Political heavyweights gather to commemorate ex-President Roh Moo-hyun
A screen shows an image of former President Roh Moo-hyun during a memorial ceremony on the 15th anniversary of his death in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Yonhap
Political heavyweights from ruling and opposition parties gathered to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun, Thursday, paying their tribute to the political spirit of the liberal leader.
The memorial ceremony took place at Roh’s hometown of Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, with his widow, Kwon Yang-sook, family members, politicians and citizens gathering to remember Roh, who served as president from 2003 to 2008. He died by suicide in 2009 amid an investigation into corruption allegations surrounding his family.
The attendees included former President Moon Jae-in, National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, ruling People Power Party (PPP) interim leader Hwang Woo-yea and main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung.
“We resolve to achieve the society you dreamed of, where people live with dignity,” said Song Gi-in, a Catholic priest known as a mentor of Roh. “Driven by our longing for you, we are determined to follow the spirit you left behind. We will reflect slowly and carefully on what truly leads to prosperity and what values we must uphold.”
Former President Moon Jae-in attends a memorial ceremony of the 15th anniversary of the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Yonhap
Before the ceremony, rival parties' leaders each paid their respects to Roh, highlighting different aspects of the values that Roh emphasized during his political career.
DPK Chairman Lee wrote on Facebook that he will not forget the spirit of Roh, attributing Korea's current democracy to his belief in the power of citizens' participation and unyielding stance against authoritarianism, regionalism and vested rights.
"We are living in the era of Roh Moo-hyun without Roh Moo-hyun," Lee wrote. "From the participatory politics to the mass party powered by its members, we may not have reached the point yet, but it is the future we must move toward."
DPK spokesperson Choi Min-seok said in a commentary that "former President Roh's dream of facilitating a society where citizens can live together resonates more deeply than ever" and "the party will create the country Roh dreamed of."
PPP interim leader Hwang highlighted the virtue of cohesion as Roh's legacy, urging the DPK to cooperate in making the politics that Roh has dreamed of.
"In politics, Roh has been stressing the spirit of cohesion and mutual prosperity and striving to put the politics of compromise into practice," Hwang said during a party meeting. "The legacy of former President Roh is a milestone that not only the DPK but every politician these days should follow … Since the DPK deeply loves the former president and is committed to upholding his vision, the party will join us in realizing the politics that Roh dreamed of."
Ruling People Power Party interim leader Hwang Woo-yea, right, holds hands with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung during a memorial ceremony on the 15th anniversary of the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Yonhap
Showing off their presence at the event were former aides of Roh and Moon, who are categorized as the DPK’s pro-Moon faction. Former President Moon was Roh’s chief of staff from 2007 to 2008 and was widely accepted as his political companion.
Former South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo, who is known as a protégé of Moon, returned home from the U.K. to attend the ceremony, and Moon’s former chief of staff Im Jong-seok was also present.
Gaining interest is whether the ceremony will serve as a chance for the pro-Moon faction to recover its influence within the DPK, which is now dominated by loyalists to Chairman Lee.
In doing so, the former governor is speculated to play a pivotal role. Kim told reporters on Sunday, “What I should do is listen more, learn more and make greater efforts.” He also paid a visit to Moon on Wednesday.
Kim was sentenced to two years in prison for an opinion-rigging scandal ahead of the 2017 presidential election in which Moon took office. He was pardoned in December 2022 but not reinstated, which banned him from running for election.
Former President Moon Jae-in holds hands with former South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo at a bookstore Moon runs in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Yonhap