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South Korea's ex-president dies Ex-S Korea leader 'kills himself'
(about 3 hours later)
Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has died of head injuries after falling into a ravine while climbing a mountain, police say. The former president of South Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, who had been under investigation for alleged corruption, has apparently committed suicide.
Mr Roh, 62, was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital in the southern city in Busan. A spokesman said Mr Roh, 62, appeared to have jumped into a ravine while mountain climbing near his home and had left a brief suicide note.
An aide to the former president said he had left what appeared to be a suicide note before jumping to his death. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital in the southern city of Busan.
The former president left office in February 2008 and had been under investigation for alleged bribery. Last month, Mr Roh apologised over allegations he had taken $6m in bribes while in office between 2003 and 2008.
"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. He never admitted any personal wrongdoing, but said he was sorry for disappointing the Korean people.
"We're investigating whether he fell by accident or committed suicide," he said. 'Deeply sad event'
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. In a statement read live on national radio and television, Mr Roh's former chief of staff, Moon Jae-in, said the former president had left a suicide note.
Mr Roh's former assistant, Moon Jae-in, said in a statement broadcast live on national TV and radio that the former president had left a suicide note. Medics said Mr Roh died from massive head injuries resulting from the fall
"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," he said. "Former President Roh left his house at 0545 (2045 GMT on Friday) and while hiking on the Bonghwa Mountain, appears to have jumped off a rock at around 0640," he said.
"He left a short suicide note addressed to his family members."
In the message, Mr Roh described his life as "difficult" and apologised for making "too many people suffer", according to a report on YTN television.
Police earlier said the former president had fallen down a mountain near his hometown of Gimhae and had been transported to Busan's hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at 0830 local time (2330 GMT).
Hospital officials later said he had died from massive head injuries.
The apparent suicide - believed to be the first by a modern South Korean leader - has shocked the nation.
"This is a truly unbelievable, lamentable and deeply sad event," President Lee Myung-bak, Mr Roh's successor, said in a statement.
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 on his website in April, Mr Roh admitted his wife received a substantial sum of money from the businessman. He said it was not a bribe, but a payment to help her settle a debt.
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