S. Korean Ex-Prez Dies From Fall: Cops

Caught in $6M bribery probe, Roh left behind suicide note
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 22, 2009 9:45 PM CDT
S. Korean Ex-Prez Dies From Fall: Cops
In this April 30, 2009 photo, former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun arrives for questioning in a corruption scandal at the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office in Seoul, South Korea.    (Kim Ju-sung)

Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has died, presumably after a fall while mountain climbing, police say. A news report said a suicide note was found. The former leader suffered severe head injuries and died after being transported from his hometown of Gimhae to a hospital in the southern city of Busan, Yonhap news agency said.

Roh had been under investigation over allegations that he took more than $6 million from a businessman while in office. The bribery scandal involving Roh and his family had tainted his image as a "clean" politician in a country with a long history of corruption. He was questioned by prosecutors in Seoul last month as part of the probe. A former human rights lawyer, Roh served as South Korea's president from 2003 to 2008. (More South Korea stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X