Lawmakers of the Democratic Party of Korea have called for the resignation of Lee Byung-tae, vice chairman of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, who defended the so-called "Starbucks cheer chant" controversy involving the Baejae High School baseball team by saying "5·18 has become sacred territory." With demands for Lee's resignation coming from across factions, including pro-Lee Jae-myung and pro-Chung Chung-rae groups, the calls are expected to serve as considerable pressure.
Rep. Kim Nam-gook, a pro-Lee Jae-myung lawmaker, wrote on Facebook Thursday that "if a senior public official received an official 'stern warning' from the Presidential Office, common sense dictates that they should at least explain the problematic remarks, express regret, and show restraint." He argued, "But Regulatory Rationalization Committee Vice Chairman Lee Byung-tae's subsequent conduct is far removed from the public's expectations. Rather than showing an attitude of reflection or restraint, he consecutively posted his weekend running records and bicycle riding photos on social media." The Presidential Office had earlier issued a stern warning against Lee.
Kim also argued, "This can only be seen as an attitude that takes the Presidential Office's warning lightly and dismisses public criticism as mere passing noise." He said, "Vice Chairman Lee Byung-tae must immediately resign voluntarily."
This was not all. Rep. Kim Nam-jun, a former Presidential Office spokesperson, also said on Facebook, "Vice Chairman Lee may express his views as a free citizen, but he cannot continue making remarks that undermine national unity and constitutional values while holding the title of vice chairman of a committee under the direct authority of the president." He stressed, "Above all, he must not blur the Lee Jae-myung administration's will for unity by prioritizing his private rights." He added, "Since dismissal is not possible, stepping down on his own is the minimum responsibility to the people and the appointing authority. Voluntary resignation is the answer."
Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok expressed agreement by posting Rep. Kim's message calling for Lee's resignation on his X (formerly Twitter) account. Democratic Party Rep. Seo Young-seok also wrote on Facebook, "Hatred and mockery toward the May 18 Democratization Movement cannot be justified in the name of freedom of expression." He said, "Even now, apologizing for disparaging the history of democracy is the proper attitude of a person in public office."
Rep. Cho Seung-rae also joined in. He stressed, "Vice Chairman Lee Byung-tae's political and historical views and his attitude toward freedom are very narrow-minded and destructive." He said, "A regulatory perspective based on this is difficult to accept." He added, "It is very dangerous for a person with such a narrow-minded and destructive regulatory perspective to be a regulatory control tower," and pointed out, "He seems more suited to being a free regulatory critic than the government's regulatory control tower."
