Reform Party: "Lee Jinsook of People Power Hosts 5.18 Forum, Invites Anti-Democratic, Far-Right Group to National Assembly"

"Considering Referral to the Ethics Committee"

On August 13, the Reform Party announced that it would consider referring Lee Jinsook, a member of the People Power Party, to the National Assembly's Special Committee on Ethics. This follows claims that Assemblywoman Lee included an extreme right-wing organization as a co-host for a National Assembly forum on the 5·18 Democratization Movement.

People Power Party lawmakers elected in the June 3 by-elections are saluting the national flag at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on June 5. From the left, Yoo Uidong, member of the National Assembly for Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi; Lee Jinsuk, member for Dalseong, Daegu; Kim Taegyu, member for Namgap, Ulsan; and Yoon Yonggeun, member for Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, Chungnam. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Shin Jangshik, leader of the Reform Party, criticized Assemblywoman Lee at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, pointing out the "Re-examining the 5·18 Democratization Movement" forum to be held at 2 pm at the National Assembly Library auditorium. He questioned, "Is a member of the National Assembly giving a platform in the National Assembly for far-right and anti-democratic arguments?"

Commenting on the co-hosting group, the "New History National Movement," Shin described them as "an anti-national, anti-democratic, pro-Japanese, New Right, and extreme right-wing group." He claimed, "This group has referred to the 5·18 Democratization Movement as the 'Gwangju Incident' and has portrayed Gwangju negatively."

He added, "The group's platform includes content justifying the prolonged rule of former presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chung Hee," asking, "Does Assemblywoman Lee, who invited such a group to the National Assembly, have the qualifications to be a lawmaker?"

He went on to say, "Members of the National Assembly must not engage in anti-democratic or unconstitutional speech or behavior." He argued, "The only way for the National Assembly to address this is disciplinary action through the Special Committee on Ethics."

He repeatedly urged the People Power Party to impose stern disciplinary action against Assemblywoman Lee.

The Reform Party, meanwhile, is expected to determine whether simply hosting the forum itself constitutes inappropriate conduct for a lawmaker, and will decide whether to proceed with a referral to the Ethics Committee.

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