Paying Respects at Roh's Grave...
Many Political Figures Attend Memorial Ceremony
Emphasis on Continuing the "Spirit of Roh Moo-hyun"
Separate Meeting Between Lee and Moon
As the 16th anniversary of the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun is commemorated, the fact that the leadership of major political parties and presidential candidates are heading to Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, is closely linked to the political symbolism surrounding the 21st presidential election.
According to political sources on the 23rd, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Lee Jun-seok, the Reform Party candidate, each visited Bongha Village in the morning to pay their respects at the late President Roh's grave. Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, will not visit Bongha Village, citing preparations for a televised debate scheduled for the afternoon. Kwon Young-guk, the Democratic Labor Party candidate, has also decided to deliver only a memorial message due to scheduling conflicts.
A large number of political figures will attend the memorial ceremony held at Bongha Village at 2 p.m. that day. The Democratic Party will be represented by Park Chan-dae, Chief Campaign Manager, as well as Kang Kum-sil, Jung Eun-kyung, and Kim Kyung-soo, who serve as General Campaign Managers. From the People Power Party, Kim Yong-tae, Emergency Response Committee Chair, is scheduled to attend. Other attendees include Kim Sun-min, acting leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and Seo Wang-jin, floor leader; Kim Jae-yeon, Progressive Party leader; Yong Hye-in, Basic Income Party leader; and Han Chang-min, co-leader of the Social Democratic Party. Family members, including Kwon Yang-sook, former First Lady, former President Moon Jae-in, and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, are also expected to attend.
Former President Roh is regarded as a symbol of citizen sovereignty, overcoming regionalism, and anti-authoritarian politics, and is consistently rated as the most popular president among Koreans. He is known for the quote, "The river never gives up on the sea," a phrase frequently cited by politicians. The life of Roh Moo-hyun, who overcame adversity and turned his dreams into reality, draws particular attention during major elections.
Candidate Lee Jae-myung wrote on his Facebook page, "During my time at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, a special lecture by human rights lawyer Roh Moo-hyun shed light on the direction of my life," adding, "After he became president, the political reforms he boldly implemented, which no one else dared to pursue, became another turning point in my life."
Candidate Lee Jun-seok shared his thoughts, saying, "At many difficult crossroads in life, former President Roh Moo-hyun chose the harder path without hesitation, and his solitude and commitment to principled politics made me reflect deeply."
Meanwhile, after paying his respects at the gravesite, candidate Lee Jae-myung had lunch with former President Moon Jae-in and others. This was the first meeting between the two since Lee Jae-myung entered the presidential race. The gathering was also attended by Kwon Yang-sook and her husband, Speaker Woo Won-shik and his spouse, and author Yoo Si-min.
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