As Yoo Si-min Calls for Dissolution, Kim Min-seok Chooses Silence

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok drew a line on October 29 over writer Yoo Si-min's remarks criticizing President Lee Jae-myung and the party, saying there is "no need to evaluate or comment on each and every one of them." The previous day (the 28th), on the YouTube channel 'Park Si-young TV,' Yoo criticized the president, saying that just as former President Yoon Suk-yeol demolished his own residence, the current government and President Lee are doing exactly the same, and he identified the dismantling of the camp as the biggest problem behind the decline in approval ratings. At the Democratic Party's national convention in August, Yoo also noted that former leader Chung Chung-rae had received 46% of the votes from the non-mainstream faction, saying "the party members' choice was excellent," and suggested that "a situation may come in the not-so-distant future when party members will have to exercise their sovereignty once again," hinting at the possibility of replacing Kim Min-seok's leadership.

Appearing on the Democratic Party's YouTube program 'Minti07' that day, Kim said, "During the national convention, I was quite angry listening to what Mr. Yoo was saying," but added, "He has been talking that way ever since the days of President Kim Dae-jung, so I thought, 'I suppose he's decided to keep saying such things.'" He said, "In difficult times like these, both inside and outside the party, the best thing is to avoid answering the language of division with the language of division whenever possible," and added, "We need to use non-divisive language and exercise restraint so as not to escalate problems wherever possible."

However, Kim pushed back on the point where Yoo criticized him for placing the head of Minti07 in the hands of Rep. Nam Kyung-jun, who is seen as part of the so-called Seongnam faction, saying he is "continuing to lead the effort to blow up the camp." Kim said, "Rep. Nam, who served as a presidential office spokesperson, took on the role of publicity committee chair and successfully launched the party's official broadcast," adding, "There is little disagreement over the assessment that the party established its official broadcast relatively early." He added, "There is no need to view even these matters through a partisan or factional lens."

Some lawmakers from the ruling party also reacted with displeasure. Democratic Party Rep. Kim Young-jin said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that day, "At this point, he's basically saying let's just charge ahead." Rep. Lee Gun-tae also said on YTN's 'Jang Sung-chul's News Myeongdang,' "I judge this to be Yoo Si-min's personal opinion," and "I can't help but wonder if he isn't trapped in some dogma of his own making."

The president and the ruling party leadership did not directly confront Yoo's criticism, remaining consistent in restraint and silence. The party leader chose the path of avoiding confrontation, while some lawmakers chose to respond directly.