Presidential Candidates from Both Parties Visit Pastor Jo Yong-gi's Funeral Home... "Sorrow Over Losing a Great Leader" (Comprehensive)

Ruling and Opposition Presidential Candidates Visit Yoido Full Gospel Church to Pay Respects

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and governor of Gyeonggi Province, visited the funeral hall of the late Pastor Cho Yong-gi set up at Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul on the 15th to pay his respects.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As Pastor Cho Yong-gi, founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church, passed away, a procession of condolences from the political sphere continued. Notably, prominent presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties, including Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the ruling party, Hong Joon-pyo, member of the People Power Party, and former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, visited the funeral hall.

On the 15th, politicians from both ruling and opposition parties appeared one after another from early morning at the condolence site set up at Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul.

Lee, a presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Pastor Cho’s funeral hall around 8 a.m. that day. After paying his respects, Lee met with representatives from Full Gospel Church and recalled, "I had the opportunity to have a meal with Pastor Cho, and I remember his childlike smile beaming brightly. He was truly full of energy and overflowing with love."

Following him, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, also visited the condolence site and said, "I pray for the repose of Pastor Cho, who was a key figure in the revival of Christianity in Korea during the 1970s and 1980s."

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who recently announced his withdrawal from the primary race, also paid his respects and mourned, "The sorrow of losing such a great leader is immense."

Opposition presidential candidates also visited the condolence site. After paying respects, Representative Hong told reporters, "Pastor Cho was one of the greatest elders of Protestantism," adding, "I believe the pastor would be at peace going comfortably to be with God."

He then criticized the camp of former Prosecutor General Yoon regarding allegations that a member of Hong’s campaign was present when whistleblower Cho Seong-eun, former vice-chair of the United Future Party’s election committee, met with National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won, saying, "Some people in that camp are engaging in futile political maneuvers, but they are not even my match or worthy opponents. How can they be so childish?"

He added, "If they continue with nonsense, I will not just stand by," and criticized, "It’s despicable and mean-spirited. What is that?"

About an hour later, former Governor Won Hee-ryong appeared, and after paying respects, he held a 20-minute meeting with representatives of Full Gospel Church. Then, speaking to reporters, he said, "I pray for the peaceful rest of Pastor Cho, who always gave comfort, courage, and hope to our people even during difficult times for the country over many years."

On the same day, former Governor Won Hee-ryong of Jeju Province said to reporters after paying respects, "Pastor Cho’s ministry, which contributed to Korean Christianity during his lifetime, is worthy of everyone’s respect, and I believe it is a great tradition of Christianity that Korean Christianity must continue."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also said, "It is heartbreaking to see one of the spiritual leaders who led Korean Christianity depart like this."

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