Hong Joon-pyo slams lawmaker for forum distorting May 18th Uprising

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has sharply criticized Rep. Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party for organizing a forum that allegedly distorted and denigrated the May 18th Democratic Uprising. Hong questioned whether Lee was a "lonely warrior" or a "Don Quixote who has forgotten the spirit of the times," asserting that any attempt to deny or belittle the historical event constitutes a denial of the current era's values.

In a Facebook post, Hong emphasized that attempts to exploit a tragic historical event for political gain should not be tolerated. He shared his personal experience serving in the military shortly after the uprising in 1980, describing the events as "horrific." While acknowledging that those who exploit the May 18th Uprising for personal benefit deserve criticism, he stressed that the uprising itself should not be condemned. Hong also mentioned his past calls for the public disclosure of the list of May 18th Uprising merit recipients, clarifying that this was a demand for transparency, not an attack on the event itself.

The controversy stems from a forum held on August 13th at the National Assembly Library, titled "Rethinking the May 18th Democratic Uprising National Assembly Public Forum." The event featured speakers such as former Seoul National University professor Lee Young-hoon, known for his New Right scholarship, and Ji Man-won, who has claimed the uprising was a riot instigated by North Korean forces. Huh Hwa-pyeong, a former aide to Chun Doo-hwan, also attended. Reports indicate that the forum was marked by protests and shouting as speakers made statements perceived as dismissive and mocking of the May 18th Uprising.