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South Korea's ex-president dies South Korea's ex-president dies
(10 minutes later)
Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has died of head injuries after falling into a ravine while climbing a mountain, police say.Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has died of head injuries after falling into a ravine while climbing a mountain, police say.
Mr Roh, 62, was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital in the southern city in Busan.Mr Roh, 62, was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital in the southern city in Busan.
Police said they were trying to determine whether the death was an accident or suicide. An aide to the former president said he had left what appeared to be a suicide note before jumping to his death.
The former president left office in February 2008 and had been under investigation for alleged bribery.The former president left office in February 2008 and had been under investigation for alleged bribery.
'Suicide note' "President Roh fell down a mountain. He was transported to a hospital where doctors said he had been dead upon arrival," a spokesman of the National Police Agency told the AFP news agency.
"President Roh fell down a mountain. He was transported to a hospital where doctors said he had been dead upon arrival. But his death has not yet been officially confirmed," a spokesman of the National Police Agency told the AFP news agency.
"We're investigating whether he fell by accident or committed suicide," he said."We're investigating whether he fell by accident or committed suicide," he said.
Medics said Mr Roh was pronounced dead at Busan's hospital at 0930 local time (0030 GMT) after being transported from his hometown of Gimhae.Medics said Mr Roh was pronounced dead at Busan's hospital at 0930 local time (0030 GMT) after being transported from his hometown of Gimhae.
Media reports quoted Mr Roh's former assistant as saying the former president had left a suicide note. Mr Roh's former assistant, Moon Jae-in, was quoted as saying that the former president had left a suicide note.
"Former President Roh left his house at 0545 (2045 GMT on Friday) and while hiking on the Ponghwa Mountain, appears to have jumped off a rock at around 0640," Moon Jae-in, Mr Roh's lawyer and former chief of staff, said.
Bribery allegationsBribery allegations
A human rights lawyer, Mr Roh took office in 2003 vowing to fight corruption, but correspondents say his term was a rollercoaster ride, with his party hit by scandal and infighting.A human rights lawyer, Mr Roh took office in 2003 vowing to fight corruption, but correspondents say his term was a rollercoaster ride, with his party hit by scandal and infighting.
ROH MOO-HYUN 2003 - elected president2004 - suspended by MPs, then reinstated by court2008 - leaves officeApr 2009 - quizzed for alleged bribery 23 May 2009 - dies while mountain climbing Obituary: Roh Moo-hyunROH MOO-HYUN 2003 - elected president2004 - suspended by MPs, then reinstated by court2008 - leaves officeApr 2009 - quizzed for alleged bribery 23 May 2009 - dies while mountain climbing Obituary: Roh Moo-hyun
He was suspended early in 2004, after parliament voted to impeach him over a breach of election rules, but the Constitutional Court later overturned the move and he was reinstated.He was suspended early in 2004, after parliament voted to impeach him over a breach of election rules, but the Constitutional Court later overturned the move and he was reinstated.
Last month, Mr Roh was questioned over allegations that he had taken millions of dollars in bribes from a wealthy businessman.Last month, Mr Roh was questioned over allegations that he had taken millions of dollars in bribes from a wealthy businessman.
The former president later apologised for the scandal.The former president later apologised for the scandal.
"I feel ashamed before my fellow citizens. I am sorry for disappointing you," he said in a televised statement."I feel ashamed before my fellow citizens. I am sorry for disappointing you," he said in a televised statement.
In a statement posted on his website in April, Mr Roh admitted that his wife received a substantial sum of money from the businessman, but suggested it was not a bribe, but a payment to help her settle a debt.In a statement posted on his website in April, Mr Roh admitted that his wife received a substantial sum of money from the businessman, but suggested it was not a bribe, but a payment to help her settle a debt.