Memorial Ceremony for Former President Kim Dae-jung's 11th Anniversary... Political Figures Gathered in One Place

Politics: "Your Life Is the History of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Peninsula" "We Will Uphold the Spirit of Indongcho"
Kim Jong-in: "Unity and Harmony Are Impossible Without Creating an Atmosphere of Power Restraint"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] “Your life itself was the history of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Peninsula.”

At the 11th anniversary memorial service for the late former President Kim Dae-jung, political figures from both ruling and opposition parties gathered in one place to honor his legacy.

The memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on the 18th at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party; Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party; and Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, representing both ruling and opposition parties. From the Blue House, Chief Presidential Secretary Noh Young-min and Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung were present, while from the government side, Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young and Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attended.

National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok and Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun delivered memorial speeches. In his speech, Speaker Park said, “He was truly a great elder. Your life itself was the history of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Peninsula,” paying tribute to the late president.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He added, “It was you who changed the course of constitutional history through a horizontal transfer of power, and who brought the spring of peace to the frozen Korean Peninsula. Though you have passed, we have not let you go. History is on the side of justice, and your belief that the people and history will surely prevail is also our belief. Though the path was arduous and painful, it shone brightly, and we will walk that path together with you,” he emphasized.

Prime Minister Chung also said, “You lived the life of an indongcho (honeysuckle) that overcomes the harsh pain of a cold winter and releases the world’s harmful poison,” and “The fragrance of the indongcho you blossomed as president has spread worldwide,” honoring his legacy. He continued, “You achieved the first-ever peaceful and horizontal transfer of power between ruling and opposition parties in constitutional history,” and “Now, we are fighting an unprecedented crisis caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We once again reflect on the life and beliefs of the president who overcame the IMF national crisis. We envision the ‘indongcho spirit’ that overcomes adversity and blooms,” he stressed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, stated, “There was worldwide doubt about whether Korea could achieve democracy. However, in 1997, with the peaceful and horizontal transfer of power between ruling and opposition parties, Korea showed that it truly can be a democratic country.” He added, “Unity and harmony are possible only when each party adopts a humble attitude,” and “I believe it is impossible unless an atmosphere is created where power is restrained with humility rather than exercised solely because of excessive strength,” indirectly criticizing the ruling party. Kim also said, “As the current leader of the opposition party, I pledge to do my best for unity and harmony.”

Members of the Democratic Party also continued to honor the late president’s legacy, especially emphasizing the will to overcome crises amid the dual challenges of COVID-19 and flooding. Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at a morning floor strategy meeting on the 18th, “The president said that when excellent citizens and a responsible government join forces, nothing is impossible, as demonstrated in overcoming the IMF crisis. Facing this dual crisis again, we will once again heed the late president’s words, listen to the voices of the people, and uphold their will.”

Meanwhile, the memorial service was also attended by the late former President Roh Moo-hyun’s eldest son, Geon-ho, and Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon, who participated as a former prime minister. After the service, Lee told reporters, “Regarding the question about Chairman Kim’s call for restrained power from the ruling party in his memorial speech, I think it was a correct statement,” and added, “(The Democratic Party’s actions) will gradually manifest after the party convention.” Regarding Kim Tae-nyeon’s call for an apology from the United Future Party related to the Liberation Day rally during the morning floor strategy meeting, Lee said, “I respect and will follow what the party has done,” and “Why would thinking about the health and safety of the people be contrary to unity? I don’t think it is contradictory.”

Chairman Kim also met with reporters after the memorial service and said, “Power must know how to restrain itself and have the will for harmony for unity and integration to happen. It’s not about one side trying to take everything unilaterally.” Regarding the call for an apology from the Democratic Party, he said, “What does that have to do with the opposition party?” and refrained from further comment.

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