Over 70 Attendees Including Bereaved Families, Ruling Party Presidential Candidates, and Politicians
On the morning of the 23rd, a memorial service for the 12th anniversary of the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun is being held in Bongha Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] The 12th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun was held at 11 a.m. on the 23rd at the presidential burial site in Bongha Village, Gimhae, Gyeongnam.
The 12th anniversary memorial event was held under the title "The Twelfth Spring, Longing Grew and Became Hope."
Only about 70 people attended the memorial service, including the late President Roh's wife Kwon Yang-sook, son-in-law lawyer Kwak Sang-eon, bereaved family members, and key figures from various fields.
Ruling party presidential candidates and politicians were also on the attendance list. Former Prime Ministers Lee Nak-yeon and Chung Sye-kyun attended, while Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung was absent.
Governor Lee had announced on the 6th that he would replace the visit with a visit to the burial site on this day.
Ruling party politicians such as Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader, Lee Young-guk, leader of the Justice Party, Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, and Min Hong-chul and Kim Jung-ho, members of the National Assembly representing Gimhae, attended.
For the second consecutive year following last year, opposition politicians also attended the memorial service. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party and acting party leader, visited.
From the government, local governments, and education sectors, mainly ruling party organization heads and pro-government institution heads attended. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Lee Cheol-hee, Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun, Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong, Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho, Chungnam Governor Yang Seung-jo, Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok, Gyeonggi Superintendent of Education Lee Jae-jung, and Gimhae Mayor Heo Seong-gon were present.
Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Chairman Yoo Si-min, former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan who was close to former President Roh during the participatory government era, and former ministers Kim Du-kwan and Chu Mi-ae also attended.
In accordance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines, attendees sat spaced apart in chairs, and greetings were replaced with light fist bumps.
The memorial service proceeded with the national ceremony, silent prayer, representative flower offering and silent prayer, eulogy by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, screening of the 12th anniversary themed memorial video, appreciation remarks by Chairman Yoo Si-min, and a visit to the burial site.
Wife Kwon Yang-sook, lawyer Kwak Sang-eon, and Chairman Yoo Si-min represented the attendees in offering flowers and incense.
In his eulogy, Prime Minister Kim said, "Contrary to the president's aspirations, distrust and conflict in South Korea today are deeper than ever," and added, "Like the life of Fool Roh Moo-hyun, we will not give up hope to overcome division and conflict and create national unity and a world where people live."
Chairman Yoo Si-min said, "Until today, the twelfth spring, we have nurtured our longing for President Roh Moo-hyun into hope for tomorrow."
Wreaths and yellow pinwheels sent from various sectors filled the area around the incense offering site.
President Moon Jae-in also paid tribute with a wreath. He had stated at the 8th anniversary memorial held after the 18th presidential election that it was "the last attendance as a sitting president."
Civilians who visited Bongha Village individually paid their respects after the memorial service.
The event was broadcast live through the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's SNS.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
