Son Hyosook, CEO of Libax School, at National Assembly Hearing: "What Is the Problem with the Baekgoldan?"

Aiming to "Restore Chun Doohwan's Honor"?
Son Says, "It's Difficult to Judge the Massacre"

Son Hyosook, CEO of the far-right educational organization Libax School, which is under suspicion of manipulating online comments, appeared at a National Assembly hearing and stated, "What is the problem with the Baekgoldan?" Her remarks drew criticism from ruling party lawmakers.

Son Hyosook, CEO of Libax School, is drinking water at the Libax School hearing held on the 10th at the National Assembly Education Committee. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the 10th, Son appeared as a witness at the Libax School hearing held during the plenary session of the National Assembly Education Committee. When Park Sungjun, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, asked whether she was aware that an organization she had led had organized a Baekgoldan for former President Yoon Sukyeol and held a press conference at the National Assembly, Son denied knowledge of the activities, saying, "I don't know what activities they did," but then countered, "What is the problem with the Baekgoldan?"

Ruling party lawmakers reacted with agitation, and Park criticized, "That is the extent of her level."

When Democratic Party lawmakers referred to organizations associated with Son as "far-right groups," Son requested, "Please refer to them not as 'far-right groups' but as 'liberal conservative organizations.'"

On this day, Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Minjung revealed Libax School documents with objectives such as the "Republic of Korea Rebuilding Plan" and "Efforts to Restore the Honor of Chun Doohwan." She then asked Son, "Regardless of party, all politicians are saying that if the Constitution is amended, the spirit of the 5·18 Democratization Movement must be included. Do you agree with this?" Son avoided a direct answer, responding, "Do I have to answer that here? I am not in a position to say whether it should or should not be included."

When Ko pressed further, asking, "What do you think about Chun Doohwan? Do you think his honor should be restored?" Son again avoided a direct answer, saying, "It has already become a difficult issue. I don't think there is a reason to ask for my opinion on that."

Ko also asked, "Do you acknowledge that Chun Doohwan was a perpetrator of massacre? Do you admit that he was responsible for the innocent deaths of countless citizens during the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement?" Son evaded the question, saying, "I am neither a history expert nor a historian."

When Kim Youngho, Chair of the Education Committee, asked whether she had attended rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol, Son admitted, "I occasionally attended the Saturday rallies at Gwanghwamun."

Libax School is suspected of recruiting a comment manipulation team by offering elementary school Neulbom School instructor certificates, and of posting comments supporting Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, while slandering Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaemyung during the 21st presidential election.