Reviewing Complaints Under the May 18 Special Act
Lee Jaemyung: "Rally Defending Illegal Martial Law"
The Democratic Party of Korea announced that it is considering legal action against a conservative group that held a rally in opposition to President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment last weekend at Geumnam-ro in Gwangju, a symbolic site of democratization.
Han Minsoo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 17th, "The party has decided to respond strongly to the far-right pseudo-forces that distort and denigrate the May 18th movement."
Spokesperson Han said, "It is deplorable that a rally was held in Gwangju to justify the unconstitutional and illegal martial law and to defend insurrection," adding, "Gwangju is the place where hundreds of Gwangju citizens were massacred by the military junta led by Chun Doo-hwan, who seized power through a coup."
He continued, "In such a place, a 'tteottabang rally' was held that defended martial law, supported impeachment, and insulted Gwangju citizens and the city of Gwangju," and added, "We will also review legal actions such as filing complaints for violations of the Special Act on May 18th, centered on our legal team."
Spokesperson Han said, "How is the Yoon Suk-yeol faction any different from the Chun Doo-hwan faction?" and criticized, "They are completely undermining democracy and the rule of law in Korea, and we strongly condemn their far-right rally in Gwangju."
On the afternoon of the 15th, in front of Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju, at Geumnam-ro area, Gwangju Emergency Action held the 14th "Gwangju Citizens General Rally" to urge the impeachment of President Yoon Seokyeol and the eradication of internal rebellion forces, where citizens were shouting slogans. Photo by Song Bohyun
Meanwhile, Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung raised the level of criticism against the group that held the rally opposing President Yoon's impeachment on his Facebook page the previous day, saying, "How can people go to Gwangju, where thousands were killed and injured by the guns and swords of martial law troops under Chun Doo-hwan's illegal martial law, and hold a rally defending illegal martial law?"
Lee wrote, "How is it any different from a demon who causes a disturbance at the funeral of a victim who died unjustly, defending the murderer?" and added, "It is shocking that some of them gathered under the name of a church that speaks of the Lord's love, claiming the titles of elder and deacon."
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