Various Sectors Mourn the Passing of Lee Han-yeol Martyr's Mother Bae Eun-sim

"A Upright Person Who Devoted a Lifetime to Democratization... Rest in Peace"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The passing of the late Bae Eun-sim, mother of the late martyr Lee Han-yeol who dedicated her life to democracy in honor of her son's will, has left various sectors in the Gwangju region deeply mourning.

Lee Myung-ja, director of the May Mothers' House, said, "We were very close like sisters," and added, "The upright and honest Mrs. Bae was someone many people could look up to."

She continued, "It seems she wanted to quickly join her son Han-yeol," and said, "After all the hardships she endured for democracy during her lifetime, may she now rest peacefully with Han-yeol. We will carry on their will."

Jung Dong-nyeon, chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, said, "Mrs. Bae was truly upright," and trailing off, added, "It is just disheartening to see such good people leave one by one."

The Gwangju Progressive Alliance also issued a memorial statement, saying, "The deceased was not only the mother of martyr Lee Han-yeol but also a 'mother of the streets,'" and "She never hesitated to visit wherever democratic protests and rallies were held, always standing at the forefront wherever there was pain in our society."

They added, "We will never forget the passion for democracy and the warm solidarity toward the vulnerable that she showed us."

The wave of condolences continued in the political sphere as well.

The Democratic Party's Gwangju City Party issued a statement saying, "Mrs. Bae, after suffering from the aftermath of losing her son and the sorrow of her husband’s death in 1995, tirelessly stood by the vulnerable even after democratization," and introduced, "In 1998, she served as president of the National Ethnic Democratic Bereaved Families Association, a group for victims of the democratization movement, and through a 422-day tent protest in front of the National Assembly, she achieved the truth-finding and restoration of honor for the democratic martyrs who died unjustly."

They continued, "Now, we will carry on the mother’s will and make it bloom," and expressed, "We hope she reunites with her son there and shares the unfinished stories."

The People Power Party's Gwangju City Party also stated, "The deceased was always present where the desire for democracy blossomed, and especially played a significant role in the enactment of the 1998 Democratization Movement Compensation Act and the Special Act on the Investigation of Suspicious Deaths," emphasizing, "We will remember her words, 'May our history never again see families suffer and sacrifice their lives for democracy,' and do our best to uphold the values of liberal democracy."

The Progressive Party's Gwangju City Party said, "Mrs. Bae Eun-sim was a human rights activist and progressive activist, and until recently, she was a fighter who never stopped her actions, including one-person protests in front of the National Assembly for the enactment of the Democratic Merit Act," and added, "We all owe a great debt to Mrs. Bae. The 10,000 members of the Progressive Party’s Gwangju City Party will inherit her will and strive even harder to build a new country where progressive politics can flourish."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, said on SNS that "The mother devoted herself solely to this country's democracy for an incredible 34 years," and introduced, "Until recently, she actively worked for the enactment of the 'Democratic Merit Act' so that the deaths of those who sacrificed their lives for democracy would not be just a thing of the past but a lesson for future generations."

He added, "Thinking of the mother who devoted herself solely to the path of democracy, I cannot suppress my sorrow," expressing his condolences.

Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, also said on SNS, "Mrs. Bae Eun-sim, mother of martyr Lee Han-yeol who became the spark of the June Democratic Uprising, dedicated herself more than anyone else for 35 years to democracy and human rights, carrying on her son's will," and stated, "We will carry on the will of this martyr and the deceased."

Lee Yong-seop, mayor of Gwangju, visited the funeral hall that day and said, "We will uphold the mother’s will, establish justice on this land, let democracy blossom, and protect human rights," emphasizing, "The 1.5 million citizens of Gwangju will follow the mother’s footsteps and take the lead on that path."

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