“Lee Jin-sook Has Crossed the Line—Is She in Her Right Mind?” Controversy Over Event Featuring President Lee Jae Myung’s Memorial Portrait

[Financial News] A memorial portrait of President Lee Jae Myung appeared at an event hosted by People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook at the National Assembly, sparking controversy. The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) condemned the incident, saying it had “gone far beyond the bounds of propriety,” and called for Lee to resign from office.

Lee Joo-hee, floor spokesperson for the DPK, said in a written briefing on the 10th, “At an event held in front of the main building of the National Assembly and hosted by Lee Jin-sook’s office today, a participant joined the protest carrying a memorial portrait of President Lee.” She criticized Lee, saying, “Was she in her right mind, bringing in not only groups that disparage the May 18 Democratization Movement but also a memorial portrait of President Lee?”
She continued, “This is an appalling act that cannot possibly be overlooked. Lee Jin-sook must immediately apologize to the public for allowing conduct that crossed the bounds of common sense and decency.” She added, “A lawmaker who insults a president elected by the people and turns the representative institution of the people into a venue for low-level political bickering is unfit to serve in the National Assembly. Lee Jin-sook must apologize to the people immediately and leave the National Assembly.”

Seo Mi-hwa, a DPK Supreme Council member, also wrote on Facebook that day, “A memorial portrait of a sitting president is utterly shocking.” She added, “Lee Jin-sook could say, ‘I did not hold it myself.’ But even if a protest participant brought it, she cannot evade responsibility because it happened at an event she hosted.”
She continued, “In a democratic country, people may criticize and oppose the president. But there is a line that must not be crossed.” She pointed out, “Portraying a sitting president as though he were dead goes beyond the bounds of legitimate criticism.”
Lawmaker Park Joo-min also joined the criticism. On Facebook, he wrote, “No matter how rough politics becomes, there is a line that must not be crossed. Making and carrying out a memorial portrait of a living president is neither criticism nor satire.” He added, “It is a vulgar show that exploits death as a political slogan. Will they insist again that this is ‘freedom of expression’?”
He continued, “After insulting the May 18 Democratization Movement, they have now gone so far as to display a memorial portrait of a living president. At this point, it is neither an accident nor a mistake.” He added, “It is embarrassing even to call her a lawmaker. Leave the National Assembly immediately.”
The “The People Judge! National Rally,” hosted by Lee Jin-sook, was held in front of the main building of the National Assembly that day. Participants held placards bearing messages such as “Lee Jae Myung OUT,” “Reveal the truth about election fraud,” and “Fully disclose the beneficiaries of the May 18 movement.”
However, some participants attended with a memorial portrait of President Lee, which was captured by news cameras and sparked controversy.
The National Assembly Secretariat responded by expressing strong regret to Lee Jin-sook. It said, “We deeply regret the repeated historical distortion and defamation concerning 5.18, as well as the transformation of the National Assembly into a space for extreme hatred and conflict.” It added, “We will devise measures to prevent a recurrence so that such incidents do not happen again.”
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