President Moon Jae-in (eighth from left), first lady Kim Jung-sook (seventh from left), and other dignitaries pay silent tribute to late former President Roh Moo-hyun, in Bongha Maeul Village, Gimhae City, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, on May 23.

By Yoon Sojung

Photos: Cheong Wa Dae 

President Moon Jae-in`s eyes were a bit watery as 1,004 butterflies flew up toward the sky above Bongha Maeul Village. 

It was part of a memorial service on the eighth anniversary of the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun. 

The memorial ceremony took place on May 23 at Bongha Maeul Village in Gimhae City, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, where former President Roh is laid at rest. The releasing of 1,004 butterflies into the sky deepened the meaning of the gathering, as it symbolized the firm determination of those present to protect democracy in the future, just as it has been defended by the citizens in the past.

President Moon, who vowed to return to this site as president during his campaign, did not hide his respect and yearning for the late president during the memorial service, saying that he will carry former President Roh Moo-hyun’s dreams down the path of success. 

President Moon Jae-in (center), first lady Kim Jung-sook (right) and Kwon Yang-sook (left), widow of Roh Moo-hyun, release butterflies into the sky during a memorial service for the late former President Roh in Bongha Maeul Village, Gimhae City, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, on May 23.

President Moon said, “Former President Roh’s dreams were to build a country where democracy, human rights and welfare function properly, a country without regionalism, ideological conflicts or discrimination.” 

“To this aim, he struggled to realize his dreams by, first, reducing his power and authority over the law, and, second, by communicating with the people using a commoner`s language,” said President Moon. 

“Roh’s dream has been revived by the power of the people who are now awake,” he said. 

“We will reflect on the past 20 years, not only on former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, but also on the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun governments, in order to step ahead down the path toward success.” 

“My dream is to establish a government for all the people, and to become a president for all the people,” he said. 

“The most important thing is to never let go of the hands of those beside you, and to walk with them as one,” he added.

“As for reform measures, I will always keep in mind that the reason I carry out reform is to meet the needs of the people and to benefit them, not because it is my faith or because it is merely the right thing to do.” 

“Should the people go faster, I will speed up. When they slow down, I will communicate and persuade them,” President Moon said. 

“I will achieve reform in a firm manner so that the next democratic government will be able to carry out the remaining tasks,” he said. 

President Moon Jae-in (third from right), first lady Kim Jung-sook (second from right) and other dignitaries share some yukgaejang spicy beef soup for lunch, prepared by Kwon Yang-sook (second from left), Roh Moo-hyun`s widow, prior to the memorial service for the passing of former President Roh, in Bongha Maeul Village, Gimhae City, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, on May 23.

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