# Internal conflict in South Korean Democratic Party > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/internal-conflict-in-south-korean-democratic-party > Updated: 2026-10-11T06:48:01.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 3. Internal political tensions have escalated within the administration of President Lee Jae-myung and the ruling Democratic Party. Initially, academic criticism focused on power struggles between party factions and the President’s potential for entering a “lame-duck status” due to controversial cabinet appointments and pursuit of prosecution dismissals. This friction evolved into direct confrontation, with President Lee publicly criticizing hardliners within his own party. The President accused certain members of using radical reform as a pretext for internal attacks and seeking high-ranking positions. These disputes appear centered on disagreements regarding prosecution reform and specific leadership appointments. In recent developments, President Lee has reaffirmed his commitment to direct public communication via social media and local site visits. Referencing former President Roh Moo-hyun and former Mayor Park Won-soon, Lee stated that despite potential criticism regarding a lack of dignity or authority, he views such engagement as essential to his role as “the people’s first servant.” He emphasized that political power should move toward the marginalized rather than the influential. Addressing his communication style, Lee clarified that his use of certain linguistic expressions, such as “jwa-a-hage,” was not extremist slang but a “playful variation of standard terms” used by the progressive camp since the Moon Jae-in administration. He also defended policies to block social media accounts that spread verbal abuse, insults, or false information to maintain a healthy public forum. Additionally, Lee announced a directive to order the physical destruction or closure of overseas-based illegal sexual exploitation and gambling sites if standard blocking measures prove ineffective. However, this shift toward direct social media engagement has sparked significant debate. Within his own party, some lawmakers expressed concern over the use of unrefined emotional language and the potential for social media disputes to complicate diplomatic issues. ## Claims - President Lee vowed to continue direct communication with the public via social media despite criticisms regarding his style. (corroborated by 7 sources) - President Lee stated that accounts spreading verbal abuse, insults, or false information should be blocked to protect public discourse. (corroborated by 6 sources) - President Lee clarified that his use of the term 'jwa-a-hage' is a linguistic playfulness used by the progressive camp, not an extremist term. (corroborated by 5 sources) - President Lee criticized hardliners within the ruling party for demanding high positions without ability and using radical reform as a pretext for internal attacks. (corroborated by 2 sources) - President Lee warned against using prosecution reform as a cover to influence personnel appointments and specific investigation or prosecution tasks for personal interest. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Former Seoul Superintendent Jo Hee-yeon analyzed internal division within the progressive camp, noting that attacking comrades can become the revolution itself. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The President's remarks are interpreted as targeting hardliners who have opposed the appointment of Kim Ji-yong as head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency. (corroborated by 2 sources) - President Lee ordered physical destruction or closure of overseas illegal sex exploitation and gambling sites if legal blocking is impossible. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-11: President Lee Jae-myung expands direct communication via social media President Lee Jae-myung is expanding direct communication via social media, a move that has drawn both support for transparency and criticism regarding political decorum and sensitive historical remarks. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-lee-jae-myung-expands-direct-communication-via-social-media ### 2026-10-09: President Lee defends direct communication and warns against misuse of reform President Lee Jae-myung vows to maintain direct public communication via social media, defends his use of specific political terminology, and warns against using reform as a pretext for internal party attacks. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-lee-criticizes-ruling-party-hardliners-over-internal-attacks ### 2026-09-13: Professor Jin Jung-kwon criticizes President Lee Jae-myung Professor Jin Jung-kwon criticized President Lee Jae-myung for losing touch with reality and warned that internal party conflicts and the appointment of Kim Seung-won could lead to a rapid decline in approval. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/professor-jin-jung-kwon-criticizes-president-lee-jae-myung --- Cite as: Internal conflict in South Korean Democratic Party. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/internal-conflict-in-south-korean-democratic-party