Representative Lee Jin-sook Accused of Distorting 5.18

On August 13, a forum was held at the National Assembly Library, and on September 10, a rally was held in front of the National Assembly main building. At these events, remarks denying or distorting the essence of the 5.18 Democratization Movement were made.

Participants continued to make statements that undermined the spirit of the democratization movement, such as defending former President Chun Doo-hwan and claiming North Korean military involvement in 5.18.

The CAJJ took issue with Representative Lee hosting two events within the National Assembly grounds that undermined the spirit of the 5.18 Democratization Movement.

A motion to expel Representative Lee Jin-sook has already passed the National Assembly, and 3,730 responsible members of the People Power Party have reportedly filed a disciplinary request with the party's Central Ethics Committee.

At the forum hosted by Representative Lee Jin-sook, remarks disparaging the 5.18 Democratization Movement were made. Lee Yong-hoon, former Seoul National University professor and co-host of the event for the New History Citizens' Movement, defined 5.18 as 'a ten-day disturbance' and argued that the power of the 5.18 cultural space, monopolized by left-wing political forces, should be dismantled and restructured.

Former party district chairman Joo Dong-sik condemned 5.18 as the main culprit for the contamination of the 1987 system, and voices against including the 5.18 spirit in the preamble of the Constitution were also heard.

One participant questioned whether it was truly an act of pure citizens if many of the deceased were killed by martial law troops, asserting that 5.18 was a civil war caused by North Korean military intervention.

At the rally that day, a portrait of the current president appeared, causing controversy, and the National Assembly Secretariat is reviewing revisions to related regulations.

Such actions appear to be an abuse of the National Assembly member's official authority granted by the people, hindering the fair and rational exercise of the National Assembly Secretariat's operational rights for the benefit of all citizens, and also constitute abetting the spread of false information under the 5.18 Special Act.

The 5.18 Special Act stipulates that spreading false information is punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

The 5.18 Democratization Movement is a historical fact that is scheduled to be enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution, and the CAJJ claims that Representative Lee's actions violate the law and has submitted a complaint to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

Mr. Yoon, a special evangelist from Sarang Jeil Church, led by Jun Kwang-hoon, who was imprisoned for charges related to the Seoul Western District Court disturbance, was sentenced to 8 months in prison for spreading false information about 5.18, including claims of North Korean military involvement, through YouTube broadcasts from May to September 2023.

The CAJJ emphasized that Representative Lee Jin-sook's abetting actions also fall under a violation of the 5.18 Special Act, and that, based on such similar cases, the likelihood of legal punishment is high.

The CAJJ emphasized that National Assembly members must exercise their official authority within the bounds of the Constitution and laws. The complaint explained that this was due to the clear spread of false information, strictly regulated by the 5.18 Special Act, during the two forums and the rally in front of the main building hosted by Representative Lee Jin-sook within the National Assembly grounds.

It was pointed out that Representative Lee's allowing these phenomena to continue and creating a platform for outrageous remarks went beyond the scope of a National Assembly member's responsibility.

Since a bill for suspension from duty can pass with a majority vote, there is a consensus that a related bill should be quickly created and passed to restrict Representative Lee's activities.

The Democratic Party believes that Representative Lee's actions are inappropriate for a National Assembly member and that a strong response at the National Assembly level is necessary.

Over 3,000 responsible members of the People Power Party have petitioned the Central Party Ethics Committee for disciplinary action against Representative Lee.

This is highly significant as it indicates that even the People Power Party considers Representative Lee's actions to be a serious matter that cannot be tolerated. The People Power Party's Central Party Disciplinary Committee urges prompt handling of the disciplinary motion, especially given the joint petition from over 3,000 responsible party members, recognizing the gravity of the matter.

This movement within the conservative camp demonstrates an awareness of the seriousness of Representative Lee's remarks, which tarnish the party's honor and undermine the historical significance of the 5.18 Democratization Movement.