By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Koreans mourned the death of former President Roh Moo-hyunand across the nation Saturday ― not only in his hometown but also in central Seoul and on various Web sites as well.

His body was carried to his home in Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province from Pusan National University Hospital at 6:30 p.m. Tens of hundreds of his supporters and villagers greeted the vehicle carrying his body many of them weeping.

Lots of citizens also gathered at Deoksu Palace in central Seoul from late afternoon and to pay homage to the former President at a makeshift memorial altar. There was a scuffling between the mourners and the police over the issue of installing a tent at the altar. The police allowed only the altar on a small table in front of the palace.

Web sites have also been flooded with hundreds of thousands of postings grieving his death. More than 200,000 people paid their respect to Roh at Roh's Web site at www.knowhow.or.kr by 6 p.m. Saturday. ``You were the only genuine president for the people. Please rest in peace,'' said an Internet user (ID `` seal.'').

Another netizen also said, ``Though I was not a supporter of Roh and disappointed with him because of recent bribery scandal, but I feel really sorry that he chose such an extreme way.''

Some Internet users suggest citizens hold candlelight vigils to honor Roh's death.

At Daum agora, some 87,000 people offered flowers to Roh. ``I couldn't do anything all day due to the lamentation. I thank you for being my President,'' said Sohn Myong-hee.

Another netizen Yoon Hye-jung said, ``He was a charming person regardless of political position. I pray for the repose of Roh.''

Some argue that the prosecution's harsh probe of Roh and his family forced him to take his own life. ``It is a political murder. The prosecutors, the government and conservative medias are responsible for Roh's death,'' a netizen wrote on the Web site of Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr