DP Urges Election of Assembly Leadership at May 20 Plenary Session

Call for Cooperation from the People Power Party

The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing to hold a vote for and against the election of the Speaker and Vice Speakers of the 22nd National Assembly’s second half at the plenary session scheduled for May 20.

Byungdo Han, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on May 19, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Byungdo Han, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party strategy meeting on the morning of May 19, “We urge the People Power Party to cooperate in holding the plenary session on May 20 to elect the new Speaker and Vice Speakers.” He added, “Since the campaign period for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections begins on May 21, the process must be completed before then. Also, as the term of the current Speaker and Vice Speakers ends on May 29, the election procedures must be completed tomorrow (May 20) so the new leadership can begin normal duties starting May 30.”

According to Article 15, Clause 2 of the National Assembly Act, when the terms of the Speaker and Vice Speakers first elected expire, the new Speaker and Vice Speakers must be elected five days before the expiration date. Floor Leader Han stated, “The People Power Party’s suggestion to postpone the plenary session is tantamount to violating the law.” He continued, “In the past, there have been cases where the formation of the Assembly leadership was delayed by 48 or even 54 days in the latter half of the term, but as floor leader, I will absolutely not tolerate such delays. These outdated practices must end.”

If the plenary session is held, it is expected that there will be a vote for and against Cho Jeong-sik, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Speaker, as well as Nam Insoon of the Democratic Party and Park Deokheum of the People Power Party, candidates for Vice Speaker from both parties. The schedule for the first half of the 22nd National Assembly will conclude with the plenary session.

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