South Korean police investigate the area near an entrance to the mountain where former South Korean president Roh Moo-Hyun plunged to his death, near his private residence, at the village of Bongha in Gimhae, about 450km southeast of Seoul yesterday. Photo: AFP

South Koreans were in shock Saturday over the apparent suicide of former president Roh Moo-Hyun, with his successor describing the case as a national tragedy.
Roh, who was in office from 2003-8, was questioned last month as a suspect in a multi-million dollar corruption case.
He fell from a cliff near his retirement village of Bongha close to the southeast coast. An aide said he left a suicide note for family members.
"It is truly hard to believe what happened. It is a sad, tragic incident," current President Lee Myung-Bak was quoted by his spokesman as saying.
Lee was told of the death while holding a summit with Czech President Vaclav Klaus. He cancelled his remaining engagements for the day.
Lee told ministers to prepare Roh's funeral "with respect and in line with the protocol for a former president," the spokesman said.
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso offered condolences to the neighbouring country.
"I was quite surprised," Aso told reporters after hearing about Roh's death, according to Jiji Press.
"I would like to offer my condolences and pray for the repose of his soul."
The allegations against Roh had tarnished his image while in office as a clean president who had been elected partly on pledges to fight corruption.
Justice Minister Kim Kyung-Han said the graft case against Roh would be formally closed. "I express deep condolences...and pray for the repose of the deceased," he said.
Kim Dae-Jung, Roh's predecessor as president, expressed "great shock and sorrow," according to an aide.
Kim was the country's best-known dissident during the days of army-backed rule, while Roh made a name as a human rights lawyer before turning to politics.
"I've lost my life-long companion, with whom I took part in struggles for democracy and shared 10 years of a democratic government," Kim said.
"Allegations concerning his family members have been leaked to the press every day," Kim said. "He was probably unable to bear the pressure and tensions any longer. My heart goes out to his family."
Ordinary South Koreans also questioned whether prosecutors and the media had been too tough. But some said suicide was not the proper course for a former president.
"I am sad and shocked," Im Soon-Ok, 61, told AFP. "This brings shame on the whole country. Prosecution authorities were too harsh on the former president," she said.
Engineer Jang Soo-Dong said news media "and prosecutors and others who fed them with unconfirmed allegations" should be held partly responsible.
"It's so sad," said schoolgirl Baek Ji-Young. "It's a shame on this country to put a former president under pressure to take his own life."
A local web portal received more than 15,000 posts less than three hours after Roh's death was confirmed, Yonhap news agency said.
Many called the former human rights lawyer a "brave man" and a "victim of the era."
However businessman Park Hae-Heon expressed disappointment that a former leader had resorted to suicide.
"He should have resorted to the legal system to prove what is right and wrong," Park said.
Im Shin-Kuk, a 22-year-old student, said the apparent suicide "was not a responsible way for a former president to behave.
"He must have been under so much pressure. But he should have given it a little more thought."