Election Results to Be Announced on January 11
Short Term of Office a Key Variable
With the resignation of former floor leader Kim Byungki, the Democratic Party of Korea must now elect a new floor leader for a four-month term. Assemblyman Jin Sungjoon was the first to announce his candidacy, while Park Jeong, Baek Hyeryeon, and Han Byungdo are also being mentioned as potential candidates.
Kim Byung-ki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting after announcing his intention to resign from the floor leader position at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on December 30, 2025. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
On the morning of December 31, the Democratic Party's floor leader by-election management committee is scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the election schedule, including candidate registration dates. The results of the floor leader by-election will be released along with the Supreme Council by-election results, which are set to be announced on January 11 next month. Voting for the floor leader position by party members is expected to take place from January 9 to 11.
According to the party's constitution and regulations, the new floor leader will serve for the remainder of Kim's term, which is approximately four months. Jin Sungjoon was the first to declare his candidacy, and other potential candidates include Park Jeong, Baek Hyeryeon, and Han Byungdo (listed in alphabetical order), who were initially expected to run in the floor leader election scheduled for May next year. Supreme Council member Lee Eonju and Secretary-General Cho Seungrae are also being mentioned.
Although there were expectations that the short term would result in fewer candidates, Assemblyman Kim Youngjin stated on MBC Radio’s “Kim Jongbae’s Focus” that “many lawmakers feel a sense of duty to navigate challenging times,” adding, “We need someone who can unite the 165 lawmakers of the major ruling party, coordinate policies, and effectively connect the party, the presidential office, and the government to facilitate sound decision-making.”
Since all of the lawmakers being discussed are in their third terms, the three-term lawmakers gathered the previous day to discuss the matter. However, it was reported that there was no consensus on nominating a candidate or any expression of intent from those mentioned. One three-term lawmaker told The Asia Business Daily, “There was discussion about the floor leader position, but lawmakers from other terms may also run, and it was agreed that this is not a matter to be decided solely among three-term lawmakers.”
However, some believe that, given the short term, the candidates may reach a consensus among themselves. Chief Spokesperson Park said on CBS Radio’s “Kim Hyunjeong’s News Show,” “So far, the leadership has no plans to amend the party regulations just for this term,” adding, “I expect that at least one candidate will adopt a clear strategy of saying, ‘If the party regulations are not revised, I will serve only four months and will not seek re-election.’ If that happens, another candidate may decide to support that person this time and run for a full one-year term in the next regular election, which could help the process proceed smoothly.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
