Gimhae City Councilor Who Said "There Are Many Red Guards in Gimhae" Finally Apologizes... "It Was Inappropriate"

"Responding Impromptu... My Response Was Insufficient"

Imi-ae Lee, a member of the People Power Party and a city councilor of Gimhae, Gyeongnam, who sparked controversy with her remark that "there are many communists in Gimhae," has officially apologized.

Imi-ae and Kim Yu-sang, Gimhae City Council members, attending the rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Screenshot from the council member's Facebook.

Lee, the chairperson of the Gimhae City Council's Steering Committee, held a press conference at the Gimhae City Hall Press Center on the afternoon of the 22nd and explained, "At an anti-presidential impeachment rally held in Changwon on the 19th, an excited citizen shouted 'Communists in Gimhae, get down,' and I responded immediately to calm the excitement with an impromptu reply, saying 'There are many communists in Gimhae.'

Earlier, Lee attended the anti-impeachment rally for President Yoon Seok-yeol held in Changwon, Gyeongnam, and caused controversy by making the 'communist' remark on stage. The problematic statements included, 'There are many communists in Gimhae. Therefore, it is quite difficult to carry out legislative activities,' and 'In Gimhae, where there are many communists, we will demonstrate the power of our free right-wing patriotic conservatives of the Republic of Korea.'

Lee stated, "I have never thought of Gimhae citizens as communists, and I tried to respond quickly to the excited crowd's remarks and shift the conversation, but my response was insufficient." She bowed her head and added, "Since it is an inappropriate word depending on the listener's interpretation, I sincerely apologize. I ask for forgiveness from the citizens of Gimhae who may have been hurt by this."

Regarding her previous statement that she had "no intention to apologize," she explained, "I apologized because I acknowledge that this remark was inappropriate and wrong to the citizens." Lee also stated that if she is reported to the Ethics Committee for violating council members' dignity, she will "follow the will of the council members."

Meanwhile, despite Lee's apology, opposition from civic groups continues. The Gimhae Citizens' Coalition for the Resignation of Yoon Seok-yeol, a coalition of civic groups in the Gimhae area, held a press conference at the City Hall Press Center on the same day, demanding the immediate resignation of Lee and Kim Yu-sang, the floor leader of the same party, who also made the 'Gimhae communists' remark.