DP Leadership Calls for Resignation of Lee Byung-tae Over '5·18 Sanctuary' Remarks

▲ Lee Byung-tae, Vice Chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee

Calls for the resignation of Lee Byung-tae, Vice Chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, have emerged from the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, following his controversial remarks that "the May 18 Democratization Movement has become a sanctuary" in relation to the controversy over the Starbucks-themed cheering chants by the Baejae High School baseball team.

During the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly today (July 6), Democratic Party Supreme Council member Hwang Myeong-seon criticized Lee, stating, "Defending the perpetrators of the May 18 mockery by calling it a sanctuary or mentioning North Korea is a betrayal of the qualifications required for a public official serving in the Lee Jae-myung administration."

Hwang urged, "How can a person who is a vice chair of a presidential committee take the lead in siding with mockery and escalating the situation? Regardless of the rank of the position, a person who denies and insults the history of those who bled for democratization is not qualified to be a member of Lee Jae-myung's government of national sovereignty. I demand that Vice Chair Lee resign immediately."

Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu also targeted Lee during the meeting, pointing out, "Calling the mockery of history a joke and labeling disciplinary action as something out of North Korea is not freedom of expression. It is an insult to history."

Kang emphasized, "This is a clear secondary victimization of the May 18 democratic martyrs, their bereaved families, the citizens of Gwangju, and the people of the Republic of Korea. Vice Chair Lee has shown neither remorse nor offered an apology. He should voluntarily resign as soon as possible. If he does not resign, the highest level of personnel action must be taken immediately."

Party elder and lawmaker Park Jie-won also mentioned on Facebook that day, "Vice Chair Lee Byung-tae is clinging to his position, claiming that despite the stern warning from the presidential office, he has heard nothing from the president, who holds the power of appointment, and is therefore unfazed."

He strongly criticized Lee, adding, "I urge him to resign quickly, pay his respects to Chun Doo-hwan—who cannot even return to the earth—and disappear while dedicating his 'Chun Doo-hwan-style basic rights,' which are unforgivable under heaven."

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