Veterans minister to pay tribute to 2 late former presidents

Veterans Minister Kwon Oh-eul will pay tribute to two former presidents, including controversial dictator Park Chung-hee, the veterans ministry announced on Thursday, following through on his pledge to honor past leaders despite political differences. Kwon is scheduled to attend a memorial ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Choi Kyu-hah, the 10th president, on the day of his visit.

Choi's presidency lasted from December 1979 to August 1980, following the assassination of Park in October 1979. Choi was subsequently forced to resign under pressure from then Army Gen. Chun Doo-hwan, who seized power through a military coup, making him the shortest-serving president in post-Korean War history. Kwon plans to pay his respects to Park, who died in 2016, at Seoul National Cemetery on Monday.

The veterans minister's actions are considered unusual, as paying respects to controversial former leaders like Park has frequently sparked criticism, particularly from the liberal faction. Kwon, who was a member of the liberal Lee Jae Myung government, has committed to honoring past presidents regardless of their political differences.