Governor-elect Choo Mi-ae of Gyeonggi visited the South Gyeongsang region to honor former presidents and appealed for "unity within the party."
On the morning of the 13th, Choo, along with Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Choi Min-hee, Kim Ki-pyo, Kim Seong-hoe and Park Ji-hye, visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, and paid respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.
After laying flowers and offering incense, Choo wrote in the guest book, "Please protect a united democratic force." As signs of internal division emerged within the opposition after debate over party leader Jung Chung-rae's responsibility for the recent local election results, this appears to be a message of harmony, invoking the former president's spirit of unity.
Choo also wrote on Facebook, a social media platform, that "this visit is also a pledge to repay residents' choice with results that improve livelihoods," adding, "Let's come together as one Democratic Party of integration beyond division, pool our strength, and with that strength deliver responsible results in Gyeonggi provincial administration."
After a chat with Kwon Yang-sook at the former president's residence, Choo immediately moved to Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, to pay a courtesy call on former President Moon Jae-in and his wife.
At the meeting, Moon said, "Our democratic members need to muster strength," adding, "Gyeonggi has become even more important." Regarding the governor-elect, Moon said, "This is someone who has worked with Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in and Lee Jae-myung," and added, "Based on that experience, please play a role in the future for the integration of the democratic camp."
Choo responded, "For the Democratic Party to rally as one, the roles of integrating and comforting one another are important, and I hope you, former President Moon, will also play a role in that process and lend us much insight."
Meanwhile, the name of the gubernatorial transition committee that will sketch out the blueprint for the 9th popularly elected Gyeonggi administration has been finalized as the "Fairness·Innovation·Inclusiveness Gyeonggi Preparation Committee." Choo tapped Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Tae-nyeon as chair and lawmaker Kim Young-jin as vice chair. The transition committee is scheduled to hold an official signboard-hanging ceremony on the 15th at the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation building and then begin full-fledged operations.