A Walk Holding His Cat, Moon Jae-in's Life after Retirement, "Just Like 5 Years Ago"

[경향신문]

On the morning of May 11, the day after former President Moon Jae-in returned home, the president takes a walk holding one of his cats in his residence in Pyeongsan Village in Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. Yonhap News

A look into the ordinary life of former President Moon Jae-in in his home in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do following his retirement has drawn attention. His close aides met with the former president in his Yangsan home on May 11 and said Moon seemed comfortable and looked just like he did five years ago.

This day, former chief of staff Im Jong-seok posted a picture with former President Moon on social media and wrote, “He seemed relaxed,” and added, “I bow my head and thank the people for their passionate support as the president got off work and as he returned home to Yangsan.”

Former Cheongwadae senior secretary for public communication, Park Soo-hyun also posted a picture taken in Yangsan on social media and wrote, “The president I met this morning looked just like he did five years ago,” and said, “It had only been a day since he was freed from his presidential position, yet it was surprising how vibrant he looked.”

Park continued and said, “A part of my heart aches to think that that was how heavy the position of the president was,” and “As he said, I hope he can fly free in a ‘life forgotten.’”

He also shared comments by the Venerable Seongpa, the supreme patriarch of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Hyeonmun, the head monk of Tongdosa Temple, “Yesterday in time for the president’s return home, a rainbow-colored halo appeared around the sun--a very good omen. We think it is a very good sign for President Moon as an individual. All we need to do now is pray that good things happen to the Republic of Korea and the people.”

Youn Kun-young, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker who served as the director of the national situation room in Cheongwadae, also wrote on Facebook, “I earnestly hope that the president becomes a successful former president, which was his final wish,” and added, “I hope he can now put down the heavy burden and fly free. I wish him happy moments among the flowers and trees that he loves.”

Former President Moon was welcomed by his supporters as he arrived at his residence on May 10 and has remained at home since then. Images captured showed him coming out to the yard whenever an acquaintance or former Cheongwadae official paid him a visit and taking a walk with his cat in his arms. A staff at the residence said, “Today, the former president did not have any other schedule, so he rested in his home and organized his things including his library.”

On the morning of May 11, the day after former President Moon Jae-in returned home, he talks with a staff at his residence in Pyeongsan Village in Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. The photo on the right shows the former first lady Kim Jung-sook speaking to the staff in her residence. Yonhap News