Byungdo Han to Hold Resignation Press Conference as Democratic Party Floor Leader... "Aiming for Re-Election"

Byungdo Han, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, will resign on April 21 to run for re-election as floor leader. Chun Junho, Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Parliamentary Operations, will serve as acting floor leader.

Kim Hyunjung, Floor Spokesperson for the Democratic Party, met with reporters after the party caucus meeting that day and said, "Yesterday, the party executive committee decided to establish an election management committee for the selection of the floor leader and the National Assembly leadership candidates," adding, "In relation to this, Floor Leader Han will hold a resignation press conference at 2:00 p.m."

Byungdo Han, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party caucus meeting held at the National Assembly on April 21, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

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The floor leader election will be held on May 6. Han is expected to resign in order to run in the upcoming election and plans to register as a candidate in the floor leader primary.

Spokesperson Kim added, "Senior Deputy Chun will serve as acting floor leader."

In addition, the Democratic Party plans to select its candidate for National Assembly Speaker (through an internal primary) on May 13. However, there is disagreement between the parties regarding the timing of the speaker's election at the plenary session. Kim explained, "The Democratic Party's position is to elect the speaker at the plenary session scheduled for May 20, but the People Power Party has suggested June 5, after the local elections, so further discussions are needed."

Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties appear to have reached common ground regarding the appointment of a special inspector. Spokesperson Kim stated, "The parties have agreed to proceed with the appointment process for the special inspector. The National Assembly will recommend three candidates, after which one will be nominated within three days, and the president will make the appointment following a confirmation hearing." She further explained, "In 2016, one candidate each was recommended by the ruling party, opposition party, and the Korean Bar Association. Currently, there is discussion about each party recommending one candidate, with the remaining one likely to be jointly recommended after receiving a request from the Bar Association."

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