Factional infighting puts DPK chief in leadership crisis

Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Kim Min-seok finds himself in a leadership crisis only three months into his position, as factional infighting intensifies between his supporters and loyalists to the party's former leader. The latter faction has begun boycotting meetings and openly criticizing Kim's leadership style. This latest escalation adds to a series of disputes that have plagued Kim's tenure, including allegations of a "secret alliance" between a non-mainstream religious sect and former leader Jung Chung-rae, as well as his investigation of one of Jung's loyalists.

Additionally, disagreements over crucial issues such as the impeachment of the chief justice and property tax reform have further strained the party's internal dynamics. On Friday, three Supreme Council members who are staunch loyalists to Jung, namely Reps. Choi Min-hee, Han Min-soo, and Lee Seong-yun, boycotted a meeting in protest against Kim's decision to order the ethics committee to investigate Choi.

Instead, they organized a press conference to demand party reforms and harshly criticized Kim's leadership. The ongoing power struggle between Kim and Jung began as a fiercely contested leadership race, with both men vying for control of the DPK.