Who Is Roh Moo-hyun? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Roh Moo-hyun was born on September 1, 1946, which makes him 78 years old as of 2025. He served as the President of South Korea from 2003 until 2008, advocating for democracy and reform, and is remembered for his progressive policies and efforts to engage with North Korea. His presidency cemented a legacy of political activism and a commitment to social justice.
You can learn more about his life and political career by visiting Roh Moo-hyun's Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 1, 1946 |
| Age | 62 Years |
| Birth Place | Pongha, southern Korea |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | South Korea |
| Date of death | 23 May, 2009 |
| Died Place | Bongha Village, South Korea |
Popularity
Roh Moo-hyun's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though there are limited details about his physical measurements, it’s known that Roh Moo-hyun had an average build during his presidency. He stood approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighed around 150 lbs (68 kg) during his active years in office.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Roh Moo-hyun was married to Kwon Yang-sook, and their marriage lasted until his untimely death in 2009. They had two children together, a son, and a daughter, further expanding their family through a close-knit relationship that underscored his values of support and unity. Roh Moo-hyun's family played a crucial role in his political life, providing a foundation of shared principles and commitment.
His parents had three boys and two girls, and Roh was the youngest of his family. In 1953, he entered Dae Chang Elementary School. He received high grades, but was quite often absent from school to assist his parents. While in sixth grade, with the encouragement of his school teacher, he became the president of the school.
As he entered Jin-yeong middle school, a writing contest was held to commemorate Syngman Rhee's birthday. Roh tried to start a student movement against it, but was caught and suspended from the school.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his presidency, Roh Moo-hyun's net worth was modest compared to other politicians, reflecting his focus on public service over personal gain. Following his death, discussions around his net worth highlighted his lifetime dedication to service rather than personal wealth accumulation. Roh Moo-hyun is remembered more for his impact on society than for his financial standing.
In 1991, before the election of the national assembly, the Weekly Chosun posted an article that alleging that Roh was a politician with hidden wealth. Roh sued the company for defamation and won, but lost the election for his seat.
Career, Business and Investments
Roh Moo-hyun's political career took off after his work as a human rights lawyer, leading to his election to the National Assembly. His commitment to reforms centered on tackling corruption and promoting social welfare marked his presidency. Although not heavily involved in business ventures, Roh Moo-hyun's investments were primarily focused on societal betterment and the promotion of democratic values. His post-presidency period was characterized by continued influence on democratic movements both in South Korea and around the world.
Roh's pre-presidential political career was focused on human rights advocacy for student activists in South Korea. His electoral career later expanded to a focus on overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, culminating in his election to the presidency.
He achieved a large following among younger internet users, which aided his success in the presidential election.
Roh's election was notable for the arrival in power of a new generation of Korean politicians, the so-called 386 Generation (people in their thirties, when the term was coined, who had attended university in the 1980s and who were born in the 1960s).
This generation had been veterans of student protests against authoritarian rule and advocated a conciliatory approach towards North Korea, even at the expense of good relations with the United States. Roh himself was the first South Korean president to be born after the end of Japanese rule in Korea.
Social Network
Roh Moo-hyun was an active figure within both domestic and international political circles. His approach to politics emphasized transparency and dialogue, gaining him numerous allies among reformist politicians. Social media reflects his enduring influence, with dedicated pages and groups focused on preserving his legacy of democratic engagement and reform.
As his policy for eradicating corruption inside the government had included many administrative reforms, he had to face high opposition. During the reformation of the prosecution, to resolve the opposition, he suggested a TV forum.
The prosecutors insisted that Roh appointed the major positions of the prosecutor's office without consulting the personnel committee, and Roh answered that "The current members of the personnel committee themselves represent the old prosecution which has to be changed, if we do not change now, it would sustain the old prosecution at least few mont
hs." Three months into his presidency, he commented about the opposition problem, stating "I'm worrying the opposition that maybe I cannot continue the presidency while I get that much of it." That comment was quoted partly by conservative media, ('I cannot continue the presidency') and Roh was beset by skepticism about his ability and experience.
Roh set the tone of his administration with a number of adventurous policies, and measures to uncover and reveal the names of the descendants of Japanese collaborators.
The investigations, criticized by opposition parties as a covert means of attacking them, and coming too late to provide substantive redress, mostly resulted in damage to his own party members.
Education
Roh Moo-hyun’s educational background includes a law degree from Kyungnam University, where he later developed a passion for legal rights and human rights advocacy. His commitment to education and its transformative power resonates through his political actions and public speeches, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in fostering an informed society.
In conclusion, Roh Moo-hyun’s legacy as a visionary leader continues to inspire many. His impact in political reform, focused on justice and dialogue, is an integral part of South Korea’s trajectory today.
Roh Moo-Hyun decided to become a lawyer due to the influence of his elder brother who had studied law but had died in a car accident. Roh studied on his own to pass the bar exam in 1975 (South Korea does not currently require bar examinees to have graduated from college, university, or law school). In 1977, he became a regional judge in Daejeon, but quit in 1978, and became a lawyer.
