President Roh intending to return to hometown for retirement

President Roh Moo-hyun is likely to become the first South Korean head of state to return to his hometown after completing his term in office, his acquaintances and sources at the presidential office said Monday.

One of Roh's hometown friends said that the president was determined to return to Bongha Village in Gimhae of South Gyeongsang Province, about 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and was looking for a place to build his post-retirement home.

"Several months ago, the president asked me to look for an appropriate housing site (in Bongha Village). Roh also suggested inviting other hometown friends scattered nationwide to live together in the same village," the friend was quoted as telling the vernacular JoongAng Ilbo.

Roh, whose five-year presidential term is to expire in February 2008, is barred by the Constitution from seeking reelection.

Roh's spokesman, Jung Tae-ho, confirmed the president's intention of spending the rest of his life in his hometown but said details of his post-retirement housing plan have yet to be finalized.

"It is true that Roh has long expressed his wish to settle in his hometown after retirement. But details of the post-retirement plans have not been fixed yet," Jung said.

Meanwhile, a secretary at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae also said a formal announcement on the president's intended place of residence for his post-retirement could be made this fall at the earliest.