ID :
76589
Sun, 08/23/2009 - 19:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/76589
The shortlink copeid
Korea to bid farewell to former President Kim Dae-jung
SEOUL, Aug. 23 (Yonhap) -- Thousands of politicians, ordinary citizens and
foreign dignitaries were set to gather at the parliament Sunday to bid their last
farewell to late former President Kim Dae-jung, a leader revered for his
dedication to democratization and inter-Korean reconciliation.
Commencing in the afternoon, the service will be the second state funeral ever
given in the country, the highest form of tribute accorded only once before to
President Park Chung-hee in 1979 after he was assassinated while in office.
Kim died Tuesday of pneumonia-related complications after he was admitted to a
Seoul hospital on July 13. He was 85.
The nation mourned for six days, with praise and condolences pouring in from
across the world. At home, President Lee Myung-bak mourned the loss of a "great
political leader."
"His work and desire for democracy and national reconciliation will be remembered
by the people for years to come," he had said.
A native of South Jeolla Province, Kim is remembered for his unrelenting struggle
against the country's authoritarian rulers.
He won the 1997 presidential election to become the first opposition leader to
take power. He also became the first South Korean head of state to shake hands
with North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il in a 2000 summit, which opened an
era of reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas. His efforts won him
a Nobel Peace Prize that year.
The North Korean leader sent a delegation, led by one of his close aides, to
Seoul to pay respects.
Kim's body will be laid to rest at Seoul National Cemetery.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
foreign dignitaries were set to gather at the parliament Sunday to bid their last
farewell to late former President Kim Dae-jung, a leader revered for his
dedication to democratization and inter-Korean reconciliation.
Commencing in the afternoon, the service will be the second state funeral ever
given in the country, the highest form of tribute accorded only once before to
President Park Chung-hee in 1979 after he was assassinated while in office.
Kim died Tuesday of pneumonia-related complications after he was admitted to a
Seoul hospital on July 13. He was 85.
The nation mourned for six days, with praise and condolences pouring in from
across the world. At home, President Lee Myung-bak mourned the loss of a "great
political leader."
"His work and desire for democracy and national reconciliation will be remembered
by the people for years to come," he had said.
A native of South Jeolla Province, Kim is remembered for his unrelenting struggle
against the country's authoritarian rulers.
He won the 1997 presidential election to become the first opposition leader to
take power. He also became the first South Korean head of state to shake hands
with North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il in a 2000 summit, which opened an
era of reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas. His efforts won him
a Nobel Peace Prize that year.
The North Korean leader sent a delegation, led by one of his close aides, to
Seoul to pay respects.
Kim's body will be laid to rest at Seoul National Cemetery.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)