Dr. Tara O, of Korean descent, is strongly criticizing the attempt to include the May 18th incident in the constitution, which has not even been fully investigated, at a North Korean human rights hearing held at the U.S. Capitol on the 28th (local time). [GIF from Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission YouTube video]

Dr. Tara O, a Korean-American, has strongly criticized the South Korean government and ruling party's unsettling attempt to include the May 18th incident, which she states is mixed with elements of a riot, in the constitution solely as a democratization movement.

Dr. O, who has reportedly researched the May 18th incident for many years as a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, revealed at a North Korean human rights hearing hosted by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at the U.S. Capitol on the 28th (local time), "There is much controversy surrounding May 18th, with some in Korea calling it a riot and others a democratization movement."

She criticized that "The South Korean National Assembly passed the 'May 18th Historical Distortion Act (May 18th Special Act)' a few years ago, which imposes penalties of up to five years in prison and fines on those who call May 18th a riot or raise the possibility of North Korean involvement." She officially raised concerns about the severe suppression of freedom of the press in the process of the political sphere, criticized for pursuing a socialist agenda, pushing to include an incident in the constitution whose truth has not yet been clearly revealed and many facts are still unclear.

Dr. O stated, "They imprisoned Dr. Ji Man-won, an 80-year-old Vietnam War veteran and May 18th researcher, for two years." She strongly questioned, "Why are they trying to silence those who do not call May 18th a democratization movement and even passing laws to imprison them? Why is it so important to rush to include it in the constitution?"

She also criticized the current reality where even criticism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is censored.

She pointed out, "In some surveys, over 80-90% of Koreans dislike China, and they dislike China even more after realizing how deeply China influences Korean politics." She added, "However, banners criticizing the Chinese Communist Party or calling for an investigation into electoral fraud are classified as hate speech, leading to investigations as if in China."

Specifically, Dr. O highlighted, "At an anti-CCP rally held in Korea in October last year, Korean youths tore down a Chinese Communist Party flag and were immediately investigated by the police. However, an anti-American group that tore down the U.S. flag in front of the U.S. Embassy in Korea faced no repercussions and was not investigated." She pointed out the inequitable exercise of state power stemming from 'political motives.'

Dr. Tara O cited electoral fraud as another issue subject to censorship.

She stated, "The National Election Commission has even promoted legislation to punish citizens who raise concerns about electoral fraud." She directly criticized, "On May 14th last year, just three weeks before the presidential election, X (formerly Twitter) Korea suspended the account of former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who was a presidential candidate and had been demanding the integrity of the election."

She continued, "On the 16th of this month, police arrested Jeon Han-gil, a history instructor and political commentator, in handcuffs." She noted, "The reason was defamation charges against politicians including Lee Jae-myung, but an arrest warrant was not issued."

Dr. O criticized the so-called "KakaoTalk Martial Law" controversy triggered by the Democratic Party early last year, saying, "In January last year, a Democratic Party lawmaker vowed to sue and report anyone who posted unfavorable comments on social media. When the Democratic Party raises a complaint, the police initiate an investigation and take action."

She also directly addressed the issue of religious persecution, including that of churches.

Dr. Tara O stated, "Under the Lee Jae-myung administration, pastors are being imprisoned," providing examples of persecution against clergy who have strongly opposed Korea's move towards communism or a system akin to China and North Korea.

Dr. O said, "Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon was arrested and imprisoned on January 22nd of this year." She added, "He held worship services and peaceful rallies, held up Korean and U.S. flags, supported a strong ROK-U.S. alliance, and organized rallies demanding accountability from elected officials."

She lamented, "Pastor Son Hyun-bo was arrested and imprisoned in September last year." She explained, "Pastor Son was arrested on charges of holding national prayer gatherings strongly opposing the political tyranny of pro-CCP and pro-communist factions, and for inviting a conservative superintendent candidate to his church to share their testimony."

She also revealed the problems with the Civil Act amendment, criticized as the so-called "Church Dissolution Act," at the U.S. Congress.

She warned, "The bill allows the government to revoke the establishment approval of legal entities like churches and also confiscate church property." She noted, "The bill was withdrawn due to strong opposition from the church community citing infringement of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion, but records of similar bills containing unconstitutional provisions being reintroduced have been found."

Dr. O lamented the tragic reality where "Korea, Asia's second-largest Christian nation after the Philippines, began its National Assembly sessions with a prayer to God in its constituent assembly in 1948." She continued, "But now, lawmakers following communist socialist policies are oppressing religious freedom and trying to enact it into law, a dreadful situation," lamenting the loss of qualification as the people's representative body.

Dr. Tara O stated, "I have only presented a few examples of the suppression of freedom of the press and religion." She expressed concern, "These are individuals who support the Chinese and North Korean Communist Parties and exhibit anti-American, anti-republican, and anti-Japanese sentiments. They are attempting to turn South Korea into a satellite state of China by deleting 'freedom' from the constitution and adding a socialist agenda."

She also suggested, "It would be helpful to understand the seriousness and scope of the situation by noting that rally participants are chanting slogans demanding 'CCP OUT' and 'Eliminate Electoral Fraud' to defend Korea and maintain a strong alliance with the United States, yet major Korean media outlets are not reporting on these large-scale rallies."

She lamented, "Because of this, people share news on social media platforms like Google, X, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, but even these posts are being censored, mimicking China's censorship practices."

She continued, "While anti-freedom forces seeking to fundamentally change the nature of the Republic of Korea have seized the levers of power, including the government and major media, there are also Korean patriots fighting desperately against the potential consequences they may bring."

Dr. O emphasized, "They do not want Korea to become like Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, nor do they want it to become a vassal state of the People's Republic of China, hence their demand for the expulsion of the CCP. The United States must listen to the voices of Korean patriots and speak out in support of Korean freedom."

In response, Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ-4th District), Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, expressed gratitude, stating, "Thank you for informing us all of the serious danger the Republic of Korea is rapidly transitioning into the People's Republic of South Korea." He then posed a strong question to Dr. Tara O, "As you have stated, the Republic of Korea is becoming like a satellite state of China. Why is Lee Jae-myung seeking to collude with Xi Jinping, who monstrously oppresses human rights like North Korea, and his policies?"