Hello everyone. A few days ago, Mr. Jang Gi-pyo passed away while receiving treatment for gallbladder cancer. He dedicated his entire life to the democratization movement and labor movement. He spent ten years in prison due to his involvement in the democratization movement and lived in exile for another ten years. During his time at Seoul National University’s law school, he was inspired to fully commit to the democratization movement after the self-immolation of activist Jeon Tae-il. Although he participated in the democratization movement, he refused compensation from the government, which amounted to around 1 billion won. The democratization movement was not created by a few specific individuals; it is not merely the result of their efforts. It was achieved collectively by all citizens. Many people are now honoring the eternal legacy of Mr. Jang Gi-pyo. He is a true activist of the democratization movement, unlike those who currently claim to support it while wearing badges in the National Assembly.

There are so many things that are truly outrageous that I can't bear to see them. While claiming to advocate for democracy, they occupy positions and engage in all sorts of abuses of power. It makes me question whether they are genuinely promoting democratization. Furthermore, the laws they are currently advocating for are very unconstitutional and undemocratic. 

Anyway, after the passing of Mr. Jang Gi-pyo, his remarks regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol have garnered attention. Just before Mr. Jang passed away, Kim Geon-hee reportedly visited President Yoon Seok-yeol on his behalf. At that time, Mr. Jang asked her to convey a message to President Yoon, expressing his agreement with the previous doctrine regarding unification and urging him to prioritize unification during his presidency.

While doing this, Teacher Jang Gi-pyo expressed his desire to meet with Kim Geon-hee and treat her to a meal. Kim Geon-hee also promised to keep that appointment. This information was revealed by Jeong Jin-seong, the Chief of Staff to the President, after he visited a memorial today. Whenever Kim Geon-hee takes action, there are all sorts of attacks against her. For instance, there are claims that she went out at night with a dog, supposedly to take it for a walk. However, the truth is that she went to buy snacks for the soldiers who provide her security. There are various other allegations being thrown around. Despite all the talk about Kim Geon-hee's involvement, there is no direct evidence; it's all just rumors aimed at creating a negative public opinion to attempt to impeach President Yoon Seok-yeol.

There has been news that Teacher Jang Gi-pyo has been hospitalized. Therefore, today, Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok visited the funeral of Jang Gi-pyo on behalf of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Chief Jeong delivered President Yoon's condolences to the bereaved family at the mortuary set up at Seoul National University Hospital. President Yoon was reportedly very shocked to hear the news of Director Jang's passing shortly after arriving in Seoul on the 22nd for a visit to Choi-go. Regarding Teacher Jang, President Yoon made a statement during a briefing on the same day, saying, Teacher Jang Gi-pyo is a true role model who defended our era through labor movements and democratization. He also conveyed a message of commitment to remember and honor Teacher Jang's intentions. Chief Jeong, who visited the mortuary today, made a statement saying that on the 30th of last month, First Lady Kim Geon-hee also visited Jang Gi-pyo.

I visited the National Cancer Center in Ilsan, where the teacher was hospitalized, to pay my respects and to wish for a speedy recovery. He expressed his desire to recover quickly so that he could treat the researchers to a delicious meal. The First Lady also emphasized that this promise must be kept. The President and First Lady were very shocked by the news of the passing of the deceased. According to the presidential office, last month, the visit by Kim Geun-hee lasted about an hour. President Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geun-hee, upon hearing about Director Jang's battle with gallbladder cancer, expressed their wish to meet him, which led to this encounter. During that time, Director Jang conveyed his support for President Yoon Seok-yeol's public announcement of the unification doctrine during the Liberation Day event in Gyeongju. Director Jang stated that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration must remain steadfast for a unified Korea.

I conveyed the advice that we must go without. A presidential office official stated that if Mr. Jang Gi-pyo had heard the current claims from opposition figures advocating against unification, he would likely be lamenting. Listening to this, we see figures like Lim Jong-seok asserting that we should not unify, but rather exist as two separate nations on the Korean Peninsula, with the South remaining as it is and the North as well. It's truly astonishing. This is fundamentally unconstitutional. Our country views the entire Korean Peninsula and its surrounding islands as part of our territory. However, North Korea claims to be a separate nation and advocates against unification. Lim Jong-seok, who has dedicated his life to the unification movement, is the same person who once sent Im Soo-kyung to North Korea. This eventually led to his imprisonment. But now, it seems he is trying to protect his own interests, possibly receiving directives from North Korea. Even Kim Jong-un is involved in this.

Recently, they said that unification between the South and the North is impossible and that they are separate nations. In North Korea, they believe that if the U.S. military withdraws from the South and some kind of deal is made with the U.S. military, then unification can happen. They have many missiles and nuclear weapons, so they think they can achieve unification through force. North Korea has never once given up on its ambition for communist domination. However, if we consider the words of Mr. Jang Gi-pyo, what would happen? Anyway, Mr. Jang Gi-pyo has achieved a certain degree of his democratic movement goals, and he has left a message for President Yoon Seong-yeol to definitely pursue unification. This shows Mr. Jang Gi-pyo's deep love for his country. He has dedicated his life to the democratic movement, labor movement, and patriotic movement. Therefore, even more people...

The news of the passing of Mr. Jang Gi-pyo has truly saddened the nation. Many of the so-called patriots and members of the Democratic Party, who come from student movements or activist backgrounds, may have done something in the past, but they are now flaunting their badges and wielding power. Aren't they the very forces against the Republic of Korea? Those who claimed to have fought for democracy are now running rampant and destroying democracy. These forces are currently mobilizing the entire nation to protect one criminal, Lee Jae-myung. The true figures of the democracy movement are people like Mr. Jang Gi-pyo, who never wore a badge throughout his life, despite running for office multiple times. In the end, he represented the true essence of freedom and the people's power.

Although he ran as a candidate for the Future United Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, he also faced failure. He has attempted to run seven times. Before returning, he argued throughout his life for reducing the privileges of members of the National Assembly. He claimed that the salaries received by lawmakers, around 3 million to 4 million won, were more than sufficient, and that having three or four assistants was possible. He continued to protest in front of the National Assembly right up until his return. As a result, many people respect and admire Mr. Jang Gi-pyo. The images of President Yoon and Director Jang Gi-pyo go back to the time when they were presidential candidates. In September 2021, at the site where the late Jeon Tae-il self-immolated, a statue was erected in his honor. Mr. Jang Gi-pyo visited the statue to pay his respects, accompanied by President Yoon Seok-yeol at that time.

He was the head. During his time at Seoul National University's law school, he also promoted the student movement for Jeon Tae-il. After the passing of Teacher Jang Gi-pyo, he mentioned that he could speak out. Therefore, he lived a life of integrity and purity, dedicating himself to the democratization movement. He was a person who never received rewards for his efforts. I believe that the so-called democratic forces within the Democratic Party should reflect on themselves and quickly drive out these forces. I hope that Teacher Jang Gi-pyo's message reaches President Yoon Seok-yeol and that he can achieve peace and unification. Thank you.

故 장기표 선생, 윤대통령에게 뜻밖의 유언 남겼다

1987.01~2020.02

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前 KBS 울산방송국장
前 KBS 해설위원
前 KBS 공영노조위원장

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