The Democratic Party of Korea began voting on Jan. 11 for a by-election to choose its floor leader. The floor leader candidates spoke with one voice, saying the party is in crisis due to the disgraceful resignation of former floor leader Kim Byung-kee, and that they would strengthen communication between the party and the presidential office to lay the groundwork for victory in the local elections.
The Democratic Party held a vote for the floor leader by-election at the National Assembly on the afternoon of Jan. 11. The floor leader vote is being conducted under a system of "80% members of the National Assembly, 20% dues-paying party members." The term of the floor leader elected in this by-election is about four months.
The candidates cited "victory in the local elections" as the most weighty task for the floor leader. In particular, they emphasized that communication should be strengthened to prevent disagreements between the party and the presidential office, and that legislation on "settling the sedition issue" and "people's livelihoods and the economy" should provide support.
Han Byung-do, the first lawmaker to present a policy speech, said, "In addition to prosecution reform and judicial reform, I will complete legislation to end sedition within the term," adding, "I will further strengthen internal communication among the party, the government and the presidential office. I will minimize differences and reach agreed conclusions."
He went on, "For the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration and for Korea's constitutional order and democracy, this local election is an urgent task that we must win," adding, "I boldly assert that a sweeping victory in the local elections will complete the settlement of the sedition issue."
Rep. Baek Hye-ryun said, "I entered the floor leader race to break through the current crisis, stabilize the party and lay the groundwork for victory in the local elections," adding, "While taking lawmakers' opinions seriously, I will not hesitate when a decision is needed."
She added, "I will support the Lee Jae-myung administration's 'five hubs and three special' policy to build a springboard for victory in the local elections," and said, "Close communication among the party, the government and the presidential office is a given. We will create a structure in which the party, the government and the presidential office communicate seamlessly through a system so that disagreements do not arise."
Rep. Jin Sung-joon emphasized, "What is serious is that our party's sense of ethics has hit rock bottom and that there is discord across the party," adding, "We will raise the party's ethical awareness to meet public expectations and form and operate the Special Committee on Ethics in the National Assembly."
He also said, "We will properly establish a culture of debate between the party and the government and between the party and the presidential office. As with the policy debates implemented when I was policy committee chair, we will open debates and hold public discussions on important policy and political issues," adding, "During the remaining term, we will firmly push ahead with ethics, debate and settling the sedition issue, and then step down cleanly."
Rep. Park Jeong said, "The party is in trouble. A situation has unfolded in which the ruling party's floor leader resigned just six months after taking office," adding, "The reason we are facing a crisis is because of 'self-interest' that seeks to enjoy more of the ruling party's premium."
He continued, "I will set myself aside and take the path for the Democratic Party to win and for the Lee Jae-myung administration to succeed," adding, "We will build a successful ruling party of a successful administration with a field unit in the Assembly rather than a command headquarters."