Lee Jae-myung Visits Late Roh Moo-hyun's Tomb, Tears Saying "Hard to Forget Those Horrible Moments"

Lee Jae-myung Campaigns Across Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK) Over the Weekend
Visits Former President Roh Moo-hyun's Tomb

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun on the 6th and shed tears, saying, "It is hard to forget the horrific moments."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the same day, Lee visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, to pay respects at the grave of former President Roh.

While listening to the chronicle of former President Roh, Lee tightly closed his eyes as if trying to hold back tears, then looked up to the sky. Standing in front of the grave, he placed both hands on a large flat rock, bowed his head for about 10 seconds, and silently sobbed.

After the memorial, in an impromptu speech, Lee said, "Whenever I come here, it is always difficult to forget those horrific moments."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He raised his voice, saying, "The dream of creating a world where people live is the dream of Roh Moo-hyun, the dream of Moon Jae-in, and my eternal dream. A world where people are respected as human beings, where there is no hatred or conflict, where we respect each other and live together, a world moving toward peace instead of war, a world moving toward the future and hope instead of past political strife ? this is the task I must accomplish as your instrument."

Lee emphasized, "Following the Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in administrations, I will definitely establish the 4th Democratic government, the 'Lee Jae-myung government,' fully inheriting the achievements and shortcomings of the 3rd Democratic government, filling the gaps, correcting the mistakes, and creating an evolved new government."

He appealed to voters, saying, "I will surely realize the dream of overcoming regionalism and balanced development that former President Roh dreamed of. I, Lee Jae-myung, will accomplish a world where there is no cheating or privilege."

At the subsequent announcement ceremony of the 'Southern Capital Region' plan, he presented a balanced development plan to create a decentralized growth nation by forming two super metropolitan areas: the Southern Capital Region, combining Yeongnam, Honam, and Jeju, and the Central Region, combining the Capital Region with Chungcheong and Gangwon.

Lee said, "I will make the Central Region, which combines the Capital Region with Chungcheong and Gangwon, and the Southern Region, which combines Yeongnam, Honam, and Jeju, into two super metropolitan single economic zones, so-called Mega-regions. These two super metropolitan areas will be the twin engines propelling South Korea to become one of the world's top five powers."

During the Q&A session with reporters afterward, regarding the arrest of former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, Lee said, "Why only now, and why only that person (was arrested)? It seems right to see it that way." He also criticized Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party candidate, who called Kwak’s arrest a 'biased investigation,' saying, "I don't understand it."

He said, "If there is a problem, it is proper as a presidential candidate to demand a more rigorous investigation and thorough examination of suspicious points. It is hard to accept blaming the authorities for a biased investigation."

He urged Yoon, saying, "Even after the presidential election, a special prosecutor must be appointed. Don't make strange claims to exclude parts related to yourself. If you are confident and bold, let's have a special prosecutor."

Lee also referred to the recently released recording of Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, saying, "Even though I have no relation with him, the media sang only about him for over a month, but now that the recording has come out, there is no reaction." Lee claimed, "Ultimately, the side that gave profits to the Hwacheon Daeyu operators and the side that benefited are Yoon’s side. Their relevance is much higher."

The day before, the pro-government YouTube channel 'Open Sympathy TV' released a recording between Kim and accountant Jung Young-hak. The recording included Kim saying, "I am someone who curses and fights with Yoon Seok-youl," and "Yoon said, 'There is a limit even if I overlook it.'"

Regarding the supplementary budget, Lee criticized Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance. Lee said, "Hong’s attitude of refusing to respond even if the National Assembly, which is the elected power representing the will of the people, reaches an agreement is a kind of outrage that denies democracy itself."

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