Kim Byungki: "The Next Six Months Are a Golden Time for Reform" vs Seo Youngkyo: "Ability to Lead Government and Opposition Through Communication"

Head-to-Head Pro-Lee Contest to Be Decided on June 13
First Inclusion of Party Member Vote at 20 Percent
First Floor Leader Election Under Lee Jaemyung Administration

The Democratic Party of Korea began its floor leader election on June 13. Representative Kim Byungki, who is running for floor leader, emphasized measures to support legislative activities, including strengthening communication between the party and the government. Representative Seo Youngkyo appealed for support by highlighting her communication skills and advocating for the role of the ruling party's floor leader.

During his policy presentation for the floor leader election held at the National Assembly that day, Representative Kim stated, "The next six months are a golden time for reform," adding, "I will focus on what can be done immediately."

Regarding floor operations, he said, "I will make party-government consultative meetings by ministry more substantive," and added, "I will institutionalize monthly meetings between the ministers and vice ministers of each ministry and the members of the relevant standing committees." He also announced, "Through the Presidential Election Pledge Implementation Task Force, I will thoroughly address constituency issues raised by lawmakers." To support lawmakers' constituency activities, he stated, "For one to three weeks, we will schedule plenary sessions of standing committees as National Assembly operation weeks, and the fourth week will be designated as a constituency activity week so that lawmakers can focus on managing their districts."

To enhance communication between lawmakers and the floor leader, he pledged, "I will establish a Chief Communication Officer to strengthen communication," and added, "I will hold regular meetings with lawmakers by term?first-term, second-term, third-term, and fourth-term or higher?to listen to their valuable opinions and advice."

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Representative Seo, also a candidate for floor leader, stated in her policy presentation, "As soon as I became a candidate for floor leader, I proposed a nationwide livelihood recovery support payment," adding, "I said this payment should be given to all citizens to serve as a priming pump, and the government responded." Seo said, "When the government is hesitating between different options in response to many people's demands, the role of the ruling party's floor leader is to listen to the public sentiment, determine what the people are asking for, and make it possible for the government to act accordingly. Supporting the president's initiatives, leading bipartisan cooperation, and faithfully listening to the people's will?since the people's sentiment is paramount?are all essential roles."

Seo also claimed, "Representative Joo Jinwoo, who serves as the Legal Advisory Committee Chair for the People Power Party, asked for the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to be returned, and I told him, 'Don't even think about it.'" She added, "Even when I met Representative Joo recently, I told him, 'Don't even dream about it,' and he said, 'Understood.'" She continued, "When the ruling and opposition parties clash, Seo Youngkyo has the ability to calm and persuade the opposition and lead them forward."

Representative Kim previously served as Senior Deputy Secretary-General during the first term of President Lee Jaemyung as party leader, and in the 22nd general election, he worked as secretary of the Nomination Management Committee, contributing to the reorganization of the party into a pro-Lee system. Representative Seo served as a Supreme Council member in the 'Lee Jaemyung First Leadership Team' and was the Chief Situation Room Director for Lee Jaemyung's campaign during the 20th presidential election.

This floor leader election will be decided based on the combined results of an online vote by dues-paying party members (20%) held on June 12?13 and a vote by party-affiliated National Assembly members (80%) on June 13. Given the Democratic Party's 169 lawmakers, the party member vote carries the same weight as the vote of approximately 42 National Assembly members.