Unexpected twist by Woo Won-sik, the reverse of 'Myeongshim'... Will it become a variable in Lee Jae-myung's reappointment debate?

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Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Woo Won-sik created an upset by defeating Chu Mi-ae, who was backed by 'Myeongshim (Lee Jae-myung's intentions)', in the National Assembly Speaker election, raising speculation that this could become a variable in Lee's re-election prospects. It is interpreted that the forced coordination led by the pro-Lee faction during the election process intensified the backlash from the winners against Lee Jae-myung's one-man system.

Within the Democratic Party, there is growing weight to the view that the uncomfortable feelings about 'Myeongshim's' involvement, revealed by the mid-race withdrawals of lawmakers Jo Jeong-sik and Jeong Seong-ho, were expressed through Woo's election victory. Following the sole nomination of pro-Lee core Park Chan-dae as floor leader, there is an interpretation that opposition to the Lee Jae-myung leadership's overt control over even the Speaker candidate surfaced beneath the surface. Additionally, concerns about the strong Chu Mi-ae, and Woo's grassroots 'walking campaign' are cited as background factors for the upset.

The reason why the election result is expected to have some impact on Lee's re-election theory is because the outcome of the National Assembly Speaker election is analyzed not as a simple upset but as a precursor to a 'Myeongshim rebellion.' A Democratic Party winner said in a phone interview, "There was a consensus that Park's sole nomination was a choice for party unity, but there were uncomfortable views within the party about overt interference even in the Speaker candidate." It is explained that the restriction of their voting rights by the party leadership and the message to comply triggered strong backlash.

Woo Won-sik, who was elected as the Democratic Party candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly, is receiving a bouquet from Representative Lee Jae-myung 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 team. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Analysis also suggests that the election result reflects the judgment that Lee's re-election is distant from exercising candidate nomination rights in the next election. Even if he succeeds in re-election, he must step down from the party leadership by 2026, the year before the 2027 presidential election, which could reduce his direct influence over nominations in local or general elections. Furthermore, Lee's judicial risks remain a challenge. If Lee fails to fully resolve allegations such as illegal remittances to North Korea and misuse of corporate cards, it will inevitably hinder his future presidential ambitions.

Conversely, the election result is also seen as a potential opportunity for the anti-Lee faction to rally. It is said to have laid the groundwork for forming a new rallying point to replace former Blue House Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, and lawmaker Park Yong-jin, who represent the anti-Lee faction. Notably, they reportedly share concerns over Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho's public criticism of the party leadership's 'coordination' to nominate Chu Mi-ae, calling it a "serious problem."

Meanwhile, there is also analysis that the embarrassed hardline pro-Lee faction will further solidify Lee's re-election. Calls to root out the 'Subak' (a derogatory term for the anti-Lee faction) have gained renewed momentum, especially on party member forums, following the Speaker candidate election. A Democratic Party official said, "Among pro-Lee lawmakers, there are talks that it is too early to be reassured about Lee's re-election prospects based on the Speaker election result," adding, "Rather, this opportunity has made us feel the importance of intra-party (pro-Lee) unity even more."