Democratic Party "There Should Be 2 Seats According to Seat Ratio"
Chairman Candidate is People Power Party's Hong Seong-hyun
The Chungnam Provincial Council is facing unresolved conflicts ahead of the formation of the second half leadership.
The 12th Chungnam Provincial Council is composed of 32 members from the People Power Party, 14 from the Democratic Party, and 2 independents.
However, tensions have arisen as the People Power Party has nominated candidates for the chairperson and one vice-chairperson seat, and five out of six standing committee chair seats.
The People Power Party recently held a party meeting and selected candidates for the second half leadership, excluding one vice-chairperson seat and one standing committee chair seat (Welfare and Environment Committee Chair) allocated to the Democratic Party.
For the chairperson candidate, with Kim Seok-gon (Geumsan 1) and Lee Jong-hwa (Hongseong 2) not running, Hong Seong-hyun (Cheonan 1) ran unopposed and was elected without a vote. For vice-chairperson, Jeong Gwang-seop (Taean 2) was elected.
Standing committee chair candidates elected unopposed include Lee Cheol-su (Dangjin 1) for the Council Operation Committee Chair, Ahn Jong-hyeok (Cheonan 3) for the Planning and Economy Committee Chair, Park Ki-young (Gongju 2) for the Administration and Culture Committee Chair, and Lee Sang-geun (Hongseong 1) for the Education Committee Chair. The Agricultural, Fisheries and Maritime Committee Chair and the Construction and Firefighting Committee Chair were decided through elections, with Lee Yeon-hee (Seosan 3) and Go Gwang-cheol (Gongju 1) respectively elected.
The People Power Party stated that, as promised during the first half leadership formation, they would concede one vice-chairperson seat and one standing committee chair seat to the Democratic Party, but the Democratic Party is demanding two standing committee chair seats based on the proportion of seats held by each party, prolonging the conflict.
The Democratic Party argues that with 32 People Power Party members accounting for 66.6% of the total seats, taking five out of six standing committee chair seats (83.3%) is an overreach beyond the seat ratio, and is calling for cooperation.
The floor leaders of both parties plan to hold final negotiations after electing the chairperson at the 353rd extraordinary session on July 1, but the formation of the leadership remains uncertain.
Oh In-hwan, floor leader of the Democratic Party (Nonsan 1), said, "The People Power Party has already set the stage and is pushing forward," adding, "We continue to demand two standing committee chair seats according to the seat ratio."
He also said, "Once the chairperson is elected on July 1, we have agreed to hold final negotiations with the People Power Party floor leader."
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