Former conservative leader caught in controversy over his remarks

By Park Ji-won

Former main conservative party leader Hong Joon-pyo was caught in a controversy about his remarks on the death of liberal party floor leader Roh Hoe-chan as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and minor Justice Party said the remarks were simply inappropriate.

On July 28, the former leader of the largest opposition Liberty Party wrote on Facebook that it is not a “normal society” where one's suicide is “beautified.”

“If you make a mistake, you should take responsibility for it. Death is the way to get away from the responsibility and punishment,” he wrote.

“Committing suicide is another crime. That's why committing suicide for those who functioned as leaders is a wrong choice.”

Regarding Hong's remarks, the ruling DPK and Roh's Justice Party denounced him.

The DPK spokeswoman Kim Hyun released a statement, Sunday, saying the remarks were inappropriate as Hong previously said he should have been cautious on remarks and pay respect to the late politician.

“Offering condolences on the death of Roh Hoe-chan is common courtesy. It is the complex of a person who has never had the opportunity to live for the weak or underprivileged in lecturing about beautifying the dead or normal society,” Kim said.

Justice Party spokesman Choi Suk also criticized what Hong said, saying, “No one is beautifying the death of the late Roh. They just felt empathy or were heartbroken for the circumstances that led to his death.”

Meanwhile, Hong again refuted the spokespersons' statements saying that “the world became a strange place where something right is considered as blunt remarks.”

Hong was caught in the controversy for his remarks about the late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun last year when he was serving as governor of South Gyeongsang Province.

Roh committed suicide on Monday amid a bribery scandal. He was being investigated for allegedly receiving illegal political funds which he denied in his note.