According to a hospital, Roh Tae-woo died while receiving medical treatment for an illness. He had died at the age of 88 years.
Roh was a key figure in the military coup of 1979, which ushered in the country's democratic transition.
Roh pursued diplomatic relations with communist countries aggressively during his five-year term.
Due to its rivalry with North Korea, South Korea was vehemently anti-communist. Kim Young-sam, his successor, conducted an investigation into the coup and military-led crackdown, and Roh was arrested.
Later, he was pardoned after then-President-elect Kim Dae-jung requested a special pardon. Chun received a death sentence.
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