Choo Mi-ae has been selected as the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 3 local elections. Despite a last-minute full-court press by rivals Han Jun-ho and Kim Dong-yeon, Choo secured more than half the votes, clinching the nomination without a runoff. With the Democratic Party leading in various polls for the Gyeonggi governor race, the People Power Party (PPP) announced an additional candidate recruitment drive on the same day to strengthen its competitiveness in the general election.
So Byung-hoon, chairman of the Democratic Party's central election management committee, announced the primary results at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on Wednesday. "The top vote-getter secured a majority, so the final candidate has been confirmed without a runoff," So said. The primary, held over three days starting June 5, combined 50% from party member voting and 50% from public opinion polls. Under party rules, individual rankings and vote shares were not disclosed.
Choo had been considered the frontrunner, and rivals Han and Kim had hoped for a comeback in a potential runoff but fell short. Unlike the preliminary round, which was determined entirely by party member voting, the main primary included general opinion polls at 50%. A 10% bonus awarded to female candidates is also interpreted as having contributed to Choo's majority victory.
Immediately after the results were announced, Choo wrote on Facebook, "I will thoroughly prepare for the remaining period and repay you with an overwhelming victory on June 3." She added, "Together with party members, I will build an innovative future for Gyeonggi Province." The Democratic Party leadership plans to hold field supreme council meetings in the greater Seoul metropolitan area every Monday going forward to support Choo and other metropolitan area candidates.
Originally from Daegu, Choo is a six-term lawmaker — the most in the party — and a former judge. She entered politics in 1995 at the invitation of former President Kim Dae-jung. She lost her seat in the 17th general election in 2004 amid the backlash over the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun but returned in the 18th general election. Elected party leader in 2016, she led the party through the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. She won a seat representing Hanam-gap in Gyeonggi Province in the 22nd general election. Until recently, she served as chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, spearheading prosecutorial and judicial reform legislation.
Incumbent Governor Kim Dong-yeon and candidate Han Jun-ho both said they would accept the primary results. "I will take this result as an occasion for reflection," Kim said. "I hope candidate Choo's dedication will contribute to the success of the Lee Jae-myung government and the development of Gyeonggi Province." Han said, "I humbly accept the result and will do my best for the success of the government."
Meanwhile, the PPP's nomination management committee decided to open additional recruitment for its Gyeonggi governor candidate. "It is desirable to widen the door for competition and encourage a more vigorous and sound primary," committee chairman Park Deok-heum said. Yang Hyang-ja and Ham Jin-gyu have applied for the nomination so far, but concerns about competitiveness in the general election have been raised within the party.