Completed the formation of Roh Tae-woo funeral committee… Reduced size to ‘353 people’

A funeral committee was formed to oversee the head of state for the late former President Roh Tae-woo. The funeral committee, chaired by Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom, has been significantly reduced compared to the previous size in consideration of the quarantine situation.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 28th that “the formation of the funeral committee for former President Roh has been completed.” The funeral committee has a total of 353 people, including Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom, who chaired the committee, which is one-sixth of the funeral committee (2,222 people) at the time of former President Kim Young-sam’s state head in 2015. The Ministry of Public Administration and Security explained, “In consideration of the quarantine situation of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it has been greatly reduced compared to the previous head of the country, the head of the nation, and the head of the state.”

The funeral committee is composed of six members, including two vice-chairmen of the National Assembly, acting director of the Board of Audit and Inspection, Daegu Metropolitan City Mayor and former chief of staff Jeong Hae-chang, who are recommended by the bereaved family, and former chief of bodyguard Choi Seok-rip. The funeral committee is chaired by the Minister of Public Administration and Security, Jeon Hae-cheol, and the executive committee consists of the Minister of Strategy and Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Commissioner of the National Police Agency.

Funeral members included high-ranking public officials in the legislative, judicial, and administrative departments, representatives of each political party, heads of local governments, and persons recommended by the broadcasting and media circles and bereaved families. The advisors of the National Funeral Committee were composed of five factors, political parties, and religious groups.

The funeral ceremony for former President Roh will be held at the Peace Plaza in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 30th at 11 am. After the funeral, the remains of former President Roh will be placed at Geomdansa Temple in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

Eunseo Choi reporter silver@hankookilbo.com