Democratic Party's Ko Min-jung registers for Aug. 17 leadership race

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Ko Min-jung completed her candidate registration for the party leadership race Thursday at the party's central headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

Speaking after registering, Ko called on party members to "make a choice that grows the future of the Democratic Party," pledging to build "a Democratic Party that nurtures young people, a Democratic Party that unites rather than divides, and a Democratic Party where competition over vision and policy is alive — to firmly support the success of the Lee Jae Myung government."

She said the Democratic Party has always led the way in the history of Korean democracy and that the time has come to respond to demands for change. "We must embrace young people in their 20s and 30s again, move beyond factional conflict and division to build a united Democratic Party, and focus on policy competition that takes responsibility for people's lives as the ruling party," she said.

Ko added that she learned politics from former President Moon Jae-in and, during Lee Jae Myung's tenure as party leader, served alongside the leadership and came to understand the value of resolving problems through communication and competence. "I will take to heart the message party members have conveyed — that the party must unite to support the Lee Jae Myung government and listen to the voices of the people — and work to bring about change in the Democratic Party," she said.

Starting Thursday, Ko plans to spend four days traveling through the Honam region — including Iksan and Jeonju in North Jeolla Province and Gwangju — to meet directly with party members through Sunday.