Chun's funeral home crowded with far-right conservatives, shunned by mainstream politicians
SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Yonhap) -- The funeral home of former President Chun Doo-hwan was swarmed with far-right conservatives on Wednesday, while most mainstream politicians kept their distance from paying respect to the former dictator.
Chun, an ex-Army general who served as president after seizing power through a military coup in 1979, died Tuesday at age 90 from chronic ailments. He had faced widespread condemnation for the brutal crackdown on a 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju.
The mourning altar set up at Yonsei University Severance Hospital in western Seoul remained mostly quiet Wednesday morning, but the surviving family later received between approximately 200 and 300 supporters of Our Republican Party (ORP), a fringe conservative party, in the afternoon.
Mourners were mostly Chun apologists, all presumably over 60, and wore masks adorned with the party's signature taegeuk emblem. They took turns in groups of 20 to pay condolences due to virus guidelines.
"Our party is aware of the pain suffered by victims of the May 18 uprising and insists that such history should not be repeated," ORP chief Cho Won-jin told reporters after paying condolences.
He, however, raised complaints against what he described as "biased media reports" on Chun's merits and faults as president.
Conservative activist Ju Ok-soon said "the truth will be revealed whether Chun is a criminal or not" when the two Koreas become unified.
A minor shouting incident broke out when a person appeared holding a signboard that said "Chun Doo-hwan is a murderer," but physical clashes were prevented by on-site police officials
Most mainstream politicians stayed away from the funeral home, but Rep. Joo Ho-young, former floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, decided to pay respect, remembering his past ties with the late president.
Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations secretary general, also paid condolences.
People form a long line to pay tribute to late former President Chun Doo-hwan at his funeral altar at Severance Hospital in Seoul on Nov. 24, 2021. The general-turned-strongman died of chronic ailments at his house in Seoul the previous day at 90. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art -
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets -
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time -
N. Korea calls envisioned U.S. aid to Ukraine 'hallucinogen' -
N. Korea calls on party propaganda officials to work harder
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art -
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote -
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office -
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time -
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
S. Korea eliminated in Olympic football qualifiers as poor defense, undisciplined play prove costly -
10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification -
(LEAD) 10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification -
Indonesia coach left with mixed feelings after eliminating native S. Korea in Olympic football qualifiers -
ADOR CEO calls conflict with Hybe 'worst experience of my life'
