Main opposition demands president's apology over Roh's death

SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Monday
urged President Lee Myung-bak to apologize for the death of former President Roh
Moo-hyun and reprimand both the justice minister and the chief prosecutor,
accusing the Lee administration of driving Roh to suicide with a politically
motivated probe.

Roh died on May 23 at the age of 62, leaping from a mountainside precipice in his
rural hometown amid a bribery investigation that tarnished his legacy as an
anti-corruption fighter. He denied accusations of corruption, but came under
increasing pressure as the prosecution probe dragged on.
The newly elected floor leaders of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) and the
DP met in Seoul to finetune details of an upcoming extraordinary session of the
National Assembly, but the closed-door meeting ended, with both sides failing to
reach an agreement on the itinerary.
The extra parliamentary session was initially set to begin earlier in the day but
was deferred for an indefinite period of time following the unexpected death of
the former head of state.
Lee Kang-rae, DP floor leader, demanded that the president issue a public apology
concerning the death of the former president and dismiss the justice minister,
the prosecutor general and other key officials involved in the case, according to
Lee's aides.
In a meeting with the party leadership, DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun had also said
that "a sincere apology from Lee and reprimand of responsible officials are a
must" for the country to move forward.
Ahn Sang-soo, GNP floor leader, told reporters after the meeting that he felt "as
if running into a wall" when talking to his opposition counterpart.
"They're tough, I felt like running into a wall as they're demanding several
conditions," Ahn said without revealing more details.
The GNP was preparing to push through a score of contentious laws, including
bills on revising media ownership rules and restricting freedom of expression
over the Internet, but the party is expected to follow a low-key strategy
following the unexpected death of Roh supported by the DP.
GNP Chairman Park Hee-tae, however, also suggested that his party will seek to
move forward with the contentious bills.
"Despite some difficulties and opposition, no one can stop us if we take the big
road," Park said, adding that the party should "take surefooted steps on the big
road."
odissy@yna.co.kr
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