Seoul — South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has become an unlikely symbol of leadership during the country’s ongoing political unrest, sparked by President Yoon Suk-yeol’s memoir. declaration of martial law on December 3.
Although he holds the second highest office in South Korea after the presidency, the speaker of the Assembly has always had a discreet role, operating behind the scenes in politics.
Unlike the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, who directs Washington’s legislative agenda as leader of the majority party, the Speaker of the South Korean Parliament is required by law to renounce his party affiliation when speaking. his election in order to maintain his neutrality. The majority of speakers also retire after their term.
But Woo’s decisive but measured actions throughout the recent crisis seem to have disrupted the traditional vision of the speaker and his role.
“Seeing someone like him step up and act decisively at such a critical moment was refreshing,” Yoo Junghoon, a lawyer and political columnist, told Al Jazeera.
“It made voters – young and old – realize that such competent politicians still exist,” Yoo said.
South Korean youth even gave Woo the nickname “Thor of the National Assembly” – a nod to his hammer and the fact that the Marvel superhero wields his mighty hammer.
A recent Gallup Korea poll showed that 56 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Woo, an unusual figure in a country where trust in the National Assembly has fallen to just 20.6 percent, according to a Gallup Korea poll . OECD 2024 survey.
Students protest against “Thor” constitutional procedure
As a young student activist, Woo was imprisoned for three years after protesting the military dictatorship that extended martial law in 1980, following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in 1979.
The repression culminated in the deadly Gwangju uprising in May 1980.
After President Yoon declared martial law on the night of December 3, Woo, 67, scaled the fence of the National Assembly after police barricaded the entrance to try to prevent lawmakers from entering and to hold a vote to rescind the President’s order.
“I knew we had the constitutional authority to lift martial law,” Woo later recalled at a press conference.
“I didn’t hesitate. I had to enter the assembly, no matter what,” he said.
Even as South Korean special forces soldiers advanced toward the assembly building, Woo insisted on following correct legislative procedures despite growing pressure from anxious politicians who urged him to speed up the process by possibly cutting corners. .
“At times like this, it is even more vital to follow the correct and error-free procedure,” Woo told his concerned colleagues in the surrounding chamber.
At one point, troops came dangerously close to the entrance to the main chamber where lawmakers were voting, sparking a tense confrontation with Assembly staff.
The crucial vote took place, with all 190 lawmakers present – out of the 300-seat Assembly – voting in favor of repealing martial law.
“There were many reactions on social media, wondering why (Woo) was so obsessed with following legislative procedures,” said Yoo, the political columnist.
“But now, even those who oppose (President Yoon’s) impeachment cannot find fault with the process he supported,” Yoo said.
Bong Young-shik, a researcher at the Institute of North Korean Studies at Yonsei University, attributed the peaceful resolution of the chaotic situation, without civilian casualties, to Woo’s emphasis on diligently following constitutional procedures. .
“In such an unexpected and serious situation, both conservatives and progressives found Woo trustworthy,” Bong said.
“We found that this approach worked exactly as expected,” he said.
“South Korea is strong. Its people are resilient
Woo also adhered to strict constitutional procedures during the premiere, impeachment vote against President Yoon failson December 7, for declaring martial law and plunging the country into crisis.
While Yoon’s ruling party boycotted the vote to block the impeachment attempt, Woo kept the legislative session open for hours, an unusual move, urging politicians to return and fulfill their constitutional duty to vote.
Two ruling party lawmakers returned to the House to vote.
Woo only closed the session around 9:20 p.m., explaining that he could no longer let protesters, who had gathered outside the assembly in freezing weather to demand Yoon’s impeachment, wait indefinitely for an outcome.
After the success, second indictment In the vote held a week later, Woo called for a return to normalcy in all aspects of life in South Korea and for the public to move forward together.
“I hope your end of the year is a little happier,” Woo said at the time, encouraging South Koreans to resume Christmas celebrations and gatherings, mindful of the crisis’ impact on small businesses. in difficulty at a key time of the year.
“His words instantly conveyed meaning,” said Yoo, the political columnist.
Woo acknowledged his growing public profile and newfound popularity, but with rare humility.
“I heard young people call me “Thor of the National Assembly”. I find it amusing,” he said at a recent press conference.
He attributed the new public focus on the president’s role in politics not to himself personally, but to the collective efforts of the Assembly’s lawmakers, staff and engaged citizens.
Asked about his own future ambitions, including a possible presidential run, Woo dismissed the idea.
Instead, he emphasized the need for constitutional reform to address the recurring instability that has plagued South Korean presidencies since their transition to democracy in 1987.
“Our current constitution, drafted in 1987, is outdated,” he said, adding that it needed “reforms that reflect the societal changes of the past four decades.”
Woo also had a message for people around the world who were shocked by the deployment of South Korean troops during President Yoon’s brief declaration of martial law.
“South Korea is strong. Its residents are resilient,” he said.
“Even though the world was surprised by the declaration of martial law, South Korea remains safe, stable and confident in its future,” he added.