Lee Sun-ja "Apologizes on Behalf of Husband to Those Who Suffered"... 5·18 Groups Say "Lack of Sincerity" (Comprehensive)

On the morning of the 27th, at the funeral hall of Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, the farewell ceremony for the late former President Jeon Du-hwan was held, where his wife Lee Soon-ja and eldest son Jeon Jae-guk are paying their respects.

The late former President Jeon Du-hwan's wife, Lee Soon-ja, stated on the 27th, "I especially want to apologize on behalf of my husband to those who suffered and were hurt during his tenure."

This is the first time that Jeon’s side has apologized for past mistakes.

◆ Lee Soon-ja: "My husband wished not to have a grave made and to be cremated with ashes scattered over the northern land"= Lee, representing the bereaved family at the funeral held at Sinchon Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, said, "Looking back, after my husband stepped down from public office, we went through many hardships," adding, "Each time, he said everything was due to his own faults and lack of virtue."

Lee recalled the moment of Jeon’s passing: "On the morning of November 23, he stood up with my support but suddenly collapsed and took his last breath in my arms."

She continued, "It is indescribably heartbreaking and miserable to say goodbye to my husband, with whom I shared 62 years as a couple, but I am grateful that he left this world peacefully without pain."

She conveyed his last wishes: "My husband always said that when he died, he wanted a simple funeral with no grave made. He also wished to be cremated and have his ashes scattered where the northern land can be seen."

She added, "Thanks to your encouragement and prayers, the funeral was carried out safely. We will now discuss the remaining procedures thoroughly."

Lee apologized, "During the funeral period, I was overwhelmed and could not properly greet those who came to offer condolences. Please forgive me generously," and expressed gratitude, "I thank everyone who helped ensure the funeral proceeded smoothly."

On the morning of the 27th, the funeral procession for the late former President Jeon Du-hwan is taking place at the funeral hall of Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

◆ 5·18 Groups: "An Apology Done Reluctantly Without Sincerity"= Regarding Lee’s apology, groups related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising criticized it as lacking sincerity.

Lee Ki-bong, Secretary-General of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, told Yonhap News in a phone interview, "Jeon Du-hwan currently does not even have a single piece of land to rest in peace. We have insisted that if he could not apologize himself, at least his family should do so."

He continued, "It feels like a last-minute, forced apology. There is no sense of sincerity," criticizing, "There were many opportunities for him to apologize while alive, and even before his health deteriorated to the point where he could not freely express himself, he could have done so."

He added, "Given the intense public resentment and the fact that there is no land even to lay his body, I think this apology is done reluctantly."

Kim Myung-hoon, chairman of the May 18 Bereaved Families Association, also said, "There is no truthfulness. It seems like an attempt to evade responsibility given the atmosphere."

Chairman Kim said, "It would have been best if the deceased had apologized, but even after this (funeral) is over, it would be appropriate for the family to hold a press conference or formally apologize," adding, "It should be a formal apology, not an evasion. Even though Roh Tae-woo’s family repeatedly apologized and a state funeral was held, the public did not actively oppose it."