Mourners remain organized but angered

A yellow wave swept across the nation as citizens became one to commemorate late former President Roh Moo-hyun yesterday.

"We love you, Mr. Roh," citizens shouted as they threw yellow paper airplanes and balloons at the vehicle carrying Roh`s body.

"You are a president forever in our hearts," read cards.

Some of the hundreds of thousands of people who gathered at Seoul Plaza were wearing yellow, while yellow items such as balloons were handed to them. Some said the color was an indication of a future reunion with Roh, while others saw it as proof that they were part of "Nosamo," a group of people who supported the former president.



"You were the lamp in the dark for all of us. Please now put down the heavy burden that was on your shoulders and live freely at a place where there is no hate," said a woman in her 20s.

During a commemoration ceremony at Seoul Plaza, a number of people broke into tears as Kim Jae-dong, a comedian who hosted the event, read his final words to Roh.

"Your last statement told us not to be sad. I`m sorry to go against it but I have to express my deep sorrow particularly on this day. You told us not to be sorry for your death but I have to apologize for that as well because I wasn`t able to protect you. You said (your death) was destiny. I`m sorry to say again but this destiny is one I cannot accept," Kim said.

Although citizens organized themselves to form endless rows of straight lines during the commemoration ceremony in downtown Seoul, they couldn`t hide their anger against those they think may be held responsible for Roh`s death.

"This event just makes me burst into a rage of tears," said a 27-year-old teacher in Seoul. "Looking at the behavior of some conservative members, it makes me wonder if they don`t even have the slightest respect as a human (for Roh)."

A 30-year-old office worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was trying not to connect Roh`s death with the current Lee Myung-bak administration, but she could not exclude herself from a group of people who were left stunned by what has happened.

"What disturbs me is that the current situation makes it impossible for me to even bid the former president a decent farewell on his way to heaven."

Earlier in the day, the level of conflict escalated between the citizens and police, as the police deployed about 20,000 policemen around Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul to block people without invitation cards from attending the state funeral.

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By Cho Ji-hyun



(sharon@heraldm.com)