By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The late former President Roh Moo-hyun's wife took part in memorial rites for her husband Monday morning, her first appearance in public since his death.
Kwon Yang-sook had been staying in seclusion at her home in Bongha Village, Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, since Saturday after her husband took his own life.
The former first lady visited the village's community center at around 2 a.m. where the dressing of Roh's corpse for burial took place. She traveled to the center by car and entered in a wheelchair.
Dressed in black jacket and gray trousers, she looked weary and haggard.
Kwon fainted at Pusan National University Hospital, Saturday morning, after the confirmation of her husband's death. She regained consciousness hours later, but stayed at home and did not receive mourners. Roh's aides said she has barely eaten food and drunk water since.
When his body was placed in the coffin, Kwon bade farewell to her husband, saying, ``Go peacefully,'' according to her aides.
After the ceremony, she returned home, continuing to wipe tears away with a handkerchief. As for condolences from Roh's supporters, she replied only with nods.
Kwon's aides quoted her as saying, ``We've lived together for 36 years and how can he go without saying a word to me? How can I live from now on?''
It was reported that right before Roh went out to hike on Saturday morning, ultimately to commit suicide, Kwon was awake and told him that she would go with him. Roh is said to have replied, ``Okay," but left with a security guard while she was still changing.