He considered those opposed to his position like mosquitoes and what was needed when they gathered to demonstrate their oposition was a can of mosquito spray. As a leader of one of the progressive parties his efforts to get rid of long standing evils was not accepted by many. In a joking way he considered those who were against reform a swarm of mosquitoes.
Roh Hoe-chan, a generous and humorous lawmaker, committed suicide on July 23rd. In his suicide note he admitted that he received two political donations totalling 35 thousand dollars.He was not asked for any favors and neither did he do anything in return but the law requires that a political donation be reported which he did not do; his guilty conscience was too much to carry. He considered the failure to report, stupidity on his part.
The cleaning ladies of the National Assembly lined up and cried. The opposition members who were against reform also had great sorrow on hearing of his death. Since he used humor and did not call call them the 'force of deep rooted evil', the opposition was not turned completely against him.
What would it be like if Mr Roh had not chosen to take his own life? He would be called to a special investigation every day. Why didn't you report the money? What did you do in return for the money? He would have gone throught a tortuous period. The mass media daily would criticize and condemn him. "You pretended to be an apostle of justice and clean but were taking bribes. You were a hypocrite." He would have been able to paper his room with the hate filled comments that would have come his way. Eventually, he would have made the same choice after all the humiliation. He forsaw the future and took his life.
The situation in society is of concern: we are made captive by a great deal of blind hate.Those taken in for questioning by the police continually large numbers take their own lives. It's not the torture and abuse during the course of the investigation which they can accept but the murderous criticism of the press and public opinion are too much for many.
It is clear that the 'Me Too' movement, which has changed the male-centered thinking and system that has been going on for a long time, does not mean to create a women-centered society by using men as the enemy. However, some women insult patriot Ahn Jung-geun because he was male, pickets asking the president to commit suicide, criticizing the church's anti-abortion campaign for violating the women's right to self-determination and even the desecration of the Eucharist to try to make a point.
Furthermore, some people who are pointed out as perpetrators blame themselves for being for a second time on the offensive when they ask for the truth through a public trial. It is not perfect, but the trial is the last step guaranteed by the Constitution, in seeking the truth.
There is no fault in this world that is so heavy that the person's existence needs to be denied. The Pope recently made this a teaching of the church which for many is a stumbling block. Life is sacred, the death of another is no longer necessary to maintain law and order. The cheapening of life is seen when we can condemn and criticize others enough to lead to suicide. Not to hate and correcting mistakes is very difficult, but it is the way to go.
