South Koreans were in shock yesterday over the apparent suicide of former president Roh Moo-hyun, with his successor describing the case as a national tragedy.
Roh, who was in office from 2003 until last year, was questioned last month as a suspect in a multimillion dollar corruption case.
He fell from a cliff near his retirement village of Bongha close to the southeast coast. An aide said he left a suicide note for family members.
“It is truly hard to believe what happened. It is a sad, tragic incident,” South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was quoted by his spokesman as saying.
Lee was told of the death while holding a summit with Czech President Vaclav Klaus. He canceled his remaining engagements for the day.
Lee told ministers to prepare Roh’s funeral “with respect and in line with the protocol for a former president,” the spokesman said.
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso offered condolences.
“I was quite surprised,” Jiji Press quoted Aso as telling reporters after hearing about Roh’s death.
“I would like to offer my condolences and pray for the repose of his soul,” he said.
The allegations against Roh had tarnished his image while in office as a clean president who had been elected partly on pledges to fight corruption.
South Korean Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han said the graft case against Roh would be formally closed.
“I express deep condolences … and pray for the repose of the deceased,” he said.
Kim Dae-jung, Roh’s predecessor as president, expressed “great shock and sorrow,” an aide said.
Kim was the country’s best-known dissident during the days of army-backed rule, while Roh made a name as a human rights lawyer before turning to politics.
“I’ve lost my life-long companion, with whom I took part in struggles for democracy and shared 10 years of a democratic government,” Kim said.
“Allegations concerning his family members have been leaked to the press every day,” Kim said. “He was probably unable to bear the pressure and tensions any longer. My heart goes out to his family.”
Ordinary South Koreans also questioned whether prosecutors and the media may have been too tough.
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