People Power Party's Lee Jin-sook, Former Korea Communications Commission Nominee Under Yoon Administration, Pushes Ahead with May 18 Forum at National Assembly

Progressive Bloc: "Far-Right and Historical Revisionist Forces Invited to the National Assembly"

On August 13, Lee Jin-sook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, held a forum at the National Assembly centered on the 5·18 Democratization Movement, sparking continued backlash from the progressive bloc including the Democratic Party, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and the Progressive Party. The Democratic Party announced it would submit a resolution calling for Lee's expulsion from the National Assembly, while the Innovation Party decided to consider filing a complaint with the Special Ethics Committee.

Lee Jin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, is listening to the unlimited debate (filibuster) by Democratic Party lawmaker No Jong-myeon regarding the submission of the Broadcasting Three Laws (amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Agency Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act) at the National Assembly plenary session on August 5, 2025. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

That afternoon, Assemblywoman Lee organized a public forum at the Main Auditorium of the National Assembly Library with the theme of "Re-examining the 5·18 Democratization Movement." The event was co-hosted by the "New History National Movement," led jointly by former Seoul National University Professor Lee Young-hoon, known for his New Right affiliation, and Assemblywoman Lee. Presenters included Lee Young-hoon, Kim Yong-sam, senior writer at PenN Mike, and Joo Dong-sik, former head of the Gwangju Seo-gu-gap district chapter of the People Power Party.

Lee’s office explained that while they respect the historical significance and sacrifices of the 5·18 movement, the intention of the forum was to revisit existing interpretations and institutions surrounding 5·18 based on facts and principles.

The Democratic Party strongly opposed the forum, asserting that it effectively provided a platform in the National Assembly for forces that distort the history of 5·18.

Han Byung-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, held a protest on the stairs of the National Assembly’s Rotunda Hall, titled "Rally to Condemn the People Power Party for Hindering Livelihood Legislation and Distorting the History of May 18." He criticized Assemblywoman Lee, saying, "This is an attempt to degrade the National Assembly into a venue for disparaging the 5·18 Democratization Movement," and demanded an apology and the cancellation of the event. He further stated that if Lee forced the event to go ahead, she would no longer be qualified to serve as a lawmaker, pledging to submit a resolution urging her expulsion from the National Assembly.

Park Kyun-taek, a Democratic Party lawmaker representing Gwangsan-gap district in Gwangju, also criticized the event as "a venue for distorting and disparaging the history of 5·18," arguing that the National Assembly Library should be held accountable for providing a platform for historical distortions.

The Cho Kuk Innovation Party also sharply criticized Assemblywoman Lee. Shin Jang-sik, leader of the Innovation Party, labeled the forum’s co-host organization, "New History National Movement," as an "anti-democratic, pro-Japanese, New Right, and far-right group," and questioned, "Is a member of the National Assembly really setting the stage for far-right and anti-democratic claims in parliament?"

Shin further pointed out that the group’s platform includes provisions justifying the prolonged tenures of former Presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee, and directly questioned, "How can a lawmaker who invited such a group into the National Assembly be qualified to serve?"

The Innovation Party plans to review the circumstances under which Assemblywoman Lee organized the forum and included the group as a co-host before deciding whether to refer her to the Special Ethics Committee.

The Progressive Party also condemned Assemblywoman Lee’s forum as "an anti-historical act that insults the May 18 Uprising," and called for the immediate suspension of the event.

There were concerns even within the National Assembly. It was reported that National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik, upon learning of the forum, relayed concerns to the director of the National Assembly Library, including the possibility of canceling the event.

The People Power Party drew a line, asserting the event was organized independently by Assemblywoman Lee and not at the party level. However, the Democratic Party and others argued that, given the People Power Party’s repeated promises to enshrine the spirit of 5·18 in the preamble to the Constitution, responsible action was required at the party level.

Assemblywoman Lee Jin-sook came under scrutiny in July 2024, during the personnel hearing for her nomination as chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, over her having "liked" a social media post belittling the 5·18 Democratization Movement. After being appointed as chairperson, she found herself at the center of controversy over "control of public broadcasting" during the appointment of board members at public broadcasters.

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