Family members of former South Korean presidents gathered at the former presidential compound in a historic event aimed at promoting reconciliation. Invited by Culture Minister Park Bo-gyoon, the relatives of six former leaders attended a special exhibition marking the first anniversary of opening the compound to the public.
Cheong Wa Dae, which served as the presidential office and residential compound for South Korean presidents, was relocated to Seoul’s Yongsan district in 2020. Since then, it has been open to the public. The exhibition showcasing the lives of the former presidents has seen over 230,000 visitors since its opening on June 1.
The attendees of the event included a daughter-in-law of South Korea’s first president, Rhee Syng-man, as well as the sons of five late presidents: Yun Po-sun, Park Chung-hee, Roh Tae-woo, Kim Young-sam, and Kim Dae-jung. The purpose of the gathering was to remember the contributions of these former leaders to the country’s history and to pledge to create a new vision for South Korea through reconciliation.
During the meeting, family members discussed the lives of the former presidents and their experiences as children of national leaders. Park Ji-man, the son of late President Park Chung-hee and younger brother of former President Park Geun-hye, highlighted his father’s efforts to overcome poverty and modernize the country. While some credit Park Chung-hee with rebuilding South Korea and transforming it into an economic powerhouse, others criticize his authoritarian rule and human rights abuses.
Kim Hong-up, son of late President Kim Dae-jung, shared an anecdote about his father’s rare meeting with former presidents Choi Kyu-hah, Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, and Kim Young-sam. This gathering was aimed at conveying a message of unity to the public. Kim Dae-jung himself had faced political turmoil, including abduction and imprisonment under President Park Chung-hee’s regime.
The family members of the former presidents pledged to promote a presidential culture of unity and positivity. The Culture Ministry emphasized the importance of the event in fostering reconciliation and recognizing the role these leaders played in shaping the country’s history.
Notably absent from the gathering were the family members of former President Chun Doo-hwan, who did not attend the event.
The meeting at Cheong Wa Dae signifies a significant step towards reconciliation and unity among the families of South Korea’s former presidents. It serves as a reminder of the country’s proud history and the need to overcome conflicts and divisions. By coming together, these family members aim to create a new vision for South Korea and preserve the legacy of their predecessors.
The event was a unique opportunity to revisit the lives and contributions of the former presidents, providing insight into their personal experiences as leaders and their impact on shaping modern South Korea. As the country continues to evolve as a democracy and emerge as a global powerhouse, such moments of reconciliation serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and the pursuit of a shared vision for the nation’s future.
