National Assembly committee passes resolution calling for lawmaker Lee Jin-suk's expulsion

South Korea's National Assembly Steering Committee has passed a resolution demanding the expulsion of lawmaker Lee Jin-suk, following a controversy surrounding her remarks about the May 18th Gwangju Uprising. The resolution, driven by the Democratic Party, garnered unanimous support with 17 votes in favor.

"I declare that the 'Resolution Calling for the Expulsion of National Assembly Member Lee Jin-suk' has passed with 17 votes in favor out of a total of 17 votes cast," announced Han Byung-do, chairman of the Steering Committee. He further pledged to make every effort to ensure Lee's actual expulsion, beyond just the non-binding resolution, and to push for the immediate formation of a special committee on ethics.

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I declare that the 'Resolution Calling for the Expulsion of National Assembly Member Lee Jin-suk' has passed with 17 votes in favor out of a total of 17 votes cast.

Lawmakers from the People Power Party, Lee's political affiliation, boycotted the committee's plenary session and the subsequent vote. The controversy erupted after Lee Jin-suk participated in a discussion forum that allegedly downplayed the significance of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a pivotal event in South Korea's democratization movement. Lee herself held a press conference on August 14th regarding the matter.

This move by the Steering Committee escalates the political tension surrounding the issue, with the Democratic Party signaling a strong stance against what they perceive as disrespect towards a significant historical event. The call for expulsion, while not immediately binding, puts significant pressure on Lee and her party, potentially leading to further disciplinary actions by the National Assembly's ethics committee.

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We will make every effort to ensure that (Lee Jin-suk) is definitively expelled, going beyond the call for expulsion.