Gyeonggi Province Governor-elect Choo Mi-ae paid her respects at the grave of late former President Roh Moo-hyun ahead of the launch of her transition committee.
Choo visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, at around 11 a.m. Friday to pay tribute at Roh's grave, according to Choo's side. In the visitors' book at the site, Choo wrote, "Please protect the united democratic forces." She then paid a courtesy visit to Roh's widow, Kwon Yang-sook.
Choo proceeded immediately to Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, at 2:30 p.m. to pay a courtesy visit to former President Moon Jae-in. National Assembly members Choi Min-hee, Kim Ki-pyo, Kim Sung-hoe and Park Ji-hye accompanied her on the day's schedule.
Political observers view the move as an effort by Choo to consolidate the Democratic Party's support base and secure political legitimacy for her provincial administration ahead of the transition committee's activities. Choo's transition body, the "Fair, Innovative and Inclusive Gyeonggi Preparatory Committee," will hold a plaque-unveiling ceremony and launch at the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, at 3 p.m. Sunday. The committee will be chaired by National Assembly member Kim Tae-nyeon (Sujeong, Seongnam), with National Assembly member Kim Young-jin (Byeong, Suwon) serving as vice chair.
