Stored at Yeonhui-dong residence for 2 years without finding burial site
Plan to bury in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do also scrapped due to local opposition
Amid strong public criticism of the late former President Jeon Du-hwan following the success of the movie 'Seoul Spring,' a proposal to bury his remains in Hapcheon, Gyeongnam, has sparked controversy in the local community.
On the 21st, Lee Han-shin, a member of the Hapcheon County Council, argued that the late former president's remains should be interred in Hapcheon. At a press conference, he stated, "Since former President Jeon passed away on November 23, 2021, it has been two years and his final resting place has not been found, so I understand that his remains are being kept at his residence," adding, "The fact that the remains of a former president are kept at home because there is no burial site is not only a family tragedy but also a painful history for Hapcheon, which once proudly regarded him."
Councilman Lee said, "Among all the former presidents of our country, Jeon Du-hwan is the only one whose remains are still kept at home due to the lack of a burial site," and added, "No matter what anyone says, former President Jeon is a president from Hapcheon. That alone is something to be proud of." He also insisted that the Hapcheon County Mayor and the chairman of the county council should take the lead in resolving the issue of the former president’s burial.
On the morning of November 27, 2021, the funeral procession for former President Jeon Du-hwan is taking place at the Yonsei Severance Hospital funeral hall in Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
However, local civic groups strongly opposed the proposal, calling it "absurd." The civic group 'Forest of Life Restoration Hapcheon County Citizens Movement Headquarters' issued a statement on the same day, saying, "If the fact that Jeon Du-hwan’s remains are staying in Yeonhui-dong is an unbearable pain, then councilman, you should take them into your own yard," and added, "Don’t wrongly shift the responsibility to the county mayor, council members, or the citizens of Hapcheon. These people are not as idle as you."
The group further stated, "Do not disgrace the party that enabled you to serve as a council member, and do not embarrass the citizens who elected you," emphasizing, "We clearly inform you that apologizing and resigning is the least you can do to take responsibility for your nonsense."
Hapcheon County is the hometown of the late former president and is home to his birthplace and Ilhae (日海) Park, named after his pen name. However, following the success of the movie 'Seoul Spring,' public opinion has grown demanding a change of the park’s name. The county plans to conduct a public discussion process in the first half of next year to gather citizens’ opinions.
The remains of the former president have been temporarily stored at his residence in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, for two years as no burial site has been found. Having led the December 12 military coup, he was convicted of military rebellion and treason, among other charges, and is therefore ineligible for burial in a national cemetery.
The former residence of former President Jeon Du-hwan located in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Earlier this month, the bereaved family attempted to inter the remains in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, but the plan was scrapped due to local opposition.
On the 1st, Kim Kyung-il, mayor of Paju, stated on social media, "There is a movement to bury Jeon Du-hwan’s remains in Paju, a man who crushed the spring of democracy in South Korea through the December 12 military coup and the May 18 Gwangju massacre and slaughtered the people," adding, "Personally and as a politician, I am firmly opposed to Jeon Du-hwan’s burial in Paju."
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