DJ 12th Anniversary... Ruling Party Presidential Candidates Gather at National Cemetery to "Mentally Inherit"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 18th, the 12th anniversary of the death of former President Kim Dae-jung, the Democratic Party presidential candidates visited the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, where his grave is located, to pay their respects and pledged to carry on DJ's spirit.

Although the memorial ceremony was held online due to the COVID-19 situation, the presidential candidates individually visited the grave in the morning.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Representative Lee Nak-yeon, after paying respects in the morning, told reporters, "Former President Kim is a leader of history. He will remain forever in Korean politics." He added, "Those who lived in the same era as President Kim Dae-jung are blessed just by having lived through that time. Our predecessors probably never imagined such a leader would appear."

He continued, "Even now, whenever we face many problems, we take former President Kim as a model. Just having a model is a blessing," he emphasized.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, "I proposed the Self-Employed Loss Compensation Act and succeeded in its legislation. Once the enforcement decree is established, it will empower the people. All of this comes from the spirit of Kim Dae-jung." He added, "Following former President Kim's instructions, we created the National Basic Livelihood Security Act. I take pride in it as the origin of welfare in the Republic of Korea," asserting himself as the 'legitimate successor of DJ.'

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae said, "When I first met former President Kim, he was reading Alvin Toffler's book 'The Third Wave,' which presented the path of historical development and the future direction for the nation." She added, "I will inherit former President Kim's will and become the person responsible for the next five years."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After paying respects, Representative Park Yong-jin stated on Facebook, "He clearly demonstrated a centrist reform line, pragmatic policies, and politics of integration." He declared, "I will follow the path of the 'New DJ' who follows the path that former President Kim took."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who was scheduled to visit the grave in the morning, canceled his schedule and underwent a COVID-19 test as a precaution after the son of Representative Kim Doo-kwan tested positive for COVID-19.

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