[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] The official memorial ceremony for the 11th anniversary of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun's passing was held at 11 a.m. on the 23rd at the presidential burial site in Bongha Village, Gimhae, Gyeongnam.
Unlike last year's 10th anniversary memorial ceremony, which saw a record attendance of about 20,000 people, this year's ceremony was scaled down to comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
This year's ceremony was held with only about 100 attendees, including the late President Roh's family, the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation executives, representatives of various political parties, and government officials, under the theme "Humble People, Modest Power, Strong Nation."
The memorial address was read by Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Mrs. Kwon Yang-sook and Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, performed the representative flower offering and incense burning. To mark the 11th anniversary of the late president's passing, the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation specially produced a video titled "Roh Moo-hyun's Leadership," and a special video featuring 207 citizens singing together, "2020 Citizen Choir - Singing Evergreen with the President," was also screened.
The ceremony proceeded in the order of national anthem, silent tribute, memorial address, special video screening, chairman's thank-you remarks, evergreen special video screening, and tribute.
At the National Assembly, party leaders including Speaker Moon Hee-sang, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan, Future United Party floor leader and acting party leader Joo Ho-young, Justice Party leader Shim Sang-jung, and Open Democratic Party leader Choi Kang-wook attended. This marks the first time in four years that a conservative opposition party leader has attended the memorial ceremony since Kim Moo-sung, then leader of the Saenuri Party in 2015, and floor leader Jung Jin-seok in 2016.
The Democratic Party leadership included floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon, Supreme Council members Park Ju-min, Park Kwang-on, Seol Hoon, Kim Hae-young, Nam In-soon, Lee Hyung-seok, Secretary-General Yoon Ho-jung, Policy Committee Chairman Jo Jung-sik, Chief Spokesperson Kang Hoon-sik, and Secretary to the President Kim Sung-hwan. Lee Nak-yeon, chair of the party's COVID-19 National Crisis Response Committee, also attended.
From the Blue House, Chief of Staff Noh Young-min and Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Kang Ki-jung were present. President Moon Jae-in did not attend the ceremony as originally planned.
Local government heads attending included Kim Kyung-soo, governor of Gyeongnam Province and the late president's last secretary, Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Kim Young-rok, governor of Jeonnam Province. From the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, chairman Yoo Si-min, and directors Yoon Tae-young, Lee Kwang-jae, Jeon Hae-cheol, Jung Young-ae, and Chun Ho-sun were present.
Additionally, former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, who recently regained public attention due to the "Han Man-ho Memorandum," was scheduled to pay tribute to the late president at the ceremony. It is reported that former Prime Minister Han will briefly express her views in response to reporters' questions regarding allegations of prosecutorial testimony manipulation related to her political fund case. The event was broadcast live on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's website and YouTube.
Meanwhile, all elected members of the 21st National Assembly from the Democratic Party are scheduled to pay their respects at the late president's burial site.
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