Democrats demand expulsion of lawmaker Lee Jin-suk over May 18 Uprising forum

The Democratic Party's Daegu City Chapter has demanded the expulsion of People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-suk, accusing her of disrespecting the May 18th Democratic Uprising. The party held a press conference in front of Lee's regional office in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, on June 14th, calling for her immediate removal from the National Assembly.

"Lee Jin-suk, by pushing ahead with a forum at the National Assembly that insults and denigrates the May 18th Democratic Uprising, has committed an act of disrespect," the party stated. They emphasized that the May 18th Uprising is a tragic event where innocent citizens were targeted by the military dictatorship and a noble root of South Korean democracy. The party stressed that regardless of political affiliation, no one with basic humanity should trivialize or mock the sacrifices made during that period.

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Lee Jin-suk, by pushing ahead with a forum at the National Assembly that insults and denigrates the May 18th Democratic Uprising, has committed an act of disrespect.

"Daegu is also a city with a history of citizens taking to the streets to protect democracy," the Democrats declared. "In the name of Daegu citizens, we absolutely cannot tolerate the distortion and denigration of the May 18th Democratic Uprising." They criticized Lee for organizing an event that brought in far-right figures under the guise of academic research, allowing them to spread hateful rhetoric that denies historical truth.

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Daegu is also a city with a history of citizens taking to the streets to protect democracy. In the name of Daegu citizens, we absolutely cannot tolerate the distortion and denigration of the May 18th Democratic Uprising.

Lawmakers are obligated to uphold the constitution and democratic values, representing the people. The Democratic Party pointed out that the People Power Party had promised to include the spirit of the May 18th Uprising in the preamble of the constitution. They urged the party not to evade responsibility and to hold Lee Jin-suk accountable.

Lee Jin-suk had indeed held a forum titled "Re-examining the May 18th Democratic Uprising National Assembly Public Forum" on June 13th. This event featured figures like Huh Hwa-pyeong, who was involved in the 1979 coup as former security commander Chun Doo-hwan's chief of staff. Critics condemned the forum for distorting and denigrating the May 18th Uprising, with participants referring to it as a "riot."

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The People Power Party should not evade responsibility and must hold Lee Jin-suk accountable.