DPK factional divide becomes more visible after local elections

“A simmering factional divide within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has become increasingly visible nearly two weeks after the June 3 local elections, with loyalists of President Lee Jae Myung and party Chairman Jung Chung-rae exchanging mocking labels that lay bare the depth of the rift. The antagonism has proved more entrenched than many had assumed. Those aligned with the president have sought to disparage pro-Jung figures with a derogatory acronym: "Moon-Cho-Teol-Rae-Rhyu." The acronym, which references former President Moon Jae-in and four of his notable associates, including Jung, is crafted from syllables of their names and well-known personal traits of Moon and his allies — Cho Kuk, Kim Ou-joon, Jung and Rhyu Si-min. The former president remains a potent force within the DPK despite Lee having taken control of the party before being elected as president in June 2025. Cho served as Moon's justice minister, while Kim, a left-leaning journalist and broadcaster, is known for his trademark thick beard, earning him the nickname “teolbo,” or bearded man, from which the

Summary generated from the RSS feed of Korea Times Southkorea. All article rights belong to the original publisher. Click through to read the full piece on www.koreatimes.co.kr.