Seoulites pray for ex-President Roh`s peaceful rest

By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- Nearly a thousand people gathered at Seoul's landmark
Buddhist temple Friday for a ceremony wishing peace for the late former President
Roh Moo-hyun, who took his own life last month amid a pressing corruption probe.
The gathering, part of a 49-day Buddhist rite meant to soothe the spirit of the
deceased, drew monks, relatives and close confidants of Roh, who had denied
direct ties to the bribery allegation which sent several of his aides to jail and
largely tarnished his image as a clean politician.
Roh's eldest son Geon-ho, former Prime Minister Han Myung-sook and main
opposition party leader Chung Sye-kyun were among dozens of high profile people
attending the ceremony led by Ven. Jigwan, the head of the nation's largest
Buddhist order Jogye.
TV footage showed solemn-faced Geon-ho, who was also investigated over the
bribery scandal, bowing as rows of sitting monks watched him.
It was the first such ceremony to be held in Seoul, although mourners have been
continuing to pray for Roh at his southeastern hometown Bongha. Koreans believe
that the spirit of the deceased remains with the living for 49 days after his or
her death, after which the fate is decided by God.
The rituals will continue through July 10, 49 days after Roh's death, when a
final ceremony will be held to bid a last farewell to the late leader. Roh's
ashes, currently laid at a Buddhist temple behind his house, will be buried in
his hometown after the final ceremony is held.
Roh, president from 2003 to 2008, leapt to his death from a mountainside
precipice above his provincial hometown on May 23, expressing emotional stress
over the months-long corruption investigation. 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
apparently eager to forgive the liberal human rights lawyer-turned-politician.
Recent polls show that the majority of South Koreans believe the probe into Roh
was unusually harsh.
Roh's death also dealt a blow to the incumbent Lee Myung-bak administration, now
slammed by Roh's supporters and opposition politicians for his authoritarian
governing style and launching what they condemn as a politically-motivated probe
into his immediate predecessor. The government stationed riot police in central
Seoul for days after his suicide to prevent protests.
In another ideological conflict after Roh's death, civic group leaders who
maintained a memorial altar for the late president said they will file complaint
against members of a right-leaning body whom it accuses of destroying the altar.
On June 23, dozens of conservative activists smashed the altar located at Deoksu
Palace, central Seoul, claiming it was an "illegally established facility."
Observers say there were about 60 policemen guarding the palace at the time, but
did not try to stop them. Police removed the remains of the destroyed altar on
the same day.
"We have been hurt not only physically, but emotionally due to the immoral action
of conservative groups and the police," Park Joo-min, a lawyer representing the
group said, adding the complaint will be filed with the Supreme Prosecutors'
Office on June 29.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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