Ex-President Roh's autobiography tops bestseller chart in S. Korea

SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- A book written by the late former President Roh
Moo-hyun more than a decade ago has topped the bestseller list in South Korea, a
state-run publishers' association said Friday, as locals continue to lament the
suicide of the liberal leader.

Sales of Roh's autobiography "Help Me Sweetheart," written during his time in
parliament in 1994, leapt after his May 23 death, topping the bestseller chart at
major bookstores nationwide, the Korean Publishers Society (KOPUS) said.
Roh, president from 2003 to 2008, leapt to his death from a mountainside
precipice above his southeastern hometown, expressing emotional stress over a
months-long corruption investigation that engulfed both the former leader and his
relatives. He was 62.
Despite allegations his family received millions of dollars from a local
businessman, Roh's death led to an outpouring of grief by South Koreans with
recent polls showing the majority believe the probe into Roh was unusually harsh.

A left-wing politician and a self-taught human rights lawyer, Roh was elected the
country's leader backed by overwhelmingly strong support from the younger
generation.
A non-fiction book on Roh's conflict with the Chosun Ilbo, written by Roh's key
confidant and former Health Minister Rhyu Si-min, also climbed to 14th in the
bestseller list, KOPUS said. The book was first published seven years ago.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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