Lee Jin-sook, a member of the People Power Party, asserted on August 26 that the passage of a motion calling for her expulsion in the National Assembly signifies the Democratic Party's intent to sanctify the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, declaring this to the Republic of Korea and the world.
After leaving the assembly hall when the motion was introduced, she told reporters, "If it relates to May 18, there can be no discussion."
She added, "If you displease the president and the majority party, they can even cut you as a lawmaker," emphasizing that actions are taking place in South Korea that effectively enable the impeachment of lawmakers. She criticized the situation, likening it to the one-party rule of North Korea's Workers' Party, stating that the National Assembly has become a place of Democratic Party dictatorship, or 'democratic dictatorship.'
Lee continued, "When we held a discussion on May 18 in the National Assembly, I wanted to address two issues: freedom of expression and the issue of veterans funded by taxpayer money." She highlighted that while the spirit of May 18 is being enshrined in the Constitution, discussions about it are being dismissed. "Only the actions of the youth can change South Korea into a free and democratic nation," she emphasized.
During the assembly session, most members of the People Power Party opposed the expulsion motion and left the hall, but some, including Choi Kyung-tae, Kim Yae-ji, Woo Jae-jun, and Han Ji-a, remained to participate in the vote. The motion passed with 157 votes in favor, 1 against, and 1 invalid out of 159 present members.
Previously, Lee had been embroiled in controversy after holding a discussion in the National Assembly to reexamine the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.
After leaving the assembly hall when the motion was introduced, she told reporters, "If it relates to May 18, there can be no discussion."
She added, "If you displease the president and the majority party, they can even cut you as a lawmaker," emphasizing that actions are taking place in South Korea that effectively enable the impeachment of lawmakers. She criticized the situation, likening it to the one-party rule of North Korea's Workers' Party, stating that the National Assembly has become a place of Democratic Party dictatorship, or 'democratic dictatorship.'
Lee continued, "When we held a discussion on May 18 in the National Assembly, I wanted to address two issues: freedom of expression and the issue of veterans funded by taxpayer money." She highlighted that while the spirit of May 18 is being enshrined in the Constitution, discussions about it are being dismissed. "Only the actions of the youth can change South Korea into a free and democratic nation," she emphasized.
During the assembly session, most members of the People Power Party opposed the expulsion motion and left the hall, but some, including Choi Kyung-tae, Kim Yae-ji, Woo Jae-jun, and Han Ji-a, remained to participate in the vote. The motion passed with 157 votes in favor, 1 against, and 1 invalid out of 159 present members.
Previously, Lee had been embroiled in controversy after holding a discussion in the National Assembly to reexamine the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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