Democratic Party criticizes People Power Party over Park Chung-hee forum

The Democratic Party of Korea has accused the ruling People Power Party of historical distortion following a National Assembly forum titled ‘Revolutionary Park Chung-hee’. Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo criticized Im I-ja, the People Power Party's Policy Committee Chair, for co-hosting the event on May 22.

Lee stated that the forum glorified the May 16 military coup as a ‘successful military revolution’ and falsely characterized former President Park Chung-hee as a ‘major contributor to democratization’. The spokesperson further condemned claims made during the forum regarding the number of executions during the Park era, noting that such narratives ignore victims of state violence, such as those in the Inhyukdang case who were later found innocent in retrials.

The Democratic Party also challenged arguments justifying the Yushin system, citing previous rulings by the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court that declared emergency measures unconstitutional and held the state liable for damages. The party demanded that the People Power Party cease using the National Assembly as a platform to glorify dictatorship and military coups.