President Moon Jae-in waves to the crowds as he passes along Gukhoe-daero on Yeouido after being sworn in as president at the National Assembly on May 10. (Jeon Han)

By Sohn JiAe

Wednesday, May 10, 2017.

That day marks the beginning of the five-year term of Korea`s new president who will serve in the 19th presidential term of the Republic of Korea. 

At 8 a.m. that day, the newly-elected President Moon Jae-in began his term in earnest after the National Election Commission formally determined that the Democratic Party candidate -- he himself -- was elected as the new president of the nation. 

Amid hearty cheers from his neighbors, President Moon left his home in Hongeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu District, and headed to the Seoul National Cemetery on the first leg of his itinerary on his first day as president. 

President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook leave the Seoul National Cemetery after paying their respects at the war memorial there on May 10. (Jeon So-hyang, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

After paying his respects at the war memorial at the Seoul National Cemetery on May 10, President Moon Jae-in signs the guest book, saying, “A country worthy of being called a country, a reliable president.” (Jeon So-hyang, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Then, a hectic schedule ensued. Moving to the National Assembly, President Moon held a series of talks with leaders from major political parties, as well as with National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun. He then took the oath of office and he was officially sworn in to serve in Korea`s 19th president term. 

As he arrived at the presidential residence of Cheong Wa Dae, President Moon encountered a crowd of bystanders, as well as staffers there, who had gathered outside to greet their new president. 

After lunch with Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn at the presidential residence, Moon announced his first choices for the top posts in his new Cabinet. With the recommendations, the president stressed that, “The nation deserves a competent and integrated Cabinet.” 

With every step he took on his inaugural day, the new leader kept emphasizing that Korea was “a country worthy of being a country,” and that it should become “a country with communication, national unity and good governance.” The new president promised to the nation that he would “build a new Korea starting today, May 10, 2017.” 

President Moon Jae-in (second from right) and first lady Kim Jung-sook are warmly greeted by people who gathered outside Cheong Wa Dae to celebrate the new president’s inauguration on May 10. (Heo Man-jin, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

President Moon Jae-in (second from right) and first lady Kim Jung-sook (right) enter Cheong Wa Dae on May 10. (Park Junsoo, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

President Moon Jae-in (right) holds talks with Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn prior to a lunch at Cheong Wa Dae on May 10. (Park Junsoo, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

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