Choo Mi-ae Reiterates Call for "Reform in Action" on President Lee's Press Conference Day

Emphasizing "Reform" in a Speech at the Inter-Korean Military Agreement Ceremony in the National Assembly
Remained Silent When Asked Whether Comments Were Directed at President Lee

On September 18, as President Lee Jaemyung emphasized his commitment to prosecutorial reform during a press conference, Choo Mi-ae, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Promises of reform must not just be words; only when actual reform measures are implemented will the public develop new trust, respect, and affection for their leaders."

Governor Choo made these remarks while attending the 8th anniversary ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration and Inter-Korean Military Agreement, held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "Promises of peace also require taking the first step to put them into practice."

Choo Mi-ae, Governor of Gyeonggi Province. Yonhap News Agency.

The event was co-hosted by the Democratic Administration's Council for the Succession and Development of Peace on the Korean Peninsula, the National Unification Advisory Council, the Ministry of Unification, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon Metropolitan City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and National Assemblyman Yoon Kunyoung. Former President Moon Jaein and his spouse, along with past and current National Assembly Speakers, the Minister of Unification, and Kim Minseok, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, were among the attendees.

At the event, Governor Choo stated, "Now is the time to accelerate the pace toward peace, and it is time to show our citizens a real commitment to peace," adding, "It is truly important where the gaze of a leader is directed." She continued, "When leaders persuade with eyes filled with a genuine desire for peace and unite people's hearts, even if our efforts alone are not enough and we end up taking a step back, the people will empower us and find the courage to rise and join hands again."

Known as a hardliner within the Democratic Party, Governor Choo attended the '2026 Memorial Ceremony for Victims of the Gyeonggi Province Democratization Movement' at Moran Park in Namyangju on the 12th. Speaking without a prepared script, she criticized the nomination of Kim Jiyong as the first Director of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency by President Lee, stating, "If a person who once sided with Han Donghoon becomes the inaugural director of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, is that really democratization?" She continued, "The President should punish those forces, so why is he so anxious, carried on their backs? Why does he treat the spirits of democracy as he did in the past?"

She further said, "I failed in my responsibilities, must come here, and must apologize. I am not here today as the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, but as one conscience living in this era. I cannot help but confess my deep remorse to the deceased for not fulfilling my duties."

However, when asked outside the event venue whether these comments were aimed at President Lee Jaemyung, Governor Choo did not provide any answer.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.