Former President No Tae-woo's Funeral Hall, Condolence Visits Continue from Various Figures in the Afternoon (Comprehensive)

"Leaving a Great Legacy in the Republic of Korea"
"The Size of the Light Will Not Be Overshadowed" Mixed Evaluations
Ruling and Opposition Parties Join in Mourning... Business Community and Civil Society Also Pay Respects

Former President Roh Tae-woo passed away at the age of 89. On the 27th, mourners paid their respects at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital, where the funeral was held. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy reporters Jeon Jinyoung and Park Juni] On the first day of the late former President Roh Tae-woo’s funeral wake on the 27th, visits from various figures continued into the afternoon. Diverse evaluations of the deceased’s achievements and faults were also expressed. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, said to reporters after paying respects around 1 p.m., "Historically, he left a significant mark on the Republic of Korea," adding, "He played an important bridging role in the transition from military rule to a civilian government."

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, said, "I was imprisoned twice during the Roh Tae-woo administration for participating in student movements," but added, "Roh was the originator of the Northern Policy. Although he was involved in the December 12 incident, it is time for our generation to understand his sincere apology and plea for forgiveness regarding that mistake." Ha emphasized, "Although he was a president I opposed, I will highly evaluate his historical role and achievements."

Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party, after paying respects that day, mistakenly referred to former President Roh Moo-hyun by name, saying, "Former President Roh Moo-hyun opened the path to democratization through the June 29 Declaration."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The ruling party also joined the mourning procession. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, visited the funeral wake around 2:50 p.m. When asked by reporters, "You have criticized former President Roh in the past; is there a reason you came to pay respects today?" he replied, "I hope people understand that this is a minimum courtesy to the deceased." Lee said, "There are both light and shadow. However, the size of the light will never completely overshadow the shadows," emphasizing the faults of former President Roh. Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, also visited the wake around 4:30 p.m. and wrote in the guestbook, "I remember the heart that deeply sought forgiveness for mistakes and the efforts to resolve the pain of division."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Business figures also visited the funeral wake. Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, paid respects around 5:30 p.m. without making any particular remarks about the deceased. Son Kyung-sik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, said to reporters after paying respects, "He was elected as a direct president, established diplomatic relations with China, and left many achievements, so the business community respects him greatly," adding, "I hope he finds peace."

Park Nam-sun, who served as the head of the Jeonnam Provincial Government Situation Room during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, also visited the wake. Park said, "Former President Roh expressed remorse and apologized several times for the Gwangju massacre through his son, lawyer Roh Jae-hyun," adding, "Although no one responsible, including former President Chun Doo-hwan, has apologized for the Gwangju massacre, I came because Roh expressed such a stance."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The funeral for former President Roh will be held as a state funeral over five days. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum will serve as the funeral committee chairman, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol will be the funeral execution committee chairman. After paying respects, Minister Jeon told reporters, "The farewell ceremony and burial are scheduled for Tuesday, the 30th," adding, "The burial site has been decided not to be at the National Cemetery." Lawyer Roh said, "We are negotiating with the hope that the burial site will be Paju Unification Hill, reflecting the deceased’s longstanding Northern Policy and desire for peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula."

It seems unlikely that President Moon Jae-in will be able to pay respects. On that afternoon, he had ongoing summit meetings, and on the 28th, he will depart to attend the G20 summit. Instead, Lee Cheol-hee, senior secretary for political affairs at the Blue House, and Yoo Young-min, chief of staff, expressed condolences on behalf of the president. Yoo conveyed, "The president prays for the deceased’s repose and sends deep condolences to the bereaved family."