Jung Jongsik Announces Candidacy for Speaker of the National Assembly... "Unite Behind the Proven Stability of a Six-Term Lawmaker"

"My Final Challenge at Yeouido"
"Assembly Leadership Formation to Be Completed by June"

Jung Jung-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced his candidacy for Speaker of the National Assembly on May 4. Emphasizing the need to work closely with the Lee Jaemyung administration, Assemblyman Jung appealed for support, stating, "Please unite behind the proven stability of a six-term lawmaker."

On this day, Assemblyman Jung held a press conference at the National Assembly, officially declaring his bid for Speaker. He said, "The Lee Jaemyung administration is demonstrating the effectiveness of politics to the public through swift achievements. Now, it is time for the National Assembly to also deliver tangible results to the people. We must establish a 'National Assembly of Sovereignty' that produces results, working together as one with the party, government, and the presidential office, so that the public can truly feel the impact of a 'National Assembly for the People.'"

Jung Jung-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference on May 4th at the National Assembly Communication Office announcing his candidacy for the Speaker of the 22nd National Assembly's second half term. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Pledging to create a National Assembly focused on people's livelihoods, Assemblyman Jung promised, "We will ensure the formation of the Assembly leadership by June and complete 100 percent of the Lee Jaemyung administration's key legislative tasks by December." He also pledged to institutionalize regular social dialogues, establish a permanent legislative expo, and set up the "Future Task Advisory Committee" and the "Basic Society Advisory Committee." In addition, he emphasized the need for constitutional amendments, strengthening the status of the National Assembly, and enhancing parliamentary diplomacy.

On this day, Assemblyman Jung appealed for support, describing his run as "the final challenge at Yeouido," and "my third and last attempt."

The Democratic Party will select the successor to current Speaker Woo Won-shik, whose term ends on the 29th. By convention, the Speaker candidate is chosen by the majority party in the National Assembly and then finalized through a plenary vote. The Democratic Party will determine its candidate by combining the results of an online vote by members with voting rights held on the 11th and 12th, and a vote by Democratic Party lawmakers—which accounts for 80%—on the 13th. In addition to Assemblyman Jung, five-term lawmakers Kim Taenyon and Park Ji-won have also entered the race for Speaker.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.