On the 2nd, condolences from ruling party officials continued at the mortuary set up for the late former lawmaker Jang Je-won in Busan.
That day, visitors continued to arrive at VIP room of the funeral home at Haeundae Baek Hospital in Haeundae District, Busan, from the morning. At the incense stand, Jang's son, Jun-yong (rapper Noel), and his wife welcomed mourners, filled with sadness.
Deputy Minister Jeong Jin-seok visited the mortuary to convey President Yoon Suk-yeol's condolences to the bereaved family. After paying his respects, Jeong told reporters, “President Yoon called me early yesterday morning after hearing the sad news,” adding, “He said, ‘It is so heartbreaking and my heart aches.’
He further noted, “(The president) said he wanted me to convey his deep comfort to the bereaved family in his place,” and said, “He called me twice yesterday, saying, ‘It’s so heartbreaking as he was someone who helped me more than anyone else.’
Among current and former lawmakers, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min was the first to visit and express condolences. Having worked together with Jang during the Barun Party period, he said, “I came to say goodbye on the last journey as he was a junior whom I spent years in politics with.”
Park Hyung-jun, the mayor of Busan, also visited the mortuary, saying he “reflected on the deceased and extended his condolences.”
Prominent politicians from the ruling party also announced their intentions to visit. Related parties for former lawmaker Jang stated, “Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, Mayor Hong Joon-pyo of Daegu, Park Soo-young, chair of the People Power Party Busan chapter, and lawmaker Kim Gi-hyun have expressed their intention to visit the mortuary.”
Former lawmaker Jang served as a member of the National Assembly in the 18th, 20th, and 21st terms. After President Yoon Suk-yeol was elected in the 2022 presidential election, he served as the president's secretary and was an intimate aide in political activities.
Meanwhile, as demands for reforms regarding pro-Yoon figures emerged, he expressed his intent not to run in the general elections on December 12, 2023, stepping back to a secondary role.
In November 2015, when he was the vice president of a university in Busan, allegations arose that Jang had sexually assaulted an aide, which led to police investigations. He was found dead in an officetel in Gangdong District, Seoul, on the evening of the 31st of last month.
The funeral will be held on the 4th at 9 a.m., with the burial taking place at Siloam Park Cemetery.