South Korea President Roh Moo Hyun (1946-2009): Life and After (2 of 2) 5/30/2009 Honolulu News

South Korea's President Roh Moo Hyun(1946-2009): Life and After (2 of 2). By Honolulu News
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Roh Moo-hyun (Korean pronunciation: [no mu hjʌn]) (6 August 1946 23 May 2009) was the 16th President of South Korea (20032008). Before entering politics, he was a human rights lawyer.

Roh's pre-presidential political career focused on human rights advocacy for student activists in South Korea. His electoral career later expanded to a focus on overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, culminating in his election to the presidency. The election was strongly influenced by activists on the Internet, and particularly via OhmyNews—the first time this had ever happened in Korea.[5][6]

Roh's election was notable for the arrival to power of a new generation in Korean politics, the so-called 386 Generation, (i.e. people in their thirties when the word was coined, who had attended university in the 1980s, and who were born in the 1960s).[7][8] This generation had been veterans of student protests against authoritarian rule, and advocated an assertively nationalist line towards the United States and Japan, and a conciliatory approach towards North Korea. They took up many positions on Roh's staff.[9]

Despite high initial hopes,[10] however, Roh's administration quickly became dogged by allegations of incompetence, while Roh's frequent indulgence in personal clashes with his opponents and critics eroded public support. Conflict would continue throughout his presidency, which was characterized by continual labor unrest,[11][12] personal feuds with the media, and diplomatic friction with the United States[13] and Japan. Many of Roh's seemingly reckless political campaigns, including a plan to move the capital, and a plan to form a coalition with the opposition, also fizzled.

One year and two months after leaving office, Roh became the center of an ongoing bribery scandal. This scandal, the collapse of the "Pro-Roh faction" of politicians,[14] the collapse of the Uri Party and the defeat of its successor Democratic Party in the National Assembly, and the defeat of Roh's designated successor in the presidential elections, marked a decline in the fortunes of the 386 Generation that had brought Roh to power.[15]

Roh committed suicide on 23 May 2009 by jumping from a mountain cliff, after leaving a suicide note.[16] His suicide was confirmed by the police.[17] He was the shortest-lived president of South Korea.

Souce: Wikipedia.com

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