South Korean Party Demands Official's Resignation Over Gwangju Uprising Remarks

South Korea's Jo Guk Innovation Party has called for the immediate resignation of Lee Byung-tae, Vice Chairman of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, over controversial remarks he made regarding the May 18th Gwangju Uprising. The party stated that Lee's self-removal from his position is necessary for national unity and the effective governance of the country.

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The Jo Guk Innovation Party urges Vice Chairman Lee Byung-tae to resign voluntarily. This is the way for him to contribute to the integrated governance of the nation without dividing the people as a public official of prime ministerial급.

Lee ignited a firestorm of criticism after commenting on the disciplinary action against the Baejae High School baseball team for using a "Starbucks cheer" that allegedly mocked the Gwangju Uprising. He described the situation as "5.18 becoming a sacred cow in this land" and likened it to "North Korea's situation." These statements have been widely condemned as insensitive and politically charged.

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The 5.18 Gwangju Uprising is history that forms the background of today's South Korean society, to the extent that there is national consensus on including it in the preamble of the constitution.

The Jo Guk Innovation Party, through its senior spokesperson Park Byung-eon, argued that Lee's remarks exceeded the acceptable level of discourse for societal integration. They emphasized that the May 18th Uprising is a historically significant event, widely recognized and even enshrined in the preamble of the constitution, forming a crucial part of South Korea's modern history. The party firmly stated that remarks equating it to North Korea should not be tolerated under the guise of national unity.

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It is unacceptable to tolerate someone who has directly raised the 'color theory' by saying it is like North Korea, in the name of integration.

Furthermore, the party stressed Lee's high-ranking position, noting that he holds a rank equivalent to a Prime Minister. They asserted that a public official of such stature making "anti-constitutional remarks" cannot be overlooked. The Presidential Office had previously issued a stern warning, calling Lee's comments "misleading" and "inappropriate" for someone in his responsible position, and demanded that such behavior not be repeated.

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It is not acceptable to fail to address even anti-constitutional remarks made by a public official treated as a prime minister.