Published : Jan. 17, 2017 - 15:55
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday paid a visit to the hometown and burial site of iconic liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, maintaining a hectic schedule in what many see as a presidential election campaign. His biggest potential rival and the late president’s longtime ally, Moon Jae-in, released a book containing his presidential pledges on the same day.
Accompanied by his wife, Yoo Soon-taek, Ban paid respects at Roh’s tomb in Bongha village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, and moved to share a few words with Roh’s wife Kwon Yang-sook at her official residence.
“The late President Roh had made a lot of effort to help me become the UN secretary-general. He even talked directly to the then-US President George W. Bush. I am deeply moved as I come back here to greet him after 10 years,” Ban told Kwon.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his wife pay respects to the late President Roh Moon-hyun in Bongha village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, on Tuesday (Yonhap)
Kwon congratulated him on his 10-year term at the UN and led him to the library where Roh often spent time.
“You are an important person. Stay healthy,” Kwon told Ban. “Time flies, it seems like you left for the UN only yesterday. Congratulations for successfully finishing your terms.”
As Kwon complimented his strength, the 72-year-old former diplomat said he was trained to follow a busy schedule from his work at the UN. He also vowed to continue to inherit and praise Roh‘s unfinished work.
The visit signified Ban’s recent moves to court both conservative and liberal voters. A day earlier, he phoned the incumbent President Park Geun-hye, the deeply unpopular conservative leader currently standing an impeachment trial for corruption, and wished her luck.
Ban, a career diplomat who is not affiliated with any political party, is considered conservative. Before Park’s fall, he was widely seen as her choice for successor.
Some liberal civic groups opposing Ban came to rally around the entrance of the village and outside the residence, accusing him of betrayal.
Ban, who returned to South Korea on Thursday after a 10-year stint in the New York-based UN, has not yet officially declared his intention to run in this year’s presidential race. Local media outlets reported Monday that he is likely to join a political party after the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls on Jan. 28.
The 72-year-old former UN official opened a personal Facebook account Tuesday in a bid to communicate with the people via social media.
Also on Tuesday, Moon revealed his ideas on a number of social issues through a book.
“I have held a lot of hands as a politician. Calloused palms, sweaty hands, bony hands and little hands of babies. It was a joy but at the same time, heartbreaking as I could feel their desperate minds for a better country and a better life,” Moon said at a press conference on his book, “The Republic of Korea Asks. Moon Jae-in Answers,” which hit local shelves Tuesday.
He described the book as a tribute to all the citizens who held candles at rallies and called out for political reform, referring to protestors who took to the streets since October last year to demand President Park‘s resignation.
Park was impeached by the parliament on Dec. 9, accused of allowing her civilian confidante Choi Soon-sil to meddle in state affairs and of colluding with her to extort funds and favors from local conglomerates.
By Jo He-rim (
herim@heraldcorp.com)