Suicide...

Of course the biggest news in South Korea right now is the death by suicide of former President Roh. He and his family were under investigation for bribery, corruption etc. stemming from his time in office and his campaigns before that.

I've had a couple of experiences with suicides, and while it may take the person doing it out of whatever problems they are having, it leaves behind a lot more. But then, they are taking care of present and future problems in this very final way, so the argument that you are leaving behind more problems for those who love you will hardly count.

The worst one I experienced was a colleague at the Boksburg works of ELB who hung himself from the crane in the store, and at such a time that it was almost sure to be his family who would find him, not his colleagues. He was going through a bitter divorce, and I'm sure, expected his wife to walk in to find him. Instead, she sent in their daughter of six. You can imagine the rest.

So, Roh Moo-hyun, you felt that the whole situation was too much, and so you climbed the hill, found a cliff, and jumped. I hope your family copes with their problems. And I hope they forgive you the pain of your death.