Impact Player: Won Yoo-chul
Won Yoo-chul By Alicia Lee Who is he? Won Yoo-chul was named the new floor leader of the Saenuri Party on July 14, 2015. Previously, Won had been the chairman of the Policy Committee in the Saenuri Party since February 2015. He has held four terms in the National Assembly and had served as chairman of the Saenuri’s Policy Committee and as chairman of the Special Committee on Development of Local Autonomy in the National Assembly (2014 – present). He was chairman of the Overseas Korean Cooperation Committee in the Saenuri Party (2012 – 2014). From 2008 to 2010, he was the chairman of the Gyeonggi Regional Party Chapter in the Grand National Party. He has also served as Vice-Governor for Political Affairs in Gyeonggi-do (2006 – 2007) and as chairman of the First Policy Coordinating Committee in the Grand National Party (2003-2004). He won his first term as a lawmaker representing Pyeongtaek’s First District in 1996. Won’s political career began when he joined the Gyeonggi-do Provincial Council as a member in 1991. Won received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in political science and international relations from Korea University.
Why has he been in the news? The Saenuri Party announced on July 14, 2015 that Won Yoo-chul has been chosen as the new floor leader of the ruling party. Won was the only candidate running for the position and was chosen with a consensus. Won picked his running mate and three-term lawmaker Kim Jung-hoon as the Saenuri Party’s new chief policymaker. Won replaced Yoo Seung-min, who had resigned from his post on July 8. Yoo faced tremendous pressure after he was singled out as the reason for Saenuri Party’s negative relations with Cheong Wa Dae. He was also involved in a controversial revision bill to the National Assembly that was rejected by President Park Geun-hye for being “unconstitutional.” What can we expect from him? Won Yoo-chul brings a wealth of political experience and leadership capability to the table. As the new floor leader, Won vowed to mend the broken relationship with the Blue House and the government by strengthening communication with both sides. In his acceptance speech, Won stated that he will work closely and cooperate with the opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy Party (NPAD), as well as holding regular meetings with his counterpart Lee Jong-kul, NPAD’s floor leader.
Korea Chair Impact Players is made possible by the support of United Airlines. The views expressed in Impact Players do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor or its affiliates. Impact Players is a product by the CSIS Korea Chair to inform audiences about key policy makers in issue areas of importance to US-Korea relations. All views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Why has he been in the news? The Saenuri Party announced on July 14, 2015 that Won Yoo-chul has been chosen as the new floor leader of the ruling party. Won was the only candidate running for the position and was chosen with a consensus. Won picked his running mate and three-term lawmaker Kim Jung-hoon as the Saenuri Party’s new chief policymaker. Won replaced Yoo Seung-min, who had resigned from his post on July 8. Yoo faced tremendous pressure after he was singled out as the reason for Saenuri Party’s negative relations with Cheong Wa Dae. He was also involved in a controversial revision bill to the National Assembly that was rejected by President Park Geun-hye for being “unconstitutional.” What can we expect from him? Won Yoo-chul brings a wealth of political experience and leadership capability to the table. As the new floor leader, Won vowed to mend the broken relationship with the Blue House and the government by strengthening communication with both sides. In his acceptance speech, Won stated that he will work closely and cooperate with the opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy Party (NPAD), as well as holding regular meetings with his counterpart Lee Jong-kul, NPAD’s floor leader.
Korea Chair Impact Players is made possible by the support of United Airlines. The views expressed in Impact Players do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor or its affiliates. Impact Players is a product by the CSIS Korea Chair to inform audiences about key policy makers in issue areas of importance to US-Korea relations. All views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
