Inquiry into Roh`s death draws fire

Criticism is escalating for insufficient police investigation into the death last Saturday of former President Roh Moo-hyun.

Overturning their earlier claim that Roh was with his bodyguard when he jumped off a cliff in a mountain behind his residence in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, the police said Roh is presumed to have jumped while his bodyguard was sent on an errand.



The police claimed that the bodyguard, surnamed Lee, falsely testified, changing his story several times, out of concern that he could be reprimanded for failing to save the former president.

"It appears that Roh had been left lying on the ground alone for about 30 minutes until his bodyguard discovered his body," Lee Un-u, chief of Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, told reporters during his visit to the Bongha village to pay tribute to the late Roh.

After writing a suicide note on his computer, Roh hiked up Mount Bongha with Lee and arrived at Owl`s Rock at around 6:10 a.m., according to Lee Un-u.

At around 6:14, Roh asked Lee to check if the person in charge of Jeongtowon, a nearby temple was around. Lee rushed to the temple, came back about three minutes later and found that Roh had disappeared. At around 6:45, Lee found Roh lying on the ground.

"(After discovering him) the bodyguard carried him on his back, came down the mountain and rushed to the hospital by car," said Lee.

The police questioned Lee again Monday, and verified Lee`s statements after analyzing his radio communication records, officials said.

On Saturday, the police had said in their interim investigation report that Roh arrived at Owl`s Rock at 6:20, took a 20-minute break with Lee and jumped 45 meters from the rock after diverting Lee`s attention by asking "Who`s there?"

Some citizens have decried the police for relying too much on the bodyguard`s statements, with some others urging the police to reinvestigate the case from the beginning.

The police have mobilized about 90 investigators to look into Roh`s death, but are still struggling to confirm how Roh fell.

"The investigation has yet to be completed 100 percent. Through a thoroughgoing investigation, we will get down to the bottom of the case," said Lee.

Roh`s death came during a sweeping inquiry into a bribery scandal involving Roh`s family, aides and associates.

Observers say watching corruption charges disparaging his presidential achievements may have been unbearable for Roh who was elected to the country`s top office on a promise to stamp out corruption and a drive to achieve "clean politics."

By Song Sang-ho



(sshluck@heraldm.com)