Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korea’s Kim Min-seok criticises lawmaker over ‘extreme’ political remarks
South Korea’s Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok criticised People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo over a social media comment about President Lee Jae-myung.
Kim described the comment, which used a phrase about “cutting off” Lee, as extreme political wordplay.
He also called Joo’s complaint against Lee over a photo of a confidential document unreasonable, saying the document was shared after a meeting had ended.
Kim defended Lee’s holiday golf, saying it could relate to health and diplomatic preparation.
He separately criticised People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won for sending a letter of thanks to Ukraine’s president over the return of prisoners to South Korea.
Kim said parliament’s ethics rules do not effectively punish serious misconduct.
He said he had proposed suspending lawmakers for a period when expulsion is not possible, and pledged to push for stronger discipline.
Kim Min-seok criticised ruling People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo over a social media comment he described as extreme wordplay.
Kim said that this kind of political conduct was unlikely to last and called Joo’s complaint against President Lee Jae-myung “slightly irrational.”
Joo had filed a complaint against Lee over an alleged disclosure of confidential material posted on X.
Kim also criticised Joo’s description of Lee’s holiday golf as “emperor golf” and criticised lawmaker Na Kyung-won’s letter thanking Ukraine’s president over the return of Korean prisoners.
Kim said South Korea’s National Assembly should be able to discipline lawmakers for extreme or unethical remarks and conduct.
- Who
- Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticised People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo.
- What
- Kim condemned Joo’s political remarks and actions, including his complaint against President Lee Jae-myung.
- When
- Kim made the remarks on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- In an appearance on the Democratic Party’s YouTube channel and on social media, according to Yonhap.
- Why
- Kim said Joo’s political style relied on extreme wordplay and criticised his actions toward Lee.
Kim Min-seok
Joo Jin-woo
Joo’s political remarks
Kim Min-seok
Kim said Joo’s extreme wordplay was political conduct unlikely to last.
Joo Jin-woo
Joo’s view is not stated in the sources.
Complaint against President Lee
Kim Min-seok
Kim called Joo’s complaint over Lee’s X post “slightly irrational” and said the confidential status applied until the meeting ended.
Joo Jin-woo
Joo accused Lee of leaking confidential information and filed a complaint, according to Yonhap.
Kim spoke at a Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting, according to the caption accompanying Yonhap’s report.
Kim criticised Joo in a Democratic Party YouTube appearance and comments reported on social media.
- Kim Min-seok
- Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea
- Joo Jin-woo
- People Power Party lawmaker criticised by Kim
- Date of remarks
- October 13, 2026
- Social media platform
- X, formerly Twitter
- Other lawmaker criticised
- Na Kyung-won
What people are saying
Those who enjoy such wordplay rarely have long political careers.
The fact that he filed a complaint and speaks about it so seriously is a completely absurd comedy.
A political style that uses extreme wordplay without reflecting on oneself is unlikely to last long.
Sources
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