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Former President Kim’s Graveyard Ablaze

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By Lee Tae-hoon

Staff Reporter

The grave site of former President Kim Dae-jung at the National Cemetery in Seoul has been burned down, police said Tuesday.

Police suspect arson, but could not immediately confirm it as the site is in a blind spot for closed-circuit televisions.

"A janitor put out the fire at around 10 a.m. But there was nothing seen as wrong on the last patrol at 9:10 a.m.," an official of the state-run cemetery said.

The Kim Dae-jung Peace Center called for a thorough investigation into the case, expressing resentment over the alleged arson.

"It was a shameful and deplorable act," said Choi Kyung-hwan, spokesman for the center. "Police should quickly investigate this sad case to find out why it was committed, by whom and with what intent."

leeth@koreatimes.co.kr