Everyone Claims "I Will Carry on Roh Moo-hyun's Spirit"... Presidential Race Filled with Self-Proclaimed 'Roh Successors'

Expanding Support Base Mentioning Late Former President Roh Moo-hyun
Lee 'Secures Traditional Supporters', Yoon 'Targets Centrist Voters'... Ahn & Shim Emphasize 'Roh Moo-hyun Spirit'
Experts: "Each Candidate Has Different Intentions... Aiming to Gain Centrist and Honam Support"

Recent presidential candidates have been showing so-called 'pro-Roh' moves, claiming to carry on the 'Roh Moo-hyun spirit.' From the left, Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party candidate; Yoon Seok-youl, People Power Party candidate; Sim Sang-jung, Justice Party candidate; Ahn Cheol-soo, People's Party candidate.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Presidential candidates are vying to secure support by claiming to be the successors of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. Analysts suggest that these moves conceal various political strategies, including targeting the centrist voter base.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, mentioned former President Roh to emphasize that he is the 'legitimate successor' of the Democratic Party. On the 6th, during his visit to Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, Lee said, "The dream of creating a world where people live with dignity is Roh Moo-hyun's dream, Moon Jae-in's dream, and my eternal dream. A world where people are respected as human beings, where there is no hatred or conflict but mutual respect and coexistence, 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."

He continued, "I will definitely establish the Lee Jae-myung government, the fourth Democratic government following the Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in administrations. I will fully inherit the achievements of the third Democratic government, fill in its shortcomings, and correct its mistakes to create an evolved new government. I will complete a world where there is no cheating or privilege," raising his voice.

However, a recent video featuring former President Roh caused controversy. On the 5th, a video posted on the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel 'DeliMinju' included a voice impersonating former President Roh, saying, "I, Roh Moo-hyun, dream of a world where people live, rising above poverty and adversity, thinking only of the people, never compromising with injustice, and fighting and overcoming vested interests. I support the righteous candidate Lee Jae-myung."

In response to criticism that this might be defamation of the deceased, Kwon Hyuk-ki, deputy spokesperson of the campaign committee, explained, "The video was not produced by the Democratic Party or the campaign committee but by a supporter. It was posted on DeliMinju yesterday and was taken down after receiving criticism. Regarding this, Representative Song Young-gil issued a warning to the relevant department."

On the 5th, a video stating that the late former President Roh Moo-hyun supports presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung was posted on the Democratic Party of Korea's official YouTube channel 'Deli Minju'. Photo by YouTube channel 'Deli Minju' video capture

Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party candidate, also mentioned former President Roh as part of his effort to 'embrace the centrist voters.' On the 5th, during his visit to Gangjeong Village in Jeju, he said, "I engrave in my heart the anguish and determination of former President Roh, who built the naval base despite opposition from the progressive camp."

Earlier, in September last year, Yoon appeared on the SBS variety show 'Master in the House' and sang Lee Seung-chul's "There Is No One Like That Person," a song used to commemorate former President Roh. Recently released phone recordings of his spouse Kim Geon-hee revealed her saying, "My husband (candidate Yoon) likes former President Roh very much. He watched the Roh Moo-hyun movie and cried alone for two hours."

Third-party candidates have expressed their intention to inherit the 'Roh Moo-hyun spirit.' Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party presidential candidate, emphasized that his political orientation aligns with that of former President Roh.

On the 7th, attending the People's Party campaign committee meeting at the National Assembly main building, he said, "President Roh Moo-hyun called for a world without cheating and privilege and sought to open an era of science and practicality beyond ideology and factionalism. This is the path I think and follow." He also added, "No matter how many times he failed, he never despaired and constantly challenged for the cause and future. I will remember the path of the fool Roh Moo-hyun."

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, also said, "I will continue the world where people live, which was the dream of former President Roh." She visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, in October last year, earlier than other candidates, and said, "The Justice Party is a party born from the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun and Jeon Tae-il. Even when the Democratic Party lost its principles and stumbled, the Justice Party has strived to practice the Roh Moo-hyun spirit," and claimed, "If the political reform most desired by the president had been achieved, the 'double standards' politics that citizens are fed up with would not have continued until now."

Experts see different intentions behind the presidential candidates' 'pro-Roh' moves. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Candidate Yoon appears to be courting the Honam region by mentioning former President Roh, while candidate Lee's move is strongly defensive against Yoon's attacks. Also, since there are factions within the Democratic camp that oppose him, this seems to be an attempt to defend against them."

Lee added, "Candidate Ahn previously received strong support in Honam. Since he is closer to the centrist voters than his current competitor Yoon, this appears to be a move to target that voter base. As for candidate Sim, whose support has recently stagnated, this can be seen as a showdown with candidate Lee over 'progressive identity.' It is likely an effort to attract factions opposing Lee Jae-myung, his weak link, to her side," he elaborated.

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