Lee Jin-sook: "The 5·18 Should Not Be the Exclusive Domain of Any Political Faction or Region... Academic Discussion Needed"

"Claims of Individual Presenters... Not My Views or the Official Party Position"

"Criteria for Recognizing 5·18 Honorees Must Be Made Transparent"

Lee Jin-sook, a member of the People Power Party who sparked controversy by hosting a forum to re-examine the 5·18 Democratization Movement, stated on the 14th that "the 5·18 should not become the exclusive domain of any particular political faction or region," arguing for the necessity of academic discussion.

Assemblywoman Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center that day, saying, "To claim that discussion is no longer necessary since 5·18 has already been settled is to force people to recognize it as an untouchable sanctuary," and reiterated her position.

Lee Jin-sook, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, Assemblywoman Lee's office and the New History Citizens' Movement jointly hosted a public forum titled "Re-examining the 5·18 Democratization Movement" at the National Assembly Library on the previous day. Afterwards, some remarks made by panelists drew criticism for allegedly disparaging the 5·18 Democratization Movement. In response, the Democratic Party of Korea took a hardline stance, including adopting a party resolution calling for Assemblywoman Lee to be expelled from the National Assembly.

Lee stated, "If we insist that no further discussion of the 5·18 is needed because it has already been defined as a democratization movement by special law, then it has gone beyond being a sanctuary to becoming a myth," and added, "As there are eyewitnesses who experienced these events personally and ample materials remain, research on the 5·18 should be even more actively pursued now."

Regarding calls for disciplinary action and expulsion by the Democratic Party, she countered, "I want to ask whether they are saying that a forum on the 5·18 should not be held at all if the aim is to include it in the preamble of the Constitution, or if they are claiming that the 5·18 is the exclusive property of the Democratic Party and thus no one else should discuss it."

However, Assemblywoman Lee drew a clear line, emphasizing the distinction between her own stance and the remarks made during the forum. She said, "Not every statement and claim made by individual presenters at the forum represents my views as host, nor the official position of the People Power Party," adding, "The forum is not meant to reaffirm shared beliefs, but rather a venue for openly presenting and scrutinizing differing claims and evidence."

Assemblywoman Lee also called for greater transparency in the system for recognizing meritorious contributors to the 5·18 Democratization Movement. She argued, "Since the system is operated using taxpayer money, the number of beneficiaries by category, evaluation criteria, specific grounds for recognition, evaluation procedures, and the size of support by year should be disclosed to the extent that personal information is protected, so that the public can be properly informed."

She further emphasized, "The public release of the merits of 5·18 honorees is absolutely necessary, especially for young people who desire fairness and justice," adding, "We need to establish a system that ensures the transparency of public institutions, going beyond emotional arguments."

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