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Koreans turn out in force for Roh Koreans turn out in force for Roh
(40 minutes later)
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak and 3,000 other guests have been attending his predecessor Roh Moo-hyun's funeral in the capital Seoul. Tens of thousands of South Koreans have turned out in Seoul for the funeral of former President Roh Moo-hyun, who died last week.
The ceremony began with the South Korean national anthem, after a hearse brought former President Roh from his hometown of Bongha to the capital. Top officials attended the ceremony, while crowds filled nearby streets.
Mr Roh jumped off a cliff last Saturday amid allegations, which he denied, of bribery. His death shocked South Korea. Mr Roh dedicated himself to democracy and he would not be forgotten, PM Han Seung-soo said in a eulogy.
Some say Mr Roh was investigated for political reasons. Roh Moo-hyun jumped off a cliff last Saturday amid allegations, which he denied, of bribery. His death has caused immense shock in South Korea.
Riot police are on standby in case there are disturbances at the funeral. Some supporters say Mr Roh was investigated for political reasons. Authorities fear they may protest and some 15,000 riot police are on stand-by in case of disturbances.
Millions of South Koreans have already paid condolences at mourning altars across the country. Mr Roh was president between 2003 and 2008, when his term ended. Current President Lee Myung-bak's Grand National Party won the subsequent election, forcing Mr Roh's Uri party from office.
I can't imagine the countless agonies down the road. The rest of my life would only be a burden for others. I can't do anything because I'm not healthy. I can't read books, nor can I write.Don't be too sad. Isn't life and death all part of nature? Don't be sorry. Don't blame anybody. It's fate. Please cremate me. And please leave a small tombstone near home. I've long thought about that. Suicide note left by Roh Moo-hyun Source: Yonhap news agency class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/8065531.stm">In Pictures: S Korea in mourning class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8064866.stm">In quotes: Reaction to Roh 'suicide' class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8065121.stm">S Koreans sad and angry over Roh 'Hunted by conservatives'
A human rights lawyer by profession who came from a humble family, Mr Roh left office last year after a five-year term as president. He left a note suggesting his death was a suicide. Millions of people have already visited altars around the country to pray for Mr Roh.
He was a firm believer in reconciliation with North Korea, says the BBC's Kevin Kim in Seoul. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/8065531.stm">In Pictures: S Korea in mourning class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8064866.stm">In quotes: Reaction to Roh 'suicide' class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8065121.stm">S Koreans sad and angry over Roh
Many of the policies were overturned by his conservative successor President Lee Myung-bak, in terms of dealings with North Korea and industrial relations. Early on Friday the funeral procession left Bongha, the village to which he retired, for the journey to Seoul.
Bribery allegations As the hearse arrived in the capital, tens of thousands of supporters wearing yellow - his campaign colour - lined the streets.
Mr Roh took office in 2003 vowing to fight corruption, but analysts say his term was a rollercoaster ride, with his Uri party hit by scandal and infighting. The funeral was held at a former palace. Delivering the eulogy, Mr Han said that Mr Roh had "spent his life fighting for human rights, democracy and the end of authoritarianism".
He prided himself on being a "clean" politician in a country with a long history of political graft, our correspondent says. "We will strive to follow your last wishes for reconciliation, unity and a better nation," he said.
Crowds watched the service on a huge television screen. Some booed as Mr Lee laid a flower for his predecessor.
Some of the former president's supporters blame Mr Lee for the corruption investigation which they believe drove Mr Roh to his death, says the BBC's Chris Hogg, from Seoul.
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. "I think the former president was hunted by conservatives," said one mourner, housewife Lee Ae-ran, as she paid her respects.
Last month, Mr Roh was questioned over allegations that his family had taken more than $6m in bribes from a wealthy shoe manufacturer, Park Yeon-cha, who was indicted in December on separate bribery and tax evasion charges. Mr Roh's body will be cremated after the funeral and his ashes taken back to Bongha.
The former president later apologised for the scandal. Mr Roh - a human rights lawyer - came from a humble farming family, but rose to the highest office on a platform of clean government and reconciliation with North Korea.
Last month, he was questioned over allegations that he had taken more than $6m in bribes from a wealthy shoe manufacturer, Park Yeon-cha, who was indicted in December on separate bribery and tax evasion charges.
The former president later apologised for the scandal. But last Saturday he was killed in a fall from a mountain near his home, in an apparent suicide.