Overwhelmed mourners pay tribute to ex-president

Mourners across the nation yesterday continued to pay tributes to former President Roh Moo-hyun, who took his own life Saturday amid a bribery scandal involving his family and aides.

At the entrance to the Deoksu Palace in central Seoul, where a memorial was set up, citizens in dark suits and black ribbons of condolence waited in long lines for their turn to bow in front of Roh`s portrait.

Some cried, holding prosecutors and the government responsible for the death of the 62-year-old former human rights lawyer and democracy fighter. Some others expressed their displeasure at the tight security around the memorial.



Hundreds of police officers have been dispatched with scores of police buses barricading Seoul Plaza to prevent illegal gatherings or protests. Seoul Plaza was filled with thousands of vociferous protesters against U.S beef imports a year ago, which had hobbled the fledgling Lee Myung-bak administration.

"It seems only yesterday I visited here in 2002 with a yellow balloon in my hands to congratulate Roh on his election. I never thought that I would come back with a white chrysanthemum," said tearful Park Yeon-jeong, a 40-year-old housewife living in Seoul.

"Roh was the president who tried to be as close to the people as possible while putting his authority and power behind. I feel infuriated that the prosecution had driven him to such a desperate moment."

Many said his dedication to changing society despite strong conservative resistance must be remembered.

"I believe he was a rare president who brought changes to our society. He helped stamp out the authoritarianism rampant in our society and make the society more equal by toughening rules on real-estate speculation and carrying out various reform measures," said Cho Hyo-min, a 36-year-old office worker in Incheon.

"The current government should have more warmly embraced the former president, who has significantly contributed to the democratization of our country. To be candid, although he was embroiled in a bribery scandal, he was cleaner than other former presidents," said Huh Gwang-moo, 80.

As the police continued to block citizens` access to Seoul Plaza, some expressed their anger toward the police and claimed that their security control was "too excessive." Roh`s supporters and the opposition Democratic Party have demanded that the government allow them to use Seoul Plaza for a memorial ceremony for the deceased Roh.

"We came here simply to express our respects to the late Roh. It is not just right in terms of courtesy toward the former president," said a 32-year-old man who refused to be identified.

"They appear to think of us as illegal protesters or something, which irritates me."

Some police officers, however, expressed their frustration, saying for the sake of people`s safety, they should carry out their duty.

"It is ironic. Although I myself feel deeply grieved that Roh, the president who really cared for ordinary citizens, died young and abruptly, I have to carry out my duty to crack down on illegal gatherings here," said a 21-year-old police officer, surnamed Kwon.

By Song Sang-ho



(sshluck@heraldm.com)