Presidential Office Weighs Options on Official's 'May 18th' Remarks Amid Resignation Calls

The presidential office is grappling with the fallout from controversial remarks made by Lee Byung-tae, vice-chair of the Regulatory Reform Committee, who described the May 18th Gwangju Uprising as a 'sacred cow.' The statement has ignited a firestorm, drawing sharp criticism not only from opposition parties but also from within the ruling party, fueling discussions about his potential resignation. President Lee Jae-myung has repeatedly condemned remarks that denigrate or mock the May 18th Democratic Uprising. Consequently, there is internal pressure within the presidential office to address the inappropriate comments made by a high-ranking official. Sources indicate that Lee's position is untenable, given the president's firm stance on the historical event. The controversy erupted on July 4th when Lee posted on his Facebook page, linking the disciplinary action against a Starbucks employee for a controversial cheer to the May 18th event. He wrote, 'This land has made May 18th a sacred cow,' and drew a parallel to North Korea's reaction to a newspaper featuring Kim Il-sung's picture being soaked by rain. Amidst the escalating controversy, Lee attempted to clarify his position, asserting that his core argument was about freedom of expression as a universal human right. However, the presidential office publicly rebuked his statement as 'inappropriate,' issuing a stern warning.

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This land has made May 18th a sacred cow.