South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party has submitted a formal motion calling for the expulsion of lawmaker Lee Jin-sook, according to Chosun Ilbo. The move comes over her alleged distortion and belittlement of the May 18, 1980, pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju.
The resolution was filed on Friday, August 14, 2026, the Chosun Ilbo reported. The Democratic Party argues that Lee’s actions have disqualified her from holding legislative office, according to the Dong-A Ilbo.
Lee, who is affiliated with the ruling People Power Party, reportedly pushed ahead with a forum titled “Re-examining May 18” despite opposition from within her own party. The Kyunghyang Shinmun noted that some members of the People Power Party had also objected to the event.
In response, the People Power Party said it hopes such incidents will not recur, according to MBC News. The party’s statement appeared to acknowledge the controversy without directly endorsing Lee’s actions.
Lee has defended herself, saying that forcing people to treat May 18 as a taboo subject without open discussion is itself anti-democratic, according to Yonhap News Agency. She made the remarks amid mounting criticism from both outside and inside her party.
The May 18 uprising refers to the 1980 civilian protests in Gwangju against military rule, which were violently suppressed. It remains a deeply sensitive political issue in South Korea, with public figures facing intense scrutiny over how they discuss the events.
The expulsion motion now moves to the National Assembly, where it will require a vote to proceed. Whether the ruling party will support the measure or rally behind Lee remains unclear, but the dispute underscores ongoing tensions over historical memory in South Korean politics.
