Pastor Lee Hong-jeong, general secretary of the Korean Council of Christian Churches, who was controversial in the religious circles for attending the funeral service of the 13th president, Roh Tae-woo, and offering a memorial prayer today (4th) made an official apology to the victims and their bereaved families of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.
General Secretary Lee held a press conference at the Korea Christian Church Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the same day and said, "As general secretary of the Korean Council of Christian Churches, I participated in the funeral ceremony of former President Roh Tae-woo, the perpetrator (May 18), with the heart of 5.18 Gwangju at the center. It was a serious mistake not to have an accident."
He continued, "Although I tried to put a meaningful message for the times in my prayers at the place of the death of the perpetrator by taking advantage of the opportunity given me publicly, but aside from all that, I acknowledge that my participation itself has deviated from the essence of historical consciousness. I apologize," he begged for forgiveness.
General Secretary Lee said, “The May 18 Gwangju heart was against the head of state, and the apology the deceased left through his family was too insufficient to lead to forgiveness and reconciliation. It was an inappropriate expression to obtain historical legitimacy and reality in a situation where the investigation was not properly conducted.”
He continued, “My participation as the head of state was entirely my fault for not considering the May 18th Gwangju first.”
General Secretary Lee said, “I am deeply apologies to the May 18 victims and their bereaved families as a result of this, and I deeply apologize to them. “I deeply apologize to everyone who has participated in the program and to the 2030 generation who have been working hard to succeed it and put it into practice.”
Regarding his fate, he added, "I will humbly and selflessly entrust the decision of the upcoming regular general meeting."
The council will hold a regular general meeting on the 22nd to decide whether to reappoint the secretary.
General Secretary Lee attended the funeral ceremony for former President Roh held at the Olympic Park in Seoul on the 30th of last month and prayed in commemoration saying, "I will engrave the feelings of apology left by the deceased in my heart." Even though he has never apologized to the bereaved family, there were criticisms that Lee was distorting the facts, leading to a demand for resignation.
(Photo = Yonhap News)