[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, emphasized that "a law to punish historical distortion must be enacted to penalize acts of distortion, fabrication, and denial of historical events that should be recognized and respected, such as the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement and the independence movements that fiercely fought for the restoration of national sovereignty."
On the 28th, after finishing a worship service at Yangnim Church in Gwangju, Lee told reporters, "Abnormal situations where acts of treason and massacres go unpunished if one has power and are instead glorified must be normalized."
He compared the case to how Germany deals with the Nazis, stating, "They are still tracking down and punishing those involved in Nazi war crimes," and added, "Acts of praising, denying, or distorting Nazi crimes are punished."
When asked whether he meant that additional institutional improvements were needed despite the existing May 18 distortion punishment law being in effect, he replied, "There are many historical facts, including the independence movement, that cannot be denied historically," and said, "It is not only a problem related to May 18."
When further asked if he meant that a law with more general application is necessary, he answered, "Yes."
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