The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to reorganize the "Assembly of Lawmakers for Withdrawal of Charges Against President Lee Jae-myung and Promotion of Parliamentary Investigation" (Gongchwimo) into an official party committee. The move comes amid concerns that the group could trigger factional conflict within the party, with leadership seeking to address misunderstandings about discord between the party and the presidential office before they escalate. However, Gongchwimo stated that while it supports the establishment of the party committee, it "will continue to operate as a separate organization."
Democratic Party Chairman Chung Chung-rae announced at the Supreme Council meeting on the 25th, "Many lawmakers requested that we create a party body under the Gongchwimo name." He added, "Just moments ago, in a closed meeting, we voted to establish a special committee to promote a parliamentary investigation through investigation of fabricated prosecutions under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and withdrawal of charges."
Rep. Han Byeong-do, the floor leader, was appointed as committee chairman. The existing Special Committee for Response to Political Prosecution's Fabricated Charges will be dissolved, and a new "Committee for Promoting Parliamentary Investigation into Fabricated Prosecutions and Charge Withdrawals Under the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration" will be established, inheriting Gongchwimo's mission.
Park Soo-hyun, the party's senior spokesperson, told reporters, "This incorporates the purpose of the recently formed and active Gongchwimo to pursue parliamentary investigations and special counsel appointments." He explained, "It will investigate not only the withdrawal of charges against President Lee but also numerous fabricated prosecutions by the prosecution, including the West Sea shooting incident under the Moon Jae-in administration, and promote parliamentary investigations." He added, "Those who participated in Gongchwimo will naturally join the committee."
Chairman Chung addressed speculation of conflict between the party and presidential office, saying, "The party is steadily doing what needs to be done. I hope our party members and the public will not misunderstand." He continued, "The party is doing its best as the party, the government as the government, and the Blue House as the Blue House." He emphasized, "There may be differences in opinion, but could our internal differences be greater than our differences with the opposition? I hope the party and presidential office will show unity as one team with one voice."
Before introducing the committee structure, Chairman Chung read aloud a post that President Lee had uploaded to his X (formerly Twitter) account. "A few hours ago, President Lee said on social media regarding the media raising issues and attempting to create division regarding the party-government-Blue House relationship, 'That's not the case,'" Chung said. "He called excessive worry unfounded."
Earlier, President Lee shared on his X account an article titled "When Coincidences Continue, Is It Intentional?... Ruling Party Debates as President Takes Back Seat," dismissing the concerns by writing, "The president has never taken a back seat, nor have I ever felt that way." President Lee stated, "Despite various obstacles including the opposition's extreme confrontation, the Democratic Party is doing its best to fulfill what the people have entrusted to it. There is absolutely no shortage in reform legislation or government support."
However, with Gongchwimo indicating it will maintain the group despite the reorganization into a party committee, observers predict the seeds of conflict will remain. Rep. Lee Geon-tae, who led the establishment of Gongchwimo, said after news of the committee formation, "I sincerely welcome this. We will unite and actively support it." However, he added, "Gongchwimo is a voluntarily formed assembly of lawmakers and will operate as a separate organization from the party's promotional committee."
