Ruling and Opposition Parties Gather for Former President Roh's 15th Memorial Ceremony: "We Will Reflect on the Meaning of Cooperation"

Former and Current Government Figures Including Moon Jae-in and Han Deok-su Attend
Ruling and Opposition Leaders Gather Including Hwang Woo-yeo and Lee Jae-myung

The 15th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun was solemnly held on the 23rd at Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam. Leaders from both ruling and opposition parties paid tribute to the late president and pledged to carry on the spirit of 'coexistence' and 'co-governance' that he wished for during his lifetime.

The memorial service took place at 2 p.m. on a special stage at the Ecological Cultural Park in Bongha Village under the theme "Today's Practice is Tomorrow's History." Former President Moon Jae-in, National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and others attended. President Yoon Suk-yeol sent a wreath in his name, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Hong Cheol-ho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office, were present. From the National Assembly, Hwang Woo-yea, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, Cho Guk, leader of the Innovation Party, and Kim Jun-woo, leader of the Justice Party, also attended.

The official memorial address was delivered by Father Song Ki-in, known as a mentor to both former Presidents Roh and Moon, while the citizen memorial address was read by Myung Gye-nam.

Father Song said, "Today, we gather here to be reborn anew and upright," adding, "As proud agents of history and masters of the world, we resolve to realize the world you dreamed of where people live together." He quoted former President Roh’s words, "What have you learned from history, and what future do you dream of? Your thoughts and actions today will become tomorrow’s history," and added, "We will engrave your passionate cry in our hearts here and move forward boldly."

As the 15th anniversary theme video played former President Roh’s voice saying, "Your thoughts and actions today will become tomorrow’s history," the attendees expressed their sympathy with applause.

Memorial Ceremony for the 15th Anniversary of Former President Roh Moo-hyun's Passing
(Gimhae=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-chan = On the 23rd, a memorial ceremony for the 15th anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun's passing was held at the Ecological Culture Park in Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam. 2024.5.23
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Tributes to former President Roh continued in the political sphere. Kim Min-jeon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, released a statement saying, "We remember President Roh Moo-hyun, who sought to create a world where principles and common sense prevail and dreamed of unity and coexistence for the people," adding, "Now more than ever, the spirit of 'co-governance' that former President Roh wished for is desperately needed. We hope that the upcoming 22nd National Assembly will be a parliament that 'co-governs' for the 'livelihood' of the people, carrying on the meaning of unity and coexistence that former President Roh envisioned."

Choi Min-seok, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a written briefing, "As former President Roh said, democracy must be protected by the organized power of awakened citizens. We must show the people, who have been betrayed and whose will has been defied by the president, that they are the true owners of this country," pledging, "The Democratic Party will protect democracy and the lives of the people with the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun, undeterred by government oppression."

Kim Sung-yeol, chief spokesperson for the Reform New Party, said, "During his lifetime, former President Roh sought to create a world where 'common sense prevails' through reforms that began with anti-authoritarianism," promising, "The Reform New Party will take the lead in creating a world where common sense prevails, as former President Roh dreamed."

The memorial service proceeded for about an hour with the order of the national ceremony, introduction of guests, memorial addresses, screening of the 15th anniversary theme video, memorial performance (citizen choir), and greetings from the chairman.

Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Response Committee Chairman, and Lee Jae-myung, Party Leader, in Conversation
(Gimhae=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-chan = Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party (right), and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, are seen conversing at the memorial service for the 15th anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun's passing, held at the Ecological Culture Park in Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae City, Gyeongsangnam-do on May 23, 2024. [Joint Coverage]
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After the memorial service, the leaders of both ruling and opposition parties paid their respects one by one at former President Roh’s gravesite.

After paying respects, Lee Jae-myung said to reporters, "It has already been 15 years since former President Roh passed away. The dream he had of a world without unfairness and privilege, a world where people live together, remains unfinished," adding, "In just two short years under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, we have regressed significantly." He continued, "I hope that awakened citizens will continue to move forward toward a great harmonious society where everyone enjoys fair opportunities, respects each other, relies on one another, and lives together."

Hwang Woo-yea, Emergency Committee Chairman, recalled at an earlier emergency committee meeting, "I worked with former President Roh in legislative activities and committees, so I have many memories of his character and various experiences," adding, "Especially in politics, he emphasized the spirit of unity and coexistence and strongly advocated for politics of compromise." He added, "In his inaugural speech, he said that a political culture prioritizing national interest and public welfare over party interests, and solving problems through dialogue and compromise rather than confrontation and conflict, must be established," emphasizing, "This is a good political guideline not only for the Democratic Party but for all of us."

Cho Guk, leader of the Innovation Party, said, "The witch-hunt and biased unfair investigations that former President Roh faced 20 years ago continue. We can no longer leave this to the conscience of individual prosecutors. We must amend the constitution and laws," pledging, "We will complete 'prosecutorial reform' in the 22nd National Assembly and return investigative authority to the people."

The theme of the memorial service was a phrase from a speech former President Roh gave on December 6, 2004, when he was invited to Sorbonne University in Paris, France. It is known to contain practical values necessary for democratic citizens across eras and generations. Meanwhile, the memorial service was filled with 2,500 seats prepared for attendees who came from all over the country. Citizens who could not be seated stood around the special stage to participate in the service. The Roh Moo-hyun Foundation estimated the number of attendees at about 5,000.

Former President Moon Jae-in Attending the 15th Anniversary Memorial Service of Former President Roh Moo-hyun's Passing
(Gimhae=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-chan = Former President Moon Jae-in (left) is attending the 15th anniversary memorial service of former President Roh Moo-hyun's passing held in Bongha Village, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, on the afternoon of the 23rd. 2024.5.23 [Joint Coverage]
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