The People Power Party stated on August 14 that the forum held by Representative Lee Jin-sook on the May 18 Democratic Movement, in collaboration with a right-wing group, was "inappropriate" and expressed a commitment to prevent a recurrence. The party plans to discuss potential disciplinary actions internally.
During a press briefing at the National Assembly, Chief Spokesperson Choi Eun-seok revealed that prior to the forum, floor leader Jung Jeom-sik had requested its cancellation, but it went ahead regardless. Jung believes the event was inappropriate and hopes such incidents do not happen again. The day before, Lee referred to the May 18 Democratic Movement as a "disturbance" during the forum co-hosted with the civic group New History National Movement, sparking controversy.
Despite opposition from the party, criticism has emerged from leadership regarding Lee's decision to proceed with the forum. Within the ruling party, there were calls for Lee's expulsion and disciplinary measures just before the event. The Democratic Party of Korea submitted a resolution to the National Assembly's legislative office, urging Lee's expulsion over the distortion and denigration of the May 18 Democratic Movement.
In contrast, Lee maintains that there was nothing wrong with the forum. On her Facebook page, she stated, "The Lee Jae-myung administration has proposed including the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement in the preamble of the Constitution as its top national agenda item," arguing that it is contradictory to refuse to discuss the May 18 Movement while proposing its inclusion in the Constitution. She added that claiming there is no need for further discussion because everything has already been settled is an attempt to force recognition of the May 18 Movement as a sacred issue.
Choi further explained that the party has previously agreed to include the spirit of the May 18 Movement in the Constitution and is firmly committed to inheriting all democratic movements in modern history. While the party views the forum as inappropriate, he noted that there was no way to forcibly prevent an individual member's forum. Regarding the possibility of disciplinary action from the party's ethics committee, he stated that no decisions have been made yet, emphasizing that while it is not definitively concluded, there is a consensus that the event was inappropriate and that internal discussions will be necessary.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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