Officials Visit Late Mayor Park Won-soon's Funeral Hall... "A Person Who Opened the Horizon of Korean Civil Society"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, along with the party leadership, is entering the funeral hall set up for the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] On the 10th, following the sudden news of the passing of the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, ruling party figures visited the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital where the wake was held. They mourned him as "a person who opened the horizon of Korean civil society."

Kim Du-kwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, after paying his respects at the funeral hall that day, told reporters, "He was someone with so much to do; this is so shocking, devastating, and heartbreaking," expressing his feelings.

He recalled Mayor Park as "a person who opened the horizon of Korean civil society," adding, "I remember many times when he talked about working together for the disadvantaged and socially vulnerable people of the Republic of Korea."

Regarding the Me Too allegations against Mayor Park, when asked whether the party would verify the facts, he said, "Since he has passed away, and legally there is no prosecutorial authority, it has been settled, and I have nothing to say."

Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, also met with reporters after paying respects and said, "He left a clear mark in our civic activities and was a warm and visionary person," expressing his condolences.

Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said, "Personally, I respected him, and as fellow lawyers, we worked together on many cases in the past," adding, "I always thought he was an excellent person, so this incident is very sad and heartbreaking."

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "Park, my friend and comrade, is so resentful. I resent him for being so harsh on himself to the point of giving up on life."

Superintendent Cho continued, "What are the many people who followed and respected Park and walked the path he pioneered supposed to do now? Personally, I feel utterly lost," adding, "When former President Roh Moo-hyun and comrade Roh Hoe-chan passed away, a huge hole was left in my heart, but now I feel I have to live with three more black holes in my heart for life."

He added, "As someone who worked with Mayor Park to manage Seoul education, I truly feel left alone," and "We were working on many policies including school modernization and the New Deal, but now I feel like I am left alone in the wilderness."

On the 10th, a condolence wreath from Park Byeong-seok, Speaker of the National Assembly, was brought into the funeral hall of the late Mayor of Seoul, Park Won-soon, set up at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim Boo-kyum, former Democratic Party lawmaker, after paying respects, said, "The bereaved family is not in a state to hear words of consolation," and "I will come again in a couple of days." Regarding the Me Too allegations, he said, "I cannot comment," adding, "The family is not ready. I am sorry."

Song Young-gil, Democratic Party lawmaker, was mostly silent or sighed when responding to reporters' questions. In addition, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party; Kim Young-jin, deputy floor leader; Kim Young-bae, Jo Seung-rae, Park Sung-joon, Lee Hyung-seok, Kim Sung-joo, Han Jeong-ae, Baek Hye-ryun, Han Byung-do, Kang Seon-woo, Shin Hyun-young, Kang Eun-mi, Bae Jin-kyo, Lee Eun-joo, Yoon Young-chan, Yang Hyang-ja, and other Democratic Party lawmakers, as well as former lawmaker Sohn Hak-kyu, also visited the funeral hall.