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Key dates in life of SKorea's Roh

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-24 11:15

A look at key events in the life of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun:

Aug. 6, 1946 — Roh Moo-hyun is born in Gimhae in southern Korea.

March 1975 — Passes bar exam, despite never attending college.

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May 1978 — Opens law practice, defends students accused of sedition under military rule.

April 1988 — Elected to National Assembly.

Dec. 19, 2002 — Narrowly wins South Korean presidential election.

Jan. 10, 2003 — The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) withdraws from global nuclear arms control treaty, inflaming standoff over its weapons programs. Roh calls for peaceful resolution.

Feb. 25, 2003 — Takes presidential office for five-year term, replacing Kim Dae-jung.

August 2003 — First round of six-nation talks on DPRK nuclear crisis end without breakthrough.

March 4, 2004 — National Election Commission says Roh violated election laws by making comments that could influence April parliamentary vote.

March 9, 2004 — Two main opposition parties submit the country's first presidential impeachment motion against Roh, who is impeached three days later.

May 14, 2004 — Constitutional Court reinstates Roh.

September 2004 — South Korea deploys 3,600 troops to Iraq to help US-led reconstruction efforts.

Oct. 9, 2006 — DPRK conducts nuclear test.

April 2, 2007 — South Korea and US reach free trade agreement, still to be approved by both countries' legislatures.

May 17, 2007 — Trains travel between two Koreas for first time since 1950-53 Korean War.

October 2007 — Roh holds summit in Pyongyang with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, the second meeting between leaders of two Koreas.

Dec. 19, 2007 — Former Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak, a Hyundai CEO-turned-politician, wins presidential election.

Feb. 25, 2008 — Lee takes office, replacing Roh. Roh moves back to hometown.

April 7, 2009 — Former Roh aide detained for allegedly relaying payments from businessman accused of bribing Roh and family members. Roh says wife admits taking money from businessman.

April 30, 2009 — Prosecutors question Roh about allegations he accepted $6 million in bribes from businessman while in office.

May 23, 2009 — Roh dies in Busan.