PHOTOS 'Mr. Clean' lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan kills himself amid bribery scandal
Police at the site where Roh's body was found. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Roh's body was in front of the main entrance of building 13, marked by the blue tent. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Roh Hoe-chan's body is transferred to an ambulance at the Namsan Town Apartment complex in Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Park Si-soo
Roh Hoe-chan
Rep. Roh Hoe-chan of the minor opposition Justice Party, whose tenacious pursuit of transparency and justice earned him the nickname “Mr. Clean,” committed suicide at an apartment complex in Seoul on Monday amid a bribery scandal.
A security guard found his body at 9:39 a.m. in front of building 13 at the Namsan Town Apartment complex, police said. Roh's mother and younger brother were living in the building.
Police found a jacket on the stairs linking the building's 17th and 18th floors. In the jacket was Roh's wallet containing his ID and business cards, as well as a note, officials said.
“I feel sorry for my family,” the note reads. “I did receive money linked with Druking, but it was not in exchange for any inappropriate favors.”
The three-term lawmaker has been under investigation for allegedly receiving 50 million won ($44,300) in 2016 from a powerful political blogger, widely known by his online nickname “Druking,” at the center of an opinion rigging scandal.
The case was investigated in 2016, but no charges were filed. Special prosecutor Huh Ik-bum's team reopened the case recently after finding that some evidence submitted in 2016 was fabricated.
Roh had returned from the U.S. the day before he killed himself.
The security guard found his body while collecting recyclable material.
“I heard a noisy crashing sound while I was checking a collection site for recyclable waste,” the guard told reporters. “When I found him, I didn't know who he was.”
The presidential office offered condolences for the “heartbreaking event.”
“There was a heartbreaking incident this morning," presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters. "I hope Rep. Roh will rest in peace."
The office also called off an internet broadcasting program in which Moon was scheduled to appear and give answers to online petitions.
Special prosecutor Huh also expressed condolences.
“It's truly heartbreaking to hear the unexpected sad news," Huh, wearing a black tie, told reporters. "I pray for his soul and offer words of consolation to his family."
Investigators at the window from which Roh is believed to have jumped. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Investigators at the window from which Roh is believed to have jumped. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Reporters converge on an investigator speaking about Roh's suicide at the Namsan Town Apartment complex in Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Roh's body was in front of the main entrance of building 13, marked by the blue tent. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul