On April 7, 2026, the Democratic Party of Korea announced that Choo Mi-ae, a veteran lawmaker and prominent figure in Korean politics, will be its official candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor in the highly anticipated June 3 local elections. The announcement, made by So Byung-hoon, chairman of the party’s central election committee, at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, capped a closely watched primary contest and set the stage for a new chapter in the province’s political landscape.
Choo Mi-ae’s victory in the party’s final primary was decisive. According to KBS and other major outlets, she secured more than half of the votes, thereby eliminating the need for a runoff under Democratic Party rules. The primary, which took place over three days from April 5 to April 7, combined the results of a party member vote and a public opinion poll, each accounting for 50% of the total. The contest featured Choo Mi-ae alongside fellow contenders Han Jun-ho and Kim Dong-yeon, the incumbent governor. Ultimately, Choo’s majority win left no doubt about her mandate.
In a statement released on social media immediately after the results were announced, Choo expressed heartfelt appreciation to her supporters. "Thank you for your support," she wrote, promising, "I will prepare thoroughly so that we can achieve an overwhelming victory on June 3." She went on to offer gratitude and condolences to her fellow candidates and their backers, saying, "I also deeply thank and comfort Kim Dong-yeon, Han Jun-ho, Kwon Chil-seung, Yang Ki-dae, and all those who supported them and worked hard together." Choo pledged to work with Democratic Party members to "create an innovative future for Gyeonggi Province."
The Democratic Party did not disclose the exact vote counts or percentages, but the outcome was clear enough: Choo Mi-ae’s reformist credentials and long-standing involvement in party leadership proved decisive in a primary that balanced both party loyalty and broader public sentiment. The selection process itself reflected the party’s commitment to participatory democracy, with both rank-and-file members and the general public having a direct say in the outcome.
Choo Mi-ae’s political journey is nothing short of remarkable. As reported by Kyunghyang Shinmun and Labor Today, she is a six-term National Assembly member, currently representing the Hanam City Gap district. Her career began in 1995 when she entered politics at the invitation of former President Kim Dae-jung. Over the decades, she has established herself as a major figure within the Democratic Party, serving as party leader from 2016 to 2018—a period that saw the election of Moon Jae-in as president, to which her leadership is widely credited with contributing.
Choo’s tenure as Minister of Justice from 2020 to 2021 under the Moon administration further solidified her reputation as a reformer. During this period, she was at the forefront of the push for prosecutorial reform, championing the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and advocating for the separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers. Even amid resistance from within the government, she remained steadfast in her principles. Her leadership of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, most recently until March 2026, was marked by a continued focus on legal and institutional reform. Notably, she played a key role in passing legislation to establish specialized courts for insurrection cases and introduce new legal remedies, moves that resonated with the party’s progressive base.
Choo’s reformist zeal earned her the nickname “Choo-Da-reuke”—a play on her name and Joan of Arc—among supporters. Her high-profile confrontations with then-Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who would later become president, became defining moments in her career. During her time as justice minister, she famously led efforts to discipline Yoon, framing her actions as a necessary stand for justice and accountability. This clash not only heightened her public profile but also shaped the narrative of prosecutorial reform in Korea, with supporters hailing her as a champion of change and critics accusing her of political overreach.
However, Choo’s relationship with the party and its leadership has not always been without tension. She previously allied herself with President Lee Jae-myung, especially during the 2021 Democratic Party presidential primary, where their partnership was dubbed the “Myung-Choo alliance.” Yet, she has also demonstrated a willingness to diverge from the administration’s line, particularly on reform legislation. For example, during the legislative process to establish new investigative agencies, Choo insisted on upholding the principle of separating investigation and prosecution, even when it meant clashing with government positions. This independent streak, while endearing to some party members, has led to questions about how smoothly she will be able to coordinate with the Lee administration if elected governor.
As Kyunghyang Shinmun points out, some observers are watching closely to see whether Choo can forge a stable and productive relationship with President Lee’s government, especially given their shared—and sometimes competing—histories within the party. Her ability to balance reformist ambitions with pragmatic governance will be a central issue as she campaigns for the governorship of Gyeonggi Province, a region that is not only Korea’s most populous but also a bellwether for national politics.
The Democratic Party’s selection of Choo Mi-ae also marks the end of incumbent governor Kim Dong-yeon’s bid for re-election. Kim, who ran in the primary but failed to secure enough support, now steps aside as the party rallies behind Choo. The primary itself was a competitive affair, with candidates representing a range of experiences and policy priorities. Choo’s victory, without the need for a runoff, signals both her strength within the party and the resonance of her reform message with the electorate.
Looking ahead, Choo Mi-ae faces the formidable challenge of translating her party’s internal support into a broad-based mandate from Gyeonggi Province voters. The June 3 election will be a crucial test not only for her personal political fortunes but also for the Democratic Party’s ability to maintain its hold on a region that often sets the tone for national trends. As Choo herself has pledged, she will be working tirelessly in the coming weeks to build momentum and deliver the “overwhelming victory” she has promised her supporters.
With the campaign now officially underway, all eyes will be on Gyeonggi Province as Choo Mi-ae seeks to leverage her decades of experience, reformist bona fides, and political acumen in pursuit of the governorship. The outcome will have significant implications not just for the province, but for the broader trajectory of Korean politics in the years to come.