Vice Chairman Lee Byung-tae resigns over '5·18 sacred cow' controversy [Seoul=Yonhap News]

The People Power Party (PPP) criticized the government on the 6th regarding the resignation of Lee Byung-tae, vice chairman of the presidential Regulatory Rationalization Committee, who sparked controversy by stating that "the May 18th Democratization Movement has become a sacred cow," saying, "The public will never forget the hypocrisy of an administration that calls for 'unity' while carrying out 'purges'."

Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon stated in a commentary that day, "Vice Chairman Lee was eventually forced to step down after blatant pressure and demands for resignation from the Blue House. He has effectively been ousted from public office solely for expressing a view that differs from the administration's historical perspective."

Chief Spokesperson Park added, "An administration that ousts public officials for having different thoughts and excludes critical voices is not qualified to speak of democracy," and continued, "The public cannot expect any form of unity from a government that verbally advocates for national integration while, in practice, erasing dissenting voices through cronyism and ideological vetting."

He further stated, "True national unity begins not with suppressing criticism, but with embracing it," adding, "The People Power Party will, together with the people, surely rectify the 'fake unity' and 'fake democracy' of the Lee Jae-myung administration, which suppresses different voices, treats criticism as a sin, and undermines democracy."

Previously, when disciplinary action was discussed after students from Baejae High School chanted "Let's go to Starbucks" as a cheering slogan during a match against Gwangju Jeil High School, Vice Chairman Lee posted on social media, claiming that "the May 18th movement has become a sacred cow" and that this situation resembles "that of North Korea."

The Blue House, stating the situation was "very grave" as the controversy grew despite an earlier warning, recommended the vice chairman's resignation on the same day. Lee accepted the recommendation, stating, "It was my fault for failing to properly consider the political sensitivity," while also remarking, "Our society must not become one where some groups force their own 'sacred cows' upon others."

Vice Chairman Lee is known as a right-leaning business administration professor who was in charge of economic policy for candidate Hong Joon-pyo's camp during the People Power Party's presidential primary last year; his appointment by the Lee Jae-myung administration was considered an "unconventional" choice at the time.