Lee Jin-sook urges relocation of President Lee Jae-myung's parents' graves; Democratic Party denounces 'shameless politics'

Rep. Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party has raised suspicions that President Lee Jae-myung's parents' gravesite violates the Farmland Act (the law governing the use of land for farming), demanding its relocation — that is, that the graves be moved elsewhere. On the 10th, Lee visited the president's parents' gravesite in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province, demanded the relocation, saying it is "land that cannot be used for graves under farmland rules," and posted photos of the site on her Facebook page. That afternoon, she held a press conference at the National Assembly, claiming, "Bonghwa County has issued demolition orders over the past three years, but the president's family has not removed the gravesite." She demanded, "As president, now that an illegal act has been revealed, he should set an example for the public by relocating or removing the graves."

In response, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized her on the 12th, calling it an "act of filial betrayal" and "a textbook case of shameless politics." Lee pushed back, insisting she had done nothing wrong, saying, "Being branded a 'traitor to one's parents' for pointing out an illegal act is itself a politics that betrays the people."

Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee decided to recuse Lee from the state audit of the Korea Communications Commission. The Democratic Party argued there was a "conflict of interest" given her past tenure as KCC chairperson, while the People Power Party called the recusal "targeted" and boycotted the vote. Lee said, "I object," adding, "The people will hold accountable the Democratic lawmakers who took part today."