By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
The bereaved family of former President Kim Dae-jung wants Sunday's funeral services at the National Assembly to be ``simple and open to all the people of Korea," according to aides Friday.
``To respect Kim's life-long promotion of national harmony, we would like to hold a funeral with the participation of all Koreans," Choi Kyung-hwan, spokesman for the former President, told reporters.
A funeral service committee led by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo has issued invitations to 20,000 guests representing various sectors of society.
Due to security concerns, however, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security said that citizens without invitations will not be admitted to the official funeral services at the Assembly.
``To accommodate more citizens, we are consulting with the government to organize a ritual or a cultural ceremony at Seoul Plaza, adjacent to Seoul City Hall, after the services," he added.
The National Assembly is the site of the official memorial altar but additional sites have been established nationwide, including the one at Seoul City Hall.
The Assembly held a Catholic mass Friday, with Speaker Kim Hyong-o and Democratic Party Chairman Chung Sye-kyun in attendance and paid tribute to the late Kim's legacy as a long-time opposition leader.
A six-member North Korean delegation will be attending Korea's first state funeral for a former head of state to honor the late 2000 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
``We are thankful to the North Korean leader Kim Jong-il for sending a delegation. Former first lady Lee Hee-ho will receive them and express her gratitude," Choi said.