30th Anniversary of Former President Kim Young-sam's Inauguration
20th Anniversary of Former President Roh Moo-hyun's Inauguration
Together as Busan Members of the National Assembly during the Unified Democratic Party Era
Two presidents who built their political careers based in Busan. February 25, 2023, is a special day for former Presidents Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun. Although both have passed away, if they were still alive, this day would have been unlike any other. The reason February 25 is special among the 365 days of the year, and especially February 25, 2023, is because it is the day that changed their destinies.
Although presidential elections were held consecutively in March in 2017 and 2022, traditionally, presidential elections are held in December. In the past, elections took place in December, and the president was inaugurated on February 25 of the following year. February 25 is an important day when the presidency officially changes hands. It is significant personally and nationally, as it marks the day the commander-in-chief of the armed forces changes.
Politician Kim Young-sam was inaugurated as the 14th president on February 25, 1993. Politician Roh Moo-hyun was inaugurated as the 16th president exactly ten years later, on February 25, 2003. For both men, February 25, 2023, marks the 30th and 20th anniversaries of their presidential inaugurations. How meaningful it would have been if these two politicians, commemorating their 30th and 20th presidential anniversaries, could have reflected on the past and guided future politicians.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is delivering a commemorative speech at the 30th anniversary ceremony of the civilian government held on the 24th at the Kim Young-sam Library in Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Unfortunately, we cannot hear their voices reflecting on these anniversaries. The early passing of former presidents is a national misfortune. Their experience in governance, diplomatic know-how, and insight in handling national affairs are invaluable assets for succeeding presidents.
Politicians Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun share many similarities. Their political styles were also alike. Their bold, daring, and unrestrained political approaches were both their charm and hallmark.
Politician Kim Young-sam was a democratization activist who resisted the military governments of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan with his whole body. Alongside politician Kim Dae-jung, he is regarded as a mountain range of Korean politics.
Leading the Unified Democratic Party (Democratic Party), politician Kim Young-sam's formation of the giant ruling party, the Democratic Liberal Party, through the three-party merger with the Democratic Justice Party (Minjung Party) and the New Democratic Republican Party (Republican Party), was criticized but politically was a once-in-a-lifetime gamble. The process of joining the Minjung Party-centered Democratic Liberal Party, becoming a presidential candidate, and then president was itself a drama.
The general consensus is that this challenge would have been impossible without politician Kim Young-sam's relentless drive. Ultimately, politician Kim Young-sam gave birth to a civilian government. In his inauguration speech on February 25, 1993, he stated, "If we do not leap forward, we will fall behind, and if we avoid change and reform, we will be ignored by history."
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok, Floor Leader Joo Ho-young, and other ruling party leaders, along with party leadership candidates Kim Ki-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo, who are running in the March 8 party convention, attended the 30th anniversary ceremony of the launch of the Civilian Government held on the 24th at the Kim Young-sam Library in Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Although former President Kim Young-sam became president as the candidate of the conservative party, the Democratic Liberal Party, he was a figure who emphasized national unity and harmony for Korea's leap forward.
This message was also shared at the 30th anniversary ceremony of the civilian government held on the 24th at the Kim Young-sam Library in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok and other leadership members, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and Lee Jin-bok, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs of the Presidential Office.
Kim Hyun-chul, chairman of the Kim Young-sam Presidential Foundation, said in his welcoming remarks, "Our society is now in a near civil war state due to extreme left-right confrontation and radical factional battles. It seems as if my father foresaw this situation, as his last will was precisely about unity and harmony."
Politician Roh Moo-hyun is another president born from Busan. He ran as the Unified Democratic Party candidate in Dong-gu, Busan, in 1988 and was elected, while politician Kim Young-sam was elected as a member of the National Assembly from Seo-gu, Busan, in the same year. Politician Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Young-sam were the National Assembly members from Seo-gu and Dong-gu, Busan, respectively, in 1988. Did those around them ever imagine that both would become presidents?
Politician Roh Moo-hyun experienced a turbulent political life comparable to former President Kim Young-sam. Although he was a prot?g? of Kim Young-sam, he took a different political path after the three-party merger. Former President Roh Moo-hyun joined the party led by politician Kim Dae-jung and paved the political path of what is now the Democratic Party of Korea.
Since Roh Moo-hyun's inauguration on February 25, 2003, the Democratic Party has been effectively dominated by the pro-Roh faction for 20 years.
Roh Moo-hyun, a high school graduate and Busan politician, growing the mainstream political force within the Democratic Party is itself history. The 2002 presidential election is still regarded as one of the most dramatic and memorable elections. It was effectively the beginning of internet-based elections and demonstrated the power of political fan clubs (Nosamo) composed mainly of ordinary citizens. Politician Roh Moo-hyun's process of overcoming the Democratic Party mainstream's favored candidate Lee In-je to become the presidential candidate was itself dramatic.
In his inauguration speech on February 25, 2003, then-President Roh Moo-hyun pledged, "The new government will open an era of democracy with the people based on reform and unity, a balanced development society where we live together, and a Northeast Asia era of peace and prosperity." Did politician Roh Moo-hyun's pledge become reality?
Politicians Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun presented national agendas that our society must collectively consider. However, the pledges made on February 25, 1993, and February 25, 2003, remain unfinished tasks. There is a vast gap between goals and reality. Despite differences in party affiliation and political lines, the two Busan-born presidents shared the goal of advancing South Korea to the next level.
Why were they unable to realize their presidential dreams? Unfortunately, both politician Kim Young-sam and politician Roh Moo-hyun had to witness regime changes five years after their terms. They handed over the presidency to opposition parties after their terms ended. Why did they fail to secure regime continuation? The regrets of their terms remain as lasting remorse.
Therefore, February 25 is also a special day for those who remember politicians Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun.
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