Memorial service for Roh Moo hyun to be held at Bongha Village

Today marks the tenth anniversary of former President Roh Moo hyun's death.
And commemorative ceremony will be held this afternoon in Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam do Province,... which is the late president's final resting place.
For more, our Park Hee jun is at the Bongha village.
Hee jun, tell us more about today's event.

Ji yoon.
The memorial for former President Roh Moo hyun,... will be held in about two hours at 2PM.
Organized by the Roh Moo hyun Foundation,... it will be held under the theme 'new Roh Moo hyun'.
And as you said it will take place here at Bongha Village.
The late president spent his retirement here in his hometown,... and was laid to rest in the village.

It's been exactly a decade,... since Roh's sudden death in 2009 caused nationwide grief.
Roh is remembered mostly for his efforts to improve people's lives and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He also endlessly tried to challenge the regionalism and authoritarianism rooted in the country.
And such drives are still ongoing,... as many parts of his vision are mirrored by now President Moon Jae in,... who was Roh's presidential chief of staff and longtime friend.
This place has been busy with preparations for days,... and countless numbers of people have been gathering since early this morning to pay their respects to the former South Korean leader.
Take a listen to what the people have to say.
"I think he's an admirable person. He could have taken an easier road, but he chose to take a difficult road in life."
"It's the tenth year. I feel sorry for taking so long to make this first visit."
"I always thought I needed to come at least once, so I made up my mind and came here from Seoul with the help of my friends."
We know that President Moon will not be attending this year,... but we're expecting a rare and special guest at the memorial?
That's right.
Among the attendees... is former U.S. President George W. Bush.
It will be the first time for a former U.S. president to be present at a memorial service for a former South Korean president.
Bush's two terms in the Oval Office overlapped with Roh’s presidency from 2003 to 2008.
After his meeting President Moon Jae in at the Blue House this morning,... he will fly straight here to attend the ceremony.
The former U.S. president will deliver a eulogy where he's expected to talk about his special relationship with Roh.
He'll also deliver a portrait of Roh to the late former leader's family a portrait that Bush painted himself.

Thousands of citizens from all over the nation, and political leaders,... are expected to attend today's memorial.
The ceremony is an opportunity for them to band together to build the society envisioned by Roh,... a society for the people.
I'll return with the latest on the memorial in our later newscast.
Ji yoon.