"Opposition to 'Family-Only Funeral' for Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon (葬) Reaches 60,000 Signatures on Blue House Petition"

Over 60,000 Sign Petition Opposing 'Seoul City 5-Day Market' for Late Mayor Park Won-soon on the 10th
Currently, 5 Petitions Posted... "Please Clear the Sexual Harassment Victim's Grievance"
Seoul City Requests "Refrain from Speculative Reporting"

On the 10th, a petition opposing the five-day funeral of the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. Photo by Blue House National Petition Post Capture

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] The late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, was found dead, sparking controversy over the funeral procedures. When the Seoul Metropolitan Government decided on the 10th to hold the funeral as a Seoul Special Mayor’s Funeral (葬), some citizens argued that it would be more appropriate to hold a family funeral rather than a city-sponsored one.

On the same day, during an emergency briefing held at Seoul City Hall in the morning, the Seoul Metropolitan Government stated, "Currently, Mayor Park is enshrined at Seoul National University Hospital," and "the city will hold the funeral as a 'Seoul Special City official' funeral."

Kim Tae-gyun, Director of the Seoul City Administration Bureau, said, "A condolence altar will be set up in front of the city hall for employees who wish to pay their respects," and "the funeral period will be five days, with the cremation scheduled for the 13th." The funeral committee chairperson is still under discussion.

Regarding public condolences, he added, "If the condolence altar is set up in front of the city hall within the day, we will receive condolences," and "we ask the general public to come to the city hall rather than the hospital."

Upon hearing this news, some citizens raised their voices opposing the installation of a condolence altar for Mayor Park, who was accused of sexual harassment.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture

On the same day, a petition titled "Opposition to holding Park Won-soon’s funeral as a five-day funeral and Seoul Special Mayor’s Funeral (葬)" was posted on the Blue House petition board.

The petitioner stated, "Although the sexual harassment allegations ended without investigation due to Mayor Park’s death, can we be sure that it was a dignified death?" and "Should the public have to witness a grand five-day funeral for a prominent politician who allegedly committed suicide due to sexual harassment accusations?"

They emphasized, "I believe it is appropriate to hold a quiet family funeral." As of 2 p.m. on the same day, the petition had received over 60,000 signatures.

Currently, there are a total of five petitions related to Mayor Park’s death on the Blue House National Petition Board. In addition to the petition opposing the five-day funeral hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, there are petitions opposing the dismissal of the sexual harassment case due to lack of prosecution, petitions asking to clear the victim’s grievances, and petitions opposing the funeral itself.

As suspicions arose that Mayor Park’s death was related to the sexual harassment of a former secretary, some netizens responded with comments such as, "Does it make sense to hold a five-day funeral for someone accused of sexual crimes?" and "Is this the best a human rights lawyer who claimed to listen to women’s voices can do?"

On the 10th, the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was prepared as the mourning site for the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul. / Provided by Seoul City

In this regard, Lee Min-joo, Public Relations Special Advisor to the Seoul Mayor, issued an appeal on the same day (the 10th) regarding Mayor Park Won-soon’s death, asking, "Please refrain from speculative views that cause irreparable wounds to the deceased and the bereaved family."

Advisor Lee explained, "The reason for issuing this appeal amid the confusion is to ask that you consider the lonely and painful choice of the deceased who gave up everything, and the grief of the bereaved family who suddenly lost a husband, father, and brother," adding, "It is natural to have questions because the deceased was someone who was stronger and more passionate than anyone else."

He added, "However, since the deceased ended his life without leaving many words and buried everything, any reports about him can only be speculative."

He continued, "The deceased dedicated his entire life selflessly to public service, but after entering the path of politician and administrator, he was constantly subjected to oppression and slander," and "His wife and children also had to endure unbearable years of suffering simply because they were the family of a public figure."

Meanwhile, Mayor Park left his official residence on the 9th and was out of contact until he was found dead near Sukjeongmun Gate on Bukaksan Mountain early on the 10th. It is known that just before his death, he was accused of sexual harassment by a former Seoul city employee.

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