Former president Kim taken off respirator

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 3-6)
SEOUL, July 19 (Yonhap) -- Former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung was taken
off artificial respiration, as he was gradually recovering from complications
that arose after he contracted pneumonia, a Seoul hospital said Sunday.
The 85-year-old Nobel laureate, who served as the country's leader from
1998-2003, has remained in an intensive care unit at Severance Hospital in
western Seoul for nearly a week after being diagnosed with pneumonia.
Kim, who was admitted to the hospital last Monday, was at one point in critical
condition due to breathing difficulties before being placed on a respirator on
Thursday.
"Doctors removed the respirator from Kim at 2:20 p.m.," a hospital official said,
citing normal blood pressure readings and other medical indicators.
Kim was quoted by his aide as saying "thank you, thank you" to his doctors
shortly after the removal of the respirator.
"Doctors have asked Kim to reduce his dependence on the respirator. But he will
remain in the intensive care unit for the time being," the aide said.
In 2005, Kim was admitted to hospital after showing symptoms of a cold and fever.
He met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in 2000 for the first-ever
inter-Korean summit for which he was awarded the Nobel peace prize later that
year in recognition of his efforts to promote reconciliation.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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