The Democratic Party intensified its criticism on August 25 of Lee Jin-sook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, amid the controversy surrounding her remarks about the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. The party also passed a resolution in the National Assembly's operating committee, calling for her expulsion, which was submitted on August 14.
During a strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, Democratic Party lawmakers targeted both Lee and the People Power Party.
Han Byeong-do, the party's floor leader, stated, "No matter how much the People Power Party tries to protect her, Lee's outrageous remarks and accountability cannot be concealed. They must clearly decide whether they will continue to shield her. The Democratic Party will hold them accountable to the end."
Chun Jun-ho, the party's deputy floor leader, criticized the assembly for providing a platform for Lee's comments, which labeled the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement as a riot and referred to former President Chun Doo-hwan as anything but a murderer. He declared that the party would push for Lee's expulsion.
Jeon Yong-ki, another deputy floor leader, pointed out the lack of disciplinary action from the People Power Party, saying, "If a German lawmaker held an event to reevaluate the Nazi regime, what would happen? They need to respond to the call for discipline as soon as possible."
Lawmakers Kim Yoon and Park Kyun-taek also urged the establishment of an ethics special committee to initiate expulsion procedures and called on the People Power Party to demonstrate its ability for self-correction through Lee's expulsion.
Following the strategy meeting, the operating committee convened, where the resolution to expel Lee was passed under the leadership of the ruling coalition. Members of the People Power Party did not attend the meeting.
The chair of the operating committee urged members before the vote, stating, "This resolution is about recording the National Assembly's stance on the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement."
Subsequently, all 17 members present from the ruling coalition voted in favor, allowing the resolution regarding Lee to pass the committee.
Meanwhile, on August 24, Lee filed a lawsuit against Kim Min-seok, who referred to her as the 'female Hitler.' Lee's camp argued that Kim's comparison of her to 'female Chun Doo-hwan' and 'female Hitler' constituted malicious personal attacks.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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