[Interview] National Assembly Speaker Candidate Jo Jung-sik: "100% of Lee Administration's Legislative Agenda Will Be Completed Within This Year"

National Assembly of Sovereignty and Livelihood as Key Themes

Last Thursday of Each Month Designated as "People's Livelihood Legislation Day"

"Proven Stability as a Six-Term Lawmaker" as a Strength

"There are about 180 legislative tasks related to the state affairs agenda of the Lee Jae-myung administration, but more than half of them have yet to be processed. If I become Speaker of the National Assembly, the most urgent priority is to accelerate legislation so that 100% of them can be completed within this year."

Jo Jung-sik, a six-term member of the Democratic Party of Korea and the longest-serving lawmaker in the 22nd National Assembly, said in an interview with The Asia Business Daily on May 7, "If I become Speaker of the National Assembly, I will complete the formation of the parliamentary committees by June and open an extraordinary session in July to address urgent livelihood-related legislative tasks for a month."

Assemblyman Jo Jung-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea, who ran for the Speaker of the 22nd National Assembly in the second half, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily. 2026.5.7 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Assemblyman Jo began his legislative career after being elected in Siheung-eul, Gyeonggi Province, during the 17th general election in 2004, and has since achieved six consecutive terms through the 22nd National Assembly. He has served in key positions such as Gyeonggi Provincial Party Chair, Chairman of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Policy Committee Chairman, and Secretary-General. In December last year, he was appointed as the Presidential Special Advisor for Political Affairs, serving as a bridge between Democratic Party lawmakers and the presidential office.

He also said, "After meeting with various lawmakers, I found that they commonly wanted a more predictable parliament. They wanted to know when plenary sessions would be held and when bills passed by standing committees would be reviewed by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," adding, "I will enhance the predictability of the National Assembly so that lawmakers can coordinate their constituency work and political schedules in line with the legislative timetable."

Assemblyman Jo cited a "National Assembly of Sovereignty" and a "National Assembly for the People’s Livelihood" as his key themes. To achieve this, he pledged to hold plenary sessions every Thursday and designate the last Thursday of every month as "People’s Livelihood Legislation Day." He also proposed designating December 3 every year as "National Sovereignty Day," inheriting the great civic spirit that stood up to the December 3 Martial Law (12·3 Emergency Martial Law).

To accelerate constitutional amendment, he pledged to promptly form a special committee on constitutional revision and relaunch the amendment proposal. Through constitutional revision, he plans to pursue agendas with broad national consensus, such as introducing a four-year, two-term presidency and transferring the Board of Audit and Inspection to the National Assembly. Other pledges include ▲prompt completion of relocating the National Assembly building to Sejong ▲strengthening support for parliamentary diplomacy, among others.

Jo Jung-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who ran for the Speaker of the 22nd National Assembly's second half, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily. 2026.5.7 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Comparing himself to rival candidates Kim Tae-nyeon and Park Ji-won, Jo emphasized his "proven stability as a six-term lawmaker." He said, "By convention, the Speaker of the National Assembly has typically been the longest-serving member, and in the 22nd National Assembly, that is me in the Democratic Party. I maintain harmonious relations with all lawmakers, so I can wisely resolve conflicts and deadlocks, regardless of political affiliation."

He also emphasized cooperation with the administration, stating, "The Speaker of the National Assembly is neutral, but as a Speaker from the ruling party, cooperation with the administration is essential. I am the only candidate who has weathered difficult times together with President Lee."

When asked about communication with opposition parties such as the People Power Party, Jo replied, "In times of extreme confrontation, what matters is not delaying but making responsible decisions. I will engage in strategic communication with the next opposition floor leadership, keep the door open for cooperation, but respond firmly to obstructionism that ignores people's livelihoods, thereby realizing responsible politics."

Jo added, "As President Lee served as mayor of Seongnam, governor of Gyeonggi Province, party leader, and now president, he has demonstrated that politics can make a positive difference in people’s lives. Making the National Assembly capable of delivering this sense of efficacy will be the greatest transformation."

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