South Korean local politicians criticized for defending lawmaker accused of historical distortion

Local politicians in South Korea are drawing fire for their staunch defense of a ruling party lawmaker embroiled in controversy over distorting historical events. The politicians, specifically members of the ruling party in the Dalseong region, are being criticized for their "misguided loyalty competition" in supporting Rep. Lee Jin-sook, who hosted a parliamentary forum that allegedly distorted and disparaged the May 18th Democratic Uprising.

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Dalseong council members who defended Rep. Lee, who is being criticized for distorting history, are engaging in a misguided loyalty competition and should be strictly disciplined.

The Justice Party's Daegu chapter issued a statement on May 20th, urging the Dalseong council members to "not trample on the pride of the citizens." The party highlighted that even the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has distanced itself from Lee's actions, calling them unofficial and initiating disciplinary proceedings against her. The party expressed disbelief at the local council members' "distorted loyalty competition."

Similarly, Daegu Participation Solidarity released a statement calling for immediate and strict disciplinary action against both Rep. Lee and the Dalseong council members. They argued that local council members, as representatives of the people, should uphold local autonomy and pride, not act as shields for a lawmaker's "erroneous historical perception and disparagement."

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Do not trample on the choice of Dalseong citizens.

Earlier, seven PPP Dalseong council members, including Chairman Kwak Dong-hwan, released a statement titled "Do not trample on the choice of Dalseong citizens." They acknowledged the importance of respecting the sacrifices and historical meaning of the May 18th Uprising but argued that respecting history and questioning or debating it are not mutually exclusive. They questioned whether holding an academic forum warranted the expulsion of a lawmaker.

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Respecting history and questioning or debating it are not mutually exclusive. Does holding an academic forum justify expelling a lawmaker?

Rep. Lee held the "Re-examination Forum of the May 18th Democratic Uprising" on May 13th. The Democratic Party submitted a motion to expel Lee the following day. In Daegu, May 18th victims' associations and civic groups also demanded disciplinary action and expulsion from the PPP.

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Local council members are not subordinates of National Assembly members. As representatives of the citizens, they should protect local autonomy and pride. It is pathetic to see them blindly covering for a lawmaker's misguided historical views and disparaging acts, acting as shields.