George W. Bush gives address at commemorative ceremony for Roh Moo-hyun

Former US President George W. Bush lays flowers on the grave of late former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on May 23 in Bongha Village, South Gyeongsang Province, Roh’s hometown. (photo pool)

Former US president offers a portrait he painted of Roh as a gift

“He was a bold leader who spoke out courageously. And the President of the United States was no exception to the things he spoke out about. President Roh spoke with a willingness to do anything for the national interest.”

These words were delivered by former US President George W. Bush in a eulogy during a May 23 memorial for the 10th anniversary of the death of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. Bush also gave a self-painted portrait of Roh to widow Kwon Yang-sook and other family members of the former president while meeting with them just before the ceremony at 2 pm that day.

“As I painted the portrait, I thought of a president who dedicated himself to human rights. I painted a kind and sympathetic man. I painted a man who respected fundamental rights of all citizens,” he recalled.

“I thought of a leader who spoke out boldly,” he added.

On the issue of inter-Korean relations, Bush said, “The United States supports a unified Korea where all Koreans live in peace, where human dignity is respected, where democracy spreads, and where basic rights are recognized for all.”

“I truly hope that [Roh’s] vision for South Korean human rights reaches beyond the border and into the North,” he continued. Soon after finishing his eulogy, Bush placed flowers at Roh’s grave and departed Bongha Village.

Former US President George W. Bush gives a portrait that he painted of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun to Roh’s widow and former first lady, Kwon Yang-sook, before the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Roh’s death on May 23 in Bongha Village, South Gyeongsang Province. (provided by the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation)

Earlier that morning, Bush met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House.

“I thank you for visiting to attend the 10th anniversary of former President Roh’s passing,” President Moon told him.

“Simply the fact that you are attending the 10th anniversary commemoration of your partner in the South Korea-US alliance is a symbolic illustration of the strength of that alliance,” he added.

He also said that he and US President Donald Trump were “collaborating closely to carry on that spirit and develop it into an even greater South Korea-US alliance,” entreating Bush as well to take an interest in the alliance’s advancement.

In reply, Bush said that his father, late fellow former US President George H. W. Bush, “truly loved South Korea, as do I.”

By Choi Sang-won, South Gyeongsang correspondent, and Kim Yeong-dong and Seong Yeon-cheol, staff reporters

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