(EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on April 25) - Another disgraced president Roh should behave as former leader, not lawyer

The prosecution will likely summon former President Roh Moo-hyun this week to
question him about a bribery scandal involving his family.
Roh, his aides and some corruption-weary people seem to hope the third summons of
a former chief executive in history is the beginning of the end for the
months-long probe into another first family.
As far as the former leader and his family members are concerned, it will depend
on how Roh behaves during questioning -- whether he comes forth to take all moral
and political responsibility or engages in a legal game to minimize personal
damage.
If the prosecutors are determined this time to sever all corrupt ties linked not
just to "dead" but to "live" power, however, this week's interrogation of the
former president should be the end of the beginning.
They must go on to also look into influence-peddling suspicions concerning
President Lee Myung-bak's friends and relatives if for no other purpose than
having to do so again in five years time.
With respect to the former president, Roh ought to admit that money totaling
about $7 million given to his wife, son, son-in-law and secretary were actually
bribes intended for himself. Whether or when he knew so is not important,
considering the popular shock and disappointment with the former leader, who was
elected and governed the country under the slogan of "morality and integrity."
Roh's fans are trying to defend their idol, saying the bribe, mostly given by a
longtime supporter and regional businessman, is a mere smidgen compared with huge
sums given to military figures-turned-presidents by big business. We're afraid
Roh might have similar thoughts ??? albeit subconsciously -- if his complaints
about prosecutors' "media play" are any guide.
True, part of this corruption drama smacks of a political vendetta. But it was
Roh himself who caused this trouble in the first place by taking part in "real
politics" with direct criticism of his successor at his new, multi-million-dollar
residence built by the briber in his hometown.
There can be a debate over the desirability of a former president remaining in
the secular world of politics, but Roh's case shows one has to be impeccable to
do so.
A bigger mistake of Roh lies in his tainted legacy, which could negate the
political values and ideals pursed by the nation's liberal or progressive
political groups, such as greater individual freedom and the removal of
authoritarian vestiges deeply rooted in our political system, part of the credit
for which should be given to the former administration.
Despite his liberal slogans, the lawyer-turned-president ceaselessly wavered
between conservative and progressive policies, resulting in half-baked reform and
a widening gap between the rich and poor. He might have tried to fill the void
with "clean, reformative politics," but he failed.
The Lee administration and the governing Grand National Party are reportedly
considering leniency for Roh as a "courtesy to the former chief executive," but
some analysts suspect this might be a ploy to prevent a possible "backlash"
caused by popular sympathy, as well as a probe spreading to the incumbent's aides
and friends.
This is what those seeking real reform of the political system have dreaded most
??? a compromise between old and new powers to largely maintain the status quo.
The prosecution will have to detain the former president if needed, and if he
keeps avoiding telling the truth. It should then launch investigations into
suspicions surrounding Cheong Wa Dae with equal intensity.
Former President Roh recently declared himself "bankrupt," morally and
politically, saying, "You (supporters) must ditch me." But Koreans can't dump
democracy, which they've achieved over the past decade only to see it beginning
to suffer erosion under an administration reverting to old ways.
Roh should really abandon himself to restore that democracy, at least a part of
which is his own legacy.
(END)