Prime Minister Kim: "Like the life of 'Fool Roh Moo-hyun'... I will not give up hope for national unity"

Memorial Address for the 12th Anniversary of the Late President Roh Moo-hyun's Passing

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is delivering a memorial address at the 12th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun held on the morning of the 23rd in Bongha Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam. 2021.5.23
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated on the 23rd, marking the 12th anniversary of the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun, "Like the life of 'Fool Roh Moo-hyun,' we will not give up hope to overcome division and conflict and create national unity and a world where people live."

At the memorial service held in Bongha Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, on the 12th anniversary of former President Roh's passing, Prime Minister Kim said, "The phrase 'Ugong Isan' (The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains), which former President Roh liked during his lifetime, is exactly the spirit people called the 'foolish spirit.'" He added, "It was a belief to transcend regionalism and achieve politics of integration and coexistence, to eliminate politics of regional division, and to create a 'world where people live' through politics governed by common sense."

Prime Minister Kim said, "Thanks to that steadfast challenge, democracy in this country seems to have come this far," but added, "However, I must confess with shame to former President Roh. Contrary to his aspirations, South Korea today is experiencing deeper distrust and conflict than ever."

He continued, "We see scenes everywhere where small differences are exaggerated, differences are called wrong, and people are divided into 'us' and 'them,'" expressing concern that "Along with socioeconomic polarization, conflicts among people with different ideologies, generations, and genders are also growing."

Prime Minister Kim pointed out, "We are ashamed because we have not paid enough attention to the poor, the struggling neighbors, and those in pain," and said, "It is because of politics that has not loved the angry people more."

He concluded his memorial address by pledging, "We will always stay awake and strive so that politics can plant seeds of hope in the hearts of the people."

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