Former Korean President Commits suicide

Former president Roh commit suicide today, leaping behind his mountain home. He was known for his pro-North Korean stance. He grew up in a poor family, self studying for the bar exam without a college education. Roh received recent criticism for the economy and was undergoing an investigation for accepting bribes. He apologized to the Korean people, "I have no face to show to the people. I am sorry for disappointing you". It's worth mentioning that his platform was based on anti-corruption and that it appears that it was his family, not he, who accepted the money totaling $6mil.

This is an unfortunate tragedy for a man so accomplished, who has done so much for his country. May our flags fly at half mast to honor the president.

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/world/former-korean-president-in-suicide-411972.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30894701/
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/22/roh.dead/

Fire in Namdaemun

This is a huge tragedy for Korea. I have several other posts that I've been meaning to put up, but they'll have to wait. Take a look at the top picture I snapped in the New Years entry - I wish I'd been standing in front of it.

Namdaemun or Sungnyemun gate was a historic landmark in Seoul. Built in 1398, it was the oldest standing wood building. According to the all knowing Wikipedia, it used to guard the city from Tigers. We're talkin' National Treasure Number 1 of Korea!

My friend James was walking his dog when he took these pictures, the first one at 9:33PM on Feb 10th. He described the significance to Koreans as like the Liberty Bell.


1:43 AM, Feb 11th










1:49 AM, Feb 11th










Next day, Feb 11th 6:45PM