Former S. Korean presidents shocked by Roh`s death

By Tony Chang
SEOUL, May 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's former heads of state on Sunday expressed
shock and sadness at the death of Roh Moo-hyun.
Roh, who served as the country's president from 2003 to 2008, was confirmed dead
by a regional hospital Saturday morning amid an ongoing probe into a bribery
scandal surrounding the former leader and his family. He is believed to have
committed suicide by jumping from a cliff in his hometown of Gimhae, some 400
kilometers south of Seoul.
"(I am) deeply saddened. It is a big shock," former President Kim Dae-jung, Roh's
immediate predecessor, was quoted as saying by aides.
"(I've) lost a lifelong companion in the fight for democracy ... I feel like I've
lost a half of myself," Kim said, who also expressed his condolences to Roh's
bereaved family.
Former President Kim Young-sam also said after hearing the news of Roh's death
that the incident was "very shocking and tragic," according to his aides.
Former President Chun Doo-hwan also prayed for Roh, his aides said, adding that
he had wished for Roh to have withstood the pressure of the investigation.
Roh's death came in the wake of an unraveling prosecution probe into his alleged
involvement in a corruption scandal implicating his family members over their
association with businessman Park Yeon-cha. The family was suspected of having
received at least US$6 million in bribes from Park.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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