Political Circles Visit No Tae-woo's Funeral Hall Late into the Night... "Let's Evaluate Merits and Faults Separately" (Comprehensive)

Opposition Presidential Candidates "Highly Appreciate Achievements"
Lee Nak-yeon "Serious Mistakes and Northern Policy Also Need Evaluation"

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is paying his respects at the funeral hall of the late former President Roh Tae-woo, set up at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 27th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] On the first day of the late former President Roh Tae-woo's funeral wake on the 27th, political figures continued to visit late into the night. While praying for the deceased's repose, they expressed differing views regarding his achievements and faults.

After finishing a broadcast debate in Gangwon Province that day, the People Power Party's presidential candidates gathered around 8 p.m. at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where former President Roh's wake was set up. After paying their respects, they each met various political figures gathered at the wake, shaking hands and exchanging kind words.

All of them highly praised the deceased's 'achievements (gong)' while being reserved about his 'faults (gwa)'.

The first among the presidential candidates to visit the wake, People Power Party lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo, said to reporters after paying respects, "Former President Roh implemented the Northern Policy, bringing a groundbreaking shift in inter-Korean policy," adding, "During his tenure, he declared a war on crime and eradicated organized crime groups in Korean society, which is a significant achievement." Regarding the government's decision to hold a state funeral for former President Roh, he said, "It is a desirable direction."

However, when asked about former President Roh's 'faults,' he avoided a direct answer, saying, "It would be disrespectful to the deceased, so I will not comment."

Following him, former Jeju Province Governor Won Hee-ryong also praised former President Roh, saying, "He should be evaluated as a participant in democratization who created the flow of democratization history through agreements, and it was a period of great progress in welfare and labor rights, such as the introduction of the minimum wage system and the establishment of labor unions." He also mentioned the construction of 2 million houses and the introduction of the concept of land public ownership, emphasizing, "I think he showed a bold and dynamic conservative aspect in various policies."

He mentioned the 'faults' as well but was relatively reserved. Former Governor Won said, "The December 12 incident has been evaluated judicially and historically."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, after paying respects, said, "He pioneered our country's defense and diplomacy and built 2 million houses during his tenure, which stabilized our real estate market for a long time. Although there were various faults, he expressed in his will to 'forgive everything,' and his family members apologized several times to the people who suffered, so the public will evaluate him accordingly."

The last to pay respects, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, said, "I have already said everything, so I have nothing more to add," and "I hope he rests in peace."

Earlier that day, former Prosecutor General Yoon also held a press conference at the National Assembly to express his stance on former President Roh, but unlike his remarks defending former President Chun Doo-hwan, he took a somewhat neutral position. He said, "Former President Roh also had faults and shadows, as well as achievements and bright sides," adding, "Historical evaluations have already been made, and most of the public agrees and sympathizes with those evaluations." However, emphasizing the mourning period, he avoided mentioning the 'faults,' saying, "It would be better to think only of the parts where he worked hard for the country rather than historical evaluations during this time."

At the wake, former Prosecutor General Yoon also shared his thoughts on the remaining nine days of the primary election. He said, "There are some heated moments during debates, but we are all going forward happily as one team." In contrast, former Governor Won and former lawmaker Yoo said, "It is inappropriate to talk about the primary election here (at the wake)" and did not respond.

Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, visited the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital on the afternoon of the 27th to pay respects at the late former President Roh Tae-woo's resting place. After offering condolences, he greeted the bereaved family member, Roh Jae-heon, chairman of the East Asia Culture Center. 2021.10.27 Photo by Joint Press Corps [Image source=Yonhap News]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who appeared at the wake afterward, also evaluated former President Roh during a press meeting after paying respects, saying, "All politicians have achievements and faults," and "He was a president who played a meaningful role in the development process of the Republic of Korea." He also announced that the Seoul city government would operate a memorial altar from 9 a.m. on the 28th.

Earlier in the afternoon, People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young also visited the wake, saying, "He was a person who experienced modern Korean history with his whole body," and evaluated the 'state funeral decision' as "truly well done."

Ruling party figures also mentioned both the faults and achievements of former President Roh. Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who visited the wake in the afternoon, said, "The December 12 incident and the May 18 Gwangju Uprising were serious faults," but added, "Separately from the faults, the Northern Policy, which took advantage of the background of the Cold War collapse, expanded Korea's diplomatic horizon and had a groundbreaking impact on inter-Korean relations." He also said, "His apology and asking for forgiveness from the May 18 victims are worthy of evaluation in their own right."

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum also visited the wake late at night. The state funeral for former President Roh, which will be held over five days until the 30th, will be overseen by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum as the funeral committee chairman. After paying respects, he told reporters, "It is time to evaluate the achievements as achievements and the faults as faults and record them in history."

Regarding the government's decision to hold a state funeral for former President Roh, he explained, "We cannot erase or overturn the faults related to the December 12 incident or the May 18 Gwangju Uprising themselves," but added, "The deceased left words of apology to the people, and the bereaved family also made sincere apologies several times for the historical faults committed by the deceased, which was the basis for our judgment."

Regarding opinions that a state funeral is inappropriate, he said, "Considering the twists and turns our modern history has gone through, this might be a step to overcome that stage. I think it would be good to evaluate it that way."