Roh Moo-Hyun

In a suspected suicide, former South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun died on the morning of May 23, 2009. The President of South Korea from 2003 to 2008 had been instrumental in international negotiations concerning the disarmament of North Korea.

President Roh was reportedly hiking with an aide when he either jumped, or fell down the side of a mountain and died of severe head injuries. A former member of Roh's administration told reporters that he had left a suicide note for his family and "jumped off a rock."New Straits Times: Former SKorean president dead, suicide probed (May 23, 2009) Roh had been the subject of a corruption probe.Sydney Morning Herald: Roh Moo-Hyun suicide probe (May 23, 2009)

The former President had been implicated in a bribery case involving multimillion-dollar payments by a wealthy shoe manufacturer. While Roh was still in office, both his wife and the husband of his niece were alleged to have received the payments. Roh admitted that his wife had taken the money and made a public apology, but denied that it constituted bribery.Sydney Morning Herald: Roh Moo-Hyun suicide probe (May 23, 2009) Boston Globe: South Korean former President Roh dead (May 22, 2009) BBC News: Obituary: Roh Moo-hyun (May 23, 2009)