We DON'T HAVE BEEN always living with fear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And not EVERYONE in S.Korea talk about our ex-president.
Yes, he die, and it is very sad thing.
But he die already, and now we have plenty more thing to worry about.
I know that N. Korea's nuclear weapon is very dangerous.
And we ARE preparing about that!
I'm Roh's supporter(don't think that I'm young, and it doesn't mean that I don't pay too much attention to Korea's issues!), but I never have been thinking that Lee made Roh die.
Why are you guys pay to much attention to us?
It is not your problem! And don't make EVERYTHING bigger than true.

Sorry for above comment that I write too sharply.
I feel really bad about Roh's death-I was supporter of him.
And I saw this, so that I write above comment too sharply.
I'm really sorry.
If my comments make anybody's feeling bad, sorry about it.
I'm so sorry!!

Seoul is not representative of all Koreans. But, here in Ulsan, one or more students may have not attended their hagwon (after school) due to ... "worry" ...

martijn koldijk

Ulsan, South Korea

2131, May 25 2009

Hey, Gook-Hwa, Kim. Everyone in Korea knows that Myung-bak, Lee ( incumbent president) let former president Roh die. It's a truth. I guess you must not have been a supporter for Roh. are you?? I think you are goventment-friendly. Even though North Korea shot the missiles, Hot issue this week is Roh's die.

This test and associated missiles shows how desperate the N Korean regime is or thinks it is, countries behave this way when there are internal problems. These problems may be real or imagined by Kim Jong Il.
I teach partially about North Korean issues in Busan at a university and the students are generally not interested in NK at all. North Korea apparently craves attention even negative attention and it is best to not reward this childish behaviour if possible.

Someone knows why is that we cannot have a full figure of truth while we are living it and making it. The dead might say, "Truth of life today is made by every one for every living soul, but knowing as such is not the same as grasping it in reality, giving rise to a pure moral category that kills: his life." All remember we had a New president of ROK.

Initially I had the following comments:
I am utterly embarrassed at Roh's decision of his death. At the 62,especially after the fifth Zodiac completion, life is supposed to be greater than any cause or reason to hope according to which we live, even where it may have exhausted the dignity of one's imagination.

I truly believe Roh's decision to take his own life was not right, when I consider a millions of people, young and old stood with him, behind him, and I remember the moving moment inspiring us, when he became a man who could make a better choice for them than any his predecessors, because he knew the mind of the grass roots made of poor Korean peasants (Many Koreans are still in the progress of transformation from the Confucian humanity to modernity).

But now he abandoned us in the middle, and if you say, "That is life, and I am sorry having disappointed you..."
Whatever you say, I am sure that the survivors are stronger and purer in mind than you were, even if your decision were a resistance of your purer self to unimaginable impure elements of modern life (whose resilience perhaps constitutes the Korean modernity), because you have left us with no other choice than being defender of that resistance.
It is in this sense that I feel of his suicide so close and yet find not wasted as long as we remember him well...
David D. Yun from Bangkok

Mr. Kim

Lee and other Prosecuters and Press (C,J,D) indirectly killed Roe.

Why people commite suicide?

Why?

Do you think Roe killed himself by accident?

No. He has been suppressed by Lee Govenrment.

and the Press (C,J,D) has exaggerated the fact.

That's the problem.

We, Koreans, have a lot of things to do.

It will start soon.

you will see.

The person who killed Roh isnt' Lee.
He kills himself and In my opinion, his behavior was not proper for ex-president. He was the first person who suicided because of private problems so he have to be accused.

We have to remember that He was NOT a hero.

It's intresting to know that you Koreans are not as concerned as the rest of the world are , a nuclear bomb 'ferried' from mile s away literarily obliterated Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the close of the ll WW and here you are with a mad fellow inside your sitting room racing with a frenzy to developing a nuclear war head and you are un concerned,well, then I will sleep better tonight .

the south korean rattled is the politician
he deals with power, being above people
the common korean person dont care
his cousin lives in the north
he knows that
when the time comes to drop the bomb
his cousin will drop it in someone else

Lee and other prosecuters and press indrectly killed Roe? Was he the only former president who has been prosecuted for receiving bribe? NO. All former persidents before him did, and they didn't commit sucide. So, dont' blame this on current president, that is not right. Also, former president Roe was advocating that he will not be like others, and won't receive bribes. What do you say to that? and you are right, we do have a lot of things to do. We first need to learn to respect our own government, and not criticize all of current presidents policies. And why do we have so much demonstration? Does that really solve anything? and they call that peaceful protest where they are beating on police offiers? Yeah, we have a lot to learn.

Wow....I can't believe what is going on in S.Korea.
They are praising an ex-president who killed himself because he could not face the truth. What was he thinking~Not only he showed 10 million korean kids that any wrong doing can be covered up by killing yourself, he just show them that they will be praised~~~this is weird!
People worshipping the ex-president who killed himself~~because he could not be man enough~WOW!!!

To. Tae-in, Kim

I think people like you (who told Roh's death is his own fault ) have a serieous problem in their recognition of korean history. In the view of modern history of Korea, He deseves to be a modern hero of Korea.
He is not a criminal because prosecuter's office dismiss the bribery case on him. And His family did nothing wrong. His brother in jail is due to harsh targeting investigation. And during His presidensy, He solved the countless problems for Korea. And you must also admit that Roh devoted to democracy for our society. Everyone Knows the truth. Don't mislead the truth. People like you in Korea are disturbing Korea's developing, Don't you????

I am sure Kim Jong Il must be quaking in his boots knowing that he has maddened Mr Obama. In light of Obamas critiscism of how harsh Mr Bush was with terrorist, the thought of being beaten around the head with a big pink fluffy pillow until he agrees to be a good boy must be terrifying Kim Jong Il. Unfortunately, the US has lost its teeth with Obama and we will now see Iran start down the same path soon enough. I seem to remember John McCain predicting this exact moment during the campaign?

I guess if Kim Jong Il proves too tough during the pillow torture, the CIA could really turn the heat up and make him read all the sickening magazine articles about the celebrity first couple that seem to grace the news stands nowadays. Either that, or threaten him with a week in a room with Nancy Pelosi. That should fix him!

Although it's very tragic and very sad that Roh died of suicide, I need to point out it was a very selfish and very cowardly way to resolve a problem he was facing. Not an act you expect from an ex-president. Yes, he is not a hero. It was a calculated move to disrupt S. Korean politics and get back at his political enemies. The prosecutors decided to halt the prosecution of his aides and his families but what if they decided to go further with the investigation and prosecution, leaving his aides and his family to defend themselves on their own. He should be honored as someone who served his country but he should be criticized for his last cowardly and selfish act.

I find it ironic that right after Roh’s suicide, North Korea conducted their second nuclear test. I say ironic, because Roh is partly responsible for allowing this to happen. The other blame goes to Roh’s predessor, D.J. Kim, who implemented the ‘Sunshine Policy’. They both poured billions of dollars to the North Korean regime. The North Korean people are starving, and what does the North Korean government do? They spend all their budget on weapons of mass destruction. Why is that? Because people like Roh and D.J. Kim helped finance it through projects like Kaesong industrial complex. So why SHOULD the S. Koreans be alarmed when the North conducted another Nuke test? Their former government financed it with their tax money and they allowed it to happen.

It is very disappointing to hear that a lot of S. Korean’s minds are on who to blame for Roh’s death instead of the danger brewing in the North. Roh killed himself because he probably could not bear his guilt. What is the current government to do when they found out that a corrupt businessman gave $6 million to Roh and his family? For investment? So Roh was going to pay him back? Do you actually believe that? Is that why Roh’s son and daughter were buying condo apartment in New York? The current government had every right to investigate and I hope they continue and get to the bottom of it.

What are u talking about!!!!

It is so obvious that President Lee (has been done poorly with low popularity ) and his administration always jealous of Ex-President Roh. After Ex-President Roh is out his office, president Lee and his administration takes many tactics vulgarly;(the matter of Roh's house size, the size of parking place for cars, copy of Government server) and then let prosecutors to investigate his friends, supporter, relatives, and family member(cuz they couldn't find any clue of Roh's bribery speculation).

and today many professors in S.korea are off the class, singer, rapper stopped singing, and performance.

Cuz right now, most of S.korea citizen is too sad to do anything.

And also many people in here insist on Lee's stepping down.

Summary

President Lee( supported by Man of power + Big press company;Chosun/Dong-Ah/Joong-Ang +Prosecutors+Police)

VS

EX-President Lee(supported by Citizen;intellectual/students/labors/farmars + Internet Users + Small progressive press)

S.Korea is in the calm before a storm

PS. Many people in here are appreciate what Barak Obama said.

And the reason why S.Korean are not as concerend as
the rest of the world about N.K's nuclear power???

Very Simple

1. The power-strength of S.Korea is extremely stronger than what the N.K has.

2. Most of Us know that The United States "Actually" wanted N.K's Nuclear test and without any determined will from U.S. we can not
do anything

Clue – N.Korea already reported to U.S not China
one day before about the test.
After get this information, U.S let them do that
and informed Japan not S.korea.
you see China hardly condemned the N.K's test

Why?
They all know Japan and S.Korea is no.2, no. 3 Weapon-importing countries in the world, respectively.
And U.S is the no.1 weapon-exporter, you may know.

More tension in East Asia= More weapons U.S can export =
More money US earn= Better economy.

So, S.Korean know that even they really hate the nuclear weapon in
korea peninsular, they can't do anything.

Cuz Nuclear matter only depends on U.S.

You know the president Lee is not a stupid guy.
To become Hyun-dai's CEO is not easy.
We have to remember that he was a CEO.
If Korea's economy and political situation is not good right now, It would finally become better.
We need to think Long-term-policy.
His policy against North-Korea is really good.
We don't need to make tax for North-Korea from now on and his thinking to make Seoul to metropolitan is also good.
Morale of president is not an important thing.
The most important thing is President's Policy.
We have to review and think more about him and we must think how to handle the North Korea right now.
The Criminal Roh's death is not an important to us.

To Gook Hwa Kim: You ask, "Why are you guys pay to much attention to us" (sic)? I live in Korea and can tell you that when the rest of the world does not pay attention to Korea, Koreans complain that they are being ignored. When the world does pay attention, you complain too? What's the deal? If you are ignored you are angry, and if you are not ignored you are angry. Silly!

To the others, president Roh WAS corrupt as was/is every other Korean president. This is the Republic of Corruption after all. I am also sure that Lee Myung Bak is corrupt as well and we will discover this when he leaves office. It is a plague in Korea and touches everyone, from all walks of life (employees bribing bosses, parents bribing teachers, etc.). You are naive if you think Roh was innocent. Furthermore, why did Roh commit suicide? Don't you know? This is what Koreans do when faced with a problem. Korea has the highest suicide rate in the OECD. That IS a FACT! Here in Korea, if you get a bad grade on a test, you simply walk to the roof of you apartment building and jump. Lose that promotion at work, make a poor investment, or get caught in a bribery scandal, just jump and everything will be OK. When it was found that Kim Dae Joong had paid North Korea to attend the first North-South Summit, Hyundai's Chung Mong-hun, who had paid a bulk of the bribery money, jumped to his death from one of Hyundai's office buildings! Look at the results and you'll see why Koreans do it. Now that Roh has killed himself, the prosecution is dropping its investigation, even though Roh's wife was probably more involved in this scandal than he was. His suicide provides a "get out of jail free" card for his family. Ladies and gentlemen, this is how things work in Korea Inc.!

North Korea's nuclear test is a grave threat to South Korea and northeast Asia's peace, and of course to the rest of the world in this time of terror. What makes me upset is South Korea seems have nothing to do back to the North Korea. From politician we are looking for US and China and so on. What left to us is to be one innerly.
We have to remeber North Korea's 1st. nuclear test happened in Roh's regime under sunshine policy, and their nuclear threat was far before, so we gave them much money but they were preparing scheduley. We have to be united now

I think that it is not true that EVERYONE in Korea never concern about N. Korea's nuke, since, at least, I and lots of people around me know that N. Korea's threats to the world peace and that we, Korean, are also never safe with our hostile neighbor. In addition, It is also not true that EVERYONE thinks President Lee and Prosecutors killed ex-president Roh. "I" and "my" friends believe that ex-president Roh killed himself due to corruption caused by his family and people.

Please, don't think that EVERYONE has the same opinion with you. I think that such a thought is a seed of current political rift.

There's a very simple reason why South Koreans are not worried. North Korea's nuclear program isn't about defense, as they claim, nor is it about attacking South Korea. It's about business: plain and simple. The country is broke and they aim to sell their nuclear technology to other actors: other countries and possibly rogue actors (terrorists). Whoever is willing to pay them money for it. And the highest bidders for North Korea's nuclear technology don't hate South Korea. They hate America. That's why America cares so much. They don't care about South Korea any more than they care about the Sudan. They care about themselves. And the potential buyers of this technology don't like the US very much. South Koreans have nothing to worry about.
Just for the record, I am an American living in South Korea.

North Korea keeps on digging a hole for itself. You can not demand respect of your soverign nation when you choose to defy the international community and continue to make veiled, and direct, threats against your neighbors.

Their political agenda has failed and everybody knows that the poor people (not the government) in the North are starving, brain-washed, and have miserable lives.

North Korea to me is just a childish Adult seeking attention at all cost.What a timing......Just when the World might turn to join South Korea to mourn for their Ex-president, you decide to make known your nuclear activities. No wonder SOUTH KOREANS and most of the World doesnt take you serious. Grow up KIM!

Te above comments are strong support for the original article in that non-Koreans comments focus on the nuclear aspect, while the Korean comments are focused mostly on former President Roh and offense that anyone would imply that South Korea is in "fear" of the North.

I am a university professor in South Korea. I had a discussion with my students here in Daegu about this situation. After the initial reading, many agreed with the quick judgement of Gook-Hwa, Kim above. The implication of fear is more important than a nuclear threat.

I have observed and discussed issues concerning North Korea with them as far back as February when the first threat of missile testing was made public and I have to agree that many South Koreans are unphased by anything that North Korea does. Mostly I have noticed that many of my students, (younger generation or older generation, I have both) just want the rest of the world to leave them alone and allow them to work things out with N.Korea.

A naive thought indeed, but one of which they are willing to live with.

No matter how desperated and oppessive situations he was in, it cannot be a reason for taking anyone's life, even his own. I respected Roh overall, though I can't say I agreed most of his policies, and I still think he was a man of great soul and conscience. However, letting his own life to death is the worst decision he ever made. He just made a decision to commite a suicide and not to fight to the end till every truth is revealed. After all, it is always your choice. May his soul rest in peace in heaven....

North Korea exists as a counter measure to US support for Taiwan independence. But now with Formosa turning pro-China, there is no longer a need for Beijing to take on the burden carrying of Pyongyang. We can just watch Kim Jong ill spending his remaining days singing solo – I'm So Ronry...

The nuclear test really isn't all that impacting to S. Korea. We have over 40,000 conventional short range missiles aimed at our country from North Korea. It is estimated that 1 in 4 of those missiles is chemically tipped. These missiles could never be stopped and would destroy most of the country in minutes. I could go on and on about the forces ever ready to cross the border. The point is that a couple of nukes don't really make a difference. The ICBM and nuclear tests are all about international leverage with the USA and the rest of the world.

But yes the country does seem to suffer from a type of numbness. I am an expat living here and I can remembering having great anxiety over the first test and it didn't seem to phase Koreans. It also didn't seem to bother them that Kim Jung Ill said he was going to turn Seoul into a "sea of fire" this year.

Wow isn't it funny that all of the comments by Koreans are about president Roh? It really just solidifies the authors argument.

NO ONE can MAKE someone kill themselves. its the act of a coward and generally seen as a weakness of character by most. what did roh solve by this? nothing say guilty more than suicide. and what abt his wife, children, followers, etc...? if he was truly innocent, why would he just give up his life when he had been fighting so hard his whole life?

i live in seoul and i know these 'followers' of his. they are a wild bunch with barely a brain between them who never truly 'THINK" about the issues and rather enjoy protesting for the fun without a concept of the repercussions. and....god forbid you should have an opinion opposite of theirs – they will be relentlessly ruthless, protesting – usually physically with those who dare to disagree. their protests are more of an emotional reaction, than an intellectual one. half these people are obviously uneducated or unemployed as they have so much time to protest in the streets and hinder those going to real jobs or those who are trying to support the economy. if these people tried for one second to logical think of the issues, i would imagine they would be more calm. rather amazing as koreans are some of the most educated people in the world – yet without a lick of logic or rational behavior. embarrssing most of the time to see them protesting for something stupid on the streets and then 1 month later, find out it was all lies (ie:mad cow disease)

the nuclear issue is really nothing – the young people still would rather follow kim jong il than dare to speak out against their brethren. during bush's time, they even preferred kim to bush! hahahaha

just ask urself one simple question – who, which country is south korea's friend? japan – they hate. china – not really. who then? america is the only country that has tried to help them and they CONSTANTLY spit it our face. its the korean mentally – aggressive. im seriously worried for lee myung baks future – these people are gonna rip this country apart!

"It also didn’t seem to bother them that Kim Jung Ill said he was going to turn Seoul into a “sea of fire” this year."

I guess what's the point of worrying about it? If the guy pulls the trigger, as you mentioned, there's nothing they can do about it. Might as well continue living life like it's not going to happen...because if it does, it won't matter anyway.

South Koreans need to get their priorities straight. North Korea is a threat to them before it is a threat to other countries. The country that is at the most risk by a nuclear North Korea is South Korea. Wake up South Koreans!

I see what you're saying Doug and I think that is the mental modus operandi of many Koreans.

But there's also another side to this story. By ignoring the north's obvious acts to gain attention the S. Koreans are actually combating the intent of N. Korea. When the media and world leaders react too swiftly to N. Korea, the DPRK has attained its goal of being the top political agenda for the west. So by doing nothing they are doing something in a sense.

Koreans aren't dumb. We didn't worry about North Korea for the last years. We aren't weak. Many people have different angles of how they view Korea.

Its undeniable that one reason Rho committed suicide because of the pressure. But I think its still wrong for an ex-President committing suicide knowing that Korea has a high suicide rate.. If he loved his country he should value the lives of others and should have stood up as a model that whatever things happened they should remain strong.. Suicide isn't the answer.. In the end Humans are unique and isn't perfect. I'll just say my Condolences to Rho's Family... Anyway Im worried what will happen next with the provocative actions of North Korea will there be a war or a peace talk? I just hope it will be settled peacefully...

President Roh's death was sad, but he was not pushed by the Lee Administration to kill himself. He was pushed by his own will to not put his family through this disgrace any longer and to take an easy solution to his problems which he knew would happen if he were dead. South Korean's need to focus their attention to the situation at hand which will have a longer term effect on their economy, on their military, on their stability in the region and that is the North Koreans. Their economy is the world's 13th largest economy even despite the economic turmoil which every government in the world is facing not just the South Koreans. They need to develop their military and take a more aggressive stance against North Korea. Six-Party talks and UN sanctions have done little to squash nK's ambitions to become a nuclear country, which they have been working on since the Clinton Administration. Now is the time for the world and the leaders of the Six-Party talks and that includes Russia and China to take a forceful stand. As, I see it the only way you will equalize the balance of military power in the region now is for South Korea to allow the US to have nuclear missiles on their soil or pursure nuclear ambitions of their own. The power struggle in Northeast Asia has shifted to the side of Communism and the North Korea's and even with the 35,000 plus US Servicemembers, DOD Contractors, Civilians, and military dependents assigned in Korea this has only created a more troublesome scenario for the US military and has offset the balance of power. Before, with only conventional weapons it was a pretty easy battle for the South Koreans and US to provide a deterrence, but all that has changed unless the South Korean's and US do something about it. My concern as an American is for the 35,000 + US personnel living in Korea and their safety.

I am not impressed with many of these letters. Where is the intellect ?
The South Korean letters are poorly translated and are confusing, so I do not read these either..
Now, if I were Korean and spoke/understood the language....then a different story unfolds..
Some parallels exist between N ans S Korea; and between E and W Germany...
This Communism does not work...N Korea needs a real man to accept and change this...not the fools they have now...I'm sure that S Korea also has problems....as do we.I believe they can sort them out

Mike, I believe there is a saying about fighting fire with fire...which is what you are advocating. We went through this already. MAD (mutually assured destruction) is not an ideal scenario.

I am a Korean living in Southern California.
Of course, us Koreans being Koreans, the majority voice is the only one being represented. There are some friends of mine who think that the ex-president deserved to kill himself, others think he was extremely unwise, and some think it was a disgusting political stint.

"i know these ‘followers’ of his. they are a wild bunch with barely a brain between them who never truly ‘THINK” about the issues and rather enjoy protesting for the fun without a concept of the repercussions."

Maybe the Korean people are mourning a great man who has cut his own life and destiny too soon. 'THINK' about that.

Lee myung-bak's presidency has been like a dictator. For one year since he became a president, most of koreans have been suffered from his presidency and his cabinet.
Especially, he wants to gorvern easily and make schism within governement and people.
So, while people and media were arguing on many controversial issues – FTA and targeting investigate to former president – , Lee pressured congress(in s.korea : the National Assembly) to go through bad laws against Democracy!
Conservative newspaper named chosun, chung-ang,Dong-ah help blind korean people..
As a result, accusing former-president Roh, Mr.clean considered as a plot, many koreans think like that.
The issue -Missile launch – is same thing. He doesn't want North korea to return to six party talks. Only he is interested in separating korean people and media's opinion.
So Lee hasn't had any nuclear conferences with North korean leader Kim Jung-il.
Participating in PSI is growing tension around this peninsula.
It might separate S.kroea people and media and make him a dictaor..
Only Lee's supporters are corrupted rich people who have real estates so much....
So! S.korea people are missing former president Roh who was dedicated himself to this peninsula's peace and economy of normal people who are not very rich and corrupted.

You can emphasize the importance of the nuclear threat, but please don't make light of Roh or his death. The political motive was so apparent, and Koreans would not have been so angry if the accusers were even remotely comparable to Roh's integrity. There are even rumors about whether his death was a suicide. The incumbent party has a long history of corruption and unspeakable things.

To joe average.

I don't have an intention to light former president Roh or death.
I hope announce to people around world that "why kroean people interested in Roh's suicide so much even though N.korea launch the test missiles." and "How do korean people say this circumstance?"
Korean People who have never supported Roh are also mourning.
Many people dislike Roh's policy and Roh's behavior. But they are also mourning.
I want to emphasize that President Lee's & his regime's wrong thinking. It made a tragic.
We know the family of Roh's guilty. But We know the difference between Roh and Lee. And I have never supported Roh within the his presidency.
But please see the situation.
Realtiongship beetween south and north become worse than any occasion because president's exclusive behavior.

Lee wants to separate the people's opinion but Roh wants solidarity.
This is why korean people light Roh even people who don't like Roh are morning and missing Roh.
This is the situation and thinking,

and answer of The question : "why world people don't understand that Korean people are mourning so much in front of missile.."

Student 1 – I do believe that President Lee contributed to Roh's death. Past presidents were known to take bribes, but President Lee pushed too hard in this investigation.

Student 2 – I fully agree with this article. North Korea, in the past, has done the same thing over and over again. They always talk but never show action. So, we are used to it.

Student 3 – I want to focus on why North Korea is testing nuclear weapons this time. I believe that there is a conspiracy. The government gave North Korea money to have the nuclear weapon test so that the focus is off of the ex-president's death. The government does not want people to know the truth about Roh's death.

EFL Professor – I teach a high-intermediate EFL class in South Korea. This, of course, is a hot topic and me and my students enjoy discussing these topics. We thought it would be great to actively participate in the debates going on in this forum. We hope to continue to use CNN as a source for news.

i am korean. hey, guys thanks for your worrying about the high rate of commiting suicide in S. korea. i have to say, however, that is and should not be the point. in korean culture, the fact that he killed himself does not make him coward. and commiting suicide relates to more structural and institutional problem less than a person's decision, so do not worry about it much.

and there is also a clear cultural difference between western countries and asian countries for viewing suicide. so do not judge from your prejudice. Mr. Roh's death does not necessarily guarantee his guilty of the bribery scandal. As a matter of fact, there is no obvious evidence that he knew his wife got the money.

here are two essential points why people are in grief: first, people come to realize how sincere and trustful he has been throughout his life for seeking justice and a good society. he had been always in the street for fighting and defeating military dictators for removing the abuse of human rights to civil activists. during his presidency, it is now coming to understood that he really tried to take care of common people although it is not believed that that is the case among people. this type of sincere politician has been very rare in this politically corrupted country. because of his death (regardless that you agree with his decision or not, and this is not the essential point here), people came to figure out what he and his life meant to them. this is being shown as a deep grief and thankfulness.

second, people have thought that Mr. Roh MIGHT be guilty last several months. so they werer critical. however, since a point of time, they began to feel this investigation by this current government is EXCESSIVELY SEVERE AND INTENSE than usual. so almost all people think that this investigation is losing its fairness. and finally, he is gone. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? that he is coward or something?? NO, to koreans, this means that the current president and his friends , who are viewed to be determined to remove the political force of Mr. Roh's, killed Mr. Roh. THIS MAKES PEOPLE FEEL VERY SORRY NOT TO HAVE UNDERSTOOD HIS HARDSHIP, DIFFICULTY AND FRSUSTRATION.

sorry for my straight words, however, the bottom line here is that the frustration and despair to the current president and the late appreciation of Mr. Roh's contribution to the country by people resulted in this unexpectedly big mourning parade. another thing is that koreans are not irrational to ignore the present military threats posed by N. korea. they all recognize this threat. however, it does not mean that koreans should not do anything for the respectful president.

In future, history will tell us what the truth was and not.

heaps of guys are advocating that Roh's deth was self commited suicide, but who knowa....

it's still under investgation.

just I wish no more detortions are made by corrupted regime!

The issue on ex-president Roh's death must not be about how this occured and whether this extreme choice is right or wrong. His death instead signals to the South Koreans a need to change the social atmosphere.

After Roh's death many critics have shown sympathy and have acknowledged that the many of the efforts made by former president Roh has been ignored. The social atmosphere towards politicians is extremely negative, particularly since the wrongs of the politicians are grossly emphasized while the good policies that are being carried out (For example, Roh was the one who made it affordable for people with cancer to receive treatment) are ignored. This has resulted in a situation in which people do not trust in the government -which may hinder the carrying out of long-term policies.

We need to change. Some politicians may be corrupt, and they may make some mistakes. What we must do is this: we must trust in our government while still keeping our eyes toward them. Active participation in politics is vital to our society, but simply carping and complaining about the politicians is certainly not a beneficial one. Again.. we need to have some trust in our government and judge fairly by being informed about the positive policies and efforts as much as we are informed about the wrongs of the politicians.

I do not mean to say that we must fully trust the government and simply leave everything upto the politicians. We must participate actively, but we must remember to be well informed before doing so.