[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] On the 13th, the United Future Party urged President Moon Jae-in to make a decision, stating that the late General Baek Seon-yeop should be buried at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery.
Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, expressed regret during the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly main building on the morning of the 13th, saying, "General Baek made remarkable contributions to saving the country when it was on the brink during the Korean War," and added, "Seeing the political circles debate over his burial site, I wondered, 'Is our country really a normal nation?'"
He pointed out the division between ruling and opposition parties over whether General Baek’s burial site should be the Seoul Memorial Cemetery or the Daejeon Memorial Cemetery. He said, "On behalf of the party, I offer my condolences to the late General Baek," and added, "It is difficult to understand and deeply regrettable that there is such debate over deciding the burial site for such a person."
Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, also said, "I believe the president can make a decision to enshrine him at the Dongjak-dong National Cemetery (Seoul Memorial Cemetery). Since there are still two days left (before the burial), I urge President Moon to make a decision," and added, "I request a state or social funeral so that more citizens can mourn and express gratitude, and I also respectfully ask President Moon to pay his respects."
Joo continued, "There are movements of secondary victimization regarding the victim, which must never happen," and said, "Our citizens should embrace and protect the pain and anguish of the powerless victim." He also pointed out, "There is fake news circulating that the victim was a staff member of former floor leader Na Kyung-won of our party," and added, "I hope there will be no spread of fake news or shifting of responsibility related to the solemn funeral."
Meanwhile, Park Soo-young, a United Future Party lawmaker, criticized Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, saying, "He was not killed in the line of duty, yet public funds are being used for the funeral," and added, "The Seoul mayor’s funeral could potentially cause secondary victimization of the victim." In response, Yang Hyang-ja, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "We cannot deny the parts where Mayor Park devoted himself to Seoul and society," and added, "It is very unfortunate that even mourning the deceased has become a political dispute."
On the 13th, Park appeared on YTN Radio’s 'No Young-hee’s Start of a New Morning' and said, "He was not someone who died in the line of duty, and about one billion won of public funds is being spent on the funeral of someone who made an extreme choice due to an unfortunate incident. Is it right to use public funds for the funeral?"
In response, Yang said, "A funeral is an evaluation of a person’s entire life," and added, "It is very unfortunate that even mourning the deceased has become a political dispute." She continued, "There are certainly people who oppose the form of the funeral, but many citizens have already visited the memorial altar to pay respects to the deceased, and we cannot deny the parts where Park Won-soon devoted himself to Seoul and society," and added, "Whether it was right or wrong for him to serve as mayor of Seoul is something history will judge."
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