Dalseong-gun council members defend Lee Jin-suk amid calls for expulsion: 'Don't trample on the citizens' choice'

Local council members in Dalseong-gun, South Korea, have publicly defended Lee Jin-suk, a lawmaker from the ruling People Power Party, against mounting calls for her expulsion. The controversy stems from Lee's alleged distortion and폄훼 (belittling) of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising during a parliamentary forum she hosted.

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We offer our deepest condolences to those who sacrificed during the 5.18 democratization movement and to their families who have suffered.

In a statement released under the name 'Dalseong-gun Council Members of the People Power Party,' the local officials urged against disregarding the choice of the Dalseong-gun constituents who elected Lee. They acknowledged the sacrifices of those involved in the Gwangju Uprising and offered condolences to the victims and their families. However, they argued that respecting history and engaging in academic research, questioning, and discussion are not mutually exclusive.

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However, respecting history and engaging in research, questioning, and discussion about that history are not contradictory.

The statement questioned whether hosting an academic discussion forum should be grounds for expelling a lawmaker. It also raised concerns about whether holding the elected representative accountable for individual speakers' remarks undermines democracy. The council members asserted that forums are meant for presenting and verifying different arguments, not just confirming existing beliefs, and that the Gwangju Uprising is a history belonging to all South Koreans, thus deserving of open discussion.

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Is holding an academic discussion forum grounds for expelling a member of the National Assembly? Is it truly democracy to suspend the duties of a representative elected by the people by holding the host lawmaker responsible for the individual remarks of the presenters?

Lee Jin-suk has been under fire since hosting the 'Re-examination Forum on the 5.18 Democratic Uprising' on August 13. The main opposition Democratic Party submitted a motion for her expulsion the following day. Various Gwangju Uprising survivor and civic groups in Daegu have also demanded disciplinary action and expulsion from the People Power Party, intensifying the pressure on the ruling party.

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A discussion is not a place to confirm the same thoughts, but a place to present and verify different arguments and grounds.