[Private Residence Politics] The Roh Moo-hyun Era Without Roh Moo-hyun

③ The Holy Land of Pro-Roh, 'Bongha Village'... A World Where People Live
The Connection with Politician Roh Moo-hyun, Influencing Democratic Party Elections
Voices of Self-Reflection Saying "Beware of Hypocritical Attitudes"

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min, Park Hyun-joo]

Editor's NoteEvery year at the start of the new year, the residences of political leaders become bustling with visitors. During the era of factional politics and even afterward, key figures in Korean politics gathered there. The areas where these homes are located became proper nouns themselves, forming a pillar of politics. We analyze the 'Private Residence Politics' centered around the homes of former presidents such as Donggyo-dong, Sangdo-dong, Bongha Village, Pyeongsan Village, Dalseong-gun, and Nonhyeon-dong in a five-part series.

"Now I can speak freely. Hey, I feel good." February 25, 2008, Bongha Village, Gimhae, Gyeongnam. The first president to return to his hometown village. Former President Roh Moo-hyun, who met with villagers that day, expressed his lighthearted feelings without reservation.

Politician Roh Moo-hyun was that kind of person. A figure who approached with rough but down-to-earth language. He wanted to live the life of a countryman in Bongha Village. The scene of him riding through the fields with his granddaughter on the back seat of a bicycle symbolized the life he dreamed of. In fact, former President Roh lived feeling the wind of the mountains and fields.

However, the happy times felt in Bongha Village did not last. Political clashes between former and incumbent presidents, prosecution investigations, and his passing. On May 23, 2009, the 'Fool Roh Moo-hyun' left this world. On May 24, when heavy rain fell, the memorial procession to Bongha Village continued endlessly. The chrysanthemum flower memorial line stretched over 2 km, waiting in the rain to pay respects.

The sorrow and anger of that time changed much in Korean politics. The so-called Roh Moo-hyun spirit, which dreamed of a world where people live, transformed into positive energy and drove political change. In last May's presidential election, all major candidates claimed to be successors of the Roh Moo-hyun spirit. This is why the recent election was described as the 'Roh Moo-hyun era without Roh Moo-hyun.'

Jeon Jae-soo, a current member of the National Assembly from Busan Buk-gu and Gangseo-gu and a member of the Democratic Party, who was a lawmaker when former President Roh was in office, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "The Roh Moo-hyun spirit is still valid in the political environment," adding, "The spirit of unity is the most urgent zeitgeist of this era."

Since former President Roh's passing, Bongha Village has become a sacred place for pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun) supporters. Every year on May 23, memorial visitors flock to Bongha Village. Especially those interested in politics take photos of themselves paying respects at former President Roh's tomb and share them on their social networking services (SNS). For the leadership of Democratic Party-affiliated parties, visiting Bongha Village to pay respects on special days like Lunar New Year has become a matter of course.

The public sentiment commemorating former President Roh has even changed the election landscape. In the Democratic Party's primary elections, using the name Roh Moo-hyun in one's career became a decisive factor in winning or losing. For example, listing a position held in the Roh Moo-hyun administration's Blue House or a role in the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation as part of one's resume before entering a public opinion poll primary gave an absolute advantage.

In the 14 years since former President Roh's passing, pro-Roh candidates have mostly won major elections within the Democratic Party. In the 2012, 2017, and 2022 presidential elections, the candidates who claimed to represent the Roh Moo-hyun spirit became the presidential nominees. In elections for party leader, supreme council members, and National Assembly members, those representing pro-Roh sentiment showed strength.

Those called pro-Roh or who claimed to be pro-Roh gradually became power holders. They became presidents, prime ministers, ministers, party leaders, floor leaders, and members of the National Assembly. Under Roh Moo-hyun's umbrella and based on their ties to Bongha Village, they grew into another vested interest group.

Sketch of Preparations for the 11th Anniversary Event of President Roh Moo-hyun's Passing

Now, the people of Bongha Village are on the test bench. Some have started to only verbally claim to inherit the Roh Moo-hyun spirit. They are undermining their own reason for existence. The more such people increase, the more negative impact it can have on the public sentiment toward politician Roh Moo-hyun.

Politician Roh Moo-hyun rose to the presidency but was a figure who continuously fought against the walls of vested interests even after leaving office. Rather than falling into the comfort of vested interests, he represented minority sentiments and drove change.

Sketch of Preparations for the 11th Anniversary Event of President Roh Moo-hyun's Passing

It is worth considering whether those who have grown based on ties to Bongha Village are practicing politics that embody the Roh Moo-hyun spirit. Visiting Bongha Village to take a photo only when needed is merely a political exploitation, not an act of inheriting the Roh Moo-hyun spirit.

Choi In-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker from Busan Saha-gu Gap and former domestic media secretary at the Blue House during the Participatory Government, pointed out, "We must be wary of double-faced attitudes." Lawmaker Choi emphasized the importance of practice, saying, "It is not right to talk about and claim the Roh Moo-hyun spirit only when trying to gain votes."