Official Resigns After Comparing 5·18 Criticism to North Korea

[Anchor]

Lee Byung-tae, Vice Chairman of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, resigned today (July 6) following controversy over his remarks suggesting that the May 18 Democratization Movement has become a "sacred area," comparing the situation to North Korea in the wake of disciplinary action against the Baejae High School baseball team. His resignation appears to be a response to the presidential office, which issued a public warning two days ago and followed up today by strongly recommending he step down, citing the gravity of the situation.

Reporter Kang Cheongwan has the story.

[Reporter]

The presidential office announced this afternoon that Vice Chairman Lee Byung-tae had expressed his intention to resign, and that the office had decided to accept it.

The resignation came just two hours after the presidential office issued a statement recommending that Lee voluntarily step down, stating that the "matter is very grave."

After the Baejae High School baseball team received a heavy penalty of a six-month suspension for cheers deemed to mock the May 18 Democratization Movement, Lee sparked controversy on July 2 by posting on social media that "the May 18 movement has become a sacred area, which is like the appearance of North Korea."

Although the presidential office issued a stern warning two days ago, calling his behavior "inappropriate," Lee continued to claim it was a matter of "freedom of expression" and effectively refused to apologize. Meanwhile, calls for his resignation were growing within the ruling party.

Representative Kim Nam-jun of the Democratic Party, a close aide to President Lee Jae-myung and former presidential spokesperson, criticized him yesterday, stating, "The remarks of a free citizen and those of a responsible public official cannot carry the same weight," and added that "voluntary resignation is the only answer." Demands for his resignation also continued from the Democratic Party leadership.

[Hwang Myung-sun / Democratic Party Representative: Anyone who denies and insults the history of those who bled for democratization is not qualified to be a member of the Lee Jae-myung government of national sovereignty.]

Immediately after his resignation, Lee stated on social media, "It was my oversight not to properly consider political sensitivity," while adding, "I still believe our society should move toward one where people can freely express their thoughts, and I remain proud that I raised a necessary topic of discussion."

(Video coverage: Jung Sang-bo, Ha Ryung | Video editing: Wi Won-yang | Design: Han Heung-soo)

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