Progressive South Korean politician found dead in apparent suicide
Police move the body of Rep. Roh Hoe-chan, Justice Party floor leader, from the grounds of an apartment complex in Jung-gu, central Seoul, Monday, after his apparent suicide. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Lee Suh-yoon
A progressive politician was found dead in the grounds of an apartment complex in Seoul, Monday, in an apparent suicide, amid an investigation into his alleged acceptance of illegal political funds.
The body of Rep. Roh Hoe-chan, 61, floor leader of the minor opposition Justice Party, was found at the apartment building where his mother and brother lived, located in Jung-gu, central Seoul, according to police.
A security guard at the apartment found the body at 9:38 a.m. after hearing a loud noise. Roh's coat ― with his purse, business cards and a letter ― was found next to a window in the staircase between the 17th and 18th floors.
In his letter, Roh admitted to accepting 40 million won ($35,200) from a group at the center of an online opinion-rigging scandal involving a power blogger named Druking; but said he neither gave nor promised any political favors in return. He also apologized to his family.
“It was a foolish choice and shameful decision,” he wrote in the note. “I should take responsibility for it.”
He also apologized to his Justice Party for causing trouble.
“I can no longer face Chairwoman Lee Jeong-mi and other beloved party members,” he wrote. “I stop here but I hope my party continues to move forward.”
Police said they would not conduct an autopsy as the family did not want it and the cause of the death was clear, adding the letter was in his own handwriting.
A memorial altar was set up for him at Severance Hospital in western Seoul. The funeral will be held Friday, with the party chairwoman taking charge of organizing it.
Roh, a former labor rights activist and popular left-wing icon, had spoken out frequently against corruption and social injustice.
Roh Hoe-chan, the now deceased Justice Partly floor leader, at Incheon International Airport, Sunday, following a U.S. visit. / Yonhap
However, he fell under the scrutiny of a special counsel investigating the online opinion-rigging scandal where Druking and his team members allegedly manipulated online comments to influence the presidential elections last year.
One of Druking's team members, a lawyer surnamed Do, was recently called in for questioning under suspicions of transferring 40 million won in illicit political funds to Rep. Roh in 2016. The two attended the same high school.
Roh denied all allegations before his death. Last Thursday, during a visit to Washington, D.C., Roh told reporters he “never received any illegal political funds” and was happy to “fully comply with the ongoing investigation to reveal the truth.”
But in his letter, he admitted to accepting money.
The prosecution seemed stunned to hear of Roh's death. In a nationally televised address, Huh Ik-bum, the independent counsel investigating the allegation, expressed his condolences.
“A person who made an important mark on modern political history and the nation's legislative activity passed away today,” Huh said, wearing a black necktie. “I will talk about the ongoing investigations next time, and again offer my deepest condolences to Rep. Roh and his family.”
Fellow lawmakers also expressed shock over the news.
“I'm so shocked that I don't really want to talk,” Rep. Hong Young-pyo, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, told reporters. “Roh gave his all to work for the weakest members of society.”
Rep. Kim Kwan-young, floor leader of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, said Roh showed no signs of making such a radical choice during the recent trip by party floor leaders to Washington, D.C., to discuss North Korea issues.
Roh Hoe-chan, right, at the wedding reception of fellow Justice Party member Sim Sang-jung, center, and her husband, Lee Seung-bae. / Courtesy of Justice Party
“I'm extremely shocked,” Kim said. “When the five of us had a drink together Friday night, he showed no signs of contemplating such an act.”
President Moon Jae-in also expressed his condolences.
“Though I was not in the same party as Rep. Roh, we worked together, in the same period of time for a more progressive Korean society,” Moon said during a meeting with secretaries. “Roh, in leading the progressive bloc, contributed to broadening our political spectrum.”