[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, commented on the controversy surrounding the funeral procedures of the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, saying, "It can be judged with sound common sense."
On the 12th, after paying respects at the funeral hall of the late General Paik Sun-yup, Kim responded this way when reporters asked if he planned to pay respects at Mayor Park's funeral hall.
Kim had planned to pay respects at Mayor Park's funeral hall but postponed it. He said, "Regarding Mayor Park's sudden death, I feel very sorry as a human being."
Regarding General Paik, Kim said, "During the Korean War, when South Korea was at a crossroads of survival, he defended the last line. He made remarkable contributions that allowed South Korea to exist today," and emphasized, "I hope the funeral proceeds with the utmost respect."
On General Paik being buried at Daejeon National Cemetery instead of Seoul National Cemetery, he stated, "I understand that he wished to be buried at Seoul National Cemetery alongside the soldiers who died in the Korean War during his lifetime," and added, "It is hard to understand why he cannot be buried at Seoul National Cemetery and must be sent down."
However, regarding some party members' criticism that "Mayor Park is being widely memorialized while General Paik is being neglected," he said, "Since these are separate matters, I do not want to discuss them together."
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