Visit to Military Base and Business Meeting... 'Crossing the Fence' Woo Won-sik's Broad Activities

Highest Trust Among Major Politicians
Theme Stocks Also Fluctuate... 7 Consecutive Trading Days of Rise
"If Running for Presidential Election, Public Opinion Will Turn"

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik is drawing attention for his extensive activities, receiving evaluations that he demonstrated stable leadership during the recent lifting of martial law and the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik (center) is receiving an explanation about the northern terrain from Division Commander Jeong Jae-yeol of the 3rd Division at Baekgol OP, 3rd Division, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, on the morning of the 18th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

On the 18th, Speaker Woo visited the observation post (OP) of the Baekgol Unit, 3rd Army Division, in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province, where he received a briefing from Division Commander Jeong Jae-yeol and the on-site commanders, and surveyed the northern terrain outside the observation post. After the briefing, he visited the division's reconnaissance battalion and had a meal with the soldiers, providing an opportunity to hear about their difficulties. Speaker Woo said, "There was recent national turmoil, but because the people silently kept to their posts, other citizens could feel at ease," adding, "I hope the military will carry out its duties even more thoroughly."

The day before, he met with representatives of the economic sector to listen to their concerns. At the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, he held a meeting with the heads of four major economic organizations: Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Yoon Jin-sik, Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association; Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; and Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business. Speaker Woo said, "We are considering dispatching special envoys to several important countries such as the United States, Japan, China, and the European Union (EU)," and added, "There are 70 non-contentious economic bills pending in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. I expect they will be processed by the end of this year."

He is also actively serving as a bridge between the government and the ruling and opposition parties. On the 15th, he met with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, acting president, emphasizing the need to activate a national stability consultative body. Speaker Woo said, "During the political upheaval of impeachment, the ruling party, opposition, and government must unite their efforts," and added, "The National Assembly is a partner in national governance, so I ask Acting President Han to also make special efforts to ensure democratic governance." Acting President Han responded that he would communicate and cooperate closely with the National Assembly. The day before, Speaker Woo presided over a meeting of floor leaders from both ruling and opposition parties to seek a solution regarding Acting President Han's authority to appoint constitutional court justices, an issue with significant differences between the parties.

Speaker Woo Won-shik is announcing the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol at the 4th plenary session of the 419th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Speaker Woo is regarded as the most notable politician during the 'martial law and impeachment political crisis.' Despite the crisis, he showed a stable demeanor and led the impeachment vote against President Yoon Seok-yeol to a flawless passage by adhering to parliamentary procedures. His actions, such as climbing over the National Assembly wall blocked by police barricades to lift martial law and staying in the National Assembly for ten days until the impeachment motion was passed, left a deep impression.

Public favorability toward Speaker Woo is also reflected in numbers. According to a recent survey conducted by Gallup Korea from the 10th to the 12th among 1,002 adults nationwide aged 18 and older, 56% responded that they 'trust' Speaker Woo, ranking him first. Those who 'do not trust' him accounted for 26%. In the same survey, the trust and distrust rates for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, were 41% and 51%, respectively. Acting President Han had a trust rate of 21% and distrust rate of 68%, while former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon had 15% trust and 77% distrust.

As attention focused on Speaker Woo, related theme stocks also fluctuated. Kolon Mobility Group, known as a theme stock related to Speaker Woo, closed at 3,540 won, up 29.91% (815 won) compared to the previous trading day. Kolon Mobility Group had also recorded a daily limit increase on the 16th, showing a seven-day consecutive rise. This stock is classified as a presidential election theme stock because its CEO, Ahn Byung-duk, is a high school classmate of Speaker Woo.

However, in political circles, the possibility of Speaker Woo running for president during his term is considered low. His term lasts until June 2026. An opposition party official said, "Although he has performed his role stably as the second in protocol order, if he runs for president, public opinion will turn against him."