Politics · South Korea · 20 hrs ago
Kim Min-seok faces disputes over a court inquiry, Shincheonji and a party merger
South Korea's Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok faces three major internal disputes just over two months after taking office.
One concerns whether parliament should investigate Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, with some lawmakers favouring impeachment instead and others urging a focus on people's daily concerns.
The party postponed a decision on the inquiry after disagreement at a meeting on November 3, and its leadership plans to decide after another meeting this week.
A separate row centres on claims that Shincheonji members joined the party in an organised way; Kim's side says the issue was dealt with after party members reviewed an internal investigation, but rivals continue to demand accountability.
The third dispute is whether to merge with the Rebuilding Korea Party, which has pressed for a decision while some Democratic Party members prefer cooperation without a merger.
The disagreements come as the party's support has fallen, despite Kim's earlier aim of raising it by 10 percentage points by his 100th day in office.
Kim must try to settle the disputes and hold the party together, but observers expect tensions over leadership and future election nominations to grow.
Kim Min-seok is facing disputes within the Democratic Party over a possible parliamentary inquiry into Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, allegations involving Shincheonji members and a proposed merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party.
The party postponed a decision on the inquiry after objections were raised at a caucus on Nov. 3.
Kim’s allies say the Shincheonji issue was addressed after party members reviewed the investigation findings, but a faction aligned with former party leader Chung Cheong-rae continues to demand accountability.
The merger debate remains unresolved, with some party members advocating cooperation rather than a merger.
The disputes are testing Kim’s ability to unite the party, Yonhap reported.
- Who
- Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok and factions within his party.
- What
- Kim is facing internal disputes over a possible inquiry into Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, allegations involving Shincheonji members and a proposed merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party.
- When
- The article was published on Nov. 7, 2026; the disputes include events in late October and on Nov. 3 and Nov. 6.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Party members disagree over how to handle the court inquiry, who should be held responsible over the Shincheonji allegations and whether to merge with the Rebuilding Korea Party.
Supporters of an inquiry
Supporters of impeachment first or focus on livelihoods
Inquiry strategy
Supporters of an inquiry
They favor a parliamentary inquiry before deciding what to do next.
Supporters of impeachment first or focus on livelihoods
Some want to proceed directly to impeachment; others say the party should focus on livelihoods instead of an inquiry.
Kim said the party would proceed step by step, including a parliamentary inquiry into Cho Hee-dae.
A party caucus raised objections to the inquiry, and a decision was postponed.
Kim’s side completed access to the party’s investigation findings on the Shincheonji allegations.
Party leaders planned to decide whether to pursue the inquiry after a caucus.
- Party leader
- Kim Min-seok
- Supreme Court chief justice
- Cho Hee-dae
- Caucus date
- Nov. 3, 2026
- Shincheonji findings access completed
- Nov. 6, 2026
- Potential merger partner
- Rebuilding Korea Party
1 source
What people are saying
We will proceed step by step, including a parliamentary inquiry.
A full-scale internal party struggle could effectively unfold over time.