Former S Korean President Roh jumps to death from cliff

Wow... it seems pretty clear Roh's families got a lot of 'donations' based on the man's position, whether for influence or not.

Either way, a bit of a shame to see this man go. He tried awfully hard -- and much harder than many at present are doing -- to reconcile the two Koreas to an extent. If it was indeed a suicide, it's a shame he drove himself to it. RIP.

Suicide? Or suicided?

He was a noble person and this is a great shock.

"His ascension to the presidency came after a surprise 2002 election win on a campaign pledge not to "kowtow" to the United States"

A pledge not to "kowtow" to the country that saved S.Korea from being swallowed up by Kim Il Sung.

Nessie I would not be surprised if he was suicided.

I never met him, but he was better than our current US-puppet who has smashed all hopes of regional peace. I hope his death doesn't stop the allegations about his families alleged "gifts".

sarge: "A pledge not to "kowtow" to the country that saved S.Korea from being swallowed up by Kim Il Sung."

You mean after it was divided by the US and Russia, right? like Viet Nam among other places? Please stop taking the fact that he refused to 'kowtow' to the US government (as an election pledge, anyway) as a personal slight. You're far too sensitive. And as I pointed out, you could just as easily blame the US and Russia for a good deal of grief that followed WWII around the globe, and in particular between the two Koreas.

He seemed like a pretty straight up guy, and worked hard to reconcile the two Koreas; you need to look past your ego and see that for what it's worth.

I am really sad. I would like to think that he was "suicided" (thanks Nessie - but perhaps you mean he was pushed? I doubt that.) by prosecutors and the actions of those he loved. He really seemed like a nice guy. I was, I am a fan.

There are those that say he should have stood trial, and that he betrayed his supporters belief in justice. Or that he brought shame on Korea. Not so.

Perhaps if he faced trial he would have recieved a stiff fine and a suspended sentence. It seems to me that he wanted his supporters to continue to believe in justice to the point of purity, and show that crime (no matter how small his part in it) does not pay. So, he tried and sentenced himself, too severly.

Roh Moo-hyun, rest in peace.

Wow! Can anybody here in Japan even imagine a Japanese corrupt government official taking his own life is such a dramatic way??? I really doubt it! The corrupt Japanese official will just grow old and deny everything all the way to their grave (something like Nixon, etc...)

It seems the Japanese have more in common with their South Korean neighbors than they would like to admit. Suicide is trendy in south east Asia.

elbuda,

It may come as a surprise to you but plenty of Japanese politicians have taken their own life after scandals, most recently Agricultural Minister Matsuoka in 2007. There are many from parliament members to mayors that have committed suicides over the years. I'm sure one can compile a list if they really wanted to....

Yeah, he's a noble person. Whatever.

His brother is in jail for four years for bribery, his wife and son admitted they burned receipts for "gifts" of $100,000 watches (!), his family bought a luxury apartment in midtown Manhattan with corrupt money, and as of last week prosecutors had enough evidence to physically arrest him for corruption.

But, yeah, he's a noble person.

Rest in peace you did very honorable thing by dying. Next time you come around do not waste your life with greed......

Den Den at 07:18 PM JST - 23rd May I never met him, but he was better than our current US-puppet who has smashed all hopes of regional peace. I hope his death doesn't stop the allegations about his families alleged "gifts".

I as you hope that one day dear leader does have the support of a majority of South Koreans and is able to take over all of Korea.

Then, maybe all those South Koreans who have a woodie for dear leader get the full taste of his glorious leadership.

I wait with baited breath for the day that your loved dear leader takes all of Korea under his great wing. Then I can enjoy seeing all the post of folks who dreamed and hoped for that to happen. I can not wait to see their posts as they beg for help escaping to Japan because they are starving and have no control of their own lives.

That day will bring a warm feeling to my heart. Then I can say, "you got what you wanted enjoy starving to death."

This post was brought to you by the A.K.C.C.Y.A.S.T.D.R.S. coalition...

Whatever he did yesterday is meaningless to what S.K. is facing now. Koizumi -Oh, the memories of the good times! =So people will complain no matter what, but complaints are usually dealing win the past. How about today?

as of last week prosecutors had enough evidence to physically arrest him for corruption.

When a prominent national figure is driven to such a death, the validity of the evidence in the hands of the prosecutor should be taken with a grain of salt.

He gave into the corruption that is korea. The samsung CEO was giving briefcases filled with cash to DAs and other local officials. It is the Korean way. Business and government are 100% corrupt. That loser Lee, the current President, probably takes in a day what Roh took in five years.

He was a decent man who got caught up in something too big for him to handle. A little like Carter, expect Carter was able to move on and distinguish himself in many, many ways. Roh was not able to do so sadly, unless indeed he was pushed by Lee's henchmen to get him out of the way for some reason.

RIP.

Very sad. He did not have to die. I thought that he was clean president. In the past several former presidents were arrested after their administration was over. It seems to me that all former presidents whoever are not clean.