The Democratic Party's Im Man-gyun, a three-term lawmaker representing Gwanak, has been elected as the speaker candidate for the 12th Seoul Metropolitan Council, whose term begins Wednesday.
The Democratic Party held a primary Monday afternoon among all newly elected council members to select a speaker candidate for the first half of the term.
Six candidates entered the first round: five-term lawmaker Kim Gi-deok, four-term lawmaker Kim In-je, and three-term lawmakers Im Man-gyun, Gang Dong-gil, Lee Seung-mi and Bong Yang-sun. Im, Gang and Kim In-je advanced to the runoff.
Im won the final runoff vote among the three finalists.
Im graduated from Gwangcheon High School in Hongseong in 1978 and later earned a degree in urban and regional planning from Hannam University. He worked as a certified labor attorney before winning three consecutive terms on the Seoul Metropolitan Council.
Im ran unopposed in the June 3 local elections. He previously served as chair of the Environment and Water Resources Committee during the 11th council term.
Seong Heum-je, a three-term lawmaker from Eunpyeong, was elected deputy speaker candidate. Lee Byeong-do, a three-term lawmaker from Gangbuk, was chosen as steering committee chair candidate, and Lee Sang-hun, also a three-term lawmaker from Gangbuk, was elected floor leader candidate.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party elected Lee Seong-bae, a three-term lawmaker from Songpa, as its deputy speaker candidate and Kim Gil-yeong, a two-term lawmaker from Gangnam, as its floor leader.
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