Democratic Party Factional Feud Flares Again; People Power Party Fight for Conservative Leadership Intensifies

The banner of ‘unity’ is wavering in both the DPK and the People Power Party. DPK leader Kim Min-seok pledged to raise the party’s approval rating by 10 percentage points within 100 days of taking office, but is struggling to do so. In the opposition bloc, the power structure appears to be shifting around Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, but cooperation between People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is virtually impossible. Both parties aim to address their internal divisions ahead of the 2028 general election, but the road ahead is strewn with obstacles.
■ Approval ratings, merger, Shincheonji... Parties at a crossroads of division
Political circles said on the 2nd that tensions between the pro-Lee Jae Myung and pro-Jung Chung-rae factions within the ruling party have risen again. In particular, former party leader Jung appeared on Park Si-young TV on the 31st of last month and voiced concern about Kim’s leadership. Jung said, “Things will become clear around 100 days into Kim’s tenure,” adding, “After that, what will my role be? What flag will I raise, and what words will I put on it? I’ve been thinking through each of these and have written them down.” He was signaling that he could have a role to play if Kim failed to meet his target of raising the party’s approval rating by 10 percentage points.
Criticism has emerged that former leader Jung is undermining the Kim Min-seok leadership and fomenting discord within the party. Lawmaker Park Jie-won said on SBS Radio’s Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show that day, “What flag would a former party leader be raising?” He added, “We should be thinking about how to work together, pool our wisdom and break through together.”
Whether and when to merge with the Rebuilding Korea Party is also a point of contention. President Lee reportedly responded positively to the idea of a merger at a dinner with senior DPK lawmakers who have served five or more terms, and former leader Jung also floated the ‘January merger theory’ on YouTube. But Rebuilding Korea Party leader Shin Jang-sik drew a line, saying, “We categorically reject the merger being used as a means for the Kim Min-seok leadership to change the political climate.”
Potential flashpoints remain in abundance. First, the DPK is set to report the results of its own investigation into allegations of mass Shincheonji membership applications as early as the 3rd. Depending on the findings and whether the party takes follow-up action, factional conflict could well flare up again. If significant evidence emerges to support claims of Shincheonji’s involvement, the concerns raised by Kim during the Aug. 17 party convention process are likely to gain legitimacy. If not, the pro-Jung faction is expected to retaliate fiercely.
The DPK’s National Committee elections, being held through the 3rd, are also drawing attention. Some see the women’s committee chair race between pro-Jung lawmaker Moon Jeong-bog and pro-Lee lawmaker Kim Nam-hee as a proxy battle between factions. Chairs will also be elected for the committees on seniors, youth, university students, people with disabilities, labor, agriculture and fisheries, protecting the livelihoods of the vulnerable, the social solidarity economy, and small businesses. Some party members appear to be mobilizing to channel support toward candidates from a particular faction.
■ Oh, Jang, Han and Lee: A Complicated Political Calculus
Across the broader opposition bloc, a realignment of forces is expected around Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, whose political profile has risen following his acquittal in the second trial over allegations of proxy payment of polling expenses related to Myeong Tae-gyun. Oh has called for a ‘conservative alliance’ that includes Jang Dong-hyeok, lawmaker Han Dong-hoon and Reform Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok, but has been passive when it comes to Han’s return to the People Power Party. The prevailing view is that Han cannot rejoin the party under Jang’s leadership, while Lee also continues to take aim at Han, making the political calculations extremely complicated.
Oh is seeking to build a vision of conservative unity that excludes no one. That includes Jang, with whom he clashed during the June 3 local elections. Oh is currently in the 2030 presidential race, so he has time on his side. This is seen as an effort to showcase his inclusiveness as a presidential hopeful rather than engage in a battle with Jang over political direction.
On Han’s return to the party, however, Oh has taken a cautious stance, saying it “must be handled like delicate glassware.” Some in the pro-Han camp have criticized this as a ‘half-hearted call for unity.’ Critics also say that maintaining distance from Han while Jang continues to align himself with Yoon Again and election-fraud proponents does not fit the identity of ‘reform conservatives.’ With Lee continuing his pointed attacks on Han day after day, some are cautiously suggesting that Han could end up isolated in a broader conservative alliance.
Both Oh’s and Han’s camps reportedly agree that an alliance is needed. They appear to be continuing to weigh its timing and how far it should go. The two are due to attend forums at the National Assembly Building on the 3rd, 30 minutes apart; whether they will cross paths and shake hands will be one thing to watch.
[email protected] Lee Hae-ram Reporter