Ruling and opposition parties mourn the passing of President Yoon's father... People Power Party leadership pays respects

President Yoon "Funeral as a family ceremony... Declines condolences"
Democratic Party "Wishing Professor Yoon Ki-jung eternal rest"

On the 15th, both ruling and opposition political circles expressed condolences over the passing of Yoon Ki-jung, honorary professor at Yonsei University and father of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

As President Yoon announced that the funeral would be a family-only ceremony and declined public condolences, the ruling party, People Power Party, decided that only the 'four key party officials'?the party leader, floor leader, policy chief, and secretary-general?would quietly pay their respects around 5 p.m. on the same day, shortly after the funeral hall was set up at Yonsei University Sinchon Severance Hospital. Respecting President Yoon's wishes, the People Power Party also decided to send floral tributes only under the name of party leader Kim Ki-hyun.

On the afternoon of the 15th, the day when President Yoon Suk-yeol's father, Professor Emeritus Yoon Ki-jung of Yonsei University, passed away, officials were preparing the funeral hall for Professor Yoon at a hospital in downtown Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After paying respects at the National Cemetery on Liberation Day, party leader Kim told reporters, "The four key party officials will represent the party to offer condolences and express words of comfort this evening."

When asked about the party's condolence plans, Kim said, "The President officially requested that there be no individual visits by lawmakers, and expressed his intention to hold a modest family-only funeral. Therefore, I believe it is right to respect the wishes of the bereaved family and the deceased."

It is known that President Yoon told the ruling party leadership, including Kim, "Please understand well that this is a family-only funeral."

The Democratic Party of Korea expressed condolences through a written briefing by senior spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung. Kwon said, "We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to President Yoon Suk-yeol and his family who are facing great sorrow," adding, "We pray for the eternal rest of Professor Yoon Ki-jung."

The Democratic Party is currently discussing whether party leader Lee Jae-myung and other leadership members will pay their respects. Floor spokesperson Lee So-young told reporters at the National Assembly, "Looking at the case of former President Moon Jae-in's mother's funeral, no other condolences were accepted except from the Prime Minister and party leaders," and explained, "We are confirming the scope of condolences with the Presidential Office."

After news of President Yoon's father's passing became known, there was also a mood to refrain from offensive remarks against the ruling party. The Democratic Party issued a statement criticizing President Yoon's Liberation Day speech around noon but prepared an additional statement in the afternoon, which was withheld considering the mourning period.

The Justice Party decided not to pay condolences, respecting the Presidential Office's stance of "declining floral tributes and condolences." In a notice sent to reporters, the Justice Party stated, "Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's father's passing, since floral tributes and condolences are not being accepted, we have decided not to pay respects."

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