The 1st Anniversary Memorial Service for Lee Hee-ho... Political Circles Gather to "Remember the Deceased's Will"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 10th, the first anniversary memorial service for the late female activist Lee Hee-ho was held, where figures from the pro-democracy camp gathered in one place to honor the deceased's dedication to democracy, human rights activism, and peaceful reunification.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The memorial service, held at 10 a.m. at the Seoul National Cemetery, was attended by numerous political figures. These included Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mee, Democratic Party floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon, and lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon. The second son, Kim Hong-eop, chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center, and the third son, Kim Hong-gul, a Democratic Party lawmaker, who have recently been in conflict over inheritance issues, were also present but did not make eye contact. Former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook visited the gravesite alone before the memorial service to pay respects.

In his memorial address, Prime Minister Chung said, “Today, we gather to commemorate Mrs. Lee and to engrave the ideals of democracy, human rights, and peaceful reunification that she devoted her life to achieving,” adding, “Even on her final journey, she prayed for the peaceful reunification of the nation. She was a person devoted to truth and dedicated to her husband, the late President Kim Dae-jung, and the people.”

He continued, “Just as President Kim and Mrs. Lee overcame national crises and fostered the IT industry, we are now turning the crisis caused by COVID-19 into an important opportunity to transition to a digital economy,” and added, “We, the remaining members, will not forget the will of the President and Mrs. Lee. We will build a new Republic of Korea that they can be proud of.”

Chairman Kwon, who hosted the memorial service, also said, “She devoted her life to the poor and struggling children, youth, workers, and people with disabilities,” and “We pledge to uphold Mrs. Lee’s noble life and legacy to achieve national unity and to follow the path of democracy and peaceful reunification.”

Democratic Party lawmaker In Jae-geun, wife of the late Kim Geun-tae, former senior advisor of the Democratic United Party, said in her memorial address, “At a time when even the term ‘women’s human rights’ was unfamiliar, she concretely represented women’s voices,” adding, “Thanks to her courage and wisdom, women’s human rights in Korea advanced earlier, and for the first time in history, a female vice-chairperson was elected in the 21st National Assembly.”

Lawmaker In emphasized, “Although the road ahead is long regarding women’s human rights, protection of marginalized groups, and peace on the Korean Peninsula, we will gradually move forward on the path she gave us.”

Remarks honoring the deceased continued within the Democratic Party. Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan said at the morning supreme council meeting, “Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the June 10 Democratic Uprising and also the first anniversary of the late Mrs. Lee Hee-ho,” and “I express my respect and gratitude to the democratic martyrs and Mrs. Lee who devoted themselves to democracy.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.