On the afternoon of September 2, Governor of South Gyeongsang Province Hong Jun-pyo (60) visited the Bongha Village in Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province for the first time and paid his respects at the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun.

Shortly after Hong arrived, he shook hands with Gimhae Mayor Kim Maeng-gon, former Director of the Bongha Project at the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Kim Kyung-soo, and former Cheong Wa Dae Secretary for Administrative Affairs Chung Sang-moon and went straight to pay his respects to the late president.

Hong then walked to a broad and flat rock where the tombstone of former President Roh is placed and gazed at the stone for a long time in silence while listening to a related description. After paying his respects,

Hong promised that the provincial government would provide financial support for the Eco-Culture Park, which the city of Gimhae is currently building near the president's grave at Bongha Village.

Hong wrote, "Rest in peace," on the guestbook in front of the tomb. When reporters asked Hong his feelings after paying his respects, he answered, "Chuseok is near, so I made the trip to visit the grave of the president who was from South Gyeongsang Province and to convey holiday greetings to first lady Kwon Yang-sook."

Hong also recalled a meeting with former President Roh on January 25, 1996, the day before he joined the New Korea Party. Hong said, "The night before I entered politics, nine people including Roh and advisors to the Democratic Party came to my house and persuaded me to join the opposition.

At the time, I had no choice because I had already promised former President Kim Young-sam that I would join the New Korea Party." He described former President Roh as, "a great president, even though our political stance differed."

Hong met with Kwon Yang-sook in private for thirty minutes, then left the private residence. Kim Kyung-soo relayed, "Kwon and Hong wished each other well talking of their past relations."

Meanwhile, interpretations abound about Hong's visit claiming it is "a message of reconciliation," and "a step toward the presidency." Hong had abruptly asked his secretaries last weekend to make the arrangements for this day's visit.

During an appearance on a current affairs show produced by a general cable channel in April 2013, former lawmaker Kim Bu-gyeom had asked Hong, "Why haven't you visited the Bongha Village, when it is in South Gyeongsang Province?" At the time, Hong answered, "I am somewhat sorry to the former president. I will make my visit once this feeling goes away."