By Park Ji-won
Political parties and Cheong Wa Dae expressed shock Monday over the suicide of the Justice Party floor leader Rep. Roh Hoe-chan, and offered their condolences to his family.
Roh was being investigated for allegedly receiving illegal political funds. The minor opposition party said its floor leader's death was "tragic." "There is no way but to feel tragic," said spokesman Choi Suk in an emergency briefing Monday.
Party members stayed silent for many hours after Roh's death declining to answer any questions.
"This was abrupt and sad news about our party floor leader Roh Hoe-chan's death this morning. The overall facts about the incident were announced by police. We are also in the process of grasping the details of the situation," Choi added.
The party said it will hold an emergency meeting at Roh's memorial service at the Severance Hospital, Sinchon.
The presidential office and political parties consecutively released statements and canceled their planned schedules to deal with the suicide of the iconic lawmaker.
Cheong Wa Dae also canceled its planned live-streaming broadcast of President Moon Jae-in answering questions listed on the presidential office's website after the news of Roh's death.
Presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyum expressed condolences and said "there was heartbreaking news in the morning. I hope Roh can rest in peace."
The ruling DPK spokeswoman Baek Hye-run said "it is sad and shocking and cannot be described in words. We express condolences to Roh's family."
Citing him as an iconic symbol in Korea, Baek said, "He was the living evidence of progressive politics in Korean history as he made all-out efforts to create hope for these since the early 1990s."
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party also released a statement saying, "He set an example as a politician who cared for ordinary people and workers and led political reform. The death of Roh, who was beloved by people for his piercing comments, is a tragedy for Korean politics," the conservative party's senior spokesman said.
Roh had denied the allegations made against him in Washington, but in a suicide note he said that he took money, but it had nothing to do with illicit favors.
Meanwhile, support for the minor Justice Party has been growing amid falling support for the ruling party.
In a survey Monday, the progressive party, despite its small size with six seats in the National Assembly, remained the third most popular party with support of 10.4 percent, up 1.2 percentage points from last week according to pollster Realmeter. In June, its support topped 10 percent for the first time since the party was founded in 2012.
Political parties and Cheong Wa Dae expressed shock Monday over the suicide of the Justice Party floor leader Rep. Roh Hoe-chan, and offered their condolences to his family.
Roh was being investigated for allegedly receiving illegal political funds. The minor opposition party said its floor leader's death was "tragic." "There is no way but to feel tragic," said spokesman Choi Suk in an emergency briefing Monday.
Party members stayed silent for many hours after Roh's death declining to answer any questions.
"This was abrupt and sad news about our party floor leader Roh Hoe-chan's death this morning. The overall facts about the incident were announced by police. We are also in the process of grasping the details of the situation," Choi added.
The party said it will hold an emergency meeting at Roh's memorial service at the Severance Hospital, Sinchon.
The presidential office and political parties consecutively released statements and canceled their planned schedules to deal with the suicide of the iconic lawmaker.
The floor leaders of all parties had planned to hold a meeting Monday to discuss ways to promote Assembly cooperation after their return from the U.S., but this was canceled.
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Cheong Wa Dae also canceled its planned live-streaming broadcast of President Moon Jae-in answering questions listed on the presidential office's website after the news of Roh's death.
Presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyum expressed condolences and said "there was heartbreaking news in the morning. I hope Roh can rest in peace."
The ruling DPK spokeswoman Baek Hye-run said "it is sad and shocking and cannot be described in words. We express condolences to Roh's family."
Citing him as an iconic symbol in Korea, Baek said, "He was the living evidence of progressive politics in Korean history as he made all-out efforts to create hope for these since the early 1990s."
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party also released a statement saying, "He set an example as a politician who cared for ordinary people and workers and led political reform. The death of Roh, who was beloved by people for his piercing comments, is a tragedy for Korean politics," the conservative party's senior spokesman said.
Roh had denied the allegations made against him in Washington, but in a suicide note he said that he took money, but it had nothing to do with illicit favors.
Meanwhile, support for the minor Justice Party has been growing amid falling support for the ruling party.
In a survey Monday, the progressive party, despite its small size with six seats in the National Assembly, remained the third most popular party with support of 10.4 percent, up 1.2 percentage points from last week according to pollster Realmeter. In June, its support topped 10 percent for the first time since the party was founded in 2012.
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