Ko Min-jung returns to DPK leadership after 13 days

Rep. Ko Min-jung, a Supreme Council member of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday.

Rep. Ko Min-jung, who had resigned from the Supreme Council of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to protest the party’s candidate nomination process, returned to the leadership committee on Monday, underscoring the party’s determination to resolve internal feuds.

Im Jong-seok, a former chief of staff to former President Moon Jae-in who had been sidelined from the party’s candidate nominations for the April 10 general elections, also called for party unity to support Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the DPK leader.

“Right now, there is nothing more important than stopping the runaway Yoon Suk Yeol administration. That’s why the DPK, as well as those who share the same goal, must join hands together,” Ko said during the DPK’s Supreme Council meeting, Monday.

“Our paths and thoughts may be different, but if we don’t stand in solidarity against the might of President Yoon Suk Yeol, too many of us can be defeated,” she added.

DPK leader Lee and floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo reportedly persuaded Ko to return to her post. Ko, a former news presenter who entered politics to serve as the presidential spokesperson under the previous Moon government, is known as a figure outside the pro-Lee faction.

The so-called nomination massacre had caused an upheaval within the DPK, with some of its members saying that the party’s nomination committee is marginalizing members who are not loyal to Lee. Ko also resigned from her post due to that reason, Feb. 27.

Political analysts said Ko’s comeback signals the DPK’s willingness to bring internal cohesion and stability.

Eom Gyeong-yeong, director of political think tank the Zeitgeist Institute, said Ko is a rare politician who has competitiveness in reserving an Assembly seat and has potential to gain support from “moderate” voters.

“If Ko distances herself from the DPK leadership, problems may arise in mobilizing supporters. If she becomes linked with the anti-Lee faction, the Lee loyalists won’t vote eagerly. Concerns about mobilizing voters may have influenced her decision to return to the Supreme Committee,” Eom said.

Political commentator Rhee Jong-hoon said, “If she’s not going to leave the party, she needs to join forces with the party leadership. Since the campaign committee will be launched soon, they should stop fighting, call a truce and work toward a shared goal."

Eom said Ko, a member of the pro-Moon faction, may be included in the campaign committee, which will help gain more supporters ahead of the elections.