State Funeral for Roh Submitted to Cabinet Meeting... Continuous Condolence Lines

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Yang Nak-gyu (military specialist), Lee Ji-eun, Jeon Jin-young, Park Joon-yi] The funeral hall for the late former President Roh Tae-woo, who passed away on the 26th, was set up on the morning of the 27th at Seoul National University Hospital. From early morning, a continuous stream of condolences from political and business figures was seen at the funeral hall. Notably, many individuals who held high-ranking positions during the Roh Tae-woo administration were present. Given that the late president was a key figure in the December 12 coup and had his former president privileges revoked, there was significant interest in the form of the funeral and the content of President Moon Jae-in's condolence message. For now, the government has decided to hold the funeral as a state funeral.

◆Condolences from political and business figures as soon as the funeral hall was set up = The first person to visit the funeral hall was Cho Tae-yong, a member of the People Power Party. He had worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the late President Roh's era and served as an interpreter for the First Lady. After paying his respects, he told reporters, "He was a person who achieved many accomplishments in foreign and security policy during the transition to the post-Cold War era."

Officials from the Roh Tae-woo administration also stayed at the funeral hall from early morning. Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party and former Blue House economic chief, visited the funeral hall around 9:40 a.m. Kim said, "Among the presidents in our country's history, he left a significant mark in diplomacy."

Former Prime Minister Roh Jae-bong and former Minister of Finance Lee Yong-man, who served under the Roh Tae-woo government, were also present. Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK and son-in-law of the late president, postponed his business trip to the United States and visited the funeral hall at 10 a.m. Choi said, "My heart is deeply saddened. He endured a lot for a long time, and I hope he rests in peace."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆President Moon's message and funeral visit under consideration until the last moment = Inside the funeral hall, condolence wreaths from Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Lee Myung-bak, Son Kyung-sik (chairman of the Korea Employers Federation), Chairman Choi of SK, Kim Seung-yeon (chairman of Hanwha), and Lee Jae-yong (vice chairman of Samsung) were placed. President Moon's wreath had not arrived by the morning but was reported to be in preparation at the Blue House. The focus is on whether President Moon will issue a condolence message considering public sentiment.

From President Moon's perspective, there are many factors to consider, including the protocol for former presidents, the wishes of the bereaved family, and public sentiment, leading to a prolonged period of deliberation. Since the decision to hold a state funeral has been made, it seems somewhat likely that President Moon will issue a condolence message befitting a former president and visit the funeral hall in person. The Blue House continued meetings until the morning to decide on the tone and direction of the message.

Although it seems likely that the sitting president will attend the state funeral, President Moon's scheduled European tour starting on the 28th makes actual attendance difficult, which somewhat eased the Blue House's concerns. Furthermore, since it is not against precedent for a sitting president to visit the funeral hall of a former president, it appears highly probable that President Moon will visit the funeral hall just before departing for his tour.

Meanwhile, the issue of burial at the national cemetery also needs to be resolved. This is decided by the 'State Funeral Committee' under the State Funeral Act. According to the law, for state funeral candidates, "considering the opinions of the bereaved family, the Minister of the Interior and Safety proposes, and after deliberation by the State Council, the president decides."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆Major presidential candidates pay respects in the afternoon = The political sphere continues its 'Roh Tae-woo evaluation' on the second day. Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the morning supreme council meeting, "He remains a figure who cannot escape historical responsibility, but there were meaningful achievements such as the Basic Agreement on North and South Korea and the concept of land public ownership," expressing condolences by saying, "He is a person whose merits and faults can be assessed." Song plans to visit the funeral hall at 4:40 p.m. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, will also visit the funeral hall at 2 p.m.

Political condolences are expected to begin in earnest in the afternoon after the official schedule ends. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, paid respects around 11 a.m. The footsteps of opposition presidential candidates such as Yoon Seok-youl and Hong Joon-pyo are expected to continue into the night. However, the Justice Party and Basic Income Party, which mainly pointed out faults in their statements on the late former president's passing, have decided not to pay respects.

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