The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    PHOTOSTrapped along borders

  • 3

    Korea wins gold in League of Legends competition; Faker tops podium

  • 5

    Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art

  • 7

    Pentagon's CWMD strategy document calls N. Korea 'persistent threat'

  • 9

    Builders vie for leadership in modular construction

  • 11

    Are 'finfluencers' helping or harming investment community?

  • 13

    Apple, China met to discuss Beijing's crackdown on western apps: WSJ

  • 15

    Swimmer Kim Woo-min captures 3rd gold in Hangzhou

  • 17

    What to know and what's next for Travis King, the American soldier who ran into North Korea

  • 19

    S. Korea eliminates N. Korea in women's table tennis doubles

  • 2

    BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single

  • 4

    VIDEOBustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions

  • 6

    Opposition leader Lee again proposes talks with President Yoon

  • 8

    BTS' Jungkook drops 2nd solo single

  • 10

    Yoon hosts Chuseok luncheon for Korean atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima

  • 12

    Korea fails to be included on FTSE Russell's global bond index

  • 14

    Poll shows 79% of young Koreans agree on need to improve ties with Japan

  • 16

    INTERVIEW'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director

  • 18

    Second release of Fukushima wastewater to start next week

  • 20

    S. Korea cruises past N. Korea in women's basketball

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, October 1, 2023 | 20:50
Politics
Roh Tae-woo's mixed presidential legacy
Posted : 2021-10-26 21:22
Updated : 2021-10-27 08:53
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Then-President Roh Tae-woo, accompanied by first lady Kim Ok-sook, attends the opening ceremony for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Summer Games held for the first time in South Korea, in this file photo. Yonhap
Then-President Roh Tae-woo, accompanied by first lady Kim Ok-sook, attends the opening ceremony for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Summer Games held for the first time in South Korea, in this file photo. Yonhap

He was co-leader of military coup, but first directly elected president

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Roh Tae-woo, Korea's first democratically elected president, passed away at the age of 88, Tuesday, leaving a mixed legacy regarding his role in Korea's path to democracy. The general-turned-president was the first to be elected through a direct election in 1987 after military dictatorship, but also helped stage a military coup and was responsible for the suppression of the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Movement.

Born in the southeastern city of Daegu on Dec. 4, 1932, Roh later served in the Korean Army after graduating from the Korean Military Academy where he met Chun Doo-hwan whom he helped to overthrow the government in the Dec. 12, 1979, military coup.

Roh is also accused of brutally cracking down on pro-democracy protesters during the 1980 uprising under the Chun administration.

After retiring as an army general, Roh took up several ministerial positions, including political affairs, sports and domestic affairs, in the Chun administration.

In 1987, when Roh was chairman of the ruling Democratic Justice Party and a presidential hopeful, he made a special announcement accepting the people's demands for democratization and a direct election of the president. He then became the country's first president through a direct election later that year.

Roh vowed to open an "era of ordinary people" when he was inaugurated, but in a way he only extended the military dictatorship.

The Roh administration's biggest diplomatic achievement was his so-called "Nordpolitik," or Northern Policy, opening a new chapter in Korea's external relations. The administration established diplomatic relations with "socialist" countries, namely Russia and China as well as eastern European nations such as Hungary, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria

Roh also improved inter-Korean relations, signing the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-Aggression, Exchange and Cooperation with North Korea in 1991, the year when the two Koreas simultaneously joined the United Nations.

Then-President Roh Tae-woo, accompanied by first lady Kim Ok-sook, attends the opening ceremony for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Summer Games held for the first time in South Korea, in this file photo. Yonhap
Roh Tae-woo shakes hands with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev before their summit at the Kremlin in Moscow, in this December 1990 file photo. Korea Times file

Korea to hold state funeral for late ex-President Roh
Korea to hold state funeral for late ex-President Roh
2021-10-27 11:23  |  Politics
Moon's office faces dilemma over state funeral for former President Roh
Moon's office faces dilemma over state funeral for former President Roh
2021-10-27 09:26  |  Politics
Key moments of ex-President Roh Tae-woo [PHOTOS]
Key moments of ex-President Roh Tae-woo [PHOTOS]
2021-10-26 17:23  |  Photo News
Former President Roh Tae-woo dies
Former President Roh Tae-woo dies
2021-10-26 16:53  |  People & Events
Though elected through a direct election, Roh's post-presidency was rocky as he was later charged under the President Kim Young-sam government with bribery, treason and mutiny for his involvement for the 1979 coup and the 1980 Gwangju Massacre, along with his predecessor Chun.

Roh was sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Supreme Court in 1996, but later pardoned by President Kim.

He was also accused of creating a slush fund of 450 billion won ($390 million) during his term, and ordered to repay 262 billion won to the state.

Roh mostly remained outside public view after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002 with his last public appearance being at the late former President Roh Moo-hyun's inauguration ceremony in 2003.

Conflicting reactions

The ruling and opposition parties showed clear differences in assessing Roh's achievements.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) released a statement describing Roh as a "criminal of history" who led the 1979 military coup and cracked down on the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Movement.

"He was elected through a direct election, but consequentially extended the military dictatorship in Korea. He was a dictator who tried to overcome his lack of legitimacy through a three-party merger," DPK spokesman Rep. Lee Yong-bin said in the statement.

The DPK did, however, recognize Roh's diplomatic accomplishments such as Nordpolitik, agreements with North Korea and the establishment of diplomatic ties with China. It also noted that Roh later apologized for what he had done at the Gwangju Democratic Movement through his children and paid off all penalties, unlike Chun.

Party members based in Gwangju released another statement opposing holding a state funeral for Roh and burying him in the National Cemetery, emphasizing the criminal charges he was found guilty of.

DPK leader Song Young-gil recognized Roh's son Jae-heon's apology to the family members of victims of the Gwangju Democratic Movement. Jae-heon, a lawyer based in the U.S. and director of the Korea-China Culture Center, has paid tribute to the May 18th National Cemetery on behalf of his father since 2019.

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) highlighted Roh's political career as the first president elected through a general election.

Former prosecutor general and a leading presidential contender from the opposition bloc Yoon Seok-youl said, "Roh's Nordpolitik and opening up of a new era of diplomacy at the end of the Cold War was a meaningful diplomatic outcome."

Hong Joon-pyo, another opposition presidential hopeful, noted Roh's "war on crime," which strengthened crackdowns on various criminal activities.


Emailmeeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
miguel
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1[INTERVIEW] Risk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz INTERVIEWRisk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz
2Koreans adapt to soaring food prices Koreans adapt to soaring food prices
3[PHOTOS] Trapped along borders PHOTOSTrapped along borders
4Education ministry prohibits parents from recording classes Education ministry prohibits parents from recording classes
5[VIDEO] Bustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions VIDEOBustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions
6Builders vie for leadership in modular construction Builders vie for leadership in modular construction
7Value, consumer goods, financial stocks expected to gain momentum after Chuseok holiday Value, consumer goods, financial stocks expected to gain momentum after Chuseok holiday
8Are 'finfluencers' helping or harming investment community? Are 'finfluencers' helping or harming investment community?
9[INTERVIEW] ROK-US alliance is win-win partnership: KUSAF chief INTERVIEWROK-US alliance is win-win partnership: KUSAF chief
10Over 30,000 protesters march for climate actions Over 30,000 protesters march for climate actions
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] 'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director INTERVIEW'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director
2M+ deputy director discusses Seoul's potential to challenge Hong Kong as Asia's art hub M+ deputy director discusses Seoul's potential to challenge Hong Kong as Asia's art hub
3Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art
4[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting INTERVIEWWith '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting
5Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group