Presidential candidates revisit Roh Moo-hyun to woo his supporters

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

One after another, presidential candidates have invoked the late President Roh Moo-hyun in their campaign speeches, in an attempt to win over his supporters who are well-known for their strong solidarity even a decade after their beloved leader's sudden death.

Roh, a human rights lawyer-turned-politician, was elected president in 2002 and his tenure continued until 2008. The late president was one of the rare politicians to possess a legion of diehard supporters who even created a fan club, dubbed "Rohsamo" ― which literally means people who love Roh.

Former President Roh Moo-hyun / Korea Times photo

In each and every election, candidates ― particularly among the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) ― try to court Roh's supporters and this election has been no exception.

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, is the latest politician who vowed to succeed Roh's legacy.

"President Roh Moo-hyun's life and political legacy came to me suddenly this morning. He was committed to national integration, while fighting against discrimination and segregation throughout his life," Ahn said during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday.

"If Roh were alive, he would think the current presidential race was really awful as morality and vision are gone, while candidates are blaming each other."

Ahn, a former software tycoon, touted his candidacy's similarity with Roh's.

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"President Roh wanted a world free of cheating and privilege, while seeking to usher in a scientific and pragmatic era, and that is the same way I think," he said.

"I will remember the path of Roh, who did not get frustrated no matter how many failures and constantly challenged the future for the sake of a cause."

Ahn also stressed his connection with Roh, saying the former president's first legislative constituency was in Busan, Ahn's hometown, and he was one of eight civilians invited to Roh's inauguration ceremony.

His remarks came after his main rivals Lee Jae-myung of the DPK and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) namedropped the late president.

On Sunday, Lee visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, where Roh is buried. While paying tribute to the former president, the former Gyeonggi Province governor got emotional at one point.

"To establish the world where human beings live is a dream of Roh Moo-hyun, (President Moon Jae-in) and Lee Jae-myung," he said during the visit.

Lee also wrote in a guestbook that he will build a world without foul play or privilege.

On Saturday, Yoon paid a visit to a naval base on Jeju Island, a project launched by Roh that faced a strong backlash from residents and activists as well as his supporters, who feared that the base could set off a regional arms race and damage the island's environment. The construction of the Jeju base was completed in 2016.

Praising Roh's decision to build the naval base to bolster self-reliance in national defense, Yoon also got emotional, saying that he has Roh's agony and determination engraved in his heart. Yoon paused for a moment to compose himself.

Right after his nomination as the PPP's candidate in November, Yoon visited Roh's hometown and said he will learn about the spirit of the former head of state.

Many believe each candidate's admiration for Roh is aimed at winning approval from the late president's supporters who have been influential in recent elections.

Moreover, a political observer said that the candidates' references to Roh also had to do with his leadership.

"Roh was a courageous leader who made drastic decisions such as building the Jeju naval base, pursuing a free trade agreement with the United States and even dispatching troops to Iraq at the U.S.' request, all of which drew a strong backlash from his supporters," the analyst said during a TV interview.

"Given that the chief decision-maker made such tough decisions prioritizing national interests, the candidates are also taking advantage of any vestiges of Roh's leadership."

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