[Report] "Ordinary Person" vs "Jeon Du-hwan's Friend" Former President Roh Tae-woo's Death Sparks Heated Debate Among Citizens

'Yuksa Donggi' Jeon Du-hwan, the 'Second-in-Command of the New Military Group'
Transitional President for Democratization during the Military Regime

On the afternoon of the 26th, regarding the death of former President Mr. Noh, citizens met around the Jongno area in Seoul showed various reactions to his achievements and faults. Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Yoon Seul-gi] "He lived a long life... I don't think he did well." , "He colluded with Jeon Du-hwan."

Former President Roh Tae-woo passed away on the 26th due to an illness. He was 89 years old. After a long period of illness, Roh was recently hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital due to worsening symptoms but ultimately could not recover and passed away.

According to a statement released by the bereaved family on the day, Roh said, "I humbly accepted the fate given to me and was truly grateful and honored to serve the great Republic of Korea and its people," adding, "I did my best in my own way, but I sincerely ask for deep forgiveness for my shortcomings and mistakes."

As news of Roh's death spread, citizens met in Jongno, Seoul, known as the political hub, voiced criticism contrary to his last words asking for "deep forgiveness." Some also expressed the view that he played a certain role during the transitional period from military rule to democratization.

A taxi driver in his 50s near Euljiro, Jung-gu, said upon hearing the news of Roh's death, "Roh Tae-woo was a friend of Jeon Du-hwan," pointing out his mistakes including involvement in the civilian massacre during the May 18 Democratic Movement.

"I think Roh Tae-woo did well in politics," said a man in his 50s whom we met near Tapgol Park in Jongno, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th. Citizens we met that day expressed various opinions about Mr. Roh's achievements and shortcomings. Photo by Yoon Seul-gi seul97@asiae.co.kr

Another male office worker in his 50s, Mr. Kim, whom we met at Nakwon Arcade in Jongno, raised his voice, saying, "Roh Tae-woo is not an ordinary person; what good did he do?"

'Ordinary person' was the slogan Roh used when running for president. Even after that, during inaugurations and various speeches, he tried to erase his image as a brutal military coup leader by saying, "Please trust this ordinary person."

On the other hand, there were opinions praising Roh's achievements. A man in his 60s who said he was born in Dalseong, Daegu, Roh's hometown, emphasized, "He caught many gangsters and did some politics," adding, "Those days were good to live in." He further said, "Personally, I think he did better than former President Park Chung-hee."

Evaluations from university students in their 20s were mixed. They highly rated his improvement of diplomatic status but pointed out that aside from that, he was practically a failed president. A young man who identified himself as a political diplomacy major, met in a busy area of Jongno, said, "I acknowledge the simultaneous UN membership of North and South Korea and the Northern Policy during his tenure." He added, "But domestically, I don't think he had any clear achievements," criticizing him.

Former President Roh Tae-woo, who served as the 13th President of the Republic of Korea, passed away on the 26th. The photo shows General Roh Tae-woo's retirement ceremony as Commander of the Defense Security Command in 1981. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Roh's life had both light and shadow. While he had the fault of being the second-in-command of the new military group led by his Military Academy classmate Jeon Du-hwan who orchestrated the December 12 military coup, he is also evaluated as having played a role during the unstable social atmosphere of the transitional period from military rule to democratic government.

In December 1979, when Roh was the commander of the 9th Army Division, he led the military coup as part of the new military group 'Hanahoe' centered around his Military Academy 11th classmate Jeon. Rising as the second-in-command of the new military group, Roh served as the Capital Security Command and Security Command commander, retired as a general, and entered politics as the Minister of Political Affairs. He then transitioned from a military image associated with the coup to a politician through roles such as the first Minister of Sports, Chairman of the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee, and leader of the Democratic Justice Party.

Later, as the successor to former President Jeon's regime at the end of the Fifth Republic, Roh was nominated as the presidential candidate at the Democratic Justice Party convention held on June 10, 1987, at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium. Running under the slogan "Ordinary person Roh Tae-woo," he was elected president by direct vote and worked to establish democracy.

He notably succeeded in holding the first high-level inter-Korean talks, leading to the adoption of the Basic Agreement and the Joint Declaration on Denuclearization, laying the foundation for inter-Korean relations. In 1991, he achieved the simultaneous admission of North and South Korea to the United Nations. During his presidency, he also earned the nickname "Mul-tae-woo" amid lame-duck politics.

The appearance of former Presidents Roh Tae-woo and Chun Doo-hwan attending the appellate trial sentencing for the December 12, 1996, and May 18 incidents. [Image source=Yonhap News]

After leaving office, Roh was imprisoned along with Jeon for charges including leading the December 12 coup, forcibly suppressing the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement, and creating slush funds worth hundreds of billions of won. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison and fined over 260 billion won. He was released in December 1997 through a special pardon by President Kim Young-sam before his retirement.

Meanwhile, the political sphere clearly assessed Roh's achievements and faults. Lee Yong-bin, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "He was a historical sinner who led the December 12 military coup and participated in the forced suppression of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement, effectively extending military dictatorship," but added, "However, his Northern Policy, the adoption of the Basic Agreement, and establishing diplomatic relations with China during his tenure can be evaluated positively."

Heo Eun-ah, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, also evaluated, "The late president achieved simultaneous UN membership for North and South Korea, adoption of the Basic Agreement, and Northern diplomacy during his tenure," but emphasized, "The fact that he created the military regime through the December 12 coup and his involvement in the civilian massacre during the May 18 Democratic Movement cannot be covered up for any reason."