Cheong Wa Dae said on the 6th that it recommended the resignation of Regulatory Rationalization Committee Vice Chairperson Lee Byung-tae, who sparked controversy with remarks about "May 18 sanctification." The vice chairperson of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, a presidential commission, is a prime minister–level post with a guaranteed two-year term, and the president, as the appointing authority, cannot dismiss the person midterm. However, it said it would maintain the "broadening the base" policy in response to growing backlash within the ruling bloc against the "unity appointments" in light of this incident.
Cheong Wa Dae said that day regarding the Chairperson, "Cheong Wa Dae emphasized and implemented a warning measure that, as a key member appointed to a presidential commission with significant responsibility and authority, efforts must be made to align with the government's policy direction," adding, "Given the gravity of the matter thereafter, we recommended the resignation of Vice Chairperson Lee Byung-tae."
It added, "The vice chairperson is currently deciding on his own course," and said, "The Lee Jae-myung administration will continue efforts at inclusion that broaden the base beyond conservatives and progressives."
Under the current Framework Act on Administrative Regulations, a Regulatory Rationalization Committee Commissioner is not dismissed or removed against the person's will except when sentenced to imprisonment or a heavier punishment, or when long-term physical or mental debilitation makes it impossible to perform duties.
Earlier, on the 4th, Cheong Wa Dae said it had issued a stern warning and requested prevention of recurrence to the vice chairperson in the name of Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. At the time, Chief Spokesperson Kang said, "Regulatory Rationalization Committee Vice Chairperson Lee Byung-tae posted a personal opinion on social media," adding, "This is contrary to the government's firm stance of rejecting hate and ridicule, may lead to misunderstanding, and is particularly inappropriate conduct for someone in a position of responsibility at a government-affiliated body."
◇ "Pro-Japanese is normal," "Sewol ferry events are vulgar," uproar from the appointment
Vice Chairperson Lee, selected in Mar. this year by President Lee Jae-myung as part of "unity appointments," is a former KAIST professor and is also considered close to former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo. His past remarks — "Pro-Japanese 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" — stirred major controversy even within the ruling bloc at the time of his appointment.
On the 2nd, he wrote on Facebook that the Baejae High School baseball team's heavy punishment over a region-disparaging cheer was "the image of North Korea." He also said, "What does it say about our society that students' deviant behavior — using the Starbucks controversy to mock a rival in a high school baseball rivalry game — is handled this way?" adding, "May 18 has become sacred ground in this country."
The vice chairperson said, "Their (the Baejae High School baseball team's) actions could be understood as satire not of 'May 18 itself' but of the 'Starbucks controversy,'" adding, "This scene is like North Korea, where people wail upon seeing a newspaper with a photo of Kim Il Sung get wet in the rain. Does such a world without leeway look so good? Sanctuaries justify executions for blasphemy."