President's Portrait Used at Lee Jin-sook Rally Draws Fierce Backlash

[Anchor]

Representative Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party, who previously faced criticism for hosting a seminar distorting the May 18 Democratic Movement, has now held a similar rally at the National Assembly. A portrait of President Lee Jae-myung resembling a funeral photo appeared at the event. The Democratic Party strongly criticized the move, vowing not to let it pass.

Reporting by Kim Kwan-jin.

[Reporter]

A rally hosted by People Power Party Representative Lee Jin-sook was held yesterday (the 10th) in front of the National Assembly main building.

Regarding criticisms that her hosting of a May 18 Democratic Movement-related seminar last month amounted to distortion, Representative Lee repeatedly advocated for freedom of speech.

[Lee Jin-sook / People Power Party Representative: Is holding a May 18 seminar over there at the National Assembly Library an insult to the spirit of May 18?]

However, conspiracy theories regarding election fraud and claims of North Korean military intervention during the May 18 movement ran rampant at yesterday's rally.

One participant even set up a funeral-style portrait of President Lee Jae-myung on one side of the rally site.

While Representative Lee's side explained that the incident was unrelated to the organizers, the Democratic Party condemned the act, stating that she is repeating shameless behavior and pointing out that using a portrait of the incumbent president as a rally prop occurred nowhere else than the National Assembly.

[Han Byung-do / Democratic Party Floor Leader: I can say with certainty that the Republic of Korea does not need such a lawmaker. We will not leave this shameless person unchecked.]

The Rebuilding Korea Party also criticized the National Assembly for being degraded into a playground for far-right forces, urging that Representative Lee be expelled.

The National Assembly Secretariat expressed deep regret, stating, "Distortions and defamation regarding May 18 are being repeated, and the National Assembly has transformed into a space of extreme hatred and conflict."

Following the submission of a disciplinary motion against Representative Lee to the National Assembly last month, the Democratic Party is now pursuing measures for her expulsion or suspension of status.

(Video reporting: Oh Young-chun, Kim Yong-woo | Video editing: Jang Hyun-ki | Photo credit: No Cut News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.