I’m somewhat ambivalent about the news: I agree with OFK and most likely other regular readers concerning Roh’s NK policy. I also got angry with his administration at times over the years due to their anti-US habit.

But, this is all mitigated a good bit by the fact — Roh didn’t invent any of these. He just has a significant share of the blame:

Kim Dae-Jung kicked the Sunshine Policy off in a major way – and even brought Clinton along to a significant extent. And the last two years of Bush’s presidency might not have brought back the full level of America’s Sunshine Policy, but it was wrongheaded to such an extent it makes it harder for me to lump too much damage onto Roh’s image for me.

Roh’s legacy to me is now one of an enigma. I already didn’t understand the guy much after listening to him talk almost immediately after the 2002 election about how he thought he might not be cut out for the job and hinted at resigning.

Him killing himself over what we can guess at now based on what we know is just as puzzling to me: He got caught in an influence pedaling scandal — whoopie-doo — since this is South Korea we’re talking about. Compared to previous president’s the amount he’s accused of amassing was a pittance. If Korean politicians made a habit of killing themselves over shame of taking money — it’d significantly reduce the overall population of the nation!!

I can’t help but wonder if maybe Roh’s financial fortunes might have been even more damaged due to the economic downturn as well…???…

We’ve seen a string of high profile suicides the last couple of years and some related to crashed fortunes. I wonder if we’ll find out Roh’s family fortune might have been crushed more than just the slush fund…???…