Seated beside Lee Jae-myung at a luncheon on February 27, Im Jong-seok said to Lee, “I intend to support and encourage those who bravely compete with you and strive to surpass you.” With this statement, Im publicly distanced himself from Lee, signaling a potential shift in the party’s internal dynamics.
Im Jong-seok is a seasoned politician with deep roots in South Korea’s radical left movements. He first gained prominence as a student activist in the 1980s, advocating for reunification with North Korea.
Im played a key role in facilitating fellow activist Im Su-gyong’s unauthorized visit to North Korea in 1989 for the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in Pyongyang. At the time, he was the leader of the National Council of Student Representatives, the same organization to which Im Su-gyong belonged.
After her return to South Korea, both were arrested and imprisoned for violating the National Security Act.
Im remained steadfast in his political convictions as the years passed and he attracted political support. Serving as the presidential chief of staff under Moon Jae-in solidified his status within the pro-Moon faction of the DPK.
Lee Jae-myung’s consolidation of power
Lee Jae-myung, since ascending to the leadership of the DPK in August 2022, has systematically consolidated his power, often sidelining opponents and critics within the party. His leadership style has led to a widespread perception of the DPK as a “one-man party.”
During the nomination processes for elections, several prominent figures, including those aligned with the pro-Moon faction, were excluded or marginalized. Notably, in February 2024, Im Jong-seok was denied the DPK nomination for Seoul’s Jung-Seongdong district, a constituency long considered his stronghold. This move was widely interpreted as an attempt by Lee to eliminate potential rivals and tighten his grip on the party.
Rising factional rivalry
The DPK is currently experiencing heightened factional tensions, primarily between supporters of Lee Jae-myung and those aligned with the pro-Moon faction, led by Im Jong-seok. Im has been vocal in his criticism of Lee’s leadership style and policy direction. He publicly refuted Lee’s attempt to redefine the party’s ideological stance as center-left, asserting that such changes “cannot be made overnight by one person, even if he is the leader.”
This internal discord has led to public disputes, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion and its ability to effectively challenge the ruling party. If President Yoon Suk Yeol were to be impeached, the constitution requires a presidential election to be held within 60 days.
Moon Jae-in’s influence
Former President Moon Jae-in continues to exert a strong, albeit indirect, influence over the DPK. While he has maintained a relatively low public profile since leaving office, his support for the pro-Moon faction remains evident.
As Moon’s former chief of staff, Im Jong-seok is widely regarded as a key figure in this faction. The alignment between Moon and Im suggests a strategic effort to counterbalance Lee Jae-myung’s dominance within the party. This dynamic underscores the deepening factionalism within the DPK and hints at potential shifts in its leadership and policy directions in the near future.
Yoon Suk Yeol’s release
In a parallel development, South Korea’s political landscape was jolted by the recent release of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from detention. A court decision deemed his arrest illegal, leading to his release.
This development adds another layer of complexity to South Korea’s political scenario, especially with the Constitutional Court expected to decide in coming days whether to overturn Yoon’s impeachment and order him reinstated or kick him out of office permanently.
Legal challenges facing Lee Jae-myung
Concurrently, Lee Jae-myung is facing multiple criminal trials – seven cases with 11 charges. Court rulings are expected soon and, depending on the sentencing, he could be barred from holding public office for up to ten years. This would prevent him from running in the next presidential election. Such an outcome would significantly reshape the DPK’s leadership dynamics and could pave the way for the pro-Moon faction to regain prominence within the party.
Potential shift in DPK’s power dynamics
If Lee Jae-myung becomes legally incapacitated, the DPK’s power structure is likely to shift back toward the pro-Moon faction. Im Jong-seok, with the backing of former President Moon Jae-in, is well-positioned to ascend within the party ranks. This transition could lead to a reorientation of the party’s policies and strategies, particularly in light of the broader political upheavals stemming from Yoon Suk Yeol’s situation.
South Korea’s political landscape is undergoing significant transformations. The Democratic Party of Korea faces internal factionalism, legal challenges to its current leadership, and the potential resurgence of the pro-Moon faction. These developments, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Yoon Suk Yeol’s future, suggest a period of volatility and realignment in South Korean politics.
Hanjin Lew is a political commentator specializing in East Asian affairs and a former international spokesman for South Korean conservative parties.