DPK Absorbs Controversial Gongchimo Faction Group as Official Party Body... Han Byungdo Named Chair

Special committee approved to address fabricated indictments and seek cancellation under the Yoon administration
Steps underway to merge and reorganize with the party's existing fabricated-indictment task force

The Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 25th to absorb and integrate the lawmakers' group known as the "Lawmakers' Group for the Cancellation of the Indictment in President Lee Jaemyung's Case and for the Promotion of a National Assembly Investigation" (Gongchimo), which had been criticized as a factional gathering, into an official party body.

Jung Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "Many lawmakers asked that Gongchimo be made into a party organization, so at a closed Supreme Council meeting we just passed a resolution to create the 'Special Committee to Promote a National Assembly Investigation into the Truth Behind Fabricated Indictments under the Yoon Suk Yeol Administration and to Seek the Cancellation of the Indictments'."

(Seoul=Yonhap) Photo by Hwang Kwangmo ? Jung Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, is making remarks expressing strong resolve regarding the judicial reform bill at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on Feb. 25, 2026. hkmpooh@yna.co.kr (End)

Floor leader Han Byungdo will serve as chair of the committee.

Jung said, "The party leadership had already been pushing for a National Assembly investigation into the fabricated indictments of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, and we had already decided that if more truth comes to light, we would go as far as a special prosecutor," adding, "I want to stress that the party is carrying out, step by step, what it needs to do."

Chief spokesperson Park Soohyun told reporters after the meeting, "The existing Special Committee for Responding to Fabricated Indictments by Politically Motivated Prosecutors will conclude its activities, and the newly established special committee will inherit its achievements and be expanded and reorganized," and explained, "This special committee will also embrace the purpose of Gongchimo, which was recently formed as a voluntary gathering of incumbent lawmakers and is currently active, and will push ahead with both a National Assembly investigation and the appointment of a special prosecutor."

Previously, the chairmanship of the Special Committee for Responding to Fabricated Indictments by Politically Motivated Prosecutors became vacant when lawmaker Han Junho resigned from his Supreme Council post to run for Gyeonggi governor, and Supreme Council member Lee Sungyun was appointed to the position. However, some lawmakers objected to appointing Lee, who had faced internal party criticism over the issue of recommending candidates for the second round of comprehensive special prosecutors. It appears that, in response, the party decided to merge and reorganize this special committee together with Gongchimo.

The special committee is expected to be formed around floor leader Han, with those who naturally took part in Gongchimo joining it.

The committee plans not only to seek the cancellation of the indictment against President Lee, but also to uncover the truth behind numerous alleged fabricated indictments, including the case of the killing of a public official in the Yellow Sea under the Moon Jae In administration, and to push for a National Assembly investigation.