Yoon to Skip Itaewon Memorial Ceremony... Political Circles Criticize as "Not the Right Thing"

Presidential Office "No Attendance at Itaewon... Political"
Yoon Attends Park Chung-hee Memorial Ceremony
Ruling Party Says "Harsh Behavior Is Not Conservative"

President Yoon Suk-yeol has decided not to attend the citizens' memorial rally marking the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy on the 29th. The reason given is that the event is seen as a politically charged rally organized by the opposition party.

Some within the ruling party expressed regret over this decision. On the 26th, immediately after returning from his Middle East tour, President Yoon attended the 44th memorial service for former President Park Chung-hee and met with former President Park Geun-hye. This was interpreted as a message appealing for the consolidation of the conservative base. Coincidentally, news of President Yoon's absence from the Itaewon tragedy memorial rally was reported on the same day, contrasting with his attendance at the former president's memorial service.

After the People Power Party's crushing defeat in the by-election for the mayor of Gangseo District, President Yoon repeatedly emphasized livelihood and communication. However, his actions immediately following the tour have been evaluated as showing no change from his previous communication style, which avoided dialogue or compromise with the opposition.

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a memorial address at the 44th anniversary memorial service for former President Park Chung-hee held at the burial site of former President Park Chung-hee in the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 26th. 2023.10.26 [Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers] [Image source=Yonhap News]

Cheon Ha-ram, the People Power Party's Suncheon-gap district committee chairman, classified as part of the Lee Jun-seok faction, criticized President Yoon's absence from the memorial rally in a YTN radio interview, saying, "Our politics is too divided into camps," and added, "The president should not only prioritize Kim Han-gil, chairman of the National Unity Committee, but also demonstrate genuine steps toward unity."

Regarding the presidential office's characterization of the memorial rally as a "political rally led by the opposition party," Cheon said, "So what if the opposition leads it?" and emphasized, "Even if the opposition leader leads a rally organized by the People Power Party, if it holds meaning for the people, the president should attend. Likewise, even if the opposition leads it, the president should be able to go and deliver a message for true political unity."

Former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju said in a BBS radio interview, "The accident that could have been prevented if traffic control had been properly managed was not prevented, and as the nation's highest leader, the president should feel heartache and offer consolation," adding, "Being cold-hearted and failing to fulfill basic human duties is not what conservatism stands for."

The Democratic Party of Korea urged President Yoon to attend, stating that if the opposition's leadership was the issue, they would withdraw from co-hosting. Im Oh-kyung, the party's floor spokesperson, said in a National Assembly briefing, "You said you would not attend the memorial rally because it was a political rally led by the opposition, but that issue has now been resolved," and requested, "We respectfully ask you to attend the memorial rally."

Jang Sung-chul, director of the Public Opinion Center, said on YTN News Lounge, "Even though the opposition decided not to participate, if the president still refuses to attend, he should meet separately with the bereaved families to console their wounds," adding, "What power, politics, and the president must do is truly comfort the people of South Korea who are hurting and struggling."