Bareunmiraedang, an Unfinished Battle... Possibility of Failure to Elect Floor Leader

The Pro-Party Faction Agrees Not to Discuss 'Son's Position' Until Ahn's Return
One-Week Delay in the Election Process for Floor Leader
Kim Kwan-young and Kim Sung-sik Mentioned as Next Floor Leader Candidates

Son Hak-kyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party, attends the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd, keeping his lips tightly sealed. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Conflicts within the Bareunmirae Party continue even after the withdrawal of the Yoo Seung-min faction. This is because, following the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, the pro-party faction members have also started pressuring Chairman Sohn Hak-kyu to resign. Within the party, there are concerns that the election of the next floor leader may fail, intertwined with the issue of Chairman Sohn's position.

On the morning of the 7th, lawmakers Kim Dong-cheol, Kim Sung-sik, Park Joo-sun, Lim Jae-hoon, Joo Seung-yong, Chae Yi-bae, and Choi Do-ja held a meeting at the National Assembly to discuss Chairman Sohn's resignation, the formation of a provisional committee, and the election of a successor floor leader. Immediately after the meeting, they told reporters, "Chairman Sohn had previously stated that he would step down if former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo returns," adding, "It is expected to happen next week, and until then, our party members have agreed not to raise the issue of his position so that Chairman Sohn can make the decision himself."

Regarding the election of the floor leader, they said, "The Ahn Cheol-soo faction expressed the opinion that they would like the acting floor leader to maintain authority until former lawmaker Ahn returns," and "The Ahn Cheol-soo faction requested a week’s time, and until then, it was decided to postpone the floor leader election process."

Bareunmirae Party pro-leadership lawmakers are meeting at the National Assembly on the 7th. During the meeting, they discussed former leader Ahn Cheol-soo's return to politics and the leadership system under Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu. Lawmakers Chae I-bae (from left), Lim Jae-hoon, Park Joo-sun, Joo Seung-yong, Kim Dong-cheol, Kim Sang-sik, and Choi Do-ja attended the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The pro-party faction members are increasing pressure on Chairman Sohn by, among other things, not attending the Supreme Council meetings. Chairman Sohn held a 'solo Supreme Council meeting' again on the 6th, following the one on the 3rd. On that day, only Secretary-General Lim Jae-hoon remained at the Supreme Council meeting. At the first New Year's toast ceremony on the 1st, only Chairman Sohn and Secretary-General Lim attended the event.

On the 6th, the Supreme Council decided to establish and organize an Election Management Committee (EMC) to elect the next floor leader. This is to fill the vacancy caused by lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan’s withdrawal through a general assembly of lawmakers scheduled for the 10th. Lawmaker Joo Seung-yong was appointed as the chairperson of the EMC, with lawmakers Lim Jae-hoon and Choi Do-ja serving as members. The Bareunmirae Party planned to announce the election date and candidate registration on the 7th and close candidate registration on the 8th. However, at the request of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, the floor leader election was postponed by one week.

Within the party, lawmakers Kim Kwan-young and Kim Sung-sik are mentioned as candidates for the next floor leader. However, whether they will register as candidates remains uncertain. A Bareunmirae Party lawmaker said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 7th, "There is a possibility that the floor leader election process may not be formed now." Another lawmaker also stated, "If no one registers, Floor Deputy Leader Lee Dong-seop will temporarily act in the role." According to the party’s constitution and regulations, if the floor leader position becomes vacant, the authority is temporarily exercised by the floor deputy leader or vice leader in order of seniority until a successor floor leader is elected.

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