"Shocking and Regrettable"... Continuous Condolences from Both Ruling and Opposition Parties

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] As Park Won-soon, the Mayor of Seoul, who was accused of sexual harassment by a former Seoul City Hall employee, was found dead on the 10th, tributes from the political circle have been pouring in.

Chung Sye-kyun, Prime Minister, who was scheduled to have lunch with Mayor Park the day before but the appointment was canceled, said in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 10th, "Mayor Park, who devoted himself to the citizens of Seoul for over 10 years, was found deceased," and added, "I pray for the repose of the deceased." He also expressed, "I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family." Prime Minister Chung had planned to have lunch with Mayor Park the day before but canceled it after receiving a call from Mayor Park saying he was unwell.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting on the same day, "Mayor Park passed away tragically. It is shocking and deeply regrettable." He added, "The deceased was a longtime friend who participated in the democratization movement with me since the Yushin era," and expressed condolences, saying, "He was an outstanding human rights lawyer in the civic movement sector who sowed the seeds and nurtured the sprouts of the civic movement since the 1980s."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader, also said, "I pray for the repose of the deceased who devoted his life to civic movements and left numerous achievements for the development of Seoul, and offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family."

Lee Nak-yeon, a party leadership candidate preparing for the party convention in August, and former lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum canceled their official schedules on the day and plan to pay respects as soon as the funeral hall is set up.

Tributes from Democratic Party lawmakers continued on Facebook as well. Yoon Joon-byung, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and classified as part of the Park Won-soon faction, posted a tribute with white letters on a black background, saying, "I respectfully pray for the repose of the deceased." Kim Yong-min said, "He lived a giant-like life for the Republic of Korea and Seoul." Pro-government figures were also shocked. Former Open Democratic Party lawmaker Son Hye-won said, "Did you live so hard to leave so soon?" and added, "Forever the mayor in my heart, I pray for the repose of the deceased."

The opposition also paid tribute. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said at the floor strategy meeting on the same day, "I am very sorry about Mayor Park's tragic choice," and "I offer my deep condolences to the bereaved family." Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People's Party, said in a statement that day, "A truly unfortunate event has occurred. I cannot help but feel devastated and sorrowful." Shim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, said on Facebook, "I am utterly stunned," and "This morning, I prayed while thinking about the life the deceased lived. I wish for eternal rest and peace."

On the 10th, when Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon was found dead, employees were arriving at Seoul City Hall. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

However, concerns have also been raised regarding the sexual harassment accusation against Mayor Park. Kang Hoon-sik, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said after the Supreme Council meeting, when asked by reporters, "Is there a reason why only condolence messages were issued despite the sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Park?" he replied, "Since it involves the dignity of the deceased, it is difficult to speak rashly. We decided to only express condolences."

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University, shared media reports about the closure of the investigation into Mayor Park's sexual harassment accusation and left a meaningful short message in German, "Muss es sein? (Must it be?)." Yoo Sang-beom, lawmaker of the United Future Party, appeared on KBS radio the same day and said, "I deeply regret the situation of the deceased, but I think that various matters that occurred during the process should be revealed to some extent."

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