(born Aug. 6, 1946, Gimhae, near Pusan, Korea [now in South Korea]) South Korean president (2003–08). Born into a poor family, Roh did not attend college but was able to pass the bar exam in 1975 and later became a highly respected human rights lawyer. He was a member of the National Assembly (1988–92) and served in the cabinet (1998–2002) of Pres. Kim Dae Jung. Roh, who favoured negotiations with North Korea and criticized U.S. policy toward the Korean peninsula, won the 2002 presidential elections. In March 2004 Roh was impeached over charges of electoral law violations, economic mismanagement, and illegal campaign donations. Though forced to temporarily step down, he was reinstated as president in May after the Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment. Roh was unable to run for a second term because of South Korean election law, and he left office in 2008.

Learn more about Roh Moo Hyun with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Ko Gi-Hyun (born May 11, 1986) is a Korean short track speed skater, who won the gold medal in women's 1500 m event and a silver medal in the women's 1000 m event in 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

External links

• Database Olympics

See also

• List of Korea-related topics