Lee to pay tribute to late former president: aide

SEOUL, May 24 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak has canceled all his official
schedules and plans to personally pay his respects to the late former President
Roh Moo-hyun, Lee's aides said Sunday.

The former leader leaped to his death from cliff behind his rural home in
southern South Korea early Saturday morning, sending a shockwave through the
nation.
Lee may travel to Roh's hometown, Bongha Village, about 450 kilometers south of
Seoul, where his body lies in state, or visit one of the makeshift altars, they
said.
"Whatever he does, he will pay tribute in person," a senior official at the
presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.
Roh's family has yet to decide on the details of his funeral.
Some of the former president's supporters have called his apparent suicide "a
political murder" by the current administration, accusing prosecutors of digging
into allegations that Roh took at least US$6 million from a tycoon.
Roh was summoned and questioned by prosecutors for over 10 hours on April 30.
Roh had denied the allegations, saying he learned that the money had been given
to his wife and two children only after he left office. The probe tarnished his
image as a clean politician who sought to root out decades-old connections
between politicians and big business.
Lee's office held an overnight meeting to discuss how the president should offer
his condolences but could not reach a conclusion, the aides said.
"President Lee has canceled his appointments...and will have time to mourn," one
of the aides said.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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