Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
Democratic Party leader urges role-appropriate criticism of government
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok has weighed in on criticism within his party and the government.
The dispute is linked to prosecution reform and the selection of Kim Ji-yong to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.
President Lee Jae Myung recently criticized people who, he said, use calls for radical reform to attack the government from within.
Some interpreted his remarks as aimed at critics of the reform and the appointment, including Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min and Lim Eun-jung, a senior prosecutor.
Kim Min-seok said people should raise concerns in ways suited to their roles and focus on their own duties.
Home Affairs Minister Yoon Ho-jung has ordered an inspection of Lim, who criticized the appointment.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said criticism of the president and party should be made in a way suited to the critic’s role.
He was responding to internal objections over prosecution reform and the nomination of Kim Ji-yong to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.
Kim said some critics repeatedly shifted their arguments or targets while drawing the president or the party into their criticism.
He described President Lee Jae-myung’s recent message as expressing concern about rationality and said frustration lay behind it.
Kim said party members could raise concerns internally, while public officials should focus on their duties and use an appropriate channel.
- Who
- Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, discussing criticism by party members and public officials.
- What
- Kim said criticism should be made appropriately and in line with the critic’s role.
- When
- October 12, 2026. Kim was responding to a question about a post Lee made on October 9.
- Where
- On the Democratic Party’s YouTube channel, in a program called Minti07.
- Why
- He was commenting on internal criticism over prosecution reform and the nomination of Kim Ji-yong to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
criticism has been made of constantly bringing the president or the party into it while changing the logic or target
criticism should be made while doing one’s own job, in the most appropriate way and in line with one’s position and role
criticism has been made of constantly bringing the president or the party into it while changing the logic or target
President Lee Jae-myung posted a message on X criticizing internal attacks framed as radical reform.
Kim Min-seok discussed the president’s message and internal criticism on the Democratic Party’s YouTube channel.
- Speaker
- Kim Min-seok
- Party
- Democratic Party
- President’s post
- October 9, 2026
- Nominee
- Kim Ji-yong, candidate to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency
Sources
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