Former President Roh Tae-woo passed away today (26th). He is 89 years old. Coincidentally, he passed away on the same day as former President Park Chung-hee 42 years ago. There are several opinions about Mr. Noh. The court’s ruling records him as a serious criminal who usurped the government in a coup d’etat and suppressed the citizens of Gwangju with force. As the 13th president, there is also an analysis that there were achievements in foreign diplomacy, etc. We’ll get to that a little later. First, let’s go to the funeral home of Seoul National University Hospital.
Reporter Dabin Jeon, is the mortuary set up now?
[기자]
The mortuary has not yet been set up.
Mr. Noh died around 1:46 p.m. today.
Since the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital is full, the funeral will be prepared from tomorrow.
You can visit us from 10am tomorrow.
The body of the deceased is currently in the morgue of Seoul National University Hospital.
His son, Noh Jae-heon, also heard the news and is hurriedly returning from abroad.
[앵커]
Did you say that the hospital also revealed the autograph?
[기자]
Yes, Seoul National University Hospital Director Kim Yeon-su held a press conference.
Noh seems to have passed away after a long chronic illness.
The deceased’s health deteriorated after surgery for prostate cancer in 2002.
Afterwards, he had a long battle with cerebellar atrophy and asthma, which are rare diseases.
[앵커]
Did politicians express their condolences to the deceased at once?
[기자]
People’s Power said, “It was the first president elected by direct vote of the people,” he said.
In addition, the Democratic Party of Korea commented, “He was a sinner of history who took part in the forced suppression of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement,” but “he continued to reflect.”
People’s Power presidential candidates also took a stand.
Candidates Seok-Yeol Yoon and Jun-Pyo Hong expressed their condolences, referring to the late ‘Northern Policy’ as “a meaningful and well-done policy.”
Candidates Yoo Seung-min and Won Hee-ryong also expressed their deep condolences to the bereaved family.
However, Democratic presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung did not make a special statement.
[앵커]
At the Blue House audit held at the National Assembly, the possibility of ‘head of the country’ was also discussed, right?
[기자]
Previously, Mr. Roh was stripped of the former presidential courtesy, but the president can decide whether to head the country after deliberation by the State Council.
At today’s National Audit of the Steering Committee, Rep. Yoon Young-duk of the Democratic Party of Korea said, “I cannot agree with the head of state considering the sentiments of the people.”
