South Korea Ex-President Commits Suicide

The former president of South Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, who had been under investigation for alleged corruption, has apparently committed suicide.

A spokesman said Roh, 62, appeared to have jumped into a ravine while mountain climbing near his home and had left a brief suicide note.

Last month, Roh apologised over allegations his family took USD 6 M in bribes during his 2003-2008 term, the BBC reported.

He never admitted wrongdoing, but said he was sorry for disappointing people.

In a statement read live on national radio and television, Roh's former chief of staff, Moon Jae-in, said the former president had left a suicide note.

"Former President Roh left his house at 0545 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, Roh described his life as "difficult" and apologised for making "too many people suffer", according to South Korean media.

Roh's predecessor, Kim Dae-Jung, said he had lost his "life-long companion, with whom I took part in struggles for democracy and shared 10 years of a democratic government".

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