Moon may meet ex-U.S. President George Bush during his Seoul visit

Politics 21:29 May 14, 2019

SEOUL, May 14 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in may meet with former U.S. President George W. Bush during his planned visit to South Korea later this month to attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun's death, an official at Seoul's presidential office said Tuesday.

"We are reviewing every possibility for a meeting between Moon and Bush after such suggestions by officials here," the official at Cheong Wa Dae said on condition of anonymity.

Bush will reportedly visit Seoul for affairs related to local arms manufacturer Poongsan Corp., which has long had ties with the Bush family.

Though a detailed itinerary has not been made public, Bush is expected to participate in the memorial event to be held on May 23 at Bongha Village in Gimhae, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, hometown of the late president, according to the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

Bush's side expressed his intent to participate in the memorial service through the company, according to foundation chief Rhyu Si-min.

Bush was Roh's U.S. counterpart during the South Korean president's administration from 2003 to 2008.

In May 2009, Roh jumped to his death off a cliff behind his retirement home amid a widening probe by prosecutors into allegations that members of his family had accepted illicit funds.