People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook, who sparked controversy over alleged disparagement of the May 18 Democratization Movement, announced today (the 31st) that she is initiating legislative amendments aimed at disclosing the list of merit recipients and strengthening relevant screening procedures.

Lawmaker Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly today, stating, "Rigorous screening will protect the honor of the recipients, and transparent disclosure will increase public trust in their public merits."

Regarding the direction of the amendment, she emphasized, "We will disclose the list of recipients and public merit information through related individual laws, including the May 18 Democratic Meritorious Persons Act." She added, "We will establish the scope and procedures for disclosure by law and publish them regularly so that the public can verify their merits."

She further added, "We will transfer the May 18 compensation review, currently handled by the Mayor of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City serving as chairperson, to the Prime Minister's Office, similar to the Democratization Movement Compensation Act, and ensure that the Patriots and Veterans Affairs Ministry's Veterans Review Committee deliberates and resolves the registration process for May 18 democratic merit recipients."

In addition, targeting Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, who referred to her as "female Chun Doo-hwan," she said, "He is Kim Min-seok of the 'New Millennium NHK,' who held a drinking party at an adult entertainment establishment featuring female hostesses on the eve of the May 18 anniversary." She stated, "I plan to take additional legal action against remarks intended to defame and insult me."

(Photo: Yonhap News)