"‘I Wanted to Be a President Like a Friend... I Can't Easily Say I'm Happy Serving as President’"

KTV Documentary 'Moon Jae-in's True Feelings' Reveals Reflections Over 5 Years
Shares Thoughts on Inter-Korean Relations, Diplomacy, Welfare, and Politics
"Grateful for Excessive Love... Fulfilling Duties Was Not Easy"

Photo by KTV National Broadcasting YouTube capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] On the 6th, three days before President Moon Jae-in's retirement, KTV released a video documentary titled 'Moon Jae-in's True Heart.'

In the video, President Moon shared his thoughts on inter-Korean relations, diplomatic relations, and welfare policies over the past five years. Ahead of his retirement, he expressed, "I wanted to be a president like a friend to the people, someone the people could confide in and talk to whenever they faced difficulties."

He also said, "The people actually gave me a lot of comfort and encouragement," and when asked if he was happy during his five-year term, he replied, "As a president, overcoming many crises and leading Korea's leap forward, and considering the overwhelming love I still receive from the people, I am still happy."

He continued with a smile, "But if I think about whether holding the office of president was happy, it was so difficult that I can't easily say it was happy."

Various evaluations from close aides about the five years of the Moon Jae-in administration were also introduced. Former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok said, "I think it was a process of trying to make the playground called Korea a little more fair and just."

Former Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min described it as "the Korea Renaissance period," and former Blue House Deputy Spokesperson Shin Hye-hyun said, "President Moon worked wholeheartedly in the way he has lived his life, and so did his government."

Meanwhile, President Moon recalled the time during the first inter-Korean summit in 2018 at Panmunjom when he met with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un at the Dorim Bridge.

President Moon said, "At first, I thought we would have a light conversation for about 5 minutes, or at most 10 minutes while resting, but the talk extended for over 30 minutes," adding, "It was good that the two leaders could talk without interpreters or attendants. The place was also nice."

He recalled, "(Chairman Kim) was very honest. He expressed many concerns about how to make the U.S. believe their sincerity that they could give up nuclear weapons once their regime security was guaranteed and peace was secured."

He also mentioned the second inter-Korean summit in May 2018, when the first North Korea-U.S. summit was on the verge of cancellation and the two Korean leaders met spontaneously. President Moon said, "I was glad that the two leaders could meet as easily as friends contacting each other by cell phone," emphasizing, "At that time, I sincerely made efforts to mediate between North Korea and the U.S."

In his 'Last Letter to the People,' President Moon said, "The past five years were a time of valuable accumulation. Whether achievements or shortcomings, I hope they are remembered as they are," and added, "I will wholeheartedly support Korea's new beginning."

At the end of the video, he concluded with a message, "Dear citizens, thank you so much for accompanying me all this time," and said, "Now, I will return to my place with a light heart. I will return to the southern countryside with my wife, growing old together, and live well like the sunset."