Sim Sang-jung: "No Tae-woo has a big stain but I pray for his repose... Now we must move beyond the 1987 system"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Regarding the passing of former President Roh Tae-woo, Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, described him on the 26th as "a person with a significant stain," while also expressing condolences for the deceased.

In a message on the day of former President Roh's passing, Candidate Sim said, "(Former President Roh) was a person with a significant stain, having led the December 12 military coup alongside Chun Doo-hwan and committed the crime of insurrection, but as it is his final departure, I wish to show respect," adding, "I sincerely pray for the repose of the deceased."

He stated, "Just as a nation that forgets its history has no future, politics that forget history has no future," and added, "We must deeply reflect on the shadows of history and now move beyond the 1987 system toward transformative politics."

In 1987, when former President Roh was elected, major candidates included former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam, and former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil, collectively known as the "Three Kims." With former President Roh's passing, all the major candidates from that time have now passed away.