Uri Party Elects Chon Jung-bae as Floor Leader

Three-term lawmaker Chun Jung-bae has been elected as new floor leader of the pro-government Uri Party.

Rep. Chun defeated his rival contender, five-term lawmaker Lee Hae-chan, by a margin of six votes, gaining 78 votes out of 150 newly-elected lawmakers of Uri who participated in the election for party floor leader held at the National Assembly Memorial Hall Tuesday, with two eligible elected lawmakers not there.

Two-term lawmaker Hong Jae-hyung, who was a running mate with Chun, was also elected as Uri’s chief policymaker. The term of the floor leader and chief policymaker positions is one year.

“I will earnestly complete the reform measures of Roh Moo-hyun’s administration and participatory government and make parliament work hard,” said Rep. Chun after winning the election. “I will make efforts for the party not to be unilaterally subject to the government, and make it possible for the party to lead the government depending on the lawmakers’ competence.”

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com