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By Kim Sue-young

Staff Reporter

Ku Non-hoi, a civic activist-turned-lawmaker affiliated with the governing Uri Party, died of gastric cancer early yesterday morning, his family and hospital officials said. He was 46.

Ku started his political career as a lawmaker on the Uri Party ticket in the 2004 general election in Taejon, his hometown.

He had worked as a vice-floor leader of the party since 2005 and had participated in a special committee for political reformation and a capital relocation alternative plan committee.

The lawmaker was treated with stomach cancer in 1995 but had a relapse 11 years later, last February. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

The ruling and opposition parties have expressed their condolences, and the Uri Party said yesterday that it plans to back a bill to support cancer patients.

Born in Boryong, South Chungchong Province, in 1960, Ku worked for the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement and the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy before his public service.