By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
Former President Kim Dae-jung will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Malaya in Malaysia next week for his contribution to democratization and human rights improvements in South Korea and East Asia, and his life-long efforts for inter-Korean reconciliation, Kim's aide said Friday.
Kim's wife Lee Hee-ho will leave for Kuala Lumpur Saturday to receive the award on behalf of Kim, who is being hospitalized for a medical checkup, he said.
During her four-day stay in Malaysia, Lee is scheduled attend a graduate ceremony of the university and meet with Malaysian students majoring in Korean studies, he said.
In 2000, Kim held the first-ever inter-Korean summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, paving the way for inter-Korean economic cooperation.