Seoul - Thousands of mourning South Koreans turned out on Sunday to pay their final respects to former president Ron Moo Hyun in his home village, following his apparent suicide.

Roh, 62, jumped from a cliff during a walk on Friday. He had been under investigation on suspicion of corruption relating to his time as president from 2003 to 2008.

Preliminary investigations suggest he planned to commit suicide, having left a note for his family before setting out on the mountain hike.

The death has shocked South Korea, with around 10,000 mourners flooding into the village of Bongha, where the body fo the former president is lying in state.

In the capital, Seoul, portraits and make-shift altars have sprung up where people can pay their last respects to the former leader.

An initial police investigation has confirmed that Roh left a farewell letter to his family on his computer.

Roh had been under suspicion of accepting around 6 million dollars in bribes from a businessman whilst in power - allegations he mostly denied, although he had offered a public apology. (dpa)