Jung Se-kyun: "President Kim Dae-jung is my father... I deeply miss him"

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Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun delivering a memorial address at the 11th anniversary memorial service for the late former President Kim Dae-jung held at the National Seoul National Cemetery on the morning of the 18th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 10th referred to former President Kim Dae-jung as 'father' and expressed his longing, saying, "I miss him deeply." Some analysts interpret this as a political message from Prime Minister Chung, who is considered a potential presidential candidate, by mentioning former President Kim.

On this day, Prime Minister Chung posted on his Facebook to commemorate the 20th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's Nobel Peace Prize, emphasizing, "President Kim Dae-jung is the political umbilical cord and father who made me who I am today," and "The hand he extended to me 25 years ago made the current Chung Sye-kyun."

He added, "Today, more than ever, I miss the President deeply," and said, "As always, it feels like he would hold my hand with a bright smile and pat me on the back."

President Kim Dae-jung, who arrived at Pyongyang Sunan Airport on June 13, 2000, for the inter-Korean summit, and National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il, who personally came to greet him, share a historic handshake with bright expressions. (Image source=Yonhap News)

Prime Minister Chung recalled, "On December 10, 2000, the day the President received the Nobel Peace Prize for the first time in our country's history, the emotion and joy are still vivid," and "The main hall of Oslo City Hall was filled with yellow flowers symbolizing the Sunshine Policy."

He stated, "Our overseas Koreans sang Arirang and held a celebratory march, and numerous dignitaries from around the world gave standing ovations," asserting, "The President's Nobel Peace Prize was truly a celebration for all the people of the world."

On the 11th anniversary of the passing of former President Kim Dae-jung, citizens are seen viewing the Kim Dae-jung Archive Exhibition at the "Citizen Peace Festival, Ah! Kim Dae-jung," held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. (Image source=Yonhap News)

In particular, he evaluated, "The President lived his entire life for democracy," and "He even forgave his political opponents who tried to take his life and planted the seeds of peace on the Korean Peninsula, where the atmosphere of war prevailed due to the Cold War."

He continued, "The President melted himself to create the first drop of democracy," and "He melted the ice wall of the Cold War to create the drop of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

He added, "He melted the harshness of regional discrimination, hatred, and ideological conflict to create the drop of forgiveness," emphasizing, "The drops created by the President will gather to open the floodgates of democracy and ultimately create a Republic of Korea where democracy and peace flow like a river."

On the morning of the 18th, at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the complete works of Kim Dae-jung were dedicated in front of the memorial portrait of the late President Kim Dae-jung during the 10th anniversary memorial service of his passing. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyu81@

Prime Minister Chung said, "Over the past 20 years, we have been sailing the boat of peace on the river of inter-Korean harmony created by President Kim Dae-jung," and "Although the clock of inter-Korean peace and denuclearization talks has temporarily stopped, our voyage toward a peaceful Korean Peninsula without war is still ongoing."

He said, "Many citizens are struggling with COVID-19 and turbulent politics right now, and at times like this, the wise words of President Kim Dae-jung are desperately needed."

He continued, "President Kim Dae-jung always put the people first, and to him, the people were comrades who overcame difficulties together," and said, "I will carry on that spirit."

Prime Minister Chung stressed, "If the people of the nation join together, the Republic of Korea will surely overcome COVID-19."