The investigation on former president Roh Moo-hyun and his family will likely be put to an end as the ex-president is found dead, the justice minister said Saturday.

Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han expressed deep regrets over the death of the former president in a statement, adding that the current case is likely to be closed.

"The police and the prosecution are probing into the exact cause and details of the death," the minister said.

The prosecution has been investigating a bribery scandal involving Ex-president Roh and his family members as his wife and son were alleged for accepting around six million U.S. dollars from Park Eon-cha, head of shoe manufacturer Taekwang Industry, during his five-year presidential term.

Investigators were suspecting Roh was the intended recipient of the money.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2009)