5 Key Reasons Park Ji-won is the Best Candidate for National Assembly Speaker in 2026

Park Jie-won, long known as former President Kim Dae-jung’s chief of staff and a veteran political strategist, announced on May 3 that he will run for Speaker of the National Assembly, pledging to be a strong presiding officer.

A five-term lawmaker and the oldest member of the 22nd National Assembly, Park wrote on Facebook: “The best politics is cooperation; if cooperation fails, then responsible politics.” He said the country needs a strong speaker to revive stalled politics and to produce cooperation, and added that if cooperation fails he will act as a strong speaker for the sake of the nation, the people and President Lee Jae-myung’s success.

Park began his political career at the urging of former President Kim Dae-jung and has served as presidential chief of staff, the Democratic Party’s floor leader, and director of the National Intelligence Service. He said he wants to be judged on his experience, seniority and competence.

Park said he has extensive experience in parliamentary administration and information, noting that he has served three times as floor leader and three times as chair of emergency or interim committees in the National Assembly. “Across time and cultures, the speaker is a senior elder,” he said. “If I become Speaker, I will not pursue any personal political agenda.”

Citing recent polls that show him leading among Democratic supporters, Park said, “Because public and party sentiment overwhelmingly favors me, lawmakers’ support will naturally go to Park Jie-won.” He added, “I am qualified to be Speaker.”

The Democratic Party will open registration for its internal Speaker primary on May 4. It will choose its candidate through online voting by registered party members (20%) on May 11–12 and an on-site vote by lawmakers (80%) on May 13. The contest includes Park, six-term lawmaker Cho Jung-sik — the party’s longest-serving member — and five-term lawmaker Kim Tae-nyeon.