The People Power Party said on the 23rd, marking the 17th anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun's death, "We will move beyond confrontational politics toward a future of coexistence."
Park Sung-hoon, the Central Election Committee's Director General for public affairs, said in a commentary that day, "We extend our deepest wishes for the deceased's eternal rest and offer profound condolences to the bereaved family, including Kwon Yang-sook," and stated accordingly.
Director General Park said, "Even though a long time has passed since the deceased left this world, the public still remembers the deep footprints the deceased left on Korean politics," adding, "The deceased's spirit of 'unity and coexistence,' which placed the national interest above factions, throws a heavy resonance at our society today, which is marked by conflict and division."
He continued, "It is time for the entire political sphere to painfully reflect on how much the value of coexistence—'For me to live well, you and we must live well together'—is being respected," adding, "We must not forget that the true way to carry on the 'Roh Moo-hyun spirit' is to put into practice on the ground the cooperative governance for people's livelihoods that the deceased so ardently wished for."
Song Eon-seog, the floor leader, said on Facebook, "News of President Roh's death remains for our people a memory of great shock and sorrow, like the news of President Park Chung-hee's death in 1979," adding, "Now we should share in the sorrow over the deceased's passing, but leave evaluation to the realm of history and join forces to carry forward and develop the achievements the deceased left behind."
He went on, "However, judging by how the Democratic Party has recently mentioned President Roh, there are aspects that seem less like 'inheriting' and more like 'using' him," adding, "President Roh said in his lifetime that 'politics is not above the law, and neither are candidates.' Isn't the move to dismiss President Lee Jae-myung's indictment an open declaration that those in power will stand above the law? Dismissing the indictment is precisely to reopen the 'era in which foul play and privilege are tolerated' that President Roh said should end."
He added, "I sincerely propose that our politics now let President Roh go from the yoke of real-world politics," and said, "The People Power Party deeply mourns President Roh's passing and offers profound condolences to Mrs. Kwon and the bereaved family."