The People Power Party leadership said Monday it has no plans to discipline Rep. Lee Jin-sook, who has drawn fierce criticism from inside and outside the party for hosting a forum on the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.
Chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon told reporters at the National Assembly that the party is not considering disciplinary action for the time being. "It was an academic event, and the lawmaker has stated that the remarks made at the event do not reflect her personal views," Park said.
Park added that the PPP has repeatedly stated its position on the May 18 Democratic Uprising and is mindful of public concerns. "But we hope this does not escalate into excessive political attacks," he said.
Despite the leadership's stance, more than 3,700 dues-paying party members visited PPP headquarters in Yeouido on Monday and submitted a complaint to the party's central ethics committee calling for Lee's disciplinary removal.
In the complaint, the members said Lee was seen seated alongside Heo Hwa-pyeong, chairman of the Future Korea Foundation and former chief of staff to then-Defense Security Command chief Chun Doo-hwan, who has been identified as the top official responsible for the crackdown during the May 18 uprising. "This is a catastrophe that shows who the People Power Party stands with," they said.
Fellow lawmakers also spoke out sharply. Six-term Rep. Jo Gyeong-tae wrote on Facebook that Lee "must be expelled" for "trampling on the party's platform, constitution and rules by insulting the spirit of Gwangju in May."
Two-term Rep. Choi Hyeong-du said on KBS Radio that there is "no room for debate" on the significance of May 18, as the party's predecessor, the New Korea Party, had made its position clear at the time. He also said the Democratic Party of Korea's resolution calling for Lee's expulsion has become "a kind of test for party leader Jang Dong-hyeok."
The controversy began Aug. 13, when Lee hosted a forum at the National Assembly Library in which a presenter described the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a "riot."
Lee has maintained that there was nothing wrong with the forum.
Appearing on a YouTube channel Sunday, she said the presenters "analyzed the significance of May 18 from an academic perspective through comprehensive, multidimensional and meaningful discussion," and argued that May 18 should not be treated as a subject beyond scrutiny.
joze@heraldcorp.com
