Lee Won-sik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, noted on the 17th regarding the failed commemorative speech at the May 18 Democratic Movement ceremony, where the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs showed reluctance, that he expresses regret over the political controversy raised by the ministry ahead of the ceremony.
On the same day, the speaker said on Facebook, "How can it be a political controversy to deliver greetings to the people at the May 18 Democratic Movement ceremony?"
The speaker explained the background of preparing the commemorative speech saying, "The intention to read a greeting at the ceremony was due to requests from the city of Gwangju and the May 18 organizations," adding, "I thought it would be nice to express gratitude as the people's aspiration to protect democracy is connected to the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement."
He further remarked, "It is very inappropriate for the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to deny the Speaker's greeting at a ceremony that should be a national event, calling it a political controversy," and questioned, "How can delivering greetings to the people at the May 18 Democratic Movement ceremony become a political controversy?"
He continued, "While it is unfortunate that I cannot deliver the Speaker's greeting, if the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs arbitrarily judges 'political' and 'non-political,' there will be concerns among the people about whether the spirit of May 18 can be properly commemorated in the future."
It is reported that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs communicated regarding the issue of the Speaker's commemorative speech that traditionally, at the government-hosted May 18 ceremony, there is always one guest of honor (typically the President), and only the guest of honor delivers the commemorative speech, which makes it difficult for the Speaker to do so.