About 15,000 Citizens Gather to Pay Tribute
The 16th anniversary memorial service for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun was held on May 23 in Bongha Village, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam.
The memorial service was attended by Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly; Park Chandae, Acting Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Kim Yongtae, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the People Power Party; Kim Sunmin, Acting Leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party; Chun Haram, Acting Leader of the Reform Party; Yong Hyein, Leader of the Basic Income Party; and Han Changmin, Leader of the Social Democratic Party, among others.
The 16th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun was held in Bongha Village, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam. Photo by Lee Seryeong
Former President Moon Jaein and former First Lady Kim Jungsook also attended the memorial service together with former First Lady Kwon Yangsuk.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province; Hong Taeyong, Mayor of Gimhae; Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City; Kim Kwanyeong, Governor of North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province; and Kim Youngrok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, were also present as heads of local governments.
Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly (from the far left), Moon Jungin, former Special Advisor on Unification, Diplomacy and Security, and Cha Seongsu, Chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, are delivering memorial speeches at the 16th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun. Photo by Lee Seryoung
The memorial service, hosted by actress Kim Gyuri, proceeded in the following order: national ceremony, introduction of distinguished guests, memorial speeches, screening of a themed video, commemorative choir performance, and a greeting from the chairman.
Speaker Woo stated, "I remember former President Roh's words that democracy must advance for people to live happily and for a world where people truly live as people to be created," and added, "We will overcome the wall of vested interests that former President Roh confronted head-on, open a path for politics to become the strongest weapon for the weak, and build a democracy proven in the daily lives of the people."
Moon Jungin, former Special Advisor on Unification, Diplomacy and Security, said, "Awakened citizens and courageous politicians have protected democracy in Korea," and continued, "I hope that by practicing national interest and principle, common sense and reason, and diplomacy based on putting oneself in others' shoes, we can create a Korea of coexistence and mutual prosperity."
Cha Seongsu, Chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, stated, "A world where people truly live as people means a society where people are treated with dignity, and the concept includes freedom, equality, human rights, and democracy," and added, "Let us applaud ourselves for making former President Roh's words a reality: the last bastion of democracy is the organized power of awakened citizens."
Former First Lady Kwon Yangsuk (center), former President Moon Jaein and his wife, along with other distinguished guests, are paying tribute to the late President Roh Moo-hyun in front of his gravesite. Photo by Lee Seryung
Although presidential candidates did not attend the memorial service, they sent messages of tribute. Lee Jaemyung, candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Junseok, candidate of the Reform Party, each visited the gravesite separately on the morning of May 23 to pay their respects.
Lee Jaemyung, candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Although Roh Moo-hyun is no longer with us, I will create an era where everyone embodies Roh Moo-hyun," and added, "I will build a society where the common sense of awakened citizens prevails, a country where the people are the true owners, and a world where everyone prospers together."
Kim Moonsu, candidate of the People Power Party, stated, "Former President Roh fought against the rock-solid wall of vested interests and always stood on the side of workers and the underprivileged," and added, "With a renewed determination to work passionately from the lowest place, I will ensure a constitutional amendment for popular sovereignty that returns all power to the people."
Lee Junseok, candidate of the Reform Party, said, "When there were calls for a three-party merger, former President Roh would clench his fist and declare, 'I object.' I want to pursue a politics that resembles that spirit."
Kwon Youngguk, candidate of the Democratic Labor Party, said, "I honor the late president's spirit of setting aside unnecessary authority and sincerely reflecting on democracy," and added, "I will restore a democracy of tolerance and move toward an equal Korea."
After the 16th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun, a long line of mourners stretches in front of the former president's gravesite. Photo by Lee Seryung
After the memorial service, the distinguished guests and other attendees moved to the gravesite, where they offered chrysanthemums and incense in tribute to the late former president.
According to the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, approximately 15,000 citizens visited Bongha Village throughout the day.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
