South Korea's National Assembly elected Cho Jeong-sik as speaker during a plenary session in Seoul on Friday [1], [2].

The election establishes the leadership structure for the second half of the 22nd National Assembly term. These positions are constitutionally required to manage legislative proceedings and balance power between the ruling and opposition parties [1].

Cho, a 63-year-old member of the ruling Democratic Party, is a six-term lawmaker [2]. His election marks a pivotal transition in the legislative body's leadership as it enters the latter portion of its current term.

Alongside the speaker, the assembly elected two deputy speakers to assist in governing the chamber. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party, and Park Deok-heum of the opposition party, were both elected to these roles [1], [3]. Both deputy speakers are four-term lawmakers [1].

The voting took place in the National Assembly plenary chamber, where members convened to finalize the leadership appointments [1], [2]. This process ensures that the legislative branch remains functional and that both the majority and minority voices are represented in the presiding offices.

Cho and his deputies now assume responsibility for directing the legislative agenda during a period of significant political activity. The appointment of both a ruling party and an opposition party member to the deputy speaker roles reflects the standard practice of power-sharing within the South Korean parliamentary system [1].

“Cho Jeong-sik was elected speaker during a plenary session in Seoul on Friday.”

The election of Cho Jeong-sik and his deputies ensures the continuity of the 22nd National Assembly. By appointing leadership from both the ruling Democratic Party and the opposition, the assembly maintains a traditional balance of power intended to facilitate legislative cooperation and oversight in the second half of the term.