Moon Pays Respects to Late Former Audit Chief Han Seungheon: "A Role Model for Junior Legal Professionals" (Comprehensive)

President Moon Jae-in Pays Respects to the Late Han Seungheon
Recalls Special Bond from Prison Days
Expresses Deep Condolences and Gratitude for Lifelong Guidance

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Lee Jieun] On April 21, President Moon Jae-in visited the funeral hall of the late Han Seungheon, former Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, to pay his respects and offer condolences.

President Moon visited the funeral hall at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul, laid flowers, and offered words of comfort to the bereaved family, including Mrs. Kim Songja.

President Moon said, "He was a truly great figure in our society and served as a role model for junior lawyers and legal professionals. He cared for me deeply, and I am profoundly saddened by his passing. I felt it was important to come here in person to pay my respects."

Mrs. Kim replied, "Thank you."

After leaving the funeral hall, President Moon spoke with Reverend Lee Haedong and his party, who were waiting at the entrance. When Reverend Lee expressed his sorrow, saying, "Last year and the year before, I thought I would go first...," President Moon responded, "Please stay healthy and continue to provide guidance as a respected elder in our society." Reverend Lee is a contemporary of the late Han Seungheon and had long been involved in the democratization movement with him.

Reverend Lee's wife said, "If we are well, we would like to visit Yangsan," and asked President Moon to send her regards to Mrs. Kim Jung-sook. President Moon replied, "Please do come and visit sometime."

After visiting the funeral hall, President Moon expressed his condolences via a social network service (SNS) message, stating, "I pay my deepest respect and condolences before the late Attorney Han Seungheon's spirit."

President Moon also mentioned his connection with the late Han Seungheon from their time in prison. He said, "When I was a senior in college, I was detained for participating in protests against the Yushin regime and assigned to a cell at Seodaemun Detention Center. On my first day, someone in the neighboring cell sent me a set of new underwear through a prison guard, and that person was Attorney Han."

President Moon continued, "At the time, he was imprisoned for violating the Anti-Communist Law because of his writing, 'Some Eulogy.' That is how we became cellmates. I had not been able to see my family for a long time and was in desperate need of clean underwear. It was incredibly touching that he was considerate enough to imagine the situation of an unknown college student and offer such kindness."

President Moon concluded, "Looking back, my special connection with Attorney Han has lasted nearly 50 years. I sincerely wish him eternal peace and rest."

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