Condolence Line of Various Figures at the Late Mayor Park Won-soon's Funeral Hall... "A Person Who Opened the Horizon of Korean Civil Society" (Comprehensive)

Representative Park Hong-geun Acts as Host Welcoming Mourners
Five-Day Funeral as Seoul Special City Funeral … General Citizens Pay Respects at the Altar in Front of City Hall

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

[Asia Economy reporters Jo In-kyung, Lee Ji-eun, and Lim Chun-han] On the 10th, at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late Mayor Park Won-soon’s wake was held, the footsteps of ruling party figures, politicians, and mourners from religious and civic groups continued to arrive. They mourned Mayor Park as "a person who opened the horizon of our country's civil society," expressing sorrow over the sudden tragic news.

Kim Du-kwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, after paying respects at the wake, told reporters, "He was someone with so much work to do; this is so shocking, devastating, and regrettable." He recalled, "(Mayor Park) was a person who opened the horizon of Korean civil society," adding, "I remember he often talked about working together for the difficult people and social minorities of the Republic of Korea."

Regarding Mayor Park’s Me Too allegations and whether the party would verify the facts, he said, "Since he has passed away, it has been legally concluded that there is no prosecutorial authority, so there is nothing to comment on."

Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungnam Province, also expressed condolences to reporters after paying respects, saying, "He left a clear mark on our civic activities and was a warm and visionary person."

Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, said, "Personally, I respected him and, as a fellow lawyer, we worked together on many cases in the past," adding, "I always thought he was an excellent person, so this incident is very regrettable and sad."

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "Park, my friend and comrade, is so regrettable. I resent him for being so harsh on himself to the point of giving up on life." He added, "From the perspective of working with Mayor Park on Seoul education, I truly feel left alone," and continued, "We were creating many policies including school modernization and the New Deal, but now I feel like I am left alone in the wilderness."

Kim Boo-kyum, former Democratic Party lawmaker, after paying respects, said, "The bereaved family is not in a state to hear words of consolation," and added, "I will come again the day after tomorrow." Regarding the Me Too allegations, he said, "I cannot comment," and apologized, "The family is not ready. I am sorry."

Meanwhile, Lee Na-young, Chairperson of the Justice and Memory Foundation, also visited the funeral hall to pay respects that morning. Grandmother Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery, visited Mayor Park’s wake around 2:25 p.m.

In addition, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Yoon Soon-chul, Secretary-General of the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice, Lee Tae-ho, Policy Chairman of People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, and others paid respects to Mayor Park. Mourners from the Jogye Order, including Chief Abbot Wonhaeng, as well as religious figures from Won Buddhism and others, also continued to visit.

It was reported that Kim Hong-geun, a Democratic Party lawmaker, is serving as the chief mourner and staying with the bereaved family at the wake. The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that specific funeral procedures have not yet been decided.

The funeral will be held over five days and will be the first-ever Seoul Metropolitan Mayor’s funeral (葬). The funeral procession is scheduled for the 13th of this month. The general public can pay respects at the altar set up by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in front of Seoul City Hall from 11 a.m. on the 11th.

Earlier, in the will made public that day, Mayor Park wrote, "I am sorry to everyone. I thank all those who have been with me in my life. I am always sorry to my family, to whom I could only bring pain. Please cremate me and scatter my ashes at my parents’ grave. Goodbye to all."

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