S. Korean Speaker emerges as people's hero over leadership

Woo voted most trustworthy politician after calmly presiding over recent political turmoil

- Wendy Teo

Amid the political storm in South Korea whipped up by a short-lived martial law attempt on Dec 3, one man has emerged as a hero of the people.

Images of South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik banging the gavel as he presided over the legislature's overturning of the martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol and two subsequent impeachment motions against the President have earned him the nickname "Thor", in a reference to the hammer-wielding Marvel superhero.

The first motion on Dec 7 failed because there were not enough votes, but the second one on Dec 14 went through.

Mr Woo's calm leadership of the fractured National Assembly during the martial law and impeachment turmoil has won the hearts of many South Koreans, who voted him the most trustworthy politician in a survey released on Dec 13.

Mr Woo scored 56 per cent in the survey, while opposition leader Lee Jae-myung scored 41 per cent and Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo 21 per cent.

This popularity could propel him to the highest echelons of power in South Korean politics.

Mr Woo's name is now being floated as a possible presidential candidate should a snap presidential election be called in the first half of 2025.

The Constitutional Court has 180 days from Dec 14 to mull over whether to uphold or reject Mr Yoon's impeachment. If upheld, elections for a new president have to be called within 60 days.

When asked about his interest in the race at a recent press briefing, Mr Woo gave a faint smile before replying: "My term only ends in May 2026, and I have not given any thought to the presidential race at this point."