"May 18 as Turning Point for Korea's Deep State"... People Power Party Embarrassed by Lee Jinsook's Forum

Ruling Party: "We will submit a resolution calling for expulsion if the event proceeds"

Awkward People Power Party: "We tried to dissuade her" "The event is not related to the party’s official position"

The forum on the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement organized by Assemblywoman Lee Jinsook of the People Power Party on the 13th proceeded amid raised voices and heated arguments from the outset. Not only the ruling party but also organizations of May 18 bereaved families protested, demanding, "Do not distort May 18." The People Power Party leaders appeared visibly uncomfortable as Assemblywoman Lee pushed ahead with the forum despite their attempts to dissuade her.

On this day, Assemblywoman Lee hosted a National Assembly public forum titled "Re-examining the May 18 Democratization Movement" in the main auditorium at the National Assembly Library in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by Assemblywoman Lee; Lee Younghoon, head of the New History Citizens' Movement and author of "Anti-Japan Tribalism"; Ju Dongsik, former party regional chairman; and Kim Yong-sam, senior reporter of PenNMike, among others.

Yonhap News Agency

Assemblywoman Lee stated, "It has been 46 years since the May 18 event occurred, yet it is still difficult to speak candidly about its meaning. Some lawmakers call it a sanctuary," adding, "I want to question whether it is desirable for May 18 to become a sanctuary in a free and democratic Republic of Korea."

Lee Younghoon said, "If there was a decisive turning point for the formation of a deep state in Korea, it was the ten days of unrest that took place in Gwangju in May 1980," adding, "The left-wing political forces monopolize the cultural power of May 18, and we need to dismantle and reconstruct it. (For the New History Citizens' Movement,) the liberation of Gwangju is the top platform."

He also addressed criticism labeling him "far-right," saying, "I reject the theory or suggestion that North Korean soldiers led or intervened," but argued, "We should discuss the ten days of unrest from an intrinsic perspective, as an event for which we are all responsible and must overcome."

Organizations of May 18 bereaved families voiced strong protest. When a middle-aged citizen protested, asking, "Are you saying you still cannot acknowledge May 18?" and was escorted out, some people in the audience applauded. Another citizen also protested, demanding, "Do not distort May 18."

The protests continued in the hall, and some conservative attendees responded loudly, saying, "Then bring out the list of (May 18) merit awardees!" As the situation escalated into physical altercations, the police were temporarily called to the scene. Assemblywoman Lee said, "Causing such chaos and disrupting the event is precisely the objective of certain groups."

As Assemblywoman Lee’s side pushed ahead with the seminar, criticism also erupted from across the political spectrum. Han Byungdo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at a condemnation rally at the National Assembly that day, "Not only is the New History Citizens' Movement, a co-host organization of the forum, responsible, but so are the attendees, who have consistently disparaged May 18 under the lofty name of academic research," adding, "If Assemblywoman Lee forcibly hosts the event, I will immediately submit a resolution urging her expulsion."

The People Power Party is in an awkward position. The party's floor leadership repeatedly asked for the seminar to be canceled, but Assemblywoman Lee's side responded that "there is no problem in holding the event as it is an academic forum." Choi Boyoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters, "Assemblywoman Lee's forum is being held in her personal capacity and is not related to the party's stance."

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