President Lee Jae-myung on the 21st, marking the 10th anniversary of the death of former President Kim Young-sam, pledged, "No matter what trials and hardships arise, we will not stop moving toward a more mature democratic nation and a true democratic republic, unwavering like the conviction and determination shown by the former president."
While on an overseas tour, the president honored the former president at a memorial service held that day at the Seoul National Cemetery, where Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik read the eulogy on his behalf, describing the former president as "a reformer of the era" and "a towering peak in the mountain range of democracy."
He then went through the former president's achievements one by one.
The president said, "The resolute cry that 'even if you wring a chicken's neck, dawn will come' remains an indelible symbol of courage and tenacity in the history of democratization in Korea," adding, "Immediately after taking office, he disbanded Hanahoe and brought those responsible for the Gwangju massacre to justice, setting right Korea's history and the order of the democratic republic."
He added, "Because there was a life-risking decision that no one else could easily dare to make, the unhappy history of the military intervening in politics and ruling over the state and the people did not repeat."
He also assessed the former president's achievements in the economy and people's livelihoods.
The president said, "By introducing the real-name financial transaction system and the real-name real estate system, he laid the foundation for a transparent market economy, and through the disclosure of assets by senior public officials, he broke the chain of the 'black collusion' that dominated our society." He continued, "By fully implementing local autonomy nationwide, he sowed the seeds of democracy, and by demolishing the Japanese general government building, he healed deep wounds and raised dignity."
The president added, "The Kim Young-sam administration, which said 'reform is harder than revolution,' led Korea to leap forward as an economic powerhouse with $10,000 per capita income and established the framework of a modern state where the two pillars of democracy and the market economy are in harmony."
He went on, "Now we are following the footsteps of the president, upholding the values of freedom, justice and peace, and moving toward a better democracy."
Attending the memorial service were the bereaved family, including the former president's second son, Kim Hyeon-chul, chair of the Kim Young-sam Presidential Memorial Foundation, as well as Sangdo-dong faction figures such as former lawmaker Kim Moo-sung and Donggyo-dong faction political elders such as Korea National Assemblymen's Association President Jeong Dae-chul.
From the political sphere, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, floor leader Song Eon-seog, National Assembly vice speaker Rep. Joo Ho-young and many other People Power Party lawmakers attended in force. From the Democratic Party of Korea, as customary, the leadership did not attend, and leader Jung Chung-rae sent a condolence wreath. From the government, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung were present.