Former Prime Minister Noh Jae-bong passes away… Last words: “Please protect the Republic of Korea from the crisis of the system.”

[서울=뉴스핌] Unification reporter Lee Young-jong = Former Prime Minister Noh Jae-bong, a senior figure in Korean international politics, passed away at the age of 88 on the 23rd.

Former Prime Minister Roh was diagnosed with blood cancer a year ago and was admitted to a nursing hospital in Seoul, where he received treatment including hemodialysis. On the 23rd, his condition worsened and he was transferred to Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, where he passed away while receiving treatment.

It is known that the deceased left a will to his students and acquaintances just before his death, asking them to “protect the Republic of Korea from a systemic crisis.”

Former Prime Minister Roh, who graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Political Science, went to Brigham Young University in the United States and earned a doctorate from New York University Graduate School.

Afterwards, he served as an assistant professor at Armstrong State University in the United States, and after returning to Korea, he served as a professor at Seoul National University.

The deceased held a key position in 1987 after participating in the writing of the ‘June 29 Declaration’ by Roh Tae-woo, then leader of the Democratic Justice Party.

In 1988, he served as a special assistant for foreign affairs at the Blue House and was involved in northern policy, including the establishment of diplomatic relations with China and the socialist countries of the Eastern Bloc.

In 1990, he served as the President’s Chief of Staff and then the 22nd Prime Minister. After serving as a member of the 14th National Assembly, he returned to Seoul National University and worked as a professor in the Department of Foreign Affairs to nurture the next generation.

Even after his retirement, former Prime Minister Roh gathered his students and intellectual groups to form student groups such as the ‘Thursday Study Room’, and after the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, he changed the name to the ‘Korea Freedom Association’ and continued his activities.

Members include Unification Minister Kim Young-ho, former Kyonggi University professor Cho Seong-hwan, who served as co-representative of the National Association of Professors, and Do Hee-yoon, secretary-general of the Korean Freedom Association, a human rights activist against North Korea.

The deceased is known to be well-versed in the political thoughts of Alexis Tocqueville, who wrote ‘American Democracy’ and wrote books such as ‘Political Dialogue’ and ‘Liberal Democracy and Its Enemies’.

Survivors include his wife Jiyeonwol (88), daughter Mora (62), and son Jin (57).

A family funeral will be held at the funeral hall of Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital on the 25th. Her funeral is on the morning of the 27th.

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