First Meeting of New Democratic Party Floor Leadership... Han Byungdo Vows to Overcome Crisis with "Do-or-Die Resolve"

First Floor Strategy Meeting Presided Over by Han Byungdo on January 13
Floor Leadership Appointments Finalized; Lee Kiheon Retained
"Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Bill to Be Passed at Plenary Session on the 15th"

The first meeting of the newly formed floor leadership, presided over by Han Byungdo, the new floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has taken place. Han expressed his determination to "overcome the crisis with a do-or-die resolve."

Han Byungdo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on January 13, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Democratic Party's floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on January 13, Han stated, "For the success of the Lee Jaemyung people's sovereignty government and Korea's great leap forward, I will tighten my shoelaces and give my all." This floor strategy meeting was the first he presided over since being elected as the new floor leader on January 11.

On the previous day, Han appointed Chun Junho as Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Operations, Kim Hankyu as Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Policy, and Jeon Yonggi as Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Communications. On this day, he also announced additional members of the new floor leadership. Lee Kiheon was retained as Chief of Staff to the Floor Leader, and Kim Hyunjung, Moon Geumjoo, and Paek Seungah as floor spokespersons. Kim Gipyo, Kim Namgeun, Kim Donga, Kim Moonsu, Kim Junhyuk, Park Yonggap, Park Hongbae, An Taejun, Oh Sehee, Lee Sangsik, Lee Yongwoo, Lee Juhui, Lee Hoonki, Jeon Jinsook, and Cho Incheol were also retained as deputy floor leaders. Newly appointed deputy floor leaders are Kim Seonghoe, Park Mingyu, and Lee Junghun.

Han emphasized that at the upcoming National Assembly plenary session on January 15, he would bring forward the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill, which passed the full session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day. He stated, "This bill aims to thoroughly and meticulously uncover the parts that the existing three special prosecutor investigations (insurrection, Kim Keonhee, Chae Haebyung) have not been able to clarify," and added, "We will ensure the bill is passed at the plenary session on the 15th."

Han also said, "The National Assembly investigation report on the Coupang customer information leak incident and illegal activities will be reported at the plenary session on the 15th," adding, "The Democratic Party will get to the bottom of the Coupang incident and correct the bad practices of companies that deceive the public. We will see through the National Assembly investigation into Coupang's customer information leak."

Meanwhile, regarding the Central Investigation Agency Act and the Public Prosecution Service Act, which the government announced for legislative notice the previous day and which have sparked internal party disagreements, Han stated, "There are no differences between the party and the government." He continued, "Abolishing the Prosecutors' Office for the first time in 78 years and completely separating investigation and prosecution is a massive undertaking to build a new house for Korea's judiciary. It is only natural to have fierce debates over the blueprint to build a solid house," drawing a clear line against interpretations of party-government conflict.