Rep. Han Byung-do of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) gives a thumbs up before making a speech at a general DPK lawmakers' meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) reelected Rep. Han Byung-do as its floor leader Wednesday, marking the first time a DPK whip was elected to a second consecutive term.
The three-term lawmaker ran uncontested in an election held four months after he won his first term to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of his predecessor.
During a general meeting of DPK lawmakers, Han won a majority of the vote, which combined the ballots of lawmakers and dues-paying party members by a ratio of 8:2.
"The coming year is the golden time," he said during his acceptance speech. "From winning the local elections to overcoming the Middle East crisis and restoring people's livelihoods, there is a mountain of work to do."
Han will be charged with leading the party's parliamentary activities until next May, including negotiations with the main opposition People Power Party over the formation of committees for the latter half of the current Assembly's term.
Other pressing issues include navigating differences over a DPK-proposed bill for a special counsel investigation into allegedly fabricated indictments under the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration, including those targeting President Lee Jae Myung, and overseeing the upcoming national convention in August.
Han, who represents a district in the southwestern city of Iksan, served as senior secretary for political affairs to former President Moon Jae-in and was considered a key member of the pro-Moon faction.
He later served as chief of strategy and planning for then DPK leader Lee Jae Myung and then as operations room chief for Lee's presidential campaign last year.
Source: Korea Times News
