In a discussion of this news, SMU Assistant Professor Paul Chang, an American who is Korean by ethnicity, calls it a national tragedy. He expresses disappointment that Roh chose to end his life without exonerating himself. SMU Assistant Professor Chung Wai-keung says Roh's key appeal to the people had been his corrupt-free record and this value had been greatly undermined by affairs surrounding his family. Roh felt he had let many people down.