Cheong Wa Dae said on the 4th that it "issued a stern warning and strongly requested measures to prevent any recurrence" over comments by Regulatory Rationalization Commission Vice Chair Lee Byung-tae about the "sanctity of May 18." As social tensions rise over a recent controversy disparaging the May 18 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising, the vice chair of a presidential commission clashed with Cheong Wa Dae by criticizing the "Baejae High School disciplinary action."
Chief presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a media notice that day, "Regulatory Rationalization Commission Vice Chair Lee Byung-tae posted his personal opinion on social media," adding, "This differs from the government's firm stance against hate and mockery and is liable to be misunderstood, and it is especially inappropriate conduct for someone in a position of responsibility at a government-affiliated body."
Vice Chair Lee, selected by President Lee Jae-myung, said on the 2nd that the Baejae High School baseball team's heavy punishment over a region-disparaging cheer was "a portrait of North Korea." On Facebook, Lee wrote, "What does it say about our society that students' misbehavior—using the Starbucks controversy to mock a rival team during a high school baseball rivalry game—was handled this way?" adding, "On this land, May 18 has become a sacred realm."
Lee also said, "Their (Baejae High School baseball team's) act could be understood not as 'May 18 itself' but as satire of the 'Starbucks controversy,'" and, "Because history has been sacralized, even a deviation close to children's 'pranks' cannot be accepted and has become adults' 'politics.'" Lee continued, "This looks like North Korea, where people wail after seeing a newspaper with Kim Il Sung's photo getting wet in the rain," and asked, "Does a world this devoid of leeway look so good? Sacred realms justify executions for blasphemy."
Lee, a close associate of former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and a former KAIST professor, is a conservative figure President Lee appointed in Mar. as part of a "unity appointment." From the time of his appointment, he stirred major controversy over past remarks such as "Pro-Japanese collaboration is natural and normal," "Memorial events for the Sewol ferry disaster are a symbol of this society's vulgarity," and "The Moon Jae-in administration is a parasite administration."