Busan-Masan groups oppose Park Deuk-hyum's election as Vice Speaker, calling him an 'accomplice to rebellion'

The Hankyoreh reports on the strong opposition from civic groups representing the 1979 Busan-Masan Pro-Democracy Movement against the selection of Park Deuk-hyum as a candidate for Vice Speaker of the National Assembly. These organizations, including the Busan-Masan Democracy Movement Memorial Foundation, have issued a statement demanding that all lawmakers reject Park's candidacy. Their core accusation is that Park, by supporting the martial law and opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, acted as an accomplice to rebellion.

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All lawmakers must cast a dissenting vote against Vice Speaker candidate Park Deuk-hyum, a clear accomplice to rebellion who condoned illegal martial law and opposed the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

From the perspective of these pro-democracy groups and the Hankyoreh, Park's potential appointment is seen as a grave insult to the democratic struggle of the past. They argue that electing someone perceived as having sided with authoritarianism would be a betrayal of the citizens who risked their lives to defend democracy. The statement emphasizes that such a decision would not only tarnish the dignity of the National Assembly but also disrespect the legacy of the pro-democracy movement itself. This sentiment reflects a deep-seated concern in South Korea about safeguarding democratic principles and ensuring that those who have historically opposed them are not elevated to positions of power.

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Electing a person who sided with rebellion as Vice Speaker is an act of the National Assembly, a constitutional body, undermining its own authority and betraying the people who defended democracy with their lives.

The article also notes that the 5·18 Memorial Foundation and related organizations have also called for a rejection of Park's candidacy, indicating a broader coalition of civic groups united against him. The upcoming National Assembly vote on the Speaker and Vice Speakers is framed as a critical moment, testing the commitment of lawmakers to democratic values. For South Koreans, particularly those who remember or have learned about the struggles against military dictatorships, this issue is not merely a political appointment but a symbolic battle for the soul of their democracy. The Hankyoreh, aligning with these concerns, highlights the historical context and the moral implications of Park's nomination, urging a decisive stand against what they perceive as a threat to democratic integrity.

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The People Power Party's selection of Park as Vice Speaker candidate is not a choice of the entire National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, nor should it be.