South Korea's Democratic Party grapples with internal rift over prosecution reform and waning support

The ruling Democratic Party in South Korea is facing internal debate over a proposed second prosecution reform bill. Former party leader Chung Cheong‑rae said he had no recollection of Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok's claim that he had suggested processing the reform in May, disputing the prime minister’s account of a party‑level proposal being rejected.

At the same time, political analysts argue that the recent decline in President Lee Jae‑myung’s approval rating is not due to a loss of a defined “core” supporter base, but rather reflects broader voter fatigue with the party’s internal conflicts and policy directions, including the contentious prosecution reform agenda.