Roh Says President Should Be Creative
By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
Former President Roh Moo-hyun said Monday that the Lee Myung-bak administration should refrain from differentiating itself from the previous government.
After attending Lee's inauguration ceremony, Roh and his wife Kwon Yang-suk arrived at his hometown in Bongha Village, Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province.
On a bullet train heading to his hometown, Roh told reporters, ``I hope Lee will push for creative politics rather than seeking differentiation from the Participatory Government.''
Lee's transition team has put priority on policies different from those of the previous government, Roh said. ``But the practice will face hurdles in the near future,'' Roh added saying that he believes that Lee will be good at conducting state affairs.
The outgoing President said he wants to ``enjoy'' daily life for a while.
``Thank you. I will see you around. I will meet you again later,'' Roh also told a group of government officials and former presidential aides after boarding a specially arranged train at Seoul Station.
Upon arrival at Seoul Station after Lee's inauguration, Roh was greeted by a throng of supporters.
Chanting slogans praising Roh, the supporters, in their hundreds, waved balloons painted in yellow, a color symbolic of South Korean liberals that ruled the country for a decade preceding Lee's inauguration.
Roh has recently said that he plans to join environmental campaigns after his resignation, researching how the economy can develop in an eco-friendly manner.
Roh got off the train at the Miryang Station, South Gyeongsang Province, and was welcomed by tens of thousands of citizens and his supporters.
He went to Bongha Village by bus with his close confidants, including former presidential chief of staff Moon Jae-in and former presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon.
``History will tell whether or not President Roh was right,'' a supporter of Roh said in Bongha.