A resolution urging the expulsion of People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook, who held a forum related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 26th. The Democratic Party pushed back against Lee's stance that it was an "academic discussion" on the May 18 Democratic Uprising, calling it "the height of shamelessness," and said it would review a practical plan for expulsion.
At the plenary session held that afternoon, the National Assembly passed the "resolution urging the expulsion of lawmaker Lee Jin-sook" with 157 in favor, 1 against, and 1 invalid out of 159 members present. What passed that day was a resolution, not a disciplinary motion. For an actual expulsion, the National Assembly Special Committee on Ethics must review a disciplinary motion, followed by approval by at least two-thirds of the members at a plenary session.
After leaving the plenary chamber, Lee met with reporters and said, "As of today (the 26th), the Democratic Party's will to sanctify May 18 has been declared in the Republic of Korea," adding, "The Republic of Korea is a liberal democracy, and freedom of expression is guaranteed, but if you cannot speak even at an academic event, how can you call it a liberal democracy?"
The resolution cleared the National Assembly Steering Committee hurdle that morning. Han Byeong-do, the Democratic Party floor leader who chairs the committee, skipped the 20-day cooling-off period required under the National Assembly Act and exercised his authority to refer it directly to a full committee meeting. The resolution passed the steering committee in a secret ballot held without People Power Party lawmakers, with 17 in favor out of 17 votes.
At a general meeting of lawmakers held before the plenary session that day, Floor Leader Han also said, "What makes us even angrier now is that after creating a venue to disparage May 18, she says, 'It's academic,' which really makes our anger boil over," adding, "I think this person is truly the epitome of shamelessness. We will make sure to hold her to account."
On the 13th, Lee held a forum at the National Assembly under the theme "Re-examining the May 18 Democratic Uprising." At the time, remarks were made describing the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a "disturbance," sparking controversy.
The Democratic Party submitted a resolution urging Lee's expulsion on the 14th, the day after the forum, and a disciplinary motion on the 21st. It also said it would complete forming the National Assembly ethics panel and begin the actual disciplinary process against Lee.