Lee Jae-myung and Kim Doo-kwan on Yoon's 'Buma Uprising Remarks': "Surely He Doesn't Not Know Lee Han-yeol"

Yoon Seok-yeol "It Was a Bit Absurd" Explanation

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol paying respects at the memorial site in Democracy Park, Jung-gu, Busan on the 27th./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The presidential candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea continue to criticize former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks on the 'Buma Uprising,' claiming there is a problem with his historical awareness.

Earlier, on the 27th, former Prosecutor General Yoon sparked controversy when he asked, "Is this the Buma Uprising?" upon seeing a sculpture commemorating the late martyr Lee Han-yeol of the 'June 1987 Uprising' at the Busan Democracy Park.

In response, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung posted on Facebook on the 30th, stating, "Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, the fatal lack of historical consciousness in your camp cannot be overlooked," and demanded, "I hope you sincerely apologize to the democratic martyrs and the people."

Lee said, "I never dreamed that someone aspiring to be the President of the Republic of Korea would fail to recognize martyr Lee Han-yeol," adding, "To see the historic photo of Lee Han-yeol collapsing after being hit by a tear gas canister and call it the 'Buma Uprising'?this is an embarrassing display of historical ignorance that cannot be excused as a mere misunderstanding."

He continued, "How little interest and knowledge must one have about our country's democratic history to make such a reckless remark?" and criticized, "Please stop the showmanship. It is regrettable to see you tainted by old-fashioned politics just a month after entering politics."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol declaring his presidential candidacy. Photo by Yonhap News

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-kwan also criticized on Facebook the same day, saying, "I am speechless. I don't even know if he can distinguish between the Buma Uprising and the June Uprising," and added, "While preparing for the bar exam, he might have encountered the Buma Uprising and the June Uprising in libraries, but there is a baseline of common sense expected of Korean politicians."

He continued, "What’s more problematic are the People Power Party lawmakers standing beside candidate Yoon to assist him," lamenting, "If you want to send an actor on stage, you should have them memorize their lines, or if they can't, at least hold a cheat sheet beside them. Where else would such a humiliating production happen?"

Meanwhile, former Prosecutor General Yoon explained on the 30th regarding his 'Buma Uprising' remark, "Who in our age group wouldn't know the photo of martyr Lee Han-yeol?"

At a press conference related to his party membership held at the People Power Party headquarters that day, Yoon said, "It was a bit absurd. It doesn't make sense," and explained, "There were sculptures and photos mainly related to the Buma Uprising, which took place in Busan and Masan, so we talked about that. At first, I thought it was the Buma Uprising and didn't think it was at Yonsei University in Seoul. Later, Representative Jang Je-won told me it was martyr Lee Han-yeol, and I said, 'That's right.'"