ROH Moo-hyun (1946-2009)
Roh Moo-hyun (Hangul: 노무현; Hanja: 盧武鉉; Korean pronunciation: [no mu hjʌn]) GOM (1 September 1946 – 23 May 2009) was the ninth President of the Republic of Korea (2003–2008). Roh's pre-presidential political career was focused on human rights advocacy for student activists in South Korea. His electoral career later expanded to a focus on overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, culminating in his election to the presidency. He achieved a large following among younger internet users, particularly at the website OhMyNews, which aided his success in the presidential election.[3][4]
Roh's election was notable for the arrival in power of a new generation of Korean politicians, the so-called 386 Generation, (i.e. people in their thirties when the term was coined, who had attended university in the 1980s, and who were born in the 1960s).[5][6] This generation had been veterans of student protests against authoritarian rule, and advocated a conciliatory approach towards North Korea, even at the expense of good relations with the USA.[7]
Despite high initial hopes,[8] his presidency encountered strong opposition from the conservative Grand National Party and media. They constantly accused him of incompetence, and insulting criticism was frequently published in the media.[9] As a result, many of Roh's policies, including a plan to move the capital, and a plan to form a coalition with the opposition, were also attacked and made no progress.
After leaving office, Roh returned to his hometown of Bongha Maeul. The constantly growing numbers of visits by his political supporters[10] were seen as a threat to the Grand National Party. Fourteen months later, Roh was suspected of bribery by prosecutors, and the subsequent investigation attracted public attention. This scandal, the collapse of the "Pro-Roh faction" of politicians,[11] the collapse of the Uri Party and the defeat of its successor the Democratic Party in the National Assembly, and the defeat of Roh's designated successor in the presidential elections, marked a decline in the political fortunes of the 386 Generation that had brought Roh to power.[12]
Roh committed suicide on 23 May 2009 by jumping from a mountain cliff behind his home named "Bueong-i Bawi" (lit. "Owl's Rock"), after leaving a suicide note on his personal computer.[13] About 4 million people have visited Roh's hometown named "Bongha Village" for a week after his death. His suicide was confirmed by police.[14]
Quotes·Quotations by ROH Moo-hyun
Dokdo
¶ Dokdo is a symbol of South Korea's liberation and return to self-rule after World War II.
References
[1]^ (Korean) "노무현후보 김추기경의 방문". Naver News Dong-a Ilbo. 20 June 2002. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
[2]^ (Korean)Hani News The Hankyoreh(3 September 2008). Retrieved 13 September 2008
[3]^ Watts, Jonathan (24 February 2003). "World's first internet President logs on". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 26 January 2008.
[4]^ "The Web Site That Elected a President". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. 24 February 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
[5]^ "Out with the old". Newsweek. 4 August 2003. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
[6]^ "Korea's Young Lions". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. 24 February 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
[7]^ "South Korea: Too Much Activism?". Newsweek. 27 November 2006. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
[8]^ Jung, Ha-yun (25 February 2003). "Democracy takes office in South Korea". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
[9]^ 디지털뉴스팀. "김동길 "노무현이 잘한 일이 뭔가"…독설 쏟아내 – 경향신문". News.khan.co.kr. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
[10]^ ""노무현 전 대통령님 나와주세요" : 사회일반 : 사회 : 뉴스 : 한겨레" (in (Korean)). Hani.co.kr. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
[11]^ "Roh’s 'Participatory' Group Fading Out". The Korea Times. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
[12]^ "Fiasco of 386 Generation". The Korea Times. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
[13]^ a b c "SKorean ex-president Roh dies in apparent suicide". Associated Press. 23 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
[14]^ "Ex-President Roh Jumps to His Death". The Korea Times. 23 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roh_Moo-hyun
