[The Editors' Verdict] The Spirit of Roh Moo-hyun Recalled in Every Presidential Election

"I want to carry on the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun."

On May 11, at a campaign rally at Myeongji Market in Busan, Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform Party, expressed his intention to emulate former President Roh Moo-hyun. Lee, who began his political career in 2011 as an emergency committee member of the Grand National Party, has not built his political experience within the Democratic Party. Why, then, would someone like him declare that he wishes to inherit the spirit of a president from the Democratic Party? Lee explains, "While there may be policy differences with former President Roh, I have tried to resemble him in terms of political attitude."

It is not unusual for presidential candidates to mention inheriting the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun. He was a reformist politician who dreamed of overcoming regionalism and realizing local autonomy. His dramatic political journey is itself almost cinematic. This is why people pay attention to Roh Moo-hyun's politics, regardless of their own political ideology.

Recently, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo posted on an online community, "If I had joined the little Democratic Party at the recommendation of former President Roh Moo-hyun..." As many know, former President Roh tried to recruit Hong, a former prosecutor, into politics.

On the 15th, officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission are posting election posters of candidates for the 21st presidential election on a wall near the Artist's House in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2025.05.15 Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

However, Hong Joonpyo took a different path as a politician when he became a National Assembly member for the New Korea Party in the 15th general election in 1996. Having consistently worked with conservative parties and now having declared his retirement from politics, Hong's expression of regret about not joining hands with former President Roh is noteworthy. Although their political paths differed, it suggests that 'Roh Moo-hyun the politician' is someone who cannot help but be acknowledged.

There are clear reasons why former President Roh is often ranked as the most popular president among Koreans in various polls. Alongside regret over his absence from politics, there is also a sense of remorse about past actions. After Roh's tragic passing on May 23, 2009, many people lamented, saying, "Only after the flowers have fallen do we realize it was spring," expressing their regret.

During the Participatory Government, people would blame even the smallest misfortunes on "Roh Moo-hyun." If the pedestrian light was slow to turn green, his face would come to mind as the nation's scapegoat. The reason why people now long for Roh Moo-hyun the politician is not unrelated to the frustration with current politics. There is a desire for such a leader to appear again. Former President Roh never retreated in the face of injustice. He confronted vested interests, vowing to break down privilege and unfairness, but at the time, the public did not fully appreciate his sincerity.

Citizens are passing by the memorial altar set up in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace, Jung-gu, Seoul, on May 23, 2019, the 10th anniversary of the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

If presidential candidates truly wish to practice the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun, what should they emulate? The Participatory Government signed the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) despite opposition from the progressive camp. Setting aside factional logic, they considered what was best for society and for the people, and pushed forward with determination.

The essence of Roh Moo-hyun's spirit lies in the commitment and practice of being a president for all, not just for a select few. Rejecting the logic of power and continuing to persuade others, creating a world where losers have a second chance rather than a winner-takes-all system, and building a society that does not discriminate against or ignore the powerless and the poor. Respecting the views of political opponents and striving to find new paths together...

On June 3, when a new national leader is inaugurated, I hope that person will learn from the strengths of the president most loved by the Korean people. If the new administration draws on this spirit to power the government, it will naturally achieve a smooth transition, and the engine of Korea's growth will gain momentum.