Controversy over Choi Min-hee's impeachment remarks amidst the Shincheonji conflict... 'Choi Min-hee inspection'... A new phase of conflict between the old factions

On the 12th, Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, ordered an 'immediate ethics inspection' of Rep. Choi Min-hee, the top member of the pro-Blue Party faction, due to 'controversy over words and actions', and the conflict between factions within the party over suspicion of Shincheonji membership group appears to be entering a new phase.

At a time when the pro-Blue faction was attacking Representative Kim's repeated apology for the Shincheonji controversy, demanding a 'proper apology to the victims', the inspection of Rep. Choi, who was at the forefront of the attack, is expected to be a variable that will shake up the factional confrontation structure.

In particular, Rep. Choi's controversial remarks caused a stir because they dealt with President Lee Jae-myung's position on the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-yeol. As even the Blue House expressed strong regret over this remark and 'joined the war,' it became difficult to rule out the possibility of factional conflict escalating.

The starting point was a media report that Rep. Choi said at a private meeting held in his district last month, "President Lee opposed the impeachment of former President Yoon when he was the party leader," and "his position was to do the best in the direction of his resignation."

The report said that Rep. Choi said, "You can only become president if you win the middle ground, so you shouldn't impeach Yoon Seok-yeol. Let's get him dismissed and let's go." He added, "No matter how president you are, your political judgment is not always right."

Not long after the report came out, Kim Min-seok, leader of the pro-Myung (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction, ordered the party's ethics inspection team to conduct an inspection and investigation into Rep. Choi.

In a notice sent to reporters, the party's public information office said, "Representative Kim is seriously aware of the various controversies related to Supreme Council member Choi's series of words and actions."

This was interpreted to mean that they would also look into the controversy that arose when Rep. Choi referred to photo and video reporters as a “pack of hyenas” in a group chat room attended by local party members.

Rep. Choi issued a statement regarding the report, saying, "The context of the conversation was ignored," and explaining that the comment was made in the process of denying writer Yoo Si-min's statement that the president 'deceived' him regarding prosecution reform.

Afterwards, he explained again on Facebook, "After the civil war, the President consistently insisted on and carried through the impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol," and "I was confused about something."

However, CEO Kim's order for an inspection had already been issued.

Representative Kim may have judged that Representative Choi's remarks in the report shook the discipline of the government and the ruling party, which changed the government with the priority of overcoming civil war.

An official from Representative Kim's side conveyed the mood in a phone call, saying, "The leadership views Rep. Choi's remarks seriously. Since it is such a serious issue, they have ordered an inspection."

There is also an analysis within the party that Representative Kim has taken the opportunity to turn the tide of attacks from pro-Blue circles over the so-called 'Shincheonji incident'.

At the August 17 National Convention, Representative Kim said that the 'anti-myeong, separatist, and Shincheonji coalition' must be broken, and that if elected as representative, he would launch a fact-finding investigation.

Former Representative Chung Cheong-rae, who was Representative Kim's previous rival, and the pro-Cheong faction Supreme Council candidates strongly opposed the 'three-party alliance suspicion' raised by Representative Kim, calling it black propaganda against them.

When Representative Kim formed a 'Party Member Reorganization Task Force (TF)' immediately after winning the previous election and ordered an internal investigation into the suspicions of Shincheonji, the pro-Blue faction responded that if there was no clear evidence of a secret alliance, Representative Kim should be held responsible.

Afterwards, Representative Kim apologized at the general meeting of lawmakers on the 3rd, saying, “There was no evidence of related suspicions.”

While the party faction evaluated Representative Kim's 'tough apology' as a decision and interpreted it as an attempt to resolve the conflict within the party surrounding the Shincheonji issue, the pro-Blue faction, including former Representative Jeong, continued to pressure Representative Kim by demanding a fundamental solution.

In this situation, there is an expectation within the party's ruling circles that if Representative Kim inspects Rep. Choi under the pretext of maintaining party discipline, he will be able to turn the situation in which he was on the defensive.

What is noteworthy is the Blue House’s response.

In a message to reporters, Chief Blue House Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jeong said, "Congressman Choi's message that President Lee opposed the impeachment of former President Yoon, reported by a certain media outlet, is untrue and we express strong regret over this."

As the 'strong regret' is interpreted as actually being directed at Rep. Choi, there are also predictions that the position of the pro-Blue faction will be narrowed.

The inspection results are also noteworthy.

If Rep. Choi's remarks turn out to be true, the pro-Blue faction will inevitably suffer a significant blow, and there is a greater possibility that the leadership of the party will be firmly lost to the party's ruling faction.

The party's public information office explained, "This investigation is aimed at objectively confirming the facts and circumstances of the issues raised against Rep. Choi and examining whether there were any violations of the party constitution, party regulations, and ethical standards."

However, there are concerns that if a truth game is played out over controversial remarks and the party faction and the pro-Blue faction clash more fiercely, the chaos in the party will grow out of control.

In a phone call, a re-elected lawmaker pointed out, "In times like this, we need to embrace it. If the leader steps forward and orders an inspection, the relationship with former leader Jeong will deteriorate further," and "the party may be further damaged."