PHOTOS In memory of 'fool' Roh Moo-hyun
A man takes a photo of the life-size cardboard cutout of former President Roh Moo-hyun near his grave in Bongha Village in Gimhae, Thursday. Yonhap
Another cardboard cutout of former President Roh Moo-hyun greets visitors to his hometown of Bongha Village in Gimhae, Thursday. Yonhap
People bow before the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village, Thursday. Yonhap
Wearing yellow visors, a color that symbolizes former President Roh Moo-hyun, thousands of mourners gathered in his rural hometown Thursday to commemorate the 10th year since his death.
First lady Kim Jung-sook and high-ranking political and government officials were also among those who attended a memorial service at the Bongha Village in Gimhae, some 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
"Your politics started with the integration of people,” National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang said in his eulogy. “The path on which President Roh walked was the journey for national unity.
"There were three top policy priorities that you had not achieved: to seek peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia; to pursue democracy with the people and to build a balanced society where everybody lives well. We will march to realize your dream."
On May 23, 2009, Roh jumped to his death from a cliff behind his retirement home amid a widening probe by the prosecution into allegations that members of his family accepted illicit funds.
Roh, who served as president from 2003 to 2008, is regarded as an icon of South Korea's contemporary liberalism.
People pledge allegiance to the national flag to start the memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun. Former U.S. President George W. Bush, fifth from right, attended the event. Yonhap
Roh Gun-ho, son of former President Roh, speaks during the memorial service. Yonhap
Former U.S. President George W. Bush stands next to Kwon Yang-sook, center, widow of former President Roh. On her right is first lady Kim Jung-sook. Yonhap
Former U.S. President George W. Bush described Roh as “a man who respected the fundamental rights of all citizens.” Yonhap
Bush speaks against a backdrop showing him shaking hands with Roh at a meeting when the two were in office. Yonhap
Roh's widow Kwon Yang-sook pays her respects at Roh's grave. Yonhap
The portrait of Roh Moo-hyun painted by Bush. Yonhap
Also on hand at the ceremony were former U.S. President George W. Bush, who was Roh's counterpart, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, the chiefs of the ruling Democratic Party and three opposition parties, government ministers and presidential officials.
Hwang Kyo-ahn, the head of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, did not attend, but the conservative party sent a delegation of its lawmakers.
Bush, who arrived in Seoul on Wednesday, expressed his intent to attend the memorial service through Poongsan Corp., a local defense firm that is known to have close ties with the Bush family.
He brought a portrait of Roh that he painted himself and delivered a five-minute eulogy.
"I painted a kind and sympathetic man,” Bush said. “I painted a man who respected the fundamental rights of all citizens and today I pray that his vision for human rights in Korea will extend north across the border."
Bush said Roh was a strong leader who was not afraid to say what he believed, even to the U.S. president.
"We may have had some differences, but no disagreement ever outweighed our shared belief in the importance of the U.S.-South Korean relationship,” he said. “And we worked hard to cement that alliance."
Roh's sudden death sparked an outpouring of national grief a decade ago.
The Roh Moo-hyun Foundation said it has prepared for various memorial events as it believes now is the time to move forward after mourning. (Yonhap)
A crowd of people visit Roh's hometown to attend his 10th memorial service. Yonhap
People queue to attend the memorial service. Yonhap
Cars are parked along a narrow road leading to the venue for the memorial service. Yonhap