Dismiss Official Who Defended 5.18 Mockery: Presidential Warning Insufficient

Lee Byung-tae, Vice Chairman of the Regulatory Reform Committee, has ignited a firestorm with his remarks characterizing the 5.18 Democratic Uprising as a "sanctuary" and drawing parallels between its commemoration and North Korean behavior. The controversy erupted after Lee criticized the disciplinary measures taken against the Baejae High School baseball team for their taunting cheers during a game, which were widely seen as mocking the 5.18 movement. Lee dismissed the players' actions as "childish pranks" and suggested that the ensuing disciplinary actions had turned the historical event into a taboo subject, akin to North Korea's reverence for its leaders.

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The sanctification of history makes even the childish pranks of young students unacceptable, turning it into adult politics.

The Presidential Office responded by labeling Lee's conduct "inappropriate" and issuing a "stern warning," emphasizing the need for future preventative measures. However, this response has been deemed insufficient by many, including opposition lawmakers who have condemned Lee's statements as an insult to the victims and heroes of the 5.18 uprising and a blow to democracy. Lee has doubled down on his stance, asserting that the appropriateness of the cheers is subjective and that while criticism is acceptable under freedom of expression, punishment for such speech is an infringement of basic rights.

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This appearance is like North Korea, where people cry upon seeing a newspaper with Kim Il-sung's picture getting wet.

This incident is not Lee's first brush with controversy. Appointed in March under President Lee Jae-myung's administration, which aimed for "integration and pragmatism," Lee has a documented history of making inflammatory remarks. These include statements suggesting that pro-Japanese sentiment is normal while anti-Japanese sentiment is not, and labeling the Sewol Ferry disaster commemorations as a symbol of societal "vulgarity." His continued defense of what many consider hate speech, coupled with his past provocations, raises serious questions about the criteria for "integration and pragmatism" in presidential appointments and whether individuals who deny widely accepted societal values should be considered for high office.

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Whether these cheers were appropriate is subjective to each person. If they were inappropriate, they can be criticized. That criticism is also freedom of expression, but punishing the remarks is a denial of fundamental rights.

The article argues that Lee's actions go beyond mere "inappropriate conduct" and represent a defense of hate speech, which has been spreading like a "poisonous mushroom" in society. Given his position and his persistent defense of controversial views, the author contends that a simple warning is inadequate. To effectively combat hate and discrimination and to signal a genuine commitment to shared values, the article urges President Lee Jae-myung to dismiss Lee Byung-tae from his post.

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I don't really know what I should apologize for.