Park Jumin, a member of the Democratic Party and known for his legal advocacy related to the Sewol ferry disaster, has publicly called for the cancellation of Lee Byung-tae's appointment as the deputy chairman of the Presidential Regulatory Reform Committee. This demand stems from Lee's derogatory comments made in the past regarding memorials for the Sewol tragedy, which he described as a 'corrupt political game.' Park expressed his frustration on Facebook, stating that his conscience could not allow him to remain silent any longer and urged the government to reconsider Lee's position.

In his critique, Park highlighted Lee's previous insensitivity toward the national mourning for the Sewol incident, where he referred to commemorative events as symbols of society’s 'vulgarity.' Moreover, Park emphasized the need for empathy and understanding from those involved in governance, arguing that even profound expertise can be detrimental if it lacks the capacity for compassion. Alongside Park's remarks, the Justice Party has also consistently called for Lee's resignation, indicating a broader political sentiment against persons in positions of authority who demonstrate such disregard for public sentiment.

Lee Byung-tae has a controversial history of provocative statements, including remarks in favor of pro-Japanese attitudes and harsh criticisms of the former Moon Jae-in administration, labeling it a 'parasite regime.' Following the backlash over his appointment, Lee took to social media to apologize for his previous statements, seeking to address the discomfort and pain his unfiltered comments have caused. The incident reflects a larger discourse in South Korea surrounding accountability for public figures and the importance of shared values in governance, especially in the context of collective national tragedies like the Sewol ferry disaster.