By Kim Hyo-jin
Senior political figures expressed their condolences Sunday following the death of former President Kim Young-sam.
President Park Geun-hye, currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where is attending the East Asia Summit (EAS) said through her spokesman, Jeong Yeon-guk, "I offer my heartfelt condolences and consolation to the bereaved family members and pray for the soul of the deceased."
Park, who is scheduled to return to Korea today, is expected to visit Kim's memorial altar at Seoul National University Hospital.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also mourned Kim's death, crediting him for his devotion to the pro-democracy movement and reformist moves made to introduce transparency in society.
"I'm overwhelmed with sorrow by the news that Kim passed away," Ban said in a statement released after his arrival in Malaysia for the EAS.
"Kim sacrificed himself to realize democratization and pushed a strong reformist drive to achieve economic and social development," he said. "His achievements will go down in Korean history."
Citing that he learned a lot when assisting Kim as senior secretary, Ban said it laid the foundations of his public career. Ban served as senior secretary to Kim from 1996 to 1997.
The U.N. chief called the bereaved family to express his condolences in person, said Kim's son Hyun-chul.
Lee Hee-ho, widow of former President Kim Dae-jung, offered her condolences following Kim's death in a press release.
Crediting Kim as a democracy fighter along with her husband, Lee said "Kim will be remembered as a president who brought changes to Korea."
Former President Lee Myung-bak paid condolences to the bereaved family, calling Kim a "symbol of democratization."
"The last figure who secured Korea's democracy passed away," he said. "We need to achieve developed democracy and industrialization so we accomplish what Kim used to dream."
Former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil visited the altar in a wheelchair.
"It's a pity that he didn't live longer," he said. "Kim will remain in people's memory as a leader with belief."
The leaders of the rival parties visited the altar and paid condolences to Kim's bereaved relatives.
"It's heart-breaking," Rep. Kim Moo-sung of the Saenuri Party told reporters at the hospital. "I'm Kim's political son. I will play the role of chief mourner."
Kim served as a secretary of civil affairs at Cheong Wa Dae when Kim was in office.
Moon Jae-in of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy said, "It's such a shame that Kim, who led the pro-democracy movement, passed away when democracy is at risk.
"We need to carry on his philosophy for democracy," he added.
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| Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung |
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| Former President Lee Myung-bak |
President Park Geun-hye, currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where is attending the East Asia Summit (EAS) said through her spokesman, Jeong Yeon-guk, "I offer my heartfelt condolences and consolation to the bereaved family members and pray for the soul of the deceased."
Park, who is scheduled to return to Korea today, is expected to visit Kim's memorial altar at Seoul National University Hospital.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also mourned Kim's death, crediting him for his devotion to the pro-democracy movement and reformist moves made to introduce transparency in society.
"I'm overwhelmed with sorrow by the news that Kim passed away," Ban said in a statement released after his arrival in Malaysia for the EAS.
"Kim sacrificed himself to realize democratization and pushed a strong reformist drive to achieve economic and social development," he said. "His achievements will go down in Korean history."
Citing that he learned a lot when assisting Kim as senior secretary, Ban said it laid the foundations of his public career. Ban served as senior secretary to Kim from 1996 to 1997.
The U.N. chief called the bereaved family to express his condolences in person, said Kim's son Hyun-chul.
Lee Hee-ho, widow of former President Kim Dae-jung, offered her condolences following Kim's death in a press release.
Crediting Kim as a democracy fighter along with her husband, Lee said "Kim will be remembered as a president who brought changes to Korea."
Former President Lee Myung-bak paid condolences to the bereaved family, calling Kim a "symbol of democratization."
"The last figure who secured Korea's democracy passed away," he said. "We need to achieve developed democracy and industrialization so we accomplish what Kim used to dream."
Former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil visited the altar in a wheelchair.
"It's a pity that he didn't live longer," he said. "Kim will remain in people's memory as a leader with belief."
The leaders of the rival parties visited the altar and paid condolences to Kim's bereaved relatives.
"It's heart-breaking," Rep. Kim Moo-sung of the Saenuri Party told reporters at the hospital. "I'm Kim's political son. I will play the role of chief mourner."
Kim served as a secretary of civil affairs at Cheong Wa Dae when Kim was in office.
Moon Jae-in of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy said, "It's such a shame that Kim, who led the pro-democracy movement, passed away when democracy is at risk.
"We need to carry on his philosophy for democracy," he added.
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