A competitive speaker race has officially begun in South Korea’s National Assembly. Three ruling party heavyweights launched their bids on Monday. Representatives Cho Jeong-sik, Kim Tae-nyeon and Park Jie-won held separate news conferences. The Democratic Party of Korea set May 13 for the final lawmaker vote. Consequently, this speaker race will determine the country’s second-highest protocol position.
Six-term lawmaker Cho Jeong-sik resigned as President Lee Jae Myung’s special adviser. He pledged to strengthen the National Assembly’s diplomacy significantly. “I will systematize Assembly diplomacy and strengthen institutional support,” Cho said. He also vowed to complete constitutional revision during his term. Specifically, Cho proposed a four-year presidential term with one consecutive re-election. Furthermore, he wants to transfer the Board of Audit and Inspection to the Assembly. Cho also pledged to relocate the National Assembly complex to Sejong. Therefore, this speaker race carries major implications for constitutional reform.
Five-term lawmaker Kim Tae-nyeon serves as chair of the Korea-China Parliamentarians’ Union. He called for elevating Assembly diplomacy into a national strategy. “Assembly diplomacy is a national strategy in an era of great transformation,” Kim said. He proposed creating a standalone foreign affairs office at the National Assembly. Kim also committed to making constitutional revision a reality. He would launch a revision roadmap as soon as the second half begins. Consequently, Kim’s entry into the speaker race emphasizes economic security and supply chains.
Five-term lawmaker Park Jie-won previously directed the National Intelligence Service. He called for strengthening Assembly diplomacy and special envoys. Park said the National Assembly should preemptively resolve government headaches in foreign affairs. “I will support the Lee Jae Myung administration and safeguard national interest,” Park said. He mentioned the US-Iran war and the Coupang issue as key challenges. Park also vowed to lay groundwork for prosecution and judicial reforms swiftly. However, he added a striking condition: “I will not accommodate the ‘Yoon Again’ forces.” Thus, this speaker race also reflects internal party divisions.
The Democratic Party will complete the selection process before Speaker Woo Won-shik’s term ends. His two-year term concludes on May 29. For the first time, rank-and-file party members have a voting say. They account for 20 percent of the total vote. Sitting lawmakers hold the remaining 80 percent. Online voting for dues-paying members happens on May 11 and 12. A lawmaker vote follows on May 13. After the party’s internal votes, a secret ballot will elect the speaker. The candidate needs support from more than half of sitting lawmakers. The Democratic Party holds a clear majority in the Assembly. Therefore, the nominee will almost certainly secure the post. This speaker race will shape legislative priorities for the next two years. Observers expect active debates on constitutional revision and foreign policy. The winner will also lead inter-Korean dialogue efforts at the parliamentary level.
