"Thanks to This Person, We Make a Living... Young People Don't Appreciate the Grace" Citizens Commemorating Former President Park Jeonghee [Report]

People Power Party Leadership and Presidential Candidates Visit National Cemetery
"Those Times Were Better Than Now," Citizens Pay Tribute

The altar for the 42nd anniversary of the death of former President Park Chung-hee installed at the square in front of City Hall / Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] "Thanks to this person, we have food to eat and live.", "Young people these days do not appreciate that grace."

At around 11 a.m. on the 26th, Seoul’s Jung-gu City Hall Plaza was bustling with citizens gathered to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of former President Park Jeonghee's death. The Our Republican Party set up a memorial altar for former President Park here the day before and began receiving mourners from 1 p.m.

The line of people waiting to pay respects grew long at times due to the crowd. Citizens waited their turn while looking at photos of former President Park placed around the plaza’s lawn.

Kim (70), who identified himself as a member of the Our Republican Party, recalled, "(Former President Park) is deeply missed and it pains my heart. He was the person who made it possible for the starving and impoverished people of the past to survive until now, and rapidly developed our country into a global power."

Kim said, "I came here today to repay former President Park’s spirit. He was the only president without corruption," adding, "It’s upsetting that he is enshrined on the sidewalk instead of the lawn inside City Hall. Thinking of the president brings tears to my eyes."

At around 11 a.m. on the 26th, citizens paying tribute at the memorial altar set up in front of Seoul City Hall Plaza, Jung-gu, Seoul, for the 42nd anniversary of the death of former President Park Chung-hee.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

Ji (59), who was waiting in line to pay respects, said, "When I was in middle and high school, we were poorer than North Korea. I didn’t realize it then, but after becoming 30s and 40s, I understood. Former President Park developed our country from such poverty," adding, "Now it’s harder to live than back then. In those days, you could buy a house after working for about five years, but now? Even working your whole life, you can’t buy a house."

Regarding the label of 'dictator' for former President Park, Ji said, "When achieving economic growth, you have to overlook certain things. If you try to gather everyone’s opinions, nothing gets done," and argued, "Sometimes a forceful and unilateral approach is necessary. Isn’t the current situation a dictatorship? The COVID-19 quarantine dictatorship that even bans rallies and protests."

Some citizens viewed the installation of the memorial altar for former President Park negatively amid the COVID-19 situation. Ryu (49), passing near the altar, said, "It’s true that he grew the economy and supporters have the right to mourn, but given the current situation and the issues with former President Park Geunhye, it can’t be seen only positively."

Another citizen, Park (31), said, "I think there can be opinions that highly evaluate Park Jeonghee’s achievements. But many people suffered from oppression of freedom due to dictatorship," adding, "In that sense, it can’t be thought of only positively."

On the 26th, citizens are waiting to pay their respects at the altar set up in front of Seoul City Hall Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, for the 42nd anniversary of the death of former President Park Chung-hee. Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

Opposition politicians also visited the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon to pay tribute to former President Park. The People Power Party leadership and presidential primary candidates including former Jeju Governor Won Heeryong, former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin, and lawmaker Hong Junpyo attended together, while former Prosecutor General Yoon Seokyoul visited separately due to other schedules and completed his tribute. All four People Power Party presidential candidates paying respects to former President Park appears to be an effort to appeal to conservative voters ahead of the final primary on the 5th of next month.

On the 26th, a citizen gazes at a photo of former President Park Chung-hee at the memorial altar set up in front of Seoul City Hall Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, marking the 42nd anniversary of his passing. Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, former President Roh Taewoo passed away in the afternoon due to chronic illness. Having suffered from rare diseases such as cerebellar atrophy and asthma, Roh had been bedridden for a long time. His condition worsened recently, and despite intensive care at Seoul National University Hospital, he ultimately passed away.

Roh first met former President Park in 1956 when he was assigned as a platoon leader in the 5th Infantry Division of the Army, where Park was the division commander. It is known that former President Park held Roh in special regard during his lifetime. Roh also served as deputy operations chief of the Blue House Security Office during Park’s administration. After the October 26 incident in which former President Park was assassinated, Roh, along with former President Jeon Duwhan, led the December 12 military coup to seize power.