By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Behind the ongoing investigation is an invisible clash ― or tug of war, with conservatives calling for jailing the former liberal head of state and liberal groups arguing that the conservative administration has kicked off a full-scale suppression of liberal movements here.
Yellow-ribbon supporters of the former president surrounded Roh Moo-hyun's home Thursday morning in a show of support for their hero, claiming a political vendetta against liberalism here. His supporters also gathered around the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building even before his arrival.
Members of his fan club ``People who love Roh Moo-hyun,'' better-known by their moniker ``Rohsamo,'' waved yellow ribbons, yellow roses and yellow handkerchiefs to say farewell to their hero at the entrance of the village, where the traffic of non-residents was restricted for security's sake. They even threw rose petals on the road, bearing in mind the famous Korean poetic verse ``If you want to leave me, walk over me.''
The Roh followers gathered Wednesday night to talk about what they should do for Roh. They hung yellow ribbons and balloons on trees and poles in the village to show their love and support.
Around 7 a.m., about 150 members urged the prosecution to stop ``politically attacking and suppressing'' Roh. ``It was Roh who institutionalized political the neutrality of prosecutors but in just a year, they claimed prosecutors have become sycophants of those in power.
One of their placards questioned whether prosecutors can question President Lee Myung-bak over allegations of irregularities with the same standard they are Roh.
They held placards reading ``We send you with tears but hope to see you with a smile,'' ``Leave him alone. He's just a farmer now,'' and ``We are happy to have you with us.'' Some showed hostility toward the media, which they believe to have amplified and circulated groundless rumors about him. ``Reporters sold their soul,'' one placard read.
When the limousine bus carrying Roh arrived at 1:19 p.m. at the prosecution's office in southern Seoul, some conservative activists threw eggs at it. One threw a shoe.
They called for a thorough investigation and criticized Rohsamo and held a rally around the office from early in the morning, calling for the prosecution to arrest him.
About 150 members from five different conservative groups urged the prosecution to seek an arrest warrant for Roh. ``He was the President and a lawyer. He knew what was legal and what wasn't. Therefore, he should be punished severely,'' an angry protestor said. Minor clashes between the two groups took place but no one was hurt. About 12,000 police and security agents were mobilized around the prosecution office.