Bongha Village, a Lively Atmosphere Mixed with Longing for Former President Roh and Waiting for Former President Moon
Former President Moon Jae-in is stepping down from the podium after delivering a greeting at the 8th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun, held on May 23, 2017, in Bongha Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam. [Source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Former President Moon Jae-in attended the 8th anniversary memorial service for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, held just over 10 days after his inauguration on May 10, 2017, and concluded his eulogy as follows.
"President Roh Moo-hyun, I miss you. However, during my remaining term, I will keep you only in my heart. Today will be the last time I attend this event as the sitting president. I will definitely become a successful president, fulfill my duties, and then come to visit you again."
At that time, former President Moon publicly declared his resolve not to revisit Bongha Village during his tenure, as if making a personal vow.
The two former presidents, 'Moon Jae-in, friend of Roh Moo-hyun' and 'Roh Moo-hyun, friend of Moon Jae-in,' who had been apart for a while, will reunite after five years.
The People’s Party Foundation for a Living World, the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, announced on the 21st that former President Moon will attend the 13th anniversary memorial ceremony for the late President Roh, held in Bongha Village on the 23rd.
According to Yonhap News on the 21st, Bongha Village, ahead of the memorial ceremony, is bustling with a mixed atmosphere of longing for the late President Roh and anticipation for the recently retired former President Moon. Welcome banners put up by Moon’s fan club, 'Moonpan,' were displayed throughout Bongha Village, the roads leading to it, and various parts of Jinyeong-eup.
The banners read, "Proud President Moon Jae-in, we love you, we respect you, we will be with you until the end," which is the same message as the banners hung in Pyeongsan Village, where former President Moon’s residence is located, around the time of his return after retirement on the 10th.
Scenes were also spotted where welcome banners for former President Moon and memorial banners for former President Roh were hung side by side.
A caf? employee said, "This photo was not taken after retirement but when he visited here before."
Another caf? uses 'Moon Blending' coffee beans for all its coffee menu items. Moon Blending refers to the coffee bean ratio favored by former President Moon (Colombia 40%, Brazil 30%, Ethiopia 20%, Guatemala 10%).
The caf? employee said, "Many customers ask for Moon Blending coffee, so we use it for all coffee menu items."
Meanwhile, former President Moon worked as a human rights lawyer alongside former President Roh when Roh was a lawyer. After Roh’s election, Moon went to the Blue House and served as Chief of Staff.
Former President Roh expressed respect whenever introducing Moon. This was also true when they worked together as lawyers in Busan in the 1980s, and former President Moon also showed much affection for Roh. In a 2012 broadcast program, he once said, "Among my nicknames, I like 'Roh Moo-hyun’s shadow' the most."
At the 13th anniversary memorial ceremony for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun on the 23rd, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who served as the last prime minister during the Roh administration, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi, and Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Lee Jin-bok will attend on behalf of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
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