Kim Oksuk Visits May 18 Cemetery, Says "Sorry to the Spirits of May"

First Visit to the National Democratic Cemetery Since Its Establishment

On the 19th, one day after the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, Kim Oksuk, the wife of former President Roh Taewoo, visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, with her son Roh Jaehun to pay tribute. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Oksuk (age 90), the wife of the late former President Roh Taewoo, visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju to offer an apology to the spirits of May.

Kim visited the cemetery on May 19, the day after the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. She did not notify the cemetery management office in advance and was accompanied only by her son, Roh Jaehun (age 60), director of the East Asia Cultural Center, and a few aides.

In the guestbook, Kim wrote, "To the spirits of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, I am truly sorry and also grateful. I have tried in my own way to help resolve the pain of the past, but I ask for your generous forgiveness for my shortcomings. I pray that you will forever watch over the future of the Republic of Korea."

Because of her limited mobility, the guestbook entry was written by her son, Roh Jaehun, on her behalf. Kim was unable to respond to reporters' questions about her visit due to health issues.

Roh Jaehun told reporters on behalf of his mother, "Her health has deteriorated significantly, and I thought this might be her last May. That is why I brought her here despite the difficulty."

He added, "My mother has always expressed her desire to visit at least once more. Since her first visit to the Mangwoldong Cemetery in 1988, she has wanted to come again, but it was not possible until now."

This was Kim's first visit to the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery since its establishment in May 1997. She paid her respects at the altar in a wheelchair. Prior to this, she also visited the Mangwoldong Cemetery, known as the old May 18 cemetery, and paid tribute at the grave of martyr Lee Hanyeol.

Thirty-seven years ago, on February 25, 1988, immediately after Roh Taewoo's inauguration, Kim visited Gwangju and paid tribute at Lee Hanyeol's grave. After the visit, Kim returned to Seoul with Roh Jaehun and the rest of her party.

Roh Jaehun has visited the May 18 cemetery several times in accordance with the wishes of the late former President Roh Taewoo.