By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Roh Moo-hyun officially became a former President Monday, returning to his southern hometown as a ``citizen.''
Roh is the first former President to settle in his birthplace right after his term.
After spending his last night at Cheong Wa Dae, Roh had breakfast with his wife and other family members before leaving the presidential house.
He departed the presidential residence around 10:30 a.m., with hundreds of staff members and workers seeing him off from the residence to the main gate of Cheong Wa Dae.
At the gate, Roh and the former first lady got out of the car and received flowers from workers. The presidential office employees bid farewell to them, saying, ``We were happy, Mr. President,'' and ``We love you.'' Roh and Kwon waved to them and bowed. They then left.
Presidential secretaries also followed the former president amid applause.
Roh attended the inauguration ceremony for his successor President Lee Myung-bak at the National Assembly plaza in Yeoido. He then went to Seoul Station to take a bullet train for his hometown of Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. About 160 people, including his aides, presidential secretaries and friends, accompanied him.
Holding yellow balloons, some 1,000 people, including those from the alumni association of Roh's high school and Roh's support group ``Nosamo,'' held a send-off ceremony at the station. Their placards read, ``We appreciate what you've done'' and ``We'll never forget you.'' Roh kept thanking them.
After two hours, the high-speed train arrived at Miryang Station, where the city government officials greeted Roh. He then headed for Bongha Village by car.
Villagers of and visitors to the hometown, which was covered with yellow balloons, welcomed Roh. A video clip was shown which reviewed Roh's last five years in office. Members of Nosamo floated 2008 balloons into the sky to commemorate Roh's retirement in 2008.
When Roh and former first lady Kwon entered their newly built residence, performers held a traditional performance that is believed to exorcise evil spirits from homes.
The former president recently said he hopes to join the environmental movement.