Veteran lawmaker Choo Mi-ae nominated as DPK candidate for Gyeonggi governor

Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea speaks during a meeting held in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, March 30. Yonhap

Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) was nominated as the party's candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 3 local elections, the party said Tuesday.

The DPK's nomination committee announced the results of a primary held from Sunday to Tuesday, in which Choo secured a majority.

Choo competed against incumbent Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon and fellow DPK lawmaker Han Joon-ho to secure the nomination in Korea's most populous province with about 14 million people.

The six-term lawmaker served as justice minister under the 2017-22 liberal administration of Moon Jae-in.

A judge-turned-lawmaker, she has played a leading role in the DPK's judicial reform initiatives while serving as chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

If the 67-year-old wins the election, she will become the first female governor of a provincial government.