Sobyunghun: "United Party, no discipline for '5.18 defamation', now just 'lip service'... I'm furious"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Democratic Party lawmaker So Byeonghun criticized the United Future Party for not disciplining former lawmakers Kim Jintae, Lee Jongmyeong, and Kim Sunrye, who made '5.18 slanderous remarks,' saying, "Don't give lip service now." The United Future Party has recently been actively courting by visiting flood recovery sites in Honam and announcing plans to introduce the 'Honam Honorary Member' system.

On the 13th, So posted on his Facebook under the title 'United Future Party, don't mislead Honam public sentiment,' saying, "The United Future Party's courting of Honam public sentiment is relentless. As someone from Honam, I am filled with anger," and criticized, "How has the United Future Party regarded Honam until now, and why are they trying to mislead Honam public sentiment with lip service claiming they will change now?"

He asked, "I want to ask Chairman Kim Jongin. Are Kim Jintae, Lee Jongmyeong, and Kim Sunrye members of the United Future Party or not?" and pointed out, "How did they deal with those people who, in alliance with far-right forces, went beyond belittling 5.18 to make various slanderous remarks that drove nails into the hearts of Gwangju citizens? When Joo Ho-young took office as floor leader, they only gave a half-hearted verbal apology but did nothing substantial."

He also added, "They said they would take appropriate measures against Joo Dongsik, the former United Future Party candidate for Gwangju Seo-gu Gap, who said Gwangju is a city obsessed with the 5.18 memorial service, but what punishment was actually given? Didn't he ultimately run his election campaign with confidence?" and said, "In the end, wasn't it the citizens of Gwangju, not the United Future Party, who judged Joo Dongsik?"

So said, "Can the United Future Party take a clear stance on the massacre crimes committed against Gwangju citizens by Jeon Du-hwan and Roh Tae-woo? Can they immediately expel Kim Jintae, Lee Jongmyeong, Kim Sunrye, and Joo Dongsik and impose disciplinary actions severe enough to prevent them from ever entering politics again?" He emphasized, "Do they have the will to break ties with the far-right forces who always label Jeolla-do as communists and respond firmly? They must not just talk but act."

He continued, "When the citizens of Daegu were suffering from the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and hospital beds were scarce, it was the citizens of Gwangju who reached out first. When Gwangju was in trouble, Daegu supported hospital beds and shared warmth. I hope they realize that the term 'unification' itself is already failing to keep up with the people," he urged.

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