Visit to the National May 18th Cemetery to Pay Respects to Moon Jaehak
Condolences for Party Member Who Died During Picket Protest
"Responsibility for the Military Coup Must Be Clearly Enforced"
"Choi Sangmok Lacks the Qualifications and Competence to Serve as Acting President"
Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party, visited Gwangju on the 18th and stated, "Even if it is just for one hour or one minute, if we can overcome this confusion and crisis, the Constitutional Court, as the highest institution for upholding the constitution, must bring this turmoil to a swift conclusion." Photo by Min Chanki
Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Gwangju on the 18th and stated, "Everything?economy, security, peace, people's livelihoods, and democracy?is being destroyed, and every day is urgent." He added, "If we can overcome this chaos and crisis even an hour or a minute sooner, the Constitutional Court, as the highest institution for upholding the Constitution, must bring this turmoil to an end as quickly as possible."
That afternoon, Lee visited the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, where he laid flowers and paid respects at four graves, including that of the late Moon Jaehak, who inspired author Han Kang's novel "The Boy Is Coming."
Before the memorial, Lee wrote in the guestbook, "A world where we live together, I will complete the revolution of light with the spirit of May."
Representative Lee Jae Myung visited the National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 18th, and offered flowers and paid respects at four graves, including the late Moon Jae Hak's grave, which inspired writer Han Kang's work "The Boy Is Coming." Photo by Min Chanki
After the memorial, Lee met with reporters and said, "I came to Gwangju suddenly due to the passing of a party member. In Han Kang's novel, there are expressions like 'the past helps the present' and 'the dead save the living.' The May 18th cemetery is also a spiritual space connecting past and present."
He continued, "Jeon Dohwan's former son-in-law is wandering the streets defending the military coup, urging that the ringleader of the military rebellion not be punished. Jeon Dohwan's son is also defending the coup, saying absurd things about student soldiers and volunteer soldiers. This is all because responsibility was not strictly enforced."
He also sharply criticized Choi Sangmok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, who exercised the right to request reconsideration (veto).
Lee said, "Choi Sangmok is not qualified or competent to serve as acting president. He is recklessly abusing the veto power, including on a law that would eliminate the statute of limitations for state violence crimes that violate human rights. It is questionable why he exercised the veto in this case."
He added, "Those who abuse the power given to them will inevitably face consequences. The people and history will hold them accountable. Appoint Ma Eunhyeok as Constitutional Court Justice immediately."
After visiting the National May 18th Cemetery, Lee paid respects to party member A, who died during a picket protest calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Sukyeol.
Earlier that morning, Acting President Choi held a cabinet meeting and decided to exercise the veto on the amendment to the "Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Korea Communications Commission" (KCC Act), which had passed the National Assembly led by the opposition party. The amendment stipulated a minimum quorum of three for KCC meetings and changed the decision-making quorum to a majority of those present. This is the ninth time Acting President Choi has exercised the veto since taking on the role.
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