S. Korean police confirm former President Roh dead

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with details
GIMHAE, South Korea, May 23 (Yonhap) -- Former South Korean President Roh
Moo-hyun died after falling off a mountainside while hiking, police here said
Saturday, amid an ongoing investigation into a bribery scandal that has tarnished
the former head of state.
Roh, 62, is said to have gone hiking near his home with an aide around 6:30 a.m.
He was later found with severe head injuries and died after being moved to a
hospital in Busan from his hometown of Gimhae, the Gyeongnam Provincial Police
Agency said.
Police are trying to confirm whether the former president fell by accident or
committed suicide. Sources said Roh left behind what may be a suicide note.
Roh, who served as South Korea's president from 2003 to 2008, has been under
investigation over allegations that he and his family received bribes from a
wealthy businessman.
Prosecutors believe Roh received some US$6 million from the tycoon, payments that
allegedly went to his wife, his son and his brother's son-in-law. Roh said he did
not know about the transactions until after he left office and that some of the
money were legitimate business investments.
Unlike his predecessors who kept a low profile after retirement, Roh maintained a
Web site and has attracted daily crowds of supporters and tourists to his
hometown, Bongha Village.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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