Democratic Party in Crisis: Who Will Step Up? Four Distinct Candidates?Han Byungdo, Jin Sungjun, Park Jung, and Baek Hyeryun

By-Election to Be Held Following Kim Byungki’s Resignation
Decision to Be Made Through Online and Offline Voting
New Floor Leader to Be Elected for Remaining Five-Month Term

Following a series of allegations, former floor leader Kim Byungki voluntarily resigned from his position, prompting the Democratic Party to hold a by-election for the floor leader on January 11. Four lawmakers, each serving their third term-Park Jung, Baek Hyeryun, Jin Sungjun, and Han Byungdo-have declared their candidacy to lead the ruling party in the National Assembly for the remaining five months of Kim's term. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these four candidates?

On January 5, the Democratic Party announced that four lawmakers with three terms each had completed their registration as candidates for the floor leader by-election. The by-election will combine online voting by party members with voting by lawmakers, both held on January 10 and 11. The results will be calculated with party member votes accounting for 20% and lawmaker votes for 80%.

Who Are Han Byungdo, Jin Sungjun, Park Jung, and Baek Hyeryun? (in order of ballot number)

Four lawmakers with three terms each have entered the four-way race for the Democratic Party of Korea's floor leader by-election, scheduled for the 11th, for a four-month term. Photo by Yonhap News Agency shows lawmakers Jin Seongjun, Park Jeong, Baek Hyeryun, and Han Byeongdo at the press conference from left to right.

The first to declare his candidacy, Jin Sungjun, is known as a policy expert, having served as the party’s Policy Committee Chair and Strategic Planning Committee Chair. He entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative in the 19th session but lost in the 20th general election. During the Moon Jae-in administration, he served as Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House and as Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs in Seoul. He was elected as a lawmaker for Gangseo-eul, Seoul, in both the 21st and 22nd National Assembly. Having also served as Chair of the Euljiro Committee, Jin is recognized for his strong progressive stance on policy matters. When the debate over abolishing the financial investment income tax intensified within the party, Jin, as Policy Committee Chair, advocated for maintaining the tax despite public backlash. He also opposed the introduction of separate taxation for dividend income. However, he has shown willingness to follow party consensus after discussions.

Although Jin is known as a principled and hardline figure, he is emphasizing pragmatism in this floor leader election. Referring to the nomination-related allegations that triggered this by-election, he mentioned the need for a party reform movement and said he would not insist on forming the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Ethics strictly according to seat proportions, suggesting a willingness to compromise with the opposition. This contrasts with Democratic Party leader Jung Chungrae’s position that the committee should be formed based on the number of seats. Jin has also expressed skepticism about the National Assembly Act, which strictly requires a quorum for unlimited debate (filibuster), arguing that minority voices should be respected.

Park Jung, who was a table tennis athlete and founded an English language academy, has been elected three consecutive times since his 20s as the lawmaker for Paju-eul, Gyeonggi Province. He has served as Chair of the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee and Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. During his tenure as committee chair, he maintained amicable relationships with both ruling and opposition parties. Although the budget bill was pushed through due to political circumstances, the 2024 budget review drew attention for its increased focus on budget increases in the Budget Adjustment Subcommittee, marking a departure from previous years.

Park, who has been praised for his affable personality, is highlighting his combative side in this election. He stated, "Having served three times as secretary and twice as committee chair, I have never shied away from listening and communicating," adding, "Some worry that my amicable style might make me too compromising with the opposition, but I will prove those concerns unfounded."

Baek Hyeryun, a former prosecutor, has served as a lawmaker for Suwon-eul, Gyeonggi Province, in the 20th, 21st, and 22nd National Assembly. She was the ruling party’s secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee during the first half of the 21st Assembly and chaired the Political Affairs Committee in the latter half of the 22nd Assembly. This year, she chaired the party’s Special Committee on Judicial Reform, preparing reform measures such as increasing the number of Supreme Court justices, diversifying the Supreme Court Justice Recommendation Committee, introducing a judicial evaluation system, expanding the disclosure of lower court rulings, and implementing a pre-examination system for search and seizure warrants. During the impeachment phase of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, she also organized one-person protests in front of the Constitutional Court.

Baek, who has emphasized principles, stated, "I will apply a zero-tolerance policy to internal misconduct without exception," and added, "If any wrongdoing occurs, it will be automatically referred to the Ethics Tribunal. Anyone holding key party or parliamentary positions will be immediately excluded." She also promised to establish a rapid policy implementation system through communication between the party, government, and Blue House.

Han Byungdo, the only candidate representing a non-metropolitan district, first entered the National Assembly in the 17th session and returned in the 21st, now serving his third term. He served as Senior Secretary for Political Affairs in the Moon Jae-in administration. During Lee Jaemyung’s tenure as party leader, Han served as Strategic Planning Committee Chair, contributing to the general election victory, and has also served as Deputy Floor Leader for Assembly Operations. In the 22nd Assembly, he chaired the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.

Highlighting his diverse experience in both the party and the Blue House, Han describes himself as "a prepared candidate." He pledged, "Through close communication and cooperation between the party and the Blue House, I will implement policies that the public can truly feel," expressing confidence in his ability to facilitate smooth coordination between the party and the government.

Positions on Major Issues

Because this is a by-election, the issue of reappointment has been a key topic early in the race. While the floor leader’s term is typically one year, the possibility of reappointment has been debated. Park Jung, Jin Sungjun, and Han Byungdo have all stated that they will not seek reappointment. Baek Hyeryun has not explicitly ruled out running again, indicating a relatively flexible stance.

Regarding internal issues such as allegations of irregularities in local election nominations, Baek Hyeryun has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy and strict accountability. She stated, "If any wrongdoing occurs, it will be automatically referred to the Ethics Tribunal, and anyone holding key party or parliamentary positions will be immediately excluded." Jin Sungjun has also pledged to operate the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Ethics and establish a Public Office Ethics Reporting Center, even if it means compromising with the People Power Party.

All candidates have expressed confidence in winning this year’s local elections, addressing historical injustices, and enhancing cooperation between the party, government, and Blue House.

However, while Jin Sungjun is emphasizing persuasion in interparty relations, Park Jung, Baek Hyeryun, and Han Byungdo have signaled a more resolute approach. These differences appear to reflect each candidate’s efforts to supplement or highlight their political track records, rather than fundamental differences in their stance toward the opposition.

From a legislative perspective, Han Byungdo has shown interest in addressing regional depopulation by introducing the first bill of the new Assembly-a special law supporting areas with declining populations. Jin Sungjun stated at a press conference on the 5th, "If elected floor leader, I will focus on legislation to guarantee bargaining power for the underprivileged," adding, "I will prioritize the Online Platform Fairness Act and the Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperatives Act." Baek Hyeryun has pledged to complete judicial reform, stating, "As chair of the party’s Special Committee on Judicial Reform, I personally sponsored judicial reform bills and will see them through to completion, ending internal strife." Park Jung, drawing on his experience as Budget Committee Chair, has proposed abolishing the system of automatic referral of budget bills and amending the National Assembly Act to grant the Assembly some authority to approve budget increases.