New Minjoo head kicks off official duty

By 임정요

Published : Aug. 29, 2016 - 10:43

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Choo Mi-ae, the new head of South Korea's main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, started her official duties by paying tribute to late presidents, and vowing to put full-fledged efforts into revitalizing the national economy.

During her visit to the Seoul National Cemetery, Choo paid tribute not only to liberal president Kim Dae-jung, but also to Park Chung-hee, the father of incumbent President Park Geun-hye.

The five-term lawmaker said she will put the top priority on the livelihood of the people during her term. Choo was elected on Saturday by raking in an approval rating of 54 percent.

Choo Mi-ae, head of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, pays tribute to late presidents at the Seoul National Cemetery on Aug. 29. (Yonhap)

Choo, widely referred to as a key figure of the so-called Moon Jae-in faction within the party, is anticipated to play crucial role in paving the way for Moon to be tapped as the party's standard bearer for the 2017 presidential race.

Moon, who stepped down from the party's top post earlier this year following internal strife, is regarded as a strong presidential contender among the liberal sector of South Korean politics.

Political pundits also expect Choo will make numerous progressive changes in the party's policies, compared to her predecessor Kim Chong-in, who tended to advocate a neutral posture. (Yonhap)

New Minjoo head kicks off official duty

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