Hong Jun-pyo, a former mayor of Daegu, criticized Lee Jin-sook, a member of the People Power Party, for holding a forum to reexamine the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, stating that it denies the spirit of the times.
On August 15, Hong posted on his social media, saying, "The May 18 incident has long become a myth. To deny and belittle it is to reject the spirit of the times. Any attempt to use a tragic history for personal political gain must not be tolerated."
He recalled his military service in June 1980 at a base in Buan, North Jeolla Province, shortly after the May 18 incident, describing the events as horrific. "Those who exploit the May 18 incident deserve condemnation, but the incident itself should not be criticized," he asserted.
Hong added, "I have called for the list of May 18 activists to be publicly disclosed as national merit recipients, but I have never belittled or criticized the May 18 incident itself," and questioned Lee, asking, "Are you a lonely warrior? A Don Quixote who has forgotten the spirit of the times?"
On the same day, Park Soo-min, another member of the People Power Party, expressed on Facebook that denying or undermining the historical significance of the May 18 Democratization Movement is a self-inflicted harm to the values of freedom and democracy that must be upheld. He emphasized that it also disregards the spirits of innocent citizens who sacrificed for democracy.
Park warned that if such incidents continue within the People Power Party, it would leave political scars on a party that is struggling to regain public trust. He stated, "Lee's mistakes are significant. Clear accountability is necessary for incorrect historical awareness and actions, regardless of political affiliation."
Finally, he urged Lee to promptly and clearly apologize to the nation, history, citizens, and party members, asserting that conservatism strengthens not by covering up mistakes but by reforming itself.
Previously, on August 14, Lee held a public forum titled 'Reexamining the May 18 Democratization Movement' at the National Assembly Library. The event featured prominent New Right scholar Lee Young-hoon, a former professor at Seoul National University, and Heo Hwa-pyeong, who led the 12.12 coup as the chief secretary to then-Defense Security Command chief Chun Doo-hwan, both of whom faced criticism for belittling the May 18 movement.
In response, Lee held a press conference on August 14, arguing that discussions to explain and reflect on the May 18 incident are essential for the younger generations who did not experience it directly, stating that prohibiting such discussions is an infringement on freedom of expression.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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