Yang Bunam Urges Song Eonseok to Resign: "Cannot Tolerate Further Insults to May 18"

Yang Bunam, a member of the National Assembly and chairman of the Democratic Party's Gwangju Metropolitan City branch, strongly criticized the People Power Party (PPP) for the repeated distortion and ridicule surrounding the May 18 Democratic Uprising. He took the unusual step of intensifying his criticism by calling for Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, to resign.

On the 22nd, Chairman Yang issued a statement, declaring, "We strongly condemn these unconstitutional and anti-democratic acts that distort the history of May 18 and mock the spirits of May, the citizens of Gwangju, and the people who have defended democracy."

He specifically raised issue with recent remarks made by Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, regarding his absence from the 46th anniversary ceremony commemorating the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

On the 22nd, Yang Bunan, a member of the National Assembly and the chairman of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Democratic Party, issued a statement clearly expressing his position on the ongoing distortion and mockery surrounding the May 18 Democratic Uprising.
[Photo provided by the Democratic Party Gwangju Branch]

Chairman Yang asserted, "With remarks that are difficult to even repeat, he insulted the spirits of May and the citizens of Gwangju, further fueling regional conflict. On top of that, he should take responsibility as the floor leader of the opposition for changing his explanation once the controversy grew."

Chairman Yang also criticized recent corporate marketing campaigns—such as the "Tank Day" event by Starbucks Korea—that invoked imagery reminiscent of May 18, as well as the attitude of certain political figures who defended these actions.

He stated, "Despite widespread public outrage, some members of the People Power Party have downplayed or even condoned these actions. This reveals a distorted perception of May 18."

He also criticized the ongoing political dispute over President Lee Jaemyung's related remarks, in which the President pointed out a past mocking advertisement by Musinsa.

Chairman Yang argued, "Those who should be upholding the values of human rights and democracy are turning the President's legitimate concerns into a political dispute."

Chairman Yang characterized the recent series of incidents as "an extension of the December 3 Rebellion," stating, "It demonstrates that the rebellion that brought devastation to the Republic of Korea continues at the hands of the 'Rebellion Party' People Power Party and its followers."

He further emphasized, "The reason why such offensive remarks and provocations continue is because the spirit of May 18 has not been enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution as the highest norm. This allows them to show no fear of history or the people," reiterating the need to include it in the Constitution's preamble.

In conclusion, Chairman Yang stated, "The Democratic Party's Gwangju Metropolitan City branch will no longer tolerate the distortion or disparagement of May 18 history. Not only will we push for the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the Constitution's preamble, but we will also thoroughly revise the law to ensure that distortions and disparagements are strictly punished."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.