Kim Minseok Mourns Choi Boolam's Passing: "Honored to Compete in Election 30 Years Ago, Will Cherish His Kind Words Calling Me a 'National Treasure-Level Politician'"

Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, paid tribute on October 30 to actor Choi Bul-am, who died that day, saying, “It was an honor to compete against you, a ‘national treasure-level actor,’ in the National Assembly election in Yeongdeungpo 30 years ago.”

“I bid farewell to the great actor Choi Bul-am,” Kim wrote on Facebook that day.

'Eternal Chief Detective' and 'Nation's Father' Choi Bul-am Dies at 87. Yonhap News

“You showed me that it is possible to maintain a warm relationship even while competing,” he said. “I fell far short of the kind words you offered after the election, urging me to become a ‘national treasure-level politician,’ but I will cherish them.” He added, “It was always such a pleasure to see you after the election.”

“Although you have left us, the people will remember you forever as the chief detective of Korea, the village chief of Yangchon-ri, and everyone’s father and grandfather who introduced us to the Korean Table,” Kim said. “I pray for the repose of Choi Bul-am’s soul and offer my condolences to his family and fellow artists.”

The Democratic Party also paid tribute to the late actor in an official statement. “The hearty, warm sound of his laughter—‘Pahaha’—is still vivid in our ears,” said Jeon Su-mi, a Democratic Party spokesperson, expressing her condolences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.