Family of dead exec to sue Roh for libel in case of no apology

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- The wife and other bereaved family members of an executive who committed suicide will sue former President Roh Moo-hyun for defamation unless Roh offers a public apology for the businessman's death, a lawyer representing the family said Wednesday.

In 2004, Nam Sang-kook, chief of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co.,
committed suicide by jumping into the Han River in Seoul after Roh publicly
shamed him during a public conference broadcast nationwide.
Nam was suspected of giving 30 million won (US$22,650) in bribes to Roh's elder
brother, Roh Gun-pyeong, in a bid to retain his position. The elder Roh received
a suspended jail term for accepting the money.
Lawyer Lee Hun said the eight family members, including Nam's brother and two
children, plan to file a libel suit against the former president on Friday if Roh
fails to apologize for the incident.
The bereaved family members' move came on the heels of the arrest early this
month of Roh Gun-pyeong over allegations he took bribes for a business favor in
2006.
"The bereaved family members are in agony after investigation into the former
president's elder brother has triggered lots of talk on the past incident
(suicide)," the lawyer said. "They also do not believe Nam offered the elder Roh
bribes for his personal favor."
The family members, however, will not sue for damages, according to the lawyer.
Roh said at the 2004 conference, "I wish people like the president of Daewoo
Engineering and Construction, who have become very successful, would no longer
kowtow to and give money to an ordinary man living in the country."
Roh Gun-pyeong lives in his hometown of Bongha village in Gimhae, 449 kilometers
southeast of Seoul. Former President Roh also now lives in the village, where he
retired in February.
(END)