Lee Jun-seok, the Reform Party's presidential candidate, said on the 23rd, "I have consistently talked about doing politics with conviction like President Roh Moo-hyun," adding, "Every time I stand at a crossroads, I continue to choose the direction I believe is right, even if it means being alone rather than relying on something big."
The candidate made these remarks on the morning of the same day while visiting the tomb of former President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village, Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. This is interpreted as a statement related to his rejection of the People Power Party's request for unification the previous day.
At the event, the candidate shared his connection with former President Roh, stating that he lived in nearby Hyehwa-dong in Seoul during the candidate's high school years and personally received a scholarship certificate when he went abroad in 2003.
The candidate recalled, "(At that time) I was told, 'Study hard and someday do great work for the country and contribute,'" and he reflected, "Now, standing as a presidential candidate 22 years later, I think, 'That was really a difficult thing to practice.'"
The candidate has consistently emphasized the 'Roh Moo-hyun spirit' throughout the election campaign.
The candidate mentioned former President Roh, saying, "I remember him clenching his fist and shouting, 'I object!' when there were talks about merging the three parties and not shying away from challenging difficult constituencies," adding, "As I engage in politics, I want to continue to embody that same spirit."
He also stated, "Former President Roh was someone who made choices based on what he believed was right, rather than following the inertia of others' decisions," and noted, "Having faced similar challenges many times, I think I can understand that well."
Meanwhile, on the same day, a memorial ceremony for the 16th anniversary of former President Roh's passing will be held in Bongha Village, drawing political figures. Participants will include Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate; former President Moon Jae-in; Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party's chief campaign committee chair; and Kang Geum-sil and Kim Kyeong-soo, co-chairpersons of the campaign committee.
From the People Power Party, Kim Yong-tae, the emergency response committee chair, will attend. Presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo will not participate in the memorial ceremony but will focus on preparations for the TV debate scheduled for that evening.