By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
The presidential couple played, chatted and staged a play with children at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, as the nation's parks, zoos, museums and outdoor theme parks were crammed with parents and their kids on Children's Day.
President Lee Myung-bak and his wife Kim Yoon-ok invited 260 children from less privileged families to spend the day with them at the presidential residence.
Lee performed in a play as a ``hope-giver,'' and said, ``Children are our hope. I'm really happy to meet those who will lead this country in the future.''
After watching performances by a military band, singers and comedians, the couple chatted with the kids.
The children had a few embarrassing questions for the president.
A child asked Lee about how he controls his anger. The President replied, ``When I get mad at something, I usually go to the bathroom to be alone and come out after I feel much better.''
Another child asked what he wants to do after finishing his term as head of state. Lee responded that he plans to dedicate himself to environmental protection.
``As a kid, I dreamed of becoming the principal of an elementary school. Now, I want to be an environmentalist. It would be very meaningful for me to spend my life building a greener Korea,'' Lee said.
Lee said he likes to spend time riding bicycles with his grandchildren at his residence. ``The happiest thing in the world for me is to play with my grandchildren,'' said the 68-year-old President.