14th Anniversary of Late President Kim Dae-jung... Ruling Party Lawmakers Also 'Mourning' on SNS

Kim Byung-wook "Embracing the Spirit of Indongcho Again"
Ha Tae-kyung "Missing DJ's Inclusiveness and Insight"

On the 14th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's passing (August 18), opposition party lawmakers took to social media (SNS) to pay tribute. The messages mainly expressed a commitment to embodying 'DJ's spirit of Indongcho,' along with criticism of the current administration. Lawmakers from the ruling party also joined the memorial, expressing that they miss 'DJ's inclusiveness.'

Kim Won-i, a Democratic Party lawmaker who inherited Kim's constituency, posted a memorial image on SNS on the 18th, saying, "Every year on August 18, I recall the days at the Blue House when I served the President. The words the President spoke to me, then an administrator in the People's Government, still remain deeply in my heart," adding, "I will engrave his words and continue to work diligently in legislative activities alongside Mokpo, where the President's legacy remains."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-wook also said, "On the 14th anniversary of his passing, I once again engrave the President's Indongcho spirit in my heart," and added, "I will strive like a flowing river to become a conscience that acts from within for the human rights and democracy that the President dreamed of for Korea."

Democratic Party lawmaker Yoo Jung-joo said, "Former President Kim's words that 'participatory democracy, where the people are treated as owners and play the role of owners, must be realized,' are the most needed words in this era," and added, "Following the path of the President who lived as a conscience in action throughout his life, I will tirelessly take one step at a time toward 'politics by the people, politics where the people are the owners.'"

Several lawmakers included criticism of the current government in their memorial messages. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chan-dae said, "The crises of democracy, economy, and inter-Korean relations, which you worried about until your last moment, are intensifying under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," adding, "As the President believed throughout his life, I will trust history and move forward together with the people."

Democratic Party lawmaker So Byung-chul said, "After about a year under the Yoon Seok-yeol government, the 'DJ spirit' comes to mind even more urgently. This is because the regression of democracy, the collapse of the people's economy, and the escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula are serious," adding, "I will once again steel my resolve and continue to take steps toward the country you dreamed of."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom said, "Amid the precarious instability of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, the state philosophy of 'perseverance and inclusiveness' is missed even more," and Democratic Party lawmaker Song Gap-seok said, "The foundation of the country is shaken and the lives of the people are cornered. The wisdom and courage of former President Kim, who valued democracy, human rights, peace, and unity more than life itself, are more urgently needed than ever."

Lee Seong-man, who left the Democratic Party amid the 'party convention money envelope scandal,' said, "The people's economy is in crisis, and various incidents and accidents never cease these days. However, there is no leadership visible to overcome this situation," adding, "I miss former President Kim's leadership more than ever."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Yong-woo said, "Seeing the government drifting toward division and far-right tendencies makes me think this might be an even greater crisis," adding, "The Democratic Party must overcome this reality with competence. To do so, perhaps we need to adopt an attitude that stays just half a step ahead of the people, as former President Kim said."

Lawmakers from the ruling party also joined the memorial. Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party posted on SNS, "I attended the memorial service on the 14th anniversary of former President Kim's passing. Watching the political scene these days, I deeply miss DJ's inclusiveness and insight," and Cho Soo-jin of the People Power Party posted a photo from the memorial service, saying, "Today’s memorial was also attended by Park Ji-man, chairman of EG and son of former President Park Chung-hee; lawyer Noh Jae-heon, son of former President Noh Tae-woo; and Kim Hyun-cheol, director and son of former President Kim Young-sam, adding meaning to the 'national unity' that our politics should aim for."

Meanwhile, the 14th anniversary memorial service for former President Kim, held at the National Seoul National Cemetery's Memorial Hall, was attended by a large number of political figures including National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun, and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Presidential Office Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Lee Jin-bok and Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min also attended, along with former National Assembly Speakers Chung Sye-kyun and Moon Hee-sang, and Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon.

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