Song Young-gil Moves into "President Lee's Office"... Han Donghun Takes Office Next to Pro-Han Lawmakers

Song Young-gil Emerges as Key Party Leadership Contender

Growing Calls for Han Donghun's Return as Pro-Han Faction Rallies

There is growing interest in the future political moves and internal party dynamics involving those elected in the June 3 parliamentary by-elections.

Democratic Party of Korea leader Chung Cheong-rae attended a members' meeting held ahead of the plenary session to elect the leadership team for the latter half of the 22nd National Assembly on the 5th, where he greeted Song Young-gil, Democratic Party of Korea member of the National Assembly elected in the Incheon Yeonsu-gap by-election. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 5th, newly elected members who secured seats in the National Assembly through the by-elections made their first appearance at the National Assembly. Among them, Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil (Incheon Yeonsu Gap), a prominent candidate for the next party leadership and now a six-term lawmaker, drew the most attention. Assemblyman Song was reinstated to the party after being acquitted in February in the appeals trial related to allegations of cash envelopes at the party convention. He chose office 818 in the Assembly Members' Office Building, a room previously used by President Lee Jaemyung during his time as a lawmaker, adding symbolic meaning. This was also the same office Song used when representing the Gyeyang Eul constituency. It is reported that Song hopes to be assigned to the National Defense Committee in order to focus on military reforms and the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON).

Assemblyman Kim Namjoon, a former Blue House spokesperson who was often called "Lee Jaemyung's voice," won in Incheon Gyeyang Eul, which was President Lee's former constituency. Kim Namguk, a core member of the pro-Lee "Seven Member Group," overcame the "coin controversy" and successfully returned to the National Assembly by winning re-election in Ansan Gap, Gyeonggi Province.

The return of Lee Kwangjae, known as a "legitimate successor to Roh Moo-hyun," is also drawing attention. Lee previously served as Director of the National Situation Room in the Roh Moo-hyun administration and as Governor of Gangwon Province, making him a leading pro-Roh figure. Political circles expect that he will now play a role uniting the anti-Lee (non-Lee Jaemyung) factions, including pro-Roh and pro-Moon groups. Lee was elected in Hanam Gap, Gyeonggi Province, in the June 3 by-election.

Independent Legislator Donghun Han, elected in the Busan Bukgap by-election, is attending the ‘436th National Assembly (Extraordinary Session) 1st Plenary Session’ held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Yonhap News.

There is also significant focus on the actions of independent lawmaker Han Donghun (Busan Buk Gap). Han is expected to begin his political activities in earnest, emphasizing "conservative reconstruction" as his core value. Within the People Power Party, there is reported to be support, particularly among pro-Han members, for Han's return to the party. Han has been assigned office 1022 in the Assembly Members' Office Building, previously occupied by Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yonggi. Nearby offices are occupied by pro-Han lawmakers Kim Hyungdong (1016), Bae Hyunjin (1015), Ko Dongjin (1014), and Park Junghoon (1017). As Han stated, "I believe I should begin my role by preventing the dismissal of indictments," he is expected to seek a position on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

Yoo Euidong (four-term lawmaker, Pyeongtaek Eul, Gyeonggi Province) of the People Power Party, who defeated Cho Kuk of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, said on a radio program that day regarding Han's possible return to the party, "Uniting the divided voices of conservatives is the starting point for conservative reconstruction."

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