The Democratic Party Begins Floor Leader Election Process... Rising Conflict Between Pro-Yoon and Pro-Han Factions Amid Moves to Endorse Kwon Seong-dong

Some Senior Members of the Ruling Party Gather Support for Kwon Seong-dong at the Senior Members' Meeting
Han Dong-hoon: "Cannot Decide at Senior Members' Meeting... Inappropriate"

The People Power Party on the 10th began the process of electing a new floor leader to fill the vacancy left by former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho's resignation and to take charge of direct negotiations with the opposition party. Senior lawmakers, mostly from the pro-Yoon faction, are moving to endorse original pro-Yoon lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, while the pro-Han faction opposes this, escalating conflicts within the ruling party.

The People Power Party is accepting registrations for new floor leader candidates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the same day. According to party rules, the new floor leader election is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 12th and will be held in the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee meeting room. Until the new floor leader is elected, Floor Deputy Leader Bae Jun-young will serve as acting floor leader.

Earlier, former floor leader Choo resigned on the 7th immediately after the impeachment motion against President Yoon was dismissed. Despite senior lawmakers' objections the previous day, he released a statement reaffirming his resignation, saying, "Please proceed with the new floor leader election process promptly. I hope the members' strength and wisdom will be gathered around the party leader."

Since there has been no consensus yet on voting or endorsement, the matter may be discussed at the lawmakers' meeting on the day. However, if there is only one candidate, the floor leader will be elected by acclamation without a primary.

Amid the crisis involving the special prosecutor and budget bill attacks from the opposition during the emergency martial law situation and the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, attention is focused on who will be elected as the floor leader to manage the party and lead negotiations with the opposition.

People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho is leaving after a plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 2nd, conversing with lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Some speculate that, as this coincides with calls for President Yoon's resignation, the power structure within the conservative camp may be reshaped, potentially leading to a power struggle between the pro-Yoon and pro-Han factions.

Within the People Power Party, senior lawmakers such as Kwon Seong-dong, Na Kyung-won, Yoon Sang-hyun (5-term), Kim Do-eup (4-term), Kim Seong-won, Seong Il-jong, and Song Seok-jun (3-term) are being mentioned regardless of their own intentions. However, among lawmakers with floor leader experience, Yoon Jae-ok firmly declined at the lawmakers' meeting the previous day. Kim Do-eup's side also told Asia Economy that Kim has no intention to run for floor leader.

Among senior lawmakers, mostly from the pro-Yoon faction, there is a movement to endorse Kwon as floor leader, but the pro-Han faction opposes, questioning whether the original pro-Yoon Kwon can manage the current political situation if he becomes floor leader.

Kwon himself, after a senior lawmakers' meeting in the morning, told reporters at the National Assembly, "Not all senior lawmakers, but many have said that in this difficult situation, someone with experience, someone who has been floor leader before, like me, should become floor leader to properly manage the difficult party situation and serve as a messenger for the lawmakers. However, I have not decided yet. I plan to listen to more lawmakers' opinions before deciding whether to register."

Lawmaker Na Kyung-won said, "The senior lawmakers' view is that this is a very serious situation, so at least someone with floor leader experience should handle the various complex current issues immediately. In that sense, opinions have gathered that Kwon Seong-dong is appropriate."

Party leader Han Dong-hoon, when asked by reporters on his way to the lawmakers' meeting about the atmosphere of endorsing Kwon, expressed opposition, saying, "This is not something the senior lawmakers' meeting can decide, and I think it is inappropriate."

Lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae, a six-term lawmaker and leader of the pro-Han faction who opposed Kwon's endorsement at the senior lawmakers' meeting, said, "There could be public criticism that we are thinking too lightly. The issue of the president's position is much more serious than the floor leader issue. I think that is more necessary."

Lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin also expressed opposition when a reporter mentioned that Kwon's endorsement was discussed at the senior lawmakers' meeting, saying, "Those are the opinions of senior lawmakers. But we are not the power of the seniors."

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, is arriving at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min