[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] It has been revealed that President Moon Jae-in will not attend this year's April 3rd Victims Memorial Ceremony. Although no specific reason was given, it appears to be in consideration of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's attendance at the ceremony.
A Blue House official stated in a phone call with Asia Economy on the 2nd, "President Moon has no plans to attend the April 3rd Victims Memorial Ceremony."
President Moon attended the memorial ceremony three times in 2018, 2020, and 2021. The number of times he attended the April 3rd memorial during his term is the highest among all presidents. Apart from President Moon, former President Roh Moo-hyun attended in 2006, while conservative party presidents did not attend.
His absence from the memorial ceremony in the final year of his term seems to be with President-elect Yoon's attendance in mind. There is a concern that the spotlight of the memorial event might be drawn to the meeting between the old and new powers.
Additionally, it could create an appearance that the new government is naturally continuing the Moon administration's will and efforts to resolve the April 3rd incident. President Moon pledged to revise the April 3rd Special Act as part of his campaign promises and realized it during his term, and President-elect Yoon also visited the Jeju April 3rd Peace Park and promised compensation for the victims during his candidacy.
Despite ongoing conflicts between the transition team and the Blue House over personnel and other issues even after the meeting of the two leaders, there still seems to be a consensus on "carrying forward what should be carried forward."
Meanwhile, President-elect Yoon will attend the Jeju April 3rd Victims Memorial Ceremony on the 3rd for the first time as a president-elect. This is also the first time for a president (president-elect) from a conservative party to attend.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
