Choo Mi-ae, the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has faced criticism within the Democratic Party following her recent comments suggesting that President Lee Jae-myung is relying on insurrectionist forces to govern. This comes as the president's approval ratings continue to decline, prompting the pro-Lee faction to rally in support of him.
On September 14, Kim Min-seok, the party leader, appeared on the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel, MinjuTV, stating, "I think Governor Choo should explain why she made those remarks directly," adding that her comments would likely raise eyebrows among responsible politicians and governors within the party.
Kim further emphasized that the ongoing internal criticism of President Lee occurs at a time when unity is crucial, likening the situation to the pre-impeachment era of former President Roh Moo-hyun, when various factions attempted to combine forces for impeachment.
On the same day, lawmaker Song Young-gil expressed on BBS Radio's "Jeong Hye-seung's Morning Journal" that he hopes Choo will focus on her duties as governor, noting, "While Choo has been focused on judicial reform, I personally wish she would concentrate on her responsibilities as governor." Other party members, including Kim Ui-gyeom and spokesperson Park Seong-jun, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the party should allow President Lee to stabilize governance and that Choo needs to clarify her statements.
Hwang Myeong-seon, a prominent member of the pro-Lee faction, expressed his outrage, stating, "I feel anger beyond despair. Protecting the president now means respecting the people's choice and supporting the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration while ensuring recovery and reform for the public's livelihood."
Earlier, on September 12, Choo made her controversial remarks during a memorial service for victims of the 2026 Gyeonggi Province democratization movement held at Moran Park in Namyangju, where she stated, "We need to punish the insurrectionist forces, yet we are struggling under their influence."
On September 14, Kim Min-seok, the party leader, appeared on the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel, MinjuTV, stating, "I think Governor Choo should explain why she made those remarks directly," adding that her comments would likely raise eyebrows among responsible politicians and governors within the party.
Kim further emphasized that the ongoing internal criticism of President Lee occurs at a time when unity is crucial, likening the situation to the pre-impeachment era of former President Roh Moo-hyun, when various factions attempted to combine forces for impeachment.
On the same day, lawmaker Song Young-gil expressed on BBS Radio's "Jeong Hye-seung's Morning Journal" that he hopes Choo will focus on her duties as governor, noting, "While Choo has been focused on judicial reform, I personally wish she would concentrate on her responsibilities as governor." Other party members, including Kim Ui-gyeom and spokesperson Park Seong-jun, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the party should allow President Lee to stabilize governance and that Choo needs to clarify her statements.
Hwang Myeong-seon, a prominent member of the pro-Lee faction, expressed his outrage, stating, "I feel anger beyond despair. Protecting the president now means respecting the people's choice and supporting the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration while ensuring recovery and reform for the public's livelihood."
Earlier, on September 12, Choo made her controversial remarks during a memorial service for victims of the 2026 Gyeonggi Province democratization movement held at Moran Park in Namyangju, where she stated, "We need to punish the insurrectionist forces, yet we are struggling under their influence."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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