Moon Bids Farewell to 'Heavy Burden' of Presidency

President Moon Jae-in marked the end of his single, five-year term in office on Monday with a speech touting the achievements of his administration. Moon heads to his retirement home in South Gyeongsang Province after attending President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony on Tuesday.

Telling reporters that he "unloads a heavy burden," Moon urged the new administration to "continue the successful history" of the country. He also voiced his hope that Yoon will "take on and develop the accumulated achievements of past governments."

Looking back on the past five years, Moon said Korea "took a leap to become a nation that thrives in crises and leads the world." He cited the coronavirus pandemic and added, "The people, the government and the president had a difficult time."

But Moon did not mention his government's disastrous real estate policies and other issues that plagued it. "I will now return to life as an ordinary citizen and hope for the happiness of all Korean people and the success of the country," he said.

The outgoing president and his wife were greeted by supporters who were waiting for them when they left Cheong Wa Dae at around 6 p.m.