Kim Byung-wook, former floor leader, after voting. Yonhap News

Amid Rep. Kim Byung-wook of the Democratic Party of Korea resigning as floor leader on the 30th, projections suggest that the election for the next floor leader could be more competitive than anticipated.

Although some have suggested that an endorsement might be preferable to a primary election due to the fact that the new floor leader will serve a "short tenure" until the remainder of Rep. Kim's term, and the party is in a state of disarray, potential candidates are showing their willingness to run with the possibility of re-election in mind.

Furthermore, with the by-election for floor leader scheduled on the same day as the closely watched by-election for Supreme Council members, framed as a confrontation between "Myung-Cheong" (President Lee Jae-myung and Chairman Chung Jin-suk), public interest from within and outside the party is expected to surge in terms of shifts in the ruling party's power dynamics.

The Democratic Party held a Supreme Council meeting today and decided to hold the primary election for the new floor leader on January 11th. This is the same day scheduled for the by-election to select three new Supreme Council members.

The party's explanation for proceeding with the floor leader by-election in just over ten days, well within the one-month timeframe required, is due to the party member vote.

The party member vote accounts for 20% of the floor leader election, and since a party member vote is also being held for the Supreme Council election, the dates were aligned, according to the party.

The term for the new floor leader will be approximately four months, until mid-May, and given the upcoming local elections and parliamentary schedule next year, the role of the floor leader is not expected to be substantial.

Rep. Kim, the former floor leader, was elected in June due to overlap with the presidential election schedule, but the election for the next floor leader was originally scheduled for May, according to Floor Leader Jo Seung-rae in a phone call with Yonhap News today.

While the possibility of an endorsement was raised within the party due to reasons such as the short remaining term, the prevailing expectation now is for a fierce primary election.

The analysis suggests that the importance has increased, as a floor leader elected through a by-election who proves their capabilities can naturally gain an advantageous position in next year's primary.

A senior lawmaker commented in a phone call, "Although another election will have to be held in May next year, this floor leader position is not for four months, but for one year and four months."

Indeed, three-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party met at the National Assembly today to discuss the election of a new floor leader and measures to stabilize the party, but it is reported that no active opinions were expressed regarding an endorsement.

Rep. Wi Sung-gon, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said, "There doesn't seem to be any particular reason to endorse someone," adding, "It is important now for the party, the administration, and the presidential office to work together harmoniously."

Within the party, Reps. Park Jeong, Baek Hye-ryon, and Han Byung-do (all three-term lawmakers, in alphabetical order) have been preparing to run, contacting fellow lawmakers in anticipation of the next floor leader election.

It is reported that Reps. Park and Han have left open the possibility of running in this by-election.

They are known to recognize their role as senior lawmakers who need to help stabilize the party's current turbulent atmosphere.

Rep. Baek also appears to be contemplating the possibility of running.

Additionally, three-term lawmakers such as Reps. Lee Eon-ju and Jo Seung-rae were also mentioned as potential candidates within the party. However, Rep. Jo is currently focused on his role as the party's floor leader preparing for the local elections.

There are also whispers that Rep. Lee's chances of running are slim, given that he is a Supreme Council member.

If the by-election for floor leader, following the Supreme Council by-election, becomes fiercely contested, it is expected to become a turning point that could amplify the magnitude of change in Chairman Chung Jin-suk's leadership.

This is because four members of the Supreme Council, including the party's floor leader, will be newly elected out of a total of nine Supreme Council members, including Chairman Chung.

Consequently, attention within the party is focused on the political tendencies and lines of the candidate pool.

Reps. Park Jeong, Baek Hye-ryon, and Han Byung-do are all considered 'pro-Lee Jae-myung' (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction members, but they have differences in their political leanings and approaches.

Rep. Park, who is the director of the Park Jeong Language Institute, actively supported the campaign of Rep. Park Chan-dae, a self-proclaimed 'real Lee Jae-myung' candidate who competed against Chairman Chung in the August 2nd party convention.

However, Rep. Park was active in the campaign camp of then-candidate Lee Nak-yeon during the 2022 presidential primaries.

Rep. Baek raised issues regarding the neutrality of prosecutorial investigations in 2011, resigned from her prosecutor position, and was recruited by the Democratic Party in the general election the following year. While she is considered to have a weak factional alignment, it is also said that her support within the party is not as strong.

Rep. Han, a member of the '586' generation of student activists who served as the student council president at Wonkwang University, was classified as a key figure in the pro-Moon Jae-in faction during the Moon Jae-in administration, where he served as Senior Secretary for Political Affairs.

Subsequently, he served as the chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee during President Lee Jae-myung's tenure as party leader and worked as the situation room chief in Lee Jae-myung's campaign during this year's early presidential election.