Baek Hyeryun of Ruling Party Runs for New Floor Leader By-Election: "Not the Time to Argue Over Term Issue"

Special Committee Chair Stresses
"Complete Judicial Reform Once and for All"

Baek Hyeryun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has announced her candidacy in the by-election for the new floor leader, pledging to see judicial reform through to completion. While some candidates have declared they will not seek reappointment due to the short term of approximately four months, Baek stated, "This is not the time to argue over the term issue."

Baek Hyeryun, Special Committee Chair on Judicial Reform of the Democratic Party of Korea, is announcing the judicial reform plan of the Special Committee on Judicial Reform at the National Assembly on October 20, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On January 2, at the National Assembly's Communication Center in Yeouido, Baek held a press conference to announce her candidacy for the floor leader by-election, declaring, "With a sense of responsibility to resolve what I started, I will bring an end to internal strife and complete the tasks of judicial reform once and for all." She added, "As a first-term lawmaker, I served as a secretary of the Special Committee on Judicial Reform, and as a second-term lawmaker, I was the secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, laying the groundwork for judicial reform. This time, as chair of the party's Special Committee on Judicial Reform, I directly sponsored judicial reform bills."

Baek also stated, "Through seamless communication among the party, government, and presidential office, I will ensure that the ruling party can take responsibility for people's livelihoods and economic growth," adding, "The party, government, and presidential office will become one team and serve as the driving force behind victory in the June 3 local elections."

In addition, Baek pledged four key initiatives: ▲ applying a zero-tolerance policy to internal misconduct, including in local election nominations; ▲ regularizing practical consultations among the party, government, and presidential office centered on standing committees and establishing a legislative proposal system for party members; ▲ establishing a system for the swift implementation of national policy tasks; and ▲ promoting regular general meetings of lawmakers.

Immediately after the press conference, when asked by reporters about her view on the recent allegations of nomination fund exchanges within the party, Baek said, "Because something unimaginable happened in the Democratic Party, Assemblywoman Kang Sunwoo left the party, but I believe the Supreme Council took strong action by expelling her." She continued, "The case involving former floor leader Kim Byungki is currently under investigation by the Ethics Inspection Team and has been referred to the disciplinary committee." She added, "That matter also needs to be handled with a zero-tolerance policy."

Regarding questions about seeking reappointment, Baek emphasized, "This is not the time to argue over the term issue. The party is in an ethical crisis, so the floor leader's duty is to overcome the crisis, stabilize the party, and lay the foundation for victory in the local elections." She added, "According to the party constitution and rules, it is permissible, and I don't think there is any need to stir up controversy over this issue."

The new floor leader will serve for the remainder of former floor leader Kim's term, which is about four months. Previously, Assemblymen Park Jeong and Jin Sungjun, who announced their candidacies earlier, have stated that they will not seek reappointment.

The results of the floor leader by-election will be announced on January 11, along with the results of the Supreme Council by-election. It is also reported that Assemblyman Han Byungdo is preparing to run.