Lee Byung-tae resigns two hours after being advised, offers no apology for May 18 remarks

Lee Byung-tae, vice chairman of the Presidential Committee for Regulatory Reform, resigned on July 6, just two hours after the presidential office advised him to step down. His departure stems from controversial remarks he made in April, describing the May 18th Gwangju Uprising as a "sanctuary" and likening it to North Korea's political system. The presidential office determined that Lee's statements were in direct conflict with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's national agenda of integration and pragmatism. Lee, a conservative appointee, served only about four months before resigning. In a Facebook post, Lee stated he decided to step down after careful consideration, believing his position had become a burden to the president and the government. However, he did not apologize for his remarks, maintaining his stance that the May 18th Uprising had become a sacrosanct issue in South Korea. Lee expressed concern that his resignation under pressure could set a precedent for future political power to arbitrarily suppress dissent. He also questioned whether the repeated resignation of appointed conservative figures aligns with the national goal of integration. Lee had reiterated his views on freedom of expression even after the controversy erupted, despite a public warning from the presidential office for his "inappropriate conduct." The presidential office explained that they could not legally dismiss Lee, necessitating the recommendation for his resignation. This incident marks the third instance of a conservative appointee leaving the Yoon administration, following the resignations of former presidential secretary for national integration Kang Jun-wook and the withdrawal of a ministerial nominee, Lee Hye-hoon. The article notes that other conservative figures, like former People Power Party lawmaker In Yo-han, also face scrutiny over past statements.

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I decided to step down after careful consideration, believing my position had become a burden to the president and the government.