ID :
69855
Sat, 07/11/2009 - 15:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/69855
The shortlink copeid
S. Koreans bid final farewell to Roh, ill-fated liberal leader
S. Koreans bid final farewell to Roh, ill-fated liberal leader
(ATTN: UPDATES with former prime minister's comments in paras 6-7)
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Tens of thousands of South Koreans bid final farewell
to former President Roh Moo-hyun as the ashes of the late liberal leader were
laid to rest Friday.
Roh's ashes were buried in his hometown of Bongha, some 450 kilometers southeast
of Seoul, where the ill-fated leader had leapt to his death on May 23 amid a
pressing corruption probe that tarnished his legacy as an anti-corruption
fighter. He served as the country's leader from 2003 to 2008.
TV footage, broadcast live on several local stations and Internet sites, relayed
images of mourners weeping and flying yellow paper planes above Bongha and at
ceremonial sites elsewhere across the nation. Yellow is the color Roh used in his
2002 presidential campaign.
The burial ceremony at Bongha, taking place 49 days after Roh's death, was led by
Ven. Boseon, a senior member of the Jogye sect, the nation's largest Buddhist
order. It was attended by Roh's relatives and scores of his closest confidants
including former Prime Ministers Han Myung-sook and Lee Hae-chan.
A small and humble gravestone was set up as Roh requested in a note left to
family before his death. The ex-president had asked to be buried near the house
where he had lived since his retirement in February last year, taking up farming
in a decision highly unusual for South Korea's former presidents.
"We buried our love and sadness toward the former president today," former Prime
Minister Han, who had co-chaired the ceremony, said in a press briefing. "Let us
now do what each of us must do as proud citizens for the president who will be
watching over us."
Thanking the people for the "affection and dedication" they expressed toward Roh
during the past weeks, Han added she and other aides will begin reorganizing
written articles the deceased president left behind for possible publication and
prepare for the one year anniversary of his death next year.
Thousands of mourners have been praying for Roh at memorial sites across the
nation as part of a 49-day Buddhist rite meant to soothe the spirit of the
deceased. Koreans traditionally believe that the spirit of the deceased remains
with the living for 49 days following his or her death, after which their fate is
determined.
Roh had expressed emotional stress over the months-long corruption investigation
that sent several of his aides and relatives to jail. In April, he became the
nation's third former president to undergo a prosecution probe.
Despite allegations his family received millions of dollars from a local
businessman, Roh's suicide death led to an outpouring of grief by South Koreans.
More than 1.6 million visited the altar in Bongha, which was taken down Friday,
according to Roh's aides.
Surveys show that a majority of South Koreans believe the probe into Roh was
unusually harsh. His supporters flooded Internet sites with accusations that
incumbent President Lee Myung-bak launched a politically-driven investigation.
A self-taught human rights lawyer and left-wing politician, Roh strove during his
time in office to undo the polarization of wealth, authoritarianism and
regionalism that have plagued South Korea, while also pushing for reconciliation
with North Korea.
Separate ceremonies were held at major Buddhist temples and churches in Seoul and
other regions, attended by high-profile politicians as well as ordinary citizens
who could not travel to Roh's hometown.
Thousands of Seoulites were to gather in the city's downtown later Friday to
attend a memorial service organized by civic groups that had set up a makeshift
altar, also visited by millions.
Police lifted a prior ban on the event to be held outside Seoul City Hall as
civic groups demanded freedom to "peacefully bid a final goodbye" to the late
leader.
Authorities had banned the event earlier this week, citing the possibility of the
gathering turning violent and chaotic.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
(ATTN: UPDATES with former prime minister's comments in paras 6-7)
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- Tens of thousands of South Koreans bid final farewell
to former President Roh Moo-hyun as the ashes of the late liberal leader were
laid to rest Friday.
Roh's ashes were buried in his hometown of Bongha, some 450 kilometers southeast
of Seoul, where the ill-fated leader had leapt to his death on May 23 amid a
pressing corruption probe that tarnished his legacy as an anti-corruption
fighter. He served as the country's leader from 2003 to 2008.
TV footage, broadcast live on several local stations and Internet sites, relayed
images of mourners weeping and flying yellow paper planes above Bongha and at
ceremonial sites elsewhere across the nation. Yellow is the color Roh used in his
2002 presidential campaign.
The burial ceremony at Bongha, taking place 49 days after Roh's death, was led by
Ven. Boseon, a senior member of the Jogye sect, the nation's largest Buddhist
order. It was attended by Roh's relatives and scores of his closest confidants
including former Prime Ministers Han Myung-sook and Lee Hae-chan.
A small and humble gravestone was set up as Roh requested in a note left to
family before his death. The ex-president had asked to be buried near the house
where he had lived since his retirement in February last year, taking up farming
in a decision highly unusual for South Korea's former presidents.
"We buried our love and sadness toward the former president today," former Prime
Minister Han, who had co-chaired the ceremony, said in a press briefing. "Let us
now do what each of us must do as proud citizens for the president who will be
watching over us."
Thanking the people for the "affection and dedication" they expressed toward Roh
during the past weeks, Han added she and other aides will begin reorganizing
written articles the deceased president left behind for possible publication and
prepare for the one year anniversary of his death next year.
Thousands of mourners have been praying for Roh at memorial sites across the
nation as part of a 49-day Buddhist rite meant to soothe the spirit of the
deceased. Koreans traditionally believe that the spirit of the deceased remains
with the living for 49 days following his or her death, after which their fate is
determined.
Roh had expressed emotional stress over the months-long corruption investigation
that sent several of his aides and relatives to jail. In April, he became the
nation's third former president to undergo a prosecution probe.
Despite allegations his family received millions of dollars from a local
businessman, Roh's suicide death led to an outpouring of grief by South Koreans.
More than 1.6 million visited the altar in Bongha, which was taken down Friday,
according to Roh's aides.
Surveys show that a majority of South Koreans believe the probe into Roh was
unusually harsh. His supporters flooded Internet sites with accusations that
incumbent President Lee Myung-bak launched a politically-driven investigation.
A self-taught human rights lawyer and left-wing politician, Roh strove during his
time in office to undo the polarization of wealth, authoritarianism and
regionalism that have plagued South Korea, while also pushing for reconciliation
with North Korea.
Separate ceremonies were held at major Buddhist temples and churches in Seoul and
other regions, attended by high-profile politicians as well as ordinary citizens
who could not travel to Roh's hometown.
Thousands of Seoulites were to gather in the city's downtown later Friday to
attend a memorial service organized by civic groups that had set up a makeshift
altar, also visited by millions.
Police lifted a prior ban on the event to be held outside Seoul City Hall as
civic groups demanded freedom to "peacefully bid a final goodbye" to the late
leader.
Authorities had banned the event earlier this week, citing the possibility of the
gathering turning violent and chaotic.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
