Controversy Over Report Against Im Miri Who Wrote a Criticism Column on the Democratic Party... '#IAmAlsoImMiri' Relay Spreads

"Don't be fooled. Don't vote"
"I am also Im Miri. Go ahead and sue me too"
Jin Joong-kwon "At this point, let's just go all out, never vote for the Democratic Party"

[Source - Kwon Kyung-ae, Lawyer at Haemir Law Firm, Facebook]

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] The Democratic Party of Korea’s decision to file a complaint with the prosecution against Professor Im Miri of Korea University, who wrote a critical column about the party, and the Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper that published it, has sparked strong criticism not only within political circles but also among the general public.

On the 14th, various social network services (SNS) such as Twitter and Facebook saw posts with the phrase "We will not be deceived. We will not vote for you," accompanied by the hashtag #IAmAlsoImMiri. This is interpreted as a relay movement criticizing the Democratic Party following its complaint against Professor Im and Kyunghyang Shinmun on the 13th for alleged violations of election laws.

One Twitter user wrote, "I feel like I am living under a dictatorship of the 1970s or 1980s," adding, "I am also Im Miri. Go ahead and sue me too."

January 29th Kyunghyang Shinmun Column

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, Kyunghyang Shinmun published a column titled "Except for the Democratic Party." In this column written by Professor Im, she pointed out the deepening political disgust among the public due to conflicts between Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, as well as recent political strife between the ruling and opposition parties. She stated, "While the Liberty Korea Party is not without responsibility, the greater responsibility lies with the Democratic Party. Let’s create a party that considers the public’s perspective even after the election. Therefore, I propose: let’s vote 'except for the Democratic Party.'"

In response, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the prosecution last week under the name of party leader Lee Hae-chan against Professor Im and Kyunghyang Shinmun. According to a Democratic Party official, the complaint alleges that the column encouraged voting and election campaigning outside the permitted election campaign period, thus violating regulations.

Professor Im announced on Facebook that she had been reported, saying, "Why would a party whose former leader (now Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae) was a former judge file a complaint? It must be intended to intimidate or cause inconvenience, and it has succeeded. I feel a slight chill and worry about the trouble it might cause." She added, "More than that, I am deeply angry and sad. I am upset by the Democratic Party’s behavior and saddened by the current state of Korean democracy, more than 30 years after democratization in 1987."

In the political arena, voices criticizing the Democratic Party have emerged across party lines.

On the same day, Kim Jeong-hwa, spokesperson for the Bareunmirae Party, said in a statement, "Are they really that insecure about the election? It is very unusual and violent for a specific party to file a complaint against a columnist based on the content of a newspaper column," adding, "At this point, I’m afraid to write any commentary related to the Democratic Party for fear of being sued."

Kim Min-jin, spokesperson for the Justice Party, also said, "The Democratic Party’s response of filing a complaint against a column criticizing their own party is utterly unacceptable," and pointed out, "We must not forget that the history of the democratic progressive camp began with efforts to prevent the state from punishing freedom of criticism of power, freedom of the press, and freedom of expression."

Kim Jeong-hyun, spokesperson for the Alternative Party, also urged the withdrawal of the complaint in a statement, saying, "It is arrogant to take issue with a column and file a complaint for violating election laws. If the ruling party with power does not protect freedom of expression and the public’s right to know, then who will?"

Criticism has also come from within the party. Former Democratic Party candidate for Seoul Dongjak District, Heo Young-il, said, "This is a very petty act. I request immediate cancellation," adding, "No matter how uncomfortable the column’s content is during the election period, legal action is inappropriate. It only stirs up trouble."

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon also reportedly expressed his view to Democratic Party Secretary-General Yoon Ho-jung in the afternoon, saying it was "undesirable" and "an unpleasant sight," and suggested that "it would be better to withdraw the complaint."

Photo by Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University, Facebook capture

Criticism from intellectuals in the progressive camp continued. Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon wrote on his Facebook, "At this point, they are just going all out. Those who enjoyed success with the defeat campaign have now seized power and are trying to silence citizens," adding, "Let’s never vote for the Democratic Party. I will also be sued along with Professor Im."

Kwon Kyung-ae, a lawyer at Haemir Law Firm and member of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, said, "They are practically holding a ritual asking people to vote 'except for the Democratic Party,'" adding, "We are Im Miri. Go ahead and sue me too."

Kim Kyung-yul, former co-executive director of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, also said, "Sue me too. I agree with every word and every stroke of Professor Im’s column," adding, "If I were sued by a handful of power, I would repeat her claims without hesitation."

Kim Ho-gi, professor of sociology at Yonsei University, wrote on his Facebook that day, "As a supporter of the Democratic Party of Korea, I believe the party is at fault in this matter."

He continued, "They should have issued a critical commentary on the column instead of dragging it to court. Freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic value that transcends ideology."

As criticism continued, it was reported on the 14th that the Democratic Party is considering withdrawing the complaint. Yonhap News quoted a key party official saying, "We need to resolve this somehow. It seems the issue was not thoroughly reviewed," and reported that the party plans to hold an expanded executive meeting at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in the morning to discuss measures, including the possible cancellation of the complaint.