'By-Election for New Ruling Party Floor Leader' Four-Way Race Among Park Jeong, Baek Hyeryeon, Jin Sungjun, and Han Byungdo

Park Jeong Becomes Second to Announce Candidacy After Jin Sungjun
Baek Hyeryeon to Hold Candidacy Press Conference on the 2nd
Han Byungdo Expected to Declare Candidacy by the 4th at the Latest

The by-election for the ruling party’s floor leader, triggered by the resignation of former Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byungki, is expected to be a four-way race among lawmakers Park Jeong, Baek Hyeryeon, Jin Sungjun, and Han Byungdo (listed in alphabetical order, all serving their third term).

On January 2, Assemblyman Park officially announced his candidacy for floor leader at the National Assembly’s press center. He is the second official candidate, following Assemblyman Jin. At the press conference, Assemblyman Park stated, "Ending the internal strife, winning the local elections, and stabilizing the economy-these three are the most important tasks." He added, "After fulfilling my responsibilities, I will hand over the leadership of the ruling party’s second-term team without any personal ambition."

Assemblyman Park pledged to extend the special counsel investigation into the rebellion, immediately launch a special counsel investigation into the Unification Church, establish a policy planning group for local elections within the parliamentary party, and operate an economic task force within the party. Known as an expert on China, he was dispatched as a special envoy to China for the Republic of Korea after the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration.

Assemblywoman Baek is also scheduled to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. on the same day to announce her candidacy for floor leader. It is reported that she made her decision late the previous evening after much deliberation. As she has served as chair of the Special Committee on Judicial Reform, she is expected to focus on completing reform tasks. Assemblyman Han is also preparing to run. Since candidate registration is on January 5, it is expected that he will announce his candidacy no later than January 4. Assemblyman Han is currently the chair of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts for the first half of the 22nd National Assembly.

Previously, Assemblyman Jin was the first among the four to announce his bid for floor leader, doing so on December 31, 2025. He pledged to restore order within the parliamentary party and prepare for a party member-centered parliamentary system, eradicate forces behind the rebellion and revive the people's economy, and achieve unity between the party and the government, as well as between the party and the presidential office. Assemblyman Jin has previously served as chair of the Policy Committee, senior deputy floor leader, and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee within the party.

Since the term for this floor leader is only about four months, covering the remainder of the previous leader’s tenure, there is also interest in whether each candidate will seek re-election. Assemblymen Jin and Park have stated that they will fulfill their duties only for this term. The camps of Assemblywoman Baek and Assemblyman Han have refrained from commenting.