the heart but the painful spot,' which seems to well express the essential values that politics should pursue."
Representative Woo, as the elected candidate for Speaker, shared his future commitments and revealed his long-standing connection with Lee. He said, "During the first two years of the 22nd National Assembly, I will focus on achieving results where the Democratic Party's National Assembly takes responsibility for the people's lives and work closely with Leader Lee," adding, "Especially, I will spare no support as Speaker to ensure that the vision of Basic Society, which I have dreamed of together with Leader Lee, becomes the future of the Republic of Korea." He also added, "I served as the campaign committee chairman for Leader Lee's presidential primary and have been partners in social and economic reform values ever since."
Representative Woo held a private meeting with Lee for about 20 minutes. After the meeting, he told reporters, "During my policy speech, I mentioned that I fasted for 15 days during the Fukushima contaminated water discharge issue and stood up during the controversy over relocating General Hong Beom-do's bust," adding, "I pledged to be a Speaker who does not only appear on the podium but enters into the people's pain." When asked about the reasons for his election, he explained, "I have many contacts and collaborators through activities such as the Euljiro Committee, Basic Society Committee, Life Safety Forum, Climate Crisis Green New Deal Study Group, and General Hong Beom-do Memorial Project."
Representative Woo served as the inaugural chairman of the Democratic Party's Euljiro Committee when it was established in 2013 and held important roles in the Basic Society Committee. He has previously stated, "I will put Basic Society at the forefront in the next presidential election." On the morning of the 14th, he increased contact with lawmakers by attending the Euljiro Committee's 22nd elected members' legislative activity study meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, and on the afternoon of the 8th, he attended the 'National Assembly Basic Society Policy Roundtable' held in the same building.
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