The Democratic Party of Korea urged the voluntary resignation of Lee Byung-tae, vice chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, who said "May 18 has become a sanctuary" in connection with the so-called "Starbucks cheer chant" controversy involving Paejae High School's baseball team.

Kim Nam-joon of the Democratic Party of Korea introduces the Democratic Party National University Students Committee's press conference condemning the National Election Commission for infringing on citizens' suffrage and announcing a university statement on the current situation at the National Assembly Communication Center in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 10th/Courtesy of News1

Rep. Kim Nam-joon, a former Presidential Spokesperson, said on the 5th on Facebook, "As a free citizen, the vice chair can express his views, but he cannot continue making remarks that undermine national unity and constitutional values while holding the title of vice chair of a presidential committee."

He added, "One must not put personal rights first and blur the Lee Jae-myung administration's will for unity," stressing, "Since dismissal is impossible, stepping down on his own is the minimum responsibility to the public and the appointing authority. Voluntary resignation is the answer."

Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who is running for the Democratic Party leadership, also shared Kim's post on X (formerly Twitter) and expressed support.

Criticism from Democratic Party lawmakers continued. Rep. Seo Young-seok said, "Hatred and ridicule directed at the May 18 Democratization Movement cannot be justified in the name of freedom of expression," adding, "Even now, apologizing for denigrating the history of democracy is the proper attitude of a public official."

Rep. Kim Nam-kuk said, "We cannot shield under freedom of expression acts that trivialize the tragedy of the state pointing guns at its people and the history of citizens who defended democracy with their lives," urging, "Offer an immediate apology to the public for the misguided perception and outrageous remarks."

Rep. Choi Min-hee also demanded an immediate resignation in response to the presidential office's public warning the previous day that the vice chair's words and actions were "inappropriate," saying, "A person who says 'I don't know what to apologize for' does not fit with the Lee Jae-myung administration." The day before, Choi had also criticized, saying, "Denigration and ridicule of May 18 are not freedom of expression."

Park Byung-eon also said in a commentary, "The May 18 Democratization Movement is a history that forms the foundation of Korea's democracy, to the extent that a national consensus has formed for its inclusion in the preamble of the Constitution," arguing, "We must not tolerate, in the name of unity, a person who raised a colorist argument by saying it is 'like North Korea.'" He went on to urge resignation, saying, "The vice chair's remarks have crossed the line of what our society can tolerate."

Earlier, the vice chair posted on social networking services (SNS) remarks to the effect that "May 18 has become a sanctuary" and "it's like North Korea," after controversy arose when Paejae High School chanted the cheer "Let's go to Starbucks" during a game against Gwangju Jeil High School. The presidential office issued a public warning the previous day, calling it "inappropriate conduct for a person in a responsible position at a government-affiliated body."

A conservative-leaning economist, the vice chair was appointed in March as vice chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, a position equivalent to prime ministerial rank.

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