"There are many parts where my intentions were not conveyed, it's unfortunate"
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Lawyer No Jae-heon, son of the late former President Roh Tae-woo, conveyed that his father left a message during his lifetime saying, "I will take full responsibility for the bad aspects of history myself, and I hope future generations live with hope." The burial site is being discussed to be at Paju Tongil-dongsan.
On the 27th, Lawyer No visited his father's funeral hall set up at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. It is known that he urgently returned from studying abroad in the UK and underwent a COVID-19 test to attend the funeral.
At the funeral hall that day, he told reporters, "I am truly grateful that many people have expressed their condolences and offered words of comfort."
Regarding the will left by the deceased, he said, "He believed he bore unlimited responsibility for both the good and bad things he did for the country," adding, "Especially regarding the painful issue of the May 18 victims and other incidents that occurred when he was not in office, he often said to kindly forgive him if there were any responsibilities or mistakes on his part."
He also stated, "From before his term, especially right after taking office, I understand he made efforts to heal the wounds of the Gwangju May 18 incident and to reconcile, and he enacted related special laws," adding, "However, afterward, he was also punished in relation to May 18, and I think there were many political situations where his intentions were not properly conveyed."
Lawyer No said, "He frequently expressed his feelings of apology, remorse, and responsibility for history in various ways," and added, "It is regrettable and unfortunate that he could not directly express these words because he had been bedridden for over ten years and was completely unable to communicate."
Regarding the burial site, he said, "The deceased had a hope to be buried in Paju Tongil-dongsan, reflecting his northern policy and will for peaceful reunification of North and South Korea, and the bereaved family is also discussing it accordingly."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
