Hi, there. How are you? It's hard to ask 'how are you?' to S.Korea people right now.

I'm not sure if you've heard about this. About a week ago, there was a terrible tragedy in South Korea. The former president Roh committed suicide because of the dishonorable charge of bribe. People believe that the charge was political slander from Right Wings including the current government. The irony is that Roh's political identity was 'reasonable conservative', not Left. However, Right Wings in South Korea regarded him as radical Left, and hated him a lot. And now, finally they succeeded to delete him forever.

I didn't like and advocate him 100% during his term, but the current president Lee is incomparably worse. As we had a huge demonstration last year, we gathered again to mourn the former president. He was the president of South Korea only 15 months ago. More than 4 million people attended the national funeral. People got angry against the current government, and felt guilty that we let him be killed.

There were so many people who were killed or committed suicide because of the policies not only by the current government but also by the former governments- so called 'democratic' ones. During Roh's term, social minorities didn't get enough support from the government, or sometimes were taken their rights by the government. So to me, Lo is not 'the sacrifice of democracy'. However, I got deeply shocked and hurt as I heard his death. Despite of all his political faults, he was one of the warriors for democracy in the 70s, 80s, and he was the first president who fought against authoritarianism. All of his faults and feats made me feel complicated, but just as the same human-being, my heart's broken for his short glory and too big agony. I also feel sorry for his family. He was a really good father and husband.

Anyway, so, the whole last week was for the condolences, and the gathering for the condolences is still going on by people. The national funeral by the government was finished, so the government is trying to dismiss the mass. In this situation, we say they are 'pouring oil on the fire'. People are getting more angry against the current government. It can be a turning point that will change the political picture of South Korea.

Here's a short episode. My sister used to be a person who didn't care about the politics. She has never voted in any election in her life. But now she says, "Now I understand how the politics influence my life and the society. I'm going to learn more, and definitely use my right to vote."

These are the darkness and brightness in South Korea.

Here's some more news for whom want more details about the accident and the people's reaction.

* from CTV.ca "Emotional funeral for South Korea's Roh Moo-hyun"
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090529/SK_funeral_...

* from AFP "Learn from Roh tragedy, SKorean politicians told"
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090530/world/skorea_politics_roh_16

* from BBC "Obituary: Roh Moo-hyun"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2535143.stm