Democratic Party Factionalism Intensifies Over Lee Jae-myung Indictment

Seoul, South Korea – Internal divisions within the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are escalating as a group of lawmakers pushes for the cancellation of the indictment against party leader Lee Jae-myung and a government investigation into the circumstances surrounding the charges. The effort has sparked criticism from within the party, notably from former party chairman Yoo Si-min, leading to a public dispute and highlighting the ongoing power dynamics between different factions.

Dispute Erupts Over Indictment Cancellation Efforts

The ‘Meeting of Lawmakers to Cancel the Indictment of President Lee Jae-myung’s Case and Promote a National Investigation’ (Gong Chwi-mo) has strongly refuted criticism from Yoo Si-min, labeling his remarks as “insane.” Representative Park Seong-joon, the standing representative of Gongchwimo, defended the group’s actions, stating that revealing any potential fabrication of the indictment is a necessary step towards transparency and justice. Many lawmakers reportedly share this view.

Allegations of Political Prosecution

Lee Geon-tae, secretary of the group, alleges that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration indicted Lee Jae-myung on eight counts through a politically motivated investigation. He called for the dismissal of these charges, characterizing them as “trash” resulting from a “dictatorial prosecution.” Representative Chae Hyun-il previously defended the group’s efforts on Facebook, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of maintaining an indictment after an election and outlining the group’s goals: canceling the indictment, uncovering the truth through a government investigation, and reforming the system.

Pro-Lee Faction Responds to Criticism

Kang Deuk-gu, a prominent member of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, also criticized Yoo Si-min’s language, questioning its appropriateness for someone with public influence and urging him to “maintain your dignity.” Kang emphasized that the meeting is not driven by factional politics but by a genuine concern over potentially fabricated indictments and the protection of constitutional order and democracy.

Yoo Si-min’s Critique and Potential Motivations

Yoo Si-min, appearing on MBC TV, referred to Gongchwimo as a “strange group” and questioned the logic of pursuing a government investigation or collecting signatures when legislative power could be utilized. He suggested that members of the group should withdraw from the effort. Yoo Si-min is often categorized as pro-government, leading some to interpret his criticism as a strategic move to counter the influence of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction within the DPK.

Recent DPK Leadership Changes

In January 2026, the Democratic Party of Korea elected Kang Deuk-gu, Lee Sung-yoon, and Moon Jeong-bok as new Supreme Council members [2, 3]. This election saw the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction secure one seat [2]. Kang Deuk-gu previously served as senior deputy chief of staff during Lee Jae-myung’s tenure as Governor of Gyeonggi-do [1]. Lee Jae-myung resigned as Governor of Gyeonggi-do in October 2021 to pursue his presidential candidacy [4].

The ongoing dispute underscores the deep divisions within the DPK and the challenges facing Lee Jae-myung as he navigates the political landscape.