Kim Minseok Criticizes Jeong Cheongrae: Intense Political Standoff Between the Two ["Sisa Show"]

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Prime Minister Minseok Kim and Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae are engaged in a political standoff, a game of invisible tug-of-war. The focus is on the party convention scheduled for August this year. The "August convention" is not simply about who becomes the party leader; it will also shape the power structure within the ruling bloc. If Jeong Cheongrae succeeds in winning another term, his political influence will grow even stronger, and his standing within the ruling camp will naturally rise, as he would hold the power to nominate candidates for the 2028 National Assembly elections. If Prime Minister Minseok Kim becomes the party leader, there is a high possibility that a "Lee Jaemyung-centric system" will emerge. Kim, whose political fate is closely tied to President Lee Jaemyung, cannot be considered separately from the president, as he relies on the "pro-Lee Jaemyung" faction.

Kim Minseok, Prime Minister, appeared on the YouTube channel Sampro TV released on the 27th. Screenshot from Sampro TV

In an interview on Sampro TV, released on the 27th, Prime Minister Kim said, "I have long advocated for a broad democratic coalition, but I did not know it would be announced in that manner on that day. Raising it in such a way at this time is controversial." His remarks reflect the prevailing sentiment among the mainstream of the ruling bloc. Within the ruling camp, there is a shared understanding of the need for unification between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party for the Nation, but there is widespread dissatisfaction about why it was raised at this particular moment and handled by the leader as if making a unilateral decision without prior discussion. There is also distrust that Jeong Cheongrae is pursuing his own political agenda. Prime Minister Kim's comments subtly touched on Jeong's vulnerabilities. At the same time, regarding the so-called "party-presidential office conflict," where Jeong is seen as being out of step with President Lee Jaemyung on key policies, Kim said, "It is just a difference in problem-solving style. The frame is excessive."

Prime Minister Kim is considered a leading candidate for the Democratic Party's leadership at the August convention, and he does not deny this. He reaffirmed that he would not run for Seoul mayor, saying, "After becoming prime minister, I made up my mind," and added, "Becoming the leader of the Democratic Party is something to be very proud of, so of course, it is a dream of mine." Last year, Kim visited the Honam region several times, officially to inspect flood damage sites and pay respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery. Recently, he has been touring the country under the banner of "K-Government Policy Briefings." He has already visited Seoul, Chuncheon in Gangwon Province, Suwon in Gyeonggi Province, Sacheon in South Gyeongsang Province, and Jeonju in North Jeolla Province, and is scheduled to visit Jeju on February 11. From January 22 to 26, he visited Washington and New York in the United States, meeting with U.S. Vice President Vance and others, which has been interpreted as an effort to raise his political profile. It was the first solo visit to the United States by a prime minister in 41 years, since Prime Minister Roh Shinyoung in 1985. Initiatives such as the "K-Government Policy Briefings" and the U.S. visit are seen as evidence of President Lee's support for Prime Minister Kim.

Prime Minister Minseok Kim (left) and Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (right), are receiving mourners at the funeral hall of Senior Vice Chairman Lee Haechan of the Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, set up at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on January 27, 2026. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Jeong Cheongrae has made a bold move by proposing a merger between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party for the Nation. Although there is significant criticism regarding the timing and process, there is little opposition to the merger itself. If Jeong successfully completes the merger and wins the local elections, his position will become even more solid. Conversely, if the merger fails and Jeong's leadership is shaken, Prime Minister Kim's position could be strengthened. In terms of party leadership, the two have become rivals whose fortunes rise and fall in opposition to each other.

The subtle dynamics between the two are evident elsewhere as well. Kim Eojun, known to be close to Jeong, refused a request from the prime minister's office on January 26, on his YouTube channel "Kim Eojun's Humility Is Hard, News Factory," to exclude Prime Minister Minseok Kim from a Seoul mayoral poll, saying, "It is our freedom to exclude or include candidates, and it is our decision to make." In political circles, some interpret this as an attempt to weaken Kim's competitiveness by showing that he does not dominate other candidates in polls for Seoul mayor. The fact that both Kim and Jeong kept vigil at the funeral of former Prime Minister Lee Haechan from morning until evening has also drawn attention. On the surface, it appears to be an act of mourning for Lee, a leading figure in the progressive camp, but it can also be seen as a form of competition for party leadership. Han Junho, a "pro-Lee" lawmaker, directly criticized Jeong, saying, "Jeong Cheongrae's actions themselves have raised suspicions," illustrating that the "pro-Lee" faction's attacks on Jeong are becoming increasingly sharp. The battle for leadership within the Democratic Party is already underway.