S. Korea's Ex-President Roh Moo-hyun Commits Suicide 5-23-2009 Honolulu News

May 23, 2009 Seoul Korea: Former President Roh Moo-hyun (1946-2009), standing at the center of a widening corruption scandal, committed suicide Saturday morning after leaving a suicide note, police confirmed.

Police said Roh, 62, jumped off a cliff at the back of his retirement residence in Bongha Village, Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, around 6:40 a.m. while hiking with a security guard.

After the fall, Roh was immediately taken to a nearby small hospital around 7 a.m., but he was unconscious and in serious condition with multi-fracture and serious wounds in brain, according to the hospital sources.

He was again transferred to a bigger hospital, Pusan National University Hospital in Yeongsan, South Gyeongsang Province.

Despite heart massage, he failed to recover and passed away from the brain damage at 9:30 a.m., hospital officials and police confirmed.

Moon Jae-in, Roh's former presidential chief of staff, said Roh left a brief suicide note to his family, but did not elaborate.

According to media reports, Roh said in the note, ``I have had hard time and put so many people in trouble so that I couldn't read any book. Don't blame me. Life and death are the same. Please cremate my body and erect a small tombstone in my village,'' indicating his suicide was premeditated.

Roh's wife Kwon Yang-sook passed out at the hospital after confirming his death.

President Lee Myung-bak said that the news was ``truly hard to believe'' and called Roh's death ``sad and tragic,'' presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said.

Roh has been under investigation of the alleged bribery involving his family members and long-time supporter, shoemaking firm Taekwang's CEO Park Yeon-cha.

The Ministry of Justice declared an end of the investigation.

Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han said, ``Ongoing investigation will be halted caused by his death.''

The former head of state has been suspected of taking at least $6.4 million in bribe from the Taekwang CEO during his presidency, which ended in February last year.

The prosecution was planning to indict him for bribery as early as next week. His wife was scheduled to face re-summons as early as this weekend to be questioned over her involvement.

Last month, Roh was summoned to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul and underwent a marathon questioning. He denied the bribery allegations.

A human rights lawyer, Roh took office in 2003 vowing to fight corruption. Despite high initial hopes, 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.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
pss@koreatimes.co.kr

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Category:

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Tags:

• RohMoo-hyun
• Korea
• SouthKoreaPresident
• 노무현대통령
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• 盧武鉉・韓国前大統領死亡
• ノ・ムヒョン韓国前大統領自殺
• 한국역사인물韓國歷史人物

[lovelove486]

그곳에서는 편히 쉬세요.

보고싶어요.

[lovelove486]

REST IN PEACE

[hoochee003]

@reallysecretusername Unfortunately, Roh followers are "true believers." They have drunk the Kool-Aid.

[reallysecretusername]

Why is a corrupt politician that committed suicide so he wouldnt have to face justice, being glorified? are koreans really this stupid?

[sniperx29x]

Roh Moo Hyun can go to hell like most of the corrupt politicians in South Korea.

[hoochee004]

Roh=shit.

It is better for this disgusting traitor to never be born.

His suicide sets a bad example for Korea's young people.

An innocent man would fight to prove his innocence. Roh admitted his guilt on his website on April 19.

[hoochee003]

Roh Moo Hyun is totally corrupt. That is why he committed suicide: to escape justice.

What kind of example is he setting for Korea's youth? Suicide is such a cowardly act.

[crocreek]

Hoochee003 is a Cheap Korean Comedian and he doesn't like to live in Korea and ranaway to USA..

he is a traitor...How is the sound?

[hoochee003]

Roh is communist. He gave money for North Korea to build nuclear weapons. He cheated South Koreans of their tax.