Governor-elect vows to fulfill Roh's vision of local autonomy, lead on livelihoods, culture and economy

Gyeonggi Province Governor-elect Choo Mi-ae speaks after the results of the nationwide local elections are announced. [Yonhap]
Gyeonggi Province Governor-elect Choo Mi-ae speaks after the results of the nationwide local elections are announced. [Yonhap]

Gyeonggi Province Governor-elect Choo Mi-ae visited the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun at Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, on Saturday, two days before the launch of her gubernatorial transition committee.

Arriving at the memorial site around 11 a.m., Choo wrote in the visitors' book: "Please watch over a united democratic force." The message was widely interpreted as a response to growing intraparty tensions over questions of leadership accountability that have surfaced since the June 3 local elections.

Choo also posted a video on Facebook showing her laying flowers and burning incense at the grave. "I, Choo Mi-ae, have been entrusted with responsibility for Gyeonggi Province and its 14.2 million residents," she wrote. "I made a commitment to fulfill the dream of local autonomy that the president cherished. I will make livelihoods flourish through local self-governance and lead on culture and the economy."

After a private conversation with Roh's widow, Kwon Yang-suk, at the former president's residence, Choo traveled to Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, to call on former President Moon Jae-in and his wife.

Moon urged Choo to help unify the progressive camp. "Our democratic members need to find their strength — Gyeonggi Province has become all the more important," he said. "Drawing on your experience working with Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in and Lee Jae Myung, I hope you will play a role in uniting the democratic camp going forward."

Choo said she hoped Moon himself would take an active part in that process. "For the Democratic Party to pool its strength as one, the role of bringing people together and encouraging one another is crucial," she said. "I hope former President Moon will also play a part in that and share his wisdom generously."


balme@heraldcorp.com