Ruling Party Parliamentary Leader By-election Set for Four-way Race... Who Will Fill Kim Byung-kee’s Vacancy?

[Financial News] On the 4th, the pool of candidates for the new parliamentary leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) was narrowed down to four. They are vying to fill the vacancy left by former parliamentary leader Kim Byung-kee.
On this day, Han Byeongdo, a DPK lawmaker, officially announced his candidacy for parliamentary leader at a press conference held at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. He stated, “Having built up experience and expertise in the DPK, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, and Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House), I am declaring my candidacy for parliamentary leader today to push forward reform bills, livelihood tasks, and the June local elections.” He added, “I will immediately step down from my position as chair of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.”
Han Byeongdo pledged to establish a 24-hour hotline between the Lee Jae-myung administration, the DPK, and Cheong Wa Dae to expedite legislative tasks if elected as the next parliamentary leader.
He also announced plans to swiftly process the amendment to the National Assembly Act, known as the 'filibuster restriction bill,' which is currently pending in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, to prevent legislative delays caused by the People Power Party’s use of filibusters.
With Han Byeongdo’s declaration, the field of candidates for the next DPK parliamentary leader has been finalized at four: Jin Seong-jun, Bak Jeong, Back Hye-ryun, and Han Byeongdo. All have emphasized the importance of communication between the DPK, the Lee Jae-myung administration, and Cheong Wa Dae. In addition, they have voiced a commitment to promptly address the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor and Unification Church Special Counsel, as well as to respond firmly to a series of internal allegations within the party.
Jin Seong-jun stated, “We must swiftly root out forces of insurrection and focus on revitalizing the people’s livelihood and economy.” He pledged to establish a stronger party-government unity to achieve this. Bak Jeong announced, “I will immediately push for the extension of the special counsel on insurrection and the Unification Church Special Counsel,” adding, “If negotiations fail, I will ensure these are processed within January, even if it requires additional pressure.”
Back Hye-ryun has expressed her determination to resolve the situation facing the DPK by applying a zero-tolerance policy without exception to internal misconduct, including the recent allegations of a '100 million won nomination bribe' in 2022.
The four candidates will begin registration on the 5th, followed by an online vote by party members on the 9th and 10th, and a vote by National Assembly members on the 11th. The next parliamentary leader, chosen by party members and DPK lawmakers, will be officially elected after the National Assembly vote concludes on the 11th.
gowell@fnnews.com Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter