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Internal conflict in South Korean Democratic Party

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2026-10-11 05:24 UTC → 2026-10-11 10:43 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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