[Jeon Du-hwan Death] Kim Ki-hyun: "Jeon Du-hwan's Historical Judgment Has Already Been Made... Condolences on a Human Level"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 24th that while the historical evaluation of the late former President Jeon Du-hwan has been made, he paid his respects on a human level.

After visiting the late former President Jeon’s funeral hall set up at Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and offering his condolences, Kim spoke to reporters about his thoughts. Regarding political figures refraining from visiting the funeral hall, he said, "Everyone has different opinions that must be respected," but added, "The seizure of power through a military coup, the subsequent suppression of democratization movements, human rights violations, especially the violent crackdown on the May 18 Democratic Movement, are responsibilities that cannot be erased and must be borne."

He continued, "As South Korea’s national prestige rises, there is a fundamental concern about whether the repeated dark history of former presidents is appropriate for the nation's dignity," and said, "Separate from legal and historical evaluations, the responsibility is so great and weighty that it must be borne; I believe this is the deceased’s karmic consequence."

He added, "From that perspective, it is regrettable that a formal, sincere apology and request for forgiveness were not made."

Nevertheless, he explained that his condolence visit was on a human level. Kim said, "In the face of death, anyone inevitably becomes solemn; I believe offering condolences on a human level is the minimum courtesy," and explained, "I expressed my condolences today in a personal capacity."

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