By Kang Hyun-kyung
The death of former President Roh Moo-hyun two years ago meant the disappearance of the liberal leader, who was popular especially among people in their 20s and 30s for his down-to-earth personality. Now political attention is focusing on his former aides.
Moon Jae-in, Roh’s former presidential chief of staff, is widely cited as a presidential candidate among Roh’s supporters.
Many in the liberal camp want Moon, the lawyer of the late Roh and his family, to declare a bid to run in the presidential election to be held in December next year.
“It will be Moon’s decision whether to accept the call or not,” Lee Gwang-jae, former governor of Gangwon Province, said in an interview.
Yang Jeong-chul, a former presidential secretary, said Moon is an ideal candidate to assume the job as he displays few drawbacks as a presidential candidate.
Moon has remained silent over the issue.
Their remarks came two years after the liberal camp lost its leader.
Families and supporters of the late former president arrived Monday in the southern rural town Bongha Village, South Gyeongsang Province, where Roh lived after leaving office.
They flocked there to mourn the second anniversary of the tragic death of the former President in 2009. Roh committed suicide after feeling mounting pressure over a bribery probe involving him and his family.
Those participating in the memorial service included Kwon Yang-sook, the late Roh’s bereaved wife, Moon Jae-in, and former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook. Several lawmakers, including Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, joined the hours-long ceremony.
Actor Moon Sung-keun, the son of pastor and democracy fighter Moon Ik-hwan, took the floor as moderator at the service which was conducted under the theme of “Overcoming sadness with hopeful thoughts.”
Members of the Jeollanamdo Provincial Institute for Korean Traditional Performing Art conducted a preliminary performance and this was followed by short broadcast of footage of the late Roh.
Kang Man-kil, professor emeritus of Korea University, delivered a eulogy during the memorial service.
Near the end of the ceremony, 2,011 butterflies were released skyward.
Supporters of the late President paid tribute at altars set up across the nation.