Roh Moo Hyun, former President of South Korea, spent his life thumbing his nose at the country's political establishment. As a human-rights lawyer in the 1980s, he defended student protesters who fought the then dictatorial regime. In 2002, Roh--who never attended college--stunned South Korea's élite with his upset presidential-election victory. Less than seven years later, on May 23, he committed suicide at age 62 by jumping off a cliff while hiking near his home.
Even now Roh remains a thorn in the side of his opponents. His devoted supporters blame the conservative administration of President Lee Myung Bak for driving Roh to his death. Prosecutors were investigating allegations of corruption against Roh (which he denied). For a man who professed to practice "clean" politics, the embarrassment was apparently too much to bear.
While serving as President from 2003 to 2008, Roh displayed more promise than progress. Hampered by inexperience, he achieved little of his reform agenda of decentralizing political power and redistributing wealth. His "sunshine policy" of engagement with North Korea produced a 2007 summit between Roh and Kim Jong Il but no lasting improvements in relations. Still, Roh left his imprint on South Korea's vibrant democracy. Through his commitment to activism, Roh encouraged South Koreans to fight for their rights. That's a legacy neither his critics nor his tragic death can rub away.