Lee Hae-chan and Park Won-soon to Chair Funeral Committee... Farewell Ceremony on 13th, Visiting Seoul City Hall for Goodbye Greetings

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has agreed to serve as co-chairman of the joint funeral committee for Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. Park’s side emphasized that the decision to hold the funeral as a Seoul Special Mayor’s funeral rather than a family funeral was made "considering the hearts of citizens who wish to commemorate the deceased’s life."

Park Hong-geun, a Democratic Party lawmaker and co-executive chairman of the Special Mayor’s Funeral Committee, held a press conference on the afternoon of the 11th at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital, where Mayor Park’s body lies, to explain the upcoming procedures. He said, "The funeral committee has appointed three chairpersons representing the deceased’s life: one each from civil society, the political sphere, and Seoul city."

He added, "Lee Hae-chan will participate as the representative of the political sphere. Lee has always referred to Mayor Park as a comrade and friend in the democratization movement and has expressed special affection." He continued, "Baek Nak-cheong, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, is participating as the representative of civil society. Professor Baek is a cultural critic and former professor who has worked as an editor for Changjakgwa Bipyeong and has built a deep relationship with the deceased through various civil society activities." He also noted, "Seo Jeong-hyeop, acting mayor and first deputy mayor of Seoul, has been appointed as a co-chairman representing Seoul city."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the decision to hold the funeral as a Seoul Special Mayor’s funeral, Chairman Park said, "We are well aware of the various issues surrounding the deceased’s death. However, please understand that we have no choice but to reflect the outpouring of mourning from countless people nationwide who wish to commemorate the deceased’s life through the funeral procedures."

On holding a five-day funeral, he said, "According to the deceased’s usual life and wishes, the bereaved family also considered a three-day funeral, but since the deceased was found late at night and a day had already passed, and because it took time for close family members residing overseas to return, the funeral period had to be extended. I believe people will understand the children’s wish to see the deceased’s final path."

Accordingly, the farewell and funeral ceremony will be held on the 13th. The farewell will begin at 7:30 a.m. on the 13th, and the funeral ceremony will take place at Seoul City Hall at 8:30 a.m. Chairman Park explained, "At the City Hall funeral ceremony, the deceased will make a farewell tour around the Seoul City Hall area where he served for nearly nine years, and at 9:30 a.m., the procession will depart for Seoul Memorial Park for cremation." However, he added, "The modest funeral tone remains unchanged," and "The memorial facility at Seoul Plaza has been set up outdoors considering social distancing measures for COVID-19."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Park also warned that he would respond strictly to the spread of allegations about Mayor Park online. He said, "Although concerns were expressed yesterday, one-sided claims or unverified information about the deceased are still spreading," and "Yesterday, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated that it will respond strictly according to law and principles to the dissemination of unverified information online." He continued, "Malicious speculative posts are damaging the deceased’s honor, causing extreme pain to the bereaved family," and emphasized, "We earnestly ask that such actions be stopped."