Rhyu Si-min criticism of Lee Jae-myung administration

Writer and intellectual Rhyu Si-min has engaged in a public dispute with supporters of the Lee Jae-myung administration following his critiques of the government and the Democratic Party of Korea.

Initially, Rhyu addressed personal attacks directed at him after questioning administration policies. He defended his right to provide honest analysis despite a past “comradeship” with President Lee, arguing that personal bonds should not preclude truthful critique.

His criticism intensified as he characterized the President’s leadership style as moving toward a “monarchy or aristocracy” and described him as an “arrogant power holder” lacking empathy and communication. Rhyu warned that these actions were fracturing the progressive camp. These remarks drew condemnation from pro-Lee faction lawmakers, who accused him of attempting to divide the party, with some labeling his comments as “cursed vitriol.”

In recent commentary via a YouTube broadcast, Rhyu expanded these accusations, claiming the President is behaving like an “arrogant ruler” and attempting to hand-pick or influence the election of the party leader, which Rhyu argues undermines republican principles. He compared the current administration to the previous Yoon Suk-yeol government, suggesting the President is dismantling his own coalition and losing the support of half the party members. Rhyu predicted that President Lee’s approval ratings could drop into the 30% range as convention-period support fades.

Pro-Lee factions have responded with intense backlash, labeling his remarks as “insulting,” “malicious,” and “divisive.” Some critics have gone as far as accusing him of acting more like a “shaman” than a political commentator.