(LEAD) Roh's death mourned nationwide amid political conflicts

(ATTN: UPDATES with failed attempt by ruling party lawmakers to visit memorial altar
at Roh's residence, minor changes)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- Tens of thousands of people made their way Monday to
mourning altars set up throughout the country for the late former President Roh
Moo-hyun, while several government and ruling party officials who tried to pay
their respects were turned away angrily by Roh's supporters.

A group of lawmakers from the ruling Grand National Party who went to the former
president's retirement home in Bongha Village, some 450 kilometers southeast of
Seoul, were forced to turn back after Roh's supporters blocked their way to an
alter set up in his memory. Some had thrown eggs and hurled water at those
considered opponents of Roh, including Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and National
Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o.
The prime minister was forced to pay his respects Monday at an altar set up in
Seoul. He is a co-chair of a government committee to organize and oversee the
funeral for the former president, to be held Friday.
Some 200,000 people, from everyday citizens to ranking politicians, have paid
visits to the altar set up at Roh's residence since the former president died
Saturday morning.
Officials at the presidential office have said President Lee Myung-bak plans to
make a personal voyage to Roh's rural hometown to pay his due respects, but the
continued conflict in Bongha Village has prompted concerns over possible mishaps.
"A visit by the president ought to be greatly appreciated and proceed without any
mishaps, but it is true that things may get out of control, though we are
strongly asking people to refrain from blocking politicians," Moon Jae-in, a
longtime confidant of Roh and his former chief of staff, told reporters Monday.
Roh, 62, leaped to his death from a cliff close to his home. The police later
found what appeared to be a suicide note written on his personal computer.
Criticisms were immediately leveled against the Lee government that Roh's death
was caused by what some claim was a politically motivated investigation into an
alleged corruption scandal involving his wife and son.
Roh was summoned April 30 for questioning on whether he was aware that members of
his family had allegedly taken over $6 million from the head of a local shoe
manufacturer.
President Lee was forced to send flowers for a second time to Roh's residence,
after the first bouquet was destroyed by Roh's supporters.
The government has set up 31 memorial altars in 16 major cities throughout the
country, including seven in Seoul, while tens of others were also set up by city
and district governments and civic organizations.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)