Farewell Press Conference: Reflections on Leadership
Democratic Party to Elect New Floor Leader on June 13
Park Chandae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, whose term ends on June 13, is expected to have his final task be the recommendation of special prosecutor candidates for the "three major special investigations" (insurrection, Kim Keonhee, and Chae Sangbyeong) bills.
Park Chandae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (center in the photo), is smiling brightly while expressing his farewell thoughts at a farewell press conference held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News
On June 12, at the main building of the National Assembly, Floor Leader Park held a farewell press conference and stated, "We have already reviewed the list of candidates for the special prosecutor recommendation, and we are fully prepared. We have just received a call from the presidential office. If we proceed without further delay and follow the proper procedures, everything should be handled smoothly." On this day, President Lee Jaemyung requested the National Assembly to recommend candidates to lead the three major special investigations.
Floor Leader Park’s term runs until June 13. On the same day, the Democratic Party will elect its next floor leader. Accordingly, Park is expected to finalize the recommendation of special prosecutor candidates before the new floor leader is elected, no later than June 13. As of now, lawmakers Kim Byungki and Seo Youngkyo have declared their candidacies for the next floor leader position.
Park, who became the Democratic Party’s floor leader on May 3 last year, has served in the position for 406 days. He stated, "What I remember most is achieving a change in government by following the people’s mandate together with the public." He emphasized, "If I had to sum up my feelings in one word, it was a long and arduous journey with our great people-no, it was a glorious journey."
Park recalled, "When I took office as floor leader, I pledged before the people to create a reform-oriented National Assembly through action. I worked hard and fought fiercely against the Yoon Sukyeol administration. Thanks to these efforts, the real Republic of Korea has opened."
He also looked back on his time in office, noting that he spent 369 out of his 406 days as floor leader on emergency overnight duty within the National Assembly. He highlighted his achievements, including leading the passage of 84 key legislative bills through the National Assembly’s plenary session.
Previously, Park was elected floor leader in May last year as the sole candidate, backed by the pro-Lee Jaemyung faction within the party. Notably, he continued to serve as the party’s parliamentary commander during the 12·3 Martial Law and impeachment crisis under former President Yoon Sukyeol.
When asked about the livelihood-related legislation that the next floor leadership should pursue, Park mentioned the formulation of a supplementary budget and amendments to the Commercial Act. He said, "The most urgent issue since the launch of the new administration is overcoming the crisis in the people’s economy. We are currently preparing a supplementary budget, and several task forces have been set up to stabilize prices. Once the new floor leadership is formed, they will need to address these issues through party-government consultations as the ruling party’s parliamentary leadership, in order to restore people’s livelihoods as quickly as possible."
Regarding the push to amend the Commercial Act, he commented, "There was talk of ushering in the era of a 5,000-point stock index, and while stock prices are being updated daily, the fundamentals of our economy have not changed at all. Expectations that past difficulties will be overcome are being reflected, but I believe we need to support this institutionally." He stressed, "One way to increase market confidence is to amend the Commercial Act. I believe we need to revise it appropriately and in a balanced manner to reflect current realities."
When asked about the possibility of running for party leadership at the national convention expected in July or August, Park said, "Many people around me have suggested it, so to be honest, I am considering it," leaving the possibility open.
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