Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Ruling party under new leader plans broadcast platform in shift away from maverick media figure
In the left photo, then-Prime Minister Kim Min-seok speaks during a luncheon hosted by President Lee Jae Myung for the heads of Korea’s five constitutional institutions at the presidential office in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Dec. 3, 2025. In the right photo, Kim Ou-joon, a progressive broadcaster and YouTuber, appears as a witness at a National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee hearing, Dec. 13, 2024, concerning then-President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog
By Yi Whan-woo
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) appears to be distancing itself from Kim Ou-joon, a progressive broadcaster and YouTuber who has long been an influential voice for the ruling bloc, following a bitter leadership race that deepened factional divisions within the party.
The feud recently involved a rivalry between new Chairman Kim Min-seok and his predecessor Jung Chung-rae, who, along with Kim Ou-joon, belongs to a group perceived as being at odds with President Lee Jae Myung.
By contrast, Kim Min-seok, a former prime minster, is a close Lee ally who defeated Jung in the DPK leadership election, Aug. 17.
The new chairman instructed party officials last week to launch an official news program titled “DPK TV” that will deliver party-related news early each morning.
The program is expected to begin airing early next month, possibly at around 7 a.m., through Delli Minjoo, the DPK’s existing YouTube channel with about 474,000 subscribers.
Kim Min-seok is likely to appear frequently.
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Kim Min-seok, left, talks during a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Kim Ou-joon, a progressive podcaster and YouTuber, speaks during a parliamentary hearing held by the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on Dec. 13, 2024, concerning then-President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law. Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon
“We must undertake sweeping changes to everything from the party’s overall brand concept,” Kim Min-seok wrote on X, formerly Twitter, asking the relevant task force to develop DPK TV into the primary platform for all news produced by the party.
The DPK explained that the initiative is intended to give lawmakers and other party members a direct channel for communicating the DPK’s positions without relying on outside media personalities.
But some within the party interpreted the program more specifically as an effort to reduce Kim Ou-joon’s influence over the ruling bloc.
If DPK TV airs at 7 a.m., it would compete directly with Kim Ou-joon’s “Humility Is Tough News Factory,” which begins at 7:05 a.m. every weekday on YouTube.
The program has become a major outlet for liberal politicians to present their views and often shapes the ruling camp’s political agenda before official party meetings begin.
Although Kim Min-seok ultimately won the leadership race, some political observers believe Kim Ou-joon’s influence contributed to the difficulties he encountered during the contest.
Kim Ou-joon did not explicitly endorse a candidate, but his close association with Jung and his considerable influence among liberal voters fueled speculation that his program could benefit the former chairman.
“Given Kim Ou-joon’s influence over the party, Kim Min-seok’s call for party news to be delivered first through DPK TV has been widely viewed as a warning to lawmakers who use Kim Ou-joon’s show to make announcements or express their views on major issues before the party does,” a party official said.
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the minor opposition Reform Party, offered a more direct interpretation, saying Kim Min-seok’s message essentially meant, “Don’t watch Kim Ou-joon’s show.”
The factional tension was highlighted again last week when three Supreme Council members aligned with Jung — Choi Min-hee, Lee Sung-yoon and Han Min-soo — appeared together on Kim Ou-joon’s YouTube program to discuss major political issues.
“Such appearances on outside channels have allowed those platforms to take the lead in shaping the DPK’s messages,” another party official said.
The official, meanwhile, underscored that DPK TV is “still in the planning stage” and that “various ideas are being discussed.”
“We will likely make adjustments and improvements during trial broadcasts,” he added.