Democratic Party secures 81 seats, set to claim council speakership
All 118 members of the 12th Seoul Metropolitan Council have been confirmed ahead of the body's scheduled opening on July 1.
The June 3 local elections returned 81 Democratic Party of Korea members — including eight on the proportional representation list — and 37 People Power Party members, including seven from proportional representation.
First-term lawmakers account for the overwhelming majority, with 74 of the 118 seats going to first-time council members. The most-tenured member is Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Ki-deok (Mapo District 4), who secured a fifth term after previously serving in the 5th, 8th, 10th and 11th councils.
Male members outnumber female members 75 to 43. Lee Gwang-hui (Democratic Party, Yangcheon District 3) and Lee In-ae (Democratic Party, proportional representation), both born in 1995, will serve as the youngest members of the council.
Four Democratic Party candidates — Lee Byeong-do (Eunpyeong District 2), Gong U-seok (Gwanak District 1), Ju Mu-yeol (Gwanak District 2) and Im Man-gyun (Gwanak District 3) — were elected unopposed.
The 12th Seoul Metropolitan Council, whose term runs through June 30, 2030, will hold its first extraordinary session in July to elect the speaker, deputy speakers and standing committee chairs for the first half of the term.
7toy7@heraldcorp.com
