Nation in mourning

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A steady stream of mourners from all over the country yesterday paid their respects to late President Roh Moo-hyun, whose body lay at a community center in his hometown.

More than 160,000 people, including citizens and high-profile politicians, had visited Bongha village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, as of yesterday evening, according to local officials.

Roh committed suicide early Saturday morning by leaping to his death off a cliff near his retirement home in the village, some 450 kilometers south of Seoul.

He was 62.

Roh and his wife Kwon Yang-sook had been staying at the residence since his 2003-2008 term ended in February.



Mourners are expected to pour into the village in the coming days as government officials and Roh`s aides agreed to hold a seven-day national funeral sanctioned by the government.

President Lee Myung-bak, who cleared his official schedule after news broke of Roh`s death, plans to visit Bongha village to personally pay respect to his predecessor, an aide to Lee said yesterday.

"Whatever he does, he will pay tribute in person," he said, adding that details are yet to be finalized.

With the funeral ceremony on Friday, Roh`s body will then be cremated and enshrined in Bongha village to respect his request in the note found on his computer.

Roh`s elder brother Gun-pyeong - recently indicted on bribery charges - arrived early in the morning to bid his brother farewell. He was granted a provisional release from prison. The elder Roh joined his mourning family without answering waiting reporters` questions.

While Roh`s two children - son Gun-ho and daughter Jeong-yeon - greeted visitors at the mortuary, the former first lady Kwon, who was allegedly staying at the residence, has not been seen since she fainted Saturday after the confirmation of her husband`s death. Roh`s aides said they have decided not to make public any details regarding Roh`s family.

The official mourning service started as Roh`s portrait was brought to the altar by former Prime Ministers Lee Hae-chan and Han Myeong-sook with other political allies watching.

After Roh`s son made an offering of wine before the altar and former Prime Minister Lee paid tribute, ordinary people`s calls of condolences began.

"(Roh) led the nation`s reform drive for its democratic development," said Jo Jong-rae, author of the bestselling novel "Mountain Taebaek (Taebaeksanmaek)."

"The inter-Korean joint declaration will be honored as a great achievement," he said.

Rhyu Si-min, former health and welfare minister and ardent supporter of Roh, cried as he made an offering of tobacco before the altar. Roh is said to have asked for a cigarette before taking his life. When the security escort said he did not have one and offered to get some, Roh responded "You don`t need to."

Some Roh supporters reacted with anger at the arrival of some guests, especially politicians from the governing Grand National Party.

Lee Hoi-chang, chairman of the Liberty Forward Party and former archrival of Roh during the 2002 presidential election, received a volley of eggs from Roh supporters.

Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and some officials from the presidential office were also blocked from visiting the mortuary.

Several temporary funeral halls have been established across the nation.

By Lee Ji-yoon

(jylee@heraldm.com)