Politics · South Korea · 6 hrs ago
Democratic Party orders probe into lawmaker’s claim about impeachment
South Korea’s Democratic Party ordered an ethics probe into senior member Choi Min-hee after comments she made at a private meeting became public.
Choi said President Lee Jae-myung had initially opposed impeaching former President Yoon Suk Yeol, preferring to seek his resignation.
The presidential office said the claim was false and expressed strong regret.
Choi later clarified that Lee did not support impeachment at first but consistently backed it after what she described as an attempted insurrection.
She said Lee had tried to work with then Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, but later decided to impeach him too.
The party said it would investigate the remarks, amid controversy over Choi’s recent conduct, including an insult to parliamentary photographers for which she apologized.
The statements have added to tensions within the party, and the investigation is the next step announced by its leader, Kim Min-seok.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok ordered an ethics probe into lawmaker Choi Min-hee after she was reported to have said President Lee Jae-myung opposed impeaching former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The presidential office said Choi’s account was baseless and expressed strong regret.
Choi said she meant that Lee initially did not support impeachment when he was party leader, but later consistently supported it.
The probe deepened divisions between factions within the Democratic Party.
On November 13, three lawmakers aligned with former party leader Jeong Cheong-rae skipped a leadership meeting and called for party reform.
- Who
- Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok ordered an ethics probe into lawmaker Choi Min-hee.
- What
- The probe concerns Choi’s reported claim that Lee Jae-myung opposed impeaching former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
- When
- Kim ordered the probe on November 12, 2026; three lawmakers skipped a leadership meeting on November 13.
- Where
- The reported remarks were made at a private party-member meeting in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.
- Why
- The presidential office disputed Choi’s account as baseless, and the party said it viewed controversies over her conduct as serious.
Pro-Lee faction
Pro-Jeong faction
Probe
Pro-Lee faction
The probe is justified because Choi’s remarks were inappropriate and could distort the president’s position.
Pro-Jeong faction
The probe is improper; the faction said Kim should face scrutiny and urged party reform.
Choi’s remarks
Pro-Lee faction
Choi should apologize or face political consequences, according to pro-Lee lawmakers and a party group.
Pro-Jeong faction
Choi said she was explaining that Lee initially opposed impeachment as party leader but later consistently supported it.
Choi reportedly made the remarks at a private party-member meeting in Namyangju.
The presidential office rejected Choi’s account, and Kim ordered an ethics probe into her remarks.
Three lawmakers aligned with Jeong Cheong-rae skipped the leadership meeting and held a press conference calling for party reform.
- Probe ordered
- Kim Min-seok directed the Democratic Party’s ethics body to investigate Choi Min-hee.
- Reported remark
- Choi reportedly said Lee Jae-myung had opposed impeaching Yoon Suk Yeol at first.
- Presidential response
- The presidential office called the account baseless and expressed strong regret.
- Location
- The reported private meeting took place in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.
- November 13 action
- Three pro-Jeong lawmakers skipped the leadership meeting and held a press conference.
5 sources
What people are saying
Lee Jae-myung’s alleged account that he opposed the impeachment of former President Yoon is baseless, and we express strong regret.
No one in the party leadership is allowed to make disparaging remarks about this.
It was a statement that the president did not support impeachment at first when he was party leader.