“If it is distorted on May 18, imprisonment of no more than 7 years” It approved the unanimous argument of the party of the Special Law

Furthermore, the Democratic Party held the ‘General Assembly Ontacta’ at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 27th, and decided to adopt two special laws related to the 5.18 Democratization Movement. It includes Congressman Seol-hoon’s bill, which contains a truth-seeking request on May 18, and Congressman Lee Hyeong-seok’s bill, who is sentenced to 7 years or less in prison for distorting or manufacture 5.18. [연합뉴스]

In addition, the Democratic Party held a general assembly of parliamentarians on the 27th and approved a bill related to the investigation of the truth about the Democratization Movement on May 18 and sanction for distortion of history. Democratic Party spokesman Park Seong-joon said on the day that “there was no opposition to the adoption of the party’s argument at the general meeting of lawmakers, so it was decided unanimously without any discussion.” The Democratic Party initiated the process of adopting the party’s arguments on the related bill from May 18 through the Supreme Council on June 3, which was the representative system of Lee Hae-chan. At the time, CEO Lee said, “The unscrupulous people spreading and distorting the fake news about the May 18 merit are amazing. He said: “We will create a special law that will punish these unscrupulous people to the extent that they do not violate the Constitution.” The Democratic Party then went through a Party Policy Committee review for about four months, finalizing the process of adopting the party’s argument and proposing a related bill.

Protesters repressed by the military during the Democratization Movement 5.18. [중앙포토]

On this day, the Democratic Party initiated the Special Law of Truth Investigation of May 18 and the Special Law of Punishment for Distortion of History. Special Law 518, initiated by Congressman Seol Hoon, contains details that specifically specify elements that need to be investigated, such as: ▶ Identification of the person responsible for the firing order ▶ How to fire a helicopter ▶ Sexual violence by the forces of martial law, in relation to the bloody repression of the new army on May 18. In addition, the duration of the activities of the Facts Investigation Committee on May 18 was increased from two to three years, and the number of employees of the committee increased from 50 to 70.

The Special Law on History Distortion initiated by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hyung-suk made the May 18 Democratization Movement’s malicious distortions and fabrications face up to 7 years in prison or a fine of 70 million won or less . In addition, it contained content that removed the enforcement of the prescription and punished soldiers who participated in bloodshed during the 518 era.

On the 27th, the power of the people did not take a separate stance on the adoption of the party’s opinion on the related bill of May 18 by the Democratic Party. However, on the 8th, Ho-young Joo expressed her concern and said, “Academic discussions should take priority.” [뉴스1]

Regarding the bill related to May 18, the people’s power has not expressed an official position after Ho-young Joo, the hospital director, announced in August that “academic discussions should take priority.” However, criticism within the party is mounting, focused on individual lawmakers. In a call with the JoongAng Ilbo that day, Representative Kwak Sang-do said: “Opinions and evaluations of history are not required by law, and there is great scope to drastically reduce freedom of expression, a fundamental right according to the Constitution”. “If you raise a theory that is far from you, will it be punished?”

Academic concerns are also growing. Constitutional scholar Jang Young-soo, a professor at the Korea University School of Law, said: “Any act of distortion or falsification of certain facts related to past historical events is possible, even under current law.” He pointed out that there is no compelling reason to leave historical facts behind and treat special treatment only until May 18. He added that “equality before the law was emphasized and the legislation itself violates equality.”

Yoon Tae-gon, head of the Moa Political Analysis Office, pointed out that the ruling party could set a precedent to control the evaluation of historical facts through the bill. He said: “If the government controls the historical events through legislation, it opens the door to control historical events such as the Sewol ferry and the Cheonan ship according to the administration.” “It can become a value judgment question of whether or not he should be punished.”

Reporters Jeong Jin-woo and Kim Ki-jeong, Internal Reporters Kim Soo-hyun [email protected]