The three opposition parties said Monday they would ask for the dismissal of Park Sung-choon, minister of patriots and veterans affairs, for attempting a controversial march at an upcoming national commemoration day.

“The three opposition parties will motion within this week a joint resolution to dismiss Minister Park,” said Rep. Woo Sang-ho, floor leader of The Minjoo Party of Korea at the Supreme Council meeting.

The ministry, whose mission is to honor war veterans and patriots, recently came under fire for including the 11th Special Forces Airborne Brigade in the street march in Gwangju on June 25, the 65th anniversary of the Korean War breakout.

The disputed military unit was that which former President Chun Doo-hwan dispatched to Gwangju to quell the democratization movement on May 18, 1980.

The bloody suppression, commemorated as the most symbolic event in South Korea’s democratic history, left hundreds dead, a considerable number of which were civilians.

“It is beyond comprehension that (the ministry) should think of sending the airborne troops to Gwangju, a city still suffering from the scars (of the 1980 uprising),” Rep. Woo said.

The runner-up opposition People’s Party echoed the main opposition party, pointing out this was not the first time Park has triggered public indignation.

“Park not only fell short of the public call for resignation, but also insulted the democratic spirit of the May 18 movement,” said party whip Rep. Park Jie-won.

“Cheong Wa Dae should no longer side with the controversial official, who has clearly shown himself to be unqualified (for the job).”

Earlier this year, the ministry had triggered backlash from opposition circles by refusing to designate the pro-democratic song “March for the Beloved” as the official anthem for the May 18 commemoration event. Most vocal on the issue was the People’s Party, which enjoys most of its political support from Gwangju and the surrounding Jeolla provinces.

The more progressive minority Justice Party, too, pledged to take part in the tripartite resolution asking for Park’s dismissal.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)