Kim Min-seok Pays Respects to Late Choi Hyung-woo, 'Right-Hand Man' to Kim Young-sam: "Reflection Transcending Party Lines"

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok paid his respects at the memorial altar for the late former Minister of Home Affairs Choi Hyung-woo, who was the "eternal right-hand man" and political comrade of former President Kim Young-sam (YS).

Visiting the memorial altar set up at Samsung Medical Center Funeral Home this morning (October 25), Leader Kim paid tribute, writing in the guestbook, 'You were a great elder of democratization.

May you rest in peace.'

Meeting with reporters after paying his respects, Leader Kim said, "Former Minister Choi made great contributions to democratization and worked tirelessly to keep alive the spirit of the Bu-Ma Democratic Protests and May 18," adding, "We must all reflect together across party lines to honor the roots of democratization."

Leader Kim emphasized, "Since 1987, politics has strived to carry on the spirit stemming from the Bu-Ma Protests and May 18," adding, "That must become a shared root transcending party lines."

Regarding the background of serving as co-chair of the funeral committee alongside People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, Leader Kim explained, "At the foundation of what former Minister Choi and former President Kim Young-sam pursued was continuing the spirit of the Bu-Ma Protests and May 18," adding, "In that sense, I hope this serves as a process for both the ruling and opposition parties to reaffirm their shared roots."

Leader Kim stayed at the memorial altar for about 30 minutes on this day and also had a conversation with former Saenuri Party leader Kim Moo-sung.

When asked by reporters about the details of his conversation with former leader Kim, he replied, "We talked about our time together in the Council for the Promotion of Democracy (Minchuhyeop) in the past."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.