민주당 초유의 온라인 전당대회...원격 국회도 논의 중<br /><br />Former prime minister and presidential hopeful Lee Nak-yon has been elected to lead South Korea's ruling Democratic Party for the next two years.<br />But because of the growing outbreak in Korea, he had to deliver his acceptance speech on Saturday online... in the party's first national convention to be held online.<br />It was the latest in a series of events for lawmakers that have had to go virtual.<br />Lee Kyung-eun tells us more.<br />Because of the pandemic, school, work and even politics in South Korea have had to move online.<br />The ruling Democratic Party on Saturday livestreamed its new chairmanship election on YouTube, where in a three-way race former prime minister Lee Nak-yon won over 60 percent of the vote.<br />It was the first time a South Korean political party has held a virtual national convention.<br />They're usually in a big stadium with tens of thousands of people, but this time, only about 10 people were there at the party’s headquarters.<br />The incoming chairman was not at the headquarters, however he's in self-quarantine having recently been at the same radio station where someone was caught the virus.<br />So, instead, Lee Nak-yon gave his speech from home,… pledging his utmost efforts tin the war against COVID-19.<br />For the Democratic Party to fight this war more effectively and systematically, the existing national crisis committee will be expanded and renewed,... and I will be leading that committee.<br />The outgoing party leader Lee Hae-chan, also in self-quarantine, spoke as well.<br />He's in isolation at home,... as are several other party lawmakers, after learning that a photojournalist who covered a party meeting tested positive.<br />That case forced the National Assembly to shut down, and prompted him on Friday, his last day as leader, to give a press briefing online for the first time.<br />"What do you believe to be the reason for the drop your party's support rate?"<br />"A party's support rate can always go up and down depending on how it responds to national issues."<br />Parliament reopened on Sunday.<br />But to avoid another shutdown in the future, lawmakers are considering making the entire National Assembly a virtual house, where all procedures are done remotely, including voting.<br />Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.<br />
