Now, while a lot of people still grieve former President Roh Moo hyun's death to this day... assessments of his political legacy are still divided.
And our political correspondent Kim Min ji takes a look back at his life as president and after.
Roh Moo hyun came to power in February 2003 as South Korea's 16th president.
He was a liberal politician who fought against regionalism, corruption and social polarization.
"The generation which permits cheating and privileges must be put to an end. Let's open a new era in which people who are fair and square are the ones that succeed."
The top priorities of Roh's so called 'participatory government' were to pursue democracy with the people, build a balanced society... and to establish peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.
Roh also prioritized national interests when it came to economic and diplomatic issues.
During his term, he inked a free trade deal with the U.S. and sent South Korean troops to Iraq despite strong opposition from his own supporters.
He also made headway to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula,... holding a summit with then North Korean leader Kim Jong il.
Although he's now remembered as a warm hearted leader who worked to improve the lives of the Korean people,... his life as president and post presidency wasn't always easy.
He clashed with opposition parties over his progressive policies,... while Roh was impeached in 2004 on charges of violating election laws.
However, he was later reinstated after the Constitutional Court ruled in his favor.
And not long after he returned to his hometown after his term ended,... he was mired in a bribery scandal which tarnished his reputation.... prompting him to take his own life.
He denied allegations that members of his family accepted illicit funds,... but the intensity of the probe appeared to be too much for the former leader.
Assessments of Roh's political legacy are still debated to this day,... but the tasks he tried to solve still linger such as rooting out regionalism and authoritarianism,... and establishing peace on the peninsula.
President Moon Jae in, who served as the presidential chief of staff to the late former leader,... has vowed to uphold Roh Moo hyun's dreams.
While paying respects after he won the presidency,... President Moon said he will return again to pay tribute after fulfilling his duties as president by seeking the changes demanded and desired by the Korean people.
Kim Min ji, Arirang News.
