Kim Ki-deok, a five-term lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Mapo District 4 and the longest-serving member of the 12th Seoul Metropolitan Council, drew attention Tuesday for presiding over the speaker election — a role he also performed during the 11th Council.
The Seoul Metropolitan Council held a plenary session Tuesday afternoon to elect the speaker for the first half of the 12th Council.
Following local assembly custom, Kim, as the most senior member by both terms served and age, chaired the session and oversaw the voting procedure. He opened the meeting by calling on fellow lawmakers to cooperate for a smooth election before proceeding to the vote.
In the election, Democratic Party lawmaker Im Man-gyun of Gwanak District 3 won 113 of 117 eligible votes to become speaker of the Seoul Metropolitan Council for the first half of the 12th term.
The election carried particular significance for Kim. As the council's longest-serving member, he had entered the Democratic Party's internal primary for speaker but did not prevail. He ultimately presided over the very election he had sought to win, declaring the victory of a junior colleague.
Kim performed the same role four years ago. During the speaker election for the first half of the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council, he also chaired the plenary session as the most senior member, overseeing the election of then-four-term lawmaker Kim Hyeon-gi as speaker.
Presiding over the Seoul Metropolitan Council speaker election in two consecutive terms is considered a notable record in the council's history. The 12th Council drew particular attention because the longest-serving member had competed in the internal primary for speaker before going on to chair the full plenary vote.
Throughout the proceedings, Kim maintained procedural neutrality befitting the council's most senior member, guiding the session calmly and bringing the speaker election to a smooth conclusion.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
