President Moon Jae-in on Dec. 27 paid tribute to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, saying the anti-apartheid life in which he sought reconciliation and forgiveness through the truth of history will be forever remembered by humanity.
On social media, the president said Tutu inspired many Koreans in their efforts to seek truth and reconciliation, adding that he wished to commemorate the archbishop and say farewell with respect.
The chief executive said he deeply sympathized with Tutu's words that harmony can exist under any circumstances, and that under the archbishop's will, the nation will reconcile, cooperate and recover together.
President Moon concluded his message by expressing his hope that the archbishop finds eternal rest in God's arms.
Dying on Dec. 26 in Cape Town at age 90, Tutu was an activist for democracy in South Africa and freedom for Black people there. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005.
