Bongha Village

Bongha Village in Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae, is where Roh Moo-hyun, Korea's 16th president, was born, where he returned to live after leaving office, and where he died on 23 May 2009. It is an ordinary farming village known for sweet persimmons and rice, but his birthplace, grave, former residence (now open to the public) and the trails of Mt. Bonghwasan draw many visitors every year. Whatever your politics, it is a place to reflect quietly on one president's life and homecoming.

The name and the village

The name comes from "bongha", meaning "below the beacon", after the beacon station on Bonghwasan, the hill behind the village, where fires were once lit to send messages. The village lies at the foot of the hill about 4.5 km east of Jinyeong-eup, and Jinyeong sweet persimmons and rice are its main crops. The valleys of Bonghwasan have colourful names too: Doduk-gol (Thieves' Valley) on the east side, once haunted by robbers, and Yasi-gol (Fox Valley) on the west, said to look like a fox lying down and glancing back at its tail.

The homecoming and after

Before leaving office, Roh Moo-hyun built a house in his home village and moved back in 2008. In retirement he worked to make Bongha an ecological village, for example by growing "Bongha duck rice", using ducks instead of pesticides to control pests. As more people came to see him, the nearby Hwapocheon wetland and Bonghwasan also became known.

After his death, his wife Kwon Yang-sook lived in the house, and in 2019 it opened to the public as the "President's House". Bongha is twinned with Hugwang-ri on Haui Island in Sinan, the home village of former president Kim Dae-jung, a link often presented as a symbol of reconciliation between Korea's southeastern and southwestern regions.

What to see

• Birthplace: The house where he was born, restored with a thatched roof. It is a modest home with two small rooms and a kitchen. Older descriptions present it as a brick house with a slate roof.
• The president's grave: The memorial site lies in an open area at the front of the village, its ground paved with stones engraved with messages donated by citizens. This is where most visitors linger.
• President's House: The home where he actually lived after his presidency, with his study and living spaces shown on guided visits.
• Memorial House: An exhibition of photos and records about his life and work.
• Bonghwasan: A low hill behind the village, with paths leading to a Buddha carved into the rock. From the top you see the village and the wide fields around it.
• Hwapocheon Wetland: A natural stream wetland close to the village, good for nature walks.

Tripto tips

• Opening: The village and grave are free to visit, and parking is free too. The President's House is shown at set times and may require booking, so check the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's information before you go. There are regular closing days.
• Time needed: An hour for the village and grave, 2–3 hours if you climb Bonghwasan.
• Getting there: Walk about 30 minutes from Jinyeong Station on the Gyeongjeon Line or take a Gimhae city bus. A car is the easiest option.
• When to go: Around the anniversary of his death on 23 May, memorial events make it very crowded. For a quiet visit, go on a weekday morning.
• Etiquette: The grave is a place of remembrance. Keep your voice down and do not play on the engraved stones.