South Korean lawmaker Ko Min-jeong launches bid for Democratic Party leadership

Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jeong announced her candidacy for party chairman at a press conference in the National Assembly. She said the party will inherit the achievements of former President Moon Jae-in, including the COVID‑19 response and efforts toward Korean Peninsula peace, and will support the government of Lee Jae‑myung. Ko emphasized creating a “young and united” Democratic Party, pledging policies for youth housing, rental reform, loan relief and a comprehensive overhaul of the real‑estate tax system. She called for ending partisan infighting, adopting a transparent preferential‑vote system, and expanding youth representation inside the party. Ko joins three other candidates – former prime minister Kim Min‑seok, former Seoul mayor Song Young‑gil and former party chief Jeong Cheong‑rae – making it a four‑person race, with her the sole female and the only candidate in her 40s.