By Kang Hyun-kyung
A bipartisan consensus was forged on the legacy of the late former President Kim Dae-jung (1924-2009) — democracy and peace-building efforts — at a commemorative event held at Seoul National Cemetery, Wednesday.
The ceremony, which was part of a series of events prepared by aides of the former President, took place on the occasion of the first anniversary of Kim’s death.
Guests of the memorial service included first lady Lee Hee-ho, the late Kim’s wife, Kwon Yang-sook, wife of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, numerous high-profile politicians who served in the Kim administration and U.S. Ambassador to Korea Kathleen Stephens. Approximately 1,000 guests attended the service.
In a speech, Kim Seok-su, who served as Prime Minister in the Kim administration, said the late President left a memorable mark on history and that the people were thankful for his dedication to attaining peace on the peninsula and democracy for the nation.
During a meeting with senior lawmakers, Chairman Ahn Sang-soo of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) called on fellow lawmakers to keep in mind Kim’s efforts to unify the people and harmonize all socio-economic classes.
“As politicians, we live in an era of confrontation and partisan interests. On the first anniversary of the death of the late President, I think we need to bear his legacy in mind,” he said.
Rep. Park Jie-won, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), reminded lawmakers of Kim’s devotion to democracy and peace between South and North Korea.
“We Democrats need to be unified and are mandated to save the nation in peril. The nation is now facing three crises: a faltering democracy, a struggling working-class families and rising tensions ,” he said.
Park was called Kim’s lifelong secretary for his extensive role as a close aide while the former President was alive. He served as chief of presidential staff when Nobel-laureate Kim was in the presidency.
Rep. Park Sun-young, spokeswoman of the minor Liberty Forward Party, shared the view with other politicians regarding Kim’s role in achieving democracy here.
“Just like other Presidents, the late Kim achieved accomplishments but also made blunders while in office, yet there is an agreement among people that he contributed greatly to building democracy in the nation,” she told reporters.
Kim’s aides have prepared for a slate of events to commemorate Kim’s legacy as President. The publication of a memoir of the late President weeks ago was part of the memorial effort.