Lawmaker Criticized for Skipping May 18th Vote After Hosting Denigrating Forum

A conservative lawmaker's absence from a crucial parliamentary vote on legislation honoring the May 18th Democratization Movement has ignited controversy, with critics accusing her of hypocrisy and dereliction of duty.

Lee Jin-sook, a member of the conservative People Power Party, did not participate in the vote on a bill to compensate victims of the 1980 Uprising. This comes after she co-hosted a forum that featured remarks denigrating the historical event, including calling it a "ten-day riot in Gwangju" and suggesting the movement should be "externally isolated and internally divided."

Son Sol, a lawmaker from the progressive Justice Party, shared a video of Lee sitting in the parliamentary chamber during the vote, expressing disbelief. "She was in the plenary session but didn't vote on the May 18th-related bill," Son stated. "I saw it. I couldn't help but film it because it was so absurd. This is shocking. It's dereliction of duty. After hosting an event that insulted May 18th, what is this? Resign."

The bill, which passed the assembly with 165 votes in favor, aims to establish special provisions for victims of the May 18th Uprising to exercise their right to claim effective damages, including abolishing the statute of limitations for compensation related to emotional distress. Lee, who refused to apologize for the forum, citing "freedom of expression," also abstained from a vote on a separate bill concerning the prevention of lonely deaths among May 18th merit recipients, while voting in favor of similar measures for other veteran groups.

“

She was in the plenary session but didn't vote on the May 18th-related bill. I saw it. I couldn't help but film it because it was so absurd. This is shocking. It's dereliction of duty. After hosting an event that insulted May 18th, what is this? Resign.