In a Somber Atmosphere, Justice Party Marks 4th Anniversary of Roh Hoe-chan... 'Roh Hoe-chan Again'

Lee Eun-ju Interim Chairperson "I remember the words telling us to go down when debating left and right"
Lee Dong-young Justice Party Spokesperson "'With Roh Hoe-chan's perspective,' we will rebuild the party"

Justice Party's Acting Chairperson Lee Eun-joo is delivering a memorial speech at the 4th anniversary memorial service for the late Assemblyman Roh Hoe-chan held at Moran Park in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province on the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Justice Party marked the 4th anniversary of the late former leader Roh Hoe-chan in a somber atmosphere. Facing the most difficult situation yet, including a crushing defeat in the local elections and member defections, the Justice Party emphasized the ‘Roh Hoe-chan spirit.’

At around 11 a.m. on the 23rd at Moran Park in Maseok, Gyeonggi Province, Lee Eun-joo, the Justice Party’s Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, said at the memorial service for the late leader’s 4th anniversary, "I recall Leader Roh’s words, ‘The party must move forward with confidence.’ We have worked tirelessly to move forward over the past four years, but the Justice Party is once again facing an emergency situation."

On the 23rd, at Moran Park in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, a memorial service was held for the late Assemblyman Roh Hoe-chan on the 4th anniversary of his passing, with a drink placed to honor him.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairperson Lee lamented, "I hardly dare say ‘the void left by Leader Roh is great.’ Even though I know it is a vain hope, I constantly think, ‘If only Leader Roh were here.’" She mentioned, "A democrat who wished for workers, the common people, women, and the disabled?socially vulnerable groups?to become true sovereigns; a grassroots politician who stood by the sites of the Ssangyong Motor strike and the Yongsan tragedy and stood with irregular workers; a kind politician who gave roses and letters to cleaning workers and women in the National Assembly on March 8 Women’s Day; a cheerful and optimistic politician?this is the longing for Roh Hoe-chan."

Lee said, "The Justice Party is in difficulty," and recalled, "When debating whether to go left or right, I remember your words telling us to go downward." She added, "As Leader Roh said, ‘Anger is short-lived, but hope is long. Hope is a stalactite. It is a pillar of stone made day by day by sweat and tears.’ We will build the pillar of hope with sweat and tears," and concluded, "The Justice Party will become fiercer, more mature, and stronger."

Justice Party lawmaker Sim Sang-jung also shared her reflections on social media after visiting Moran Park. She said, "‘Politics that serve the nameless people as masters’?I think again of the words you left us," and added, "On the arduous journey of progressive politics, we have met countless nameless people. We have called out with all our might the names of the invisible people whom politics had excluded. That was the mission and pride of the progressive politics we walked. But today, before the especially heavy ‘gaze of Roh Hoe-chan,’ I bow my head."

Lawmaker Sim referred to the struggles of subcontracted workers at Daewoo Shipbuilding, saying, "Recalling the cries of these nameless people, my heart is troubled," and stated, "Thinking of the places where politics is most needed, I set out to find you."

Justice Party's Interim Committee Chair Lee Eun-joo (right) is greeting Justice Party lawmaker Sim Sang-jung at the 4th anniversary memorial service for the late lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan held on the 23rd at Moran Park in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Dong-young, spokesperson for the Justice Party’s Emergency Response Committee, also said, "We will rebuild the party with the ‘gaze of Roh Hoe-chan,’" and "We will restart with ‘Roh Hoe-chan’s politics,’ which dreamed of ‘living together and prospering together.’"

Spokesperson Lee said, "We will move forward again with pride as a party for our members and as a competent party for citizens," and added, "With that resolve, we meet ‘Roh Hoe-chan’ again today."