Professors demand gov`t apology for Roh`s death

SEOUL, June 3 (Yonhap) -- Groups of professors in Seoul issued statements
Wednesday urging the Lee Myung-bak government to apologize for what they call the
prosecution's "politically biased" corruption probe into late former President
Roh Moo-hyun.
Roh, who served as president between 2003 and 2008, took his own life on May 23
amid an investigation by prosecutors into allegations that he accepted at least
US$6 million from a corrupt business executive. His death, following an intense
10-hour grilling by prosecutors in Seoul in April, triggered sharp public
criticism that the probe was politically motivated.
"The prosecutors had deferred their decision on whether to indict Roh for more
than three weeks since they summoned the former president. They also leaked
humiliating allegations about Roh (to the press,)" said a statement issued by 124
professors from Seoul National University.
"It is necessary to reform the tendency of prosecutors to be particularly strict
with political enemies (of the ruling camp) and the underprivileged," it
continued.
The professors also expressed concern about the authorities' recent crackdown on
outdoor rallies, insisting that a massive summons delivered to citizens caught
participating in anti-government rallies threatened to erode the principles of
democracy.
"The most important thing is to respect basic human rights and practice
democratic principles. We wish the Lee government would take its current
difficulties as the turning point in improving democracy," said the statement.
In a related move, a group of 67 professors from Chung-Ang University issued a
similar statement calling on President Lee to apologize for Roh's death and
reshuffle his Cabinet.
According to sources at Yonsei University, some 100 to 200 professors are
planning to issue a statement early next week to express their concerns about the
Lee government.
In South Korea, professors have often issued public statements voicing their
opinions on politically sensitive issues. In 2004, college professors nationwide
adopted statements expressing concern over the impeachment of then President Roh.
brk@yna.co.kr
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