"‘Roh Moo-hyun's Dream Is My Dream,’ ‘A Person with Principles’... Lee and Yoon Appeal to the ‘Roh Moo-hyun Spirit’"

Lee sheds tears while paying respects at Bongha Village... "I am the 4th Democratic Government"
Yoon visits Gangjeong Village and mentions Roh
"A person who made decisions based on the principle of national interest"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Bongha Village in Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam on the 6th and wiped away tears at the tomb of former President Roh Moo-hyun. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] With about a month left until the presidential election and the election battle between the ruling and opposition parties intensifying, the candidates of the two major parties have appealed to the 'spirit of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.'

On the 6th, Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the tomb of former President Roh in Bongha Village, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, to pay his respects. Standing in front of the tomb, he placed his hand on a large flat rock and bowed his head, silently sobbing for about 10 seconds.

In an impromptu speech following the memorial, Candidate Lee said, "Whenever I come here, it is hard to forget that tragic moment," and emphasized, "The dream of creating a world where people live is Roh Moo-hyun's dream, Moon Jae-in's dream, and my eternal dream."

He continued, "A world where people are respected as human beings, where there is no hatred or conflict, where people respect each other and live together, a world moving toward peace, not war, a world moving toward the future and hope, not past and political strife ? this is the task I must accomplish as your instrument," raising his voice.

Candidate Lee stated, "I will definitely establish the 'Lee Jae-myung government,' the 4th Democratic government, succeeding the Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in administrations," adding, "I will fully inherit the achievements and shortcomings of the 3rd Democratic government, fill in the gaps, correct the mistakes, and create an evolving new government."

He also emphasized fulfilling former President Roh's wishes. He said, "I will surely realize the dream of overcoming regionalism and balanced development that former President Roh dreamed of," and added, "I, Lee Jae-myung, will definitely accomplish a world without unfairness and privilege."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, visited Gangjeong Village in Seogwipo City, Jeju, where the Jeju Naval Base is located, on the 5th. He commemorated the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and issued a statement emphasizing national unity. / Photo by Yonhap News

Lee Jae-myung is not the only one appealing to the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun. Yoon Seok-youl, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, also mentioned former President Roh with tears in his eyes during his visit to Gangjeong Village, where the Jeju Naval Base is located, on the previous day (the 5th).

He said, "In 2007, despite much opposition around him, former President Roh made a painful decision. He said, 'The Jeju Naval Base is an essential element of the nation. It is not wrong for armament and peace to coexist,'" adding, "He opened the prologue of autonomous national defense and peace based on strong power."

He continued, "I engrave former President Roh's anguish and decision in my heart," with reddened eyes.

He said, "From now on, we must change this place from political strife to a symbol of unity and peace for me and all the people. I will repay Gangjeong Village and the people of Jeju by making it a global tourism hub beyond Asia's best," emphasizing again, "The national unity of the Republic of Korea starts now, from here, Gangjeong Village."

After the speech, during a meeting with Gangjeong Village residents, when asked why he stopped speaking while mentioning former President Roh, Candidate Yoon replied, "This naval base is a key strategic point. Without former President Roh's decision, could the base have been built?" He added, "He was a person who operated the country with pure passion and principled governance. It must have been a very difficult and lonely decision to make a decision based on the principle of national interest despite strong opposition from political forces supporting him. I briefly thought about his position."

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