Im Miri: "Democratic Party Must Apologize to the Public for Restricting Freedom of Expression"... Will the Ruling Party Apologize? (Comprehensive)

Strong Criticism Within Progressive Circles
"Democratic Party's Recklessness Goes Beyond Limits, Even Destroying Basic Rights"

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Hae-chan is attending an expanded executive meeting at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 14th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The Democratic Party of Korea withdrew its complaint against Professor Im Miri, a research professor at Korea University’s Korean History Research Institute, who wrote a critical column about the party, but the controversy does not seem to be subsiding.

On the 16th, Professor Im demanded a formal apology from the Democratic Party leadership regarding the complaint.

The Liberty Korea Party also issued a statement urging party leader Lee Hae-chan to apologize to the public.

Among progressive figures, there have been continuous voices of criticism regarding the Democratic Party’s 'column complaint.'

Professor Im expressed her position through a text message on the same day. She said, "The Democratic Party should have naturally issued an apology from the party leadership along with the withdrawal of the complaint, but they are trying to end the matter with just a statement from the Public Relations Bureau," demanding an apology.

She pointed out, "Some supporters indiscriminately dug into my personal information and eventually filed a complaint with the National Election Commission," adding, "I believe this is an act to block not only me but also others who may express opposing views in the future."

She also claimed, "During the impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, some excerpts from my past articles were selectively taken out and distorted to suggest that I supported the impeachment and urged 'conservatives to rise up.'"

Professor Im emphasized, "I want to reiterate that the Democratic Party’s disparagement of my claims based on my background is not the attitude of a ruling party responsible for national governance," and added, "This is no different from refusing to listen to critical voices from the public."

She continued, "Many people are voicing their opinions because this issue is not limited to me," and stated, "I demand that the Democratic Party apologize not only to me but also to the public for suppressing freedom of expression."

A column by Im Miri, Research Professor at Korea University Institute of Korean History, published in Kyunghyang Shinmun on the 29th of last month. Photo by Kyunghyang Shinmun.

The Liberty Korea Party also urged party leader Lee Hae-chan to apologize to the public. Jeon Hee-kyung, spokesperson for the Liberty Korea Party, said in a statement, "The ruling party that tramples on and intimidates freedom of expression is nothing but an incarnation of power lust with neither 'Together' nor 'Democracy,'" and added, "Lee Hae-chan, the complainant, remains silent. He should acknowledge the seriousness of the matter and apologize to the public and Professor Im."

Spokesperson Jeon criticized, "The Democratic Party, which tried to destroy freedom of expression, is trying to gloss over the issue while ignoring the angry public sentiment, so the controversy can only grow," and pointed out, "Even at this moment when the public continues to criticize and Professor Im demands a public apology, the Democratic Party remains stubbornly silent."

She further stated, "The Democratic Party’s reckless complaint behavior clearly shows the arrogance and disrespect of the Moon Jae-in administration. This has been a repeated pattern since the Moon administration," and criticized, "Instead, by nitpicking Professor Im’s background under political pretexts, the DNA of the Moon administration that refuses to reflect is evident."

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon Photo by Yonhap News

The consideration of filing a complaint against Professor Im’s column also drew strong criticism from within progressive circles. Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon wrote on Facebook that "At this point, they are just going all out. Why don’t they file a complaint against me too?" and added, "Those who succeeded through the vote defeat campaign now hold power and try to silence citizens. Let’s never vote for the Democratic Party. I will also be willing to be sued along with Professor Im Miri."

Kim Kyung-yul, a certified public accountant and former co-executive director of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, wrote on his Facebook, "Sue me too," and stated, "I agree with every point and stroke of Professor Im Miri’s article. If I am sued by a handful of powers, I will repeat Professor Im’s claims as much as needed."

Also, Park Kwon-il, co-author of the '880,000 Won Generation' and a progressive intellectual and social critic, strongly criticized on Facebook, "The Democratic Party’s recklessness is so excessive that it is destroying even basic rights. Even though the Constitutional Court’s decision during former President Roh’s impeachment clearly stated that expressing support or opposition to a party when no candidate is nominated is not problematic, the Democratic Party is determined to become a totalitarian or fascist party."

Attorney Kwon Kyung-ae of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society sarcastically said, "They are practically holding a ritual asking people to vote for everyone except the Democratic Party," and raised her voice, "We are Im Miri. Sue me too if you dare." Attorney Kwon had previously criticized the Ministry of Justice’s decision to keep the indictment of the Blue House election interference allegations confidential.

Earlier, on the 13th, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office under the name of party leader Lee Hae-chan, claiming that Professor Im’s column might violate the Public Official Election Act, targeting both Professor Im and the editor of Kyunghyang Newspaper.

However, facing strong public criticism, the party withdrew the complaint the next day, the 14th, through a text message from the Public Relations Bureau, stating, "We acknowledge that our complaint was excessive and express regret."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.