BBC reported "Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, who has died after falling into a ravine, was a controversial figure whose administration ended last year dogged by scandal and infighting. blablabla"; The New York Times "Former President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea, whose reputation as an upstanding political leader had been tarnished recently by a corruption scandal, committed suicide on May 23, 2009 by jumping off a cliff near his retirement home, according to his aides and the police. blablabla"; CNN "Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun committed suicide Saturday by leaping to his death from a hill behind his house, the government announced. blablabla." There are so many worldwide news about him. But none of them is telling about human Roh Moo-hyun, I mean his personality, because news is, of course, news that is always crazy about political issues and crimes. Thus, I would like to say something about how nice and great he was both as a president and as a person. That's why this tragedy means a lot to many Korean people.
Look at the first series of pictures. He was quite mischievous in casual situations, like a little kid, as you can see. He was witty and funny, so amusing anybody around him. I attended one of the informal lectures he made before he was elected. I was just so excited and pleased by his hilarious talks. He was smoking a cigarette inside a tiny country grocery store. I feel like he is my uncle or any very close person to me when looking at the picture of it. People loved his such easy and free personality. So did I. He was such a natural, humble person not knowing any luxurious stuffs and not having any arrogance. That's what I especially liked. He was never like typical serious and arrogant politicians. He liked being with kids, cycling, and loving and caring people. He was the first president really caring and thinking of all the nation. He cried, shouted, fighted, and suffered for his people. A lot of Koreans consider him as their hero and mourn for him not only because he was the nation's first truly democratic president with his high reputation for political cleanness and as a freedom fighter but also because he was actually like their fathers or brothers who they can trust and love.
He will be missed by most Koreans. And history will judge his greatness. May he rest in peace... and hope his family doesnt suffer too much...
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