Park skips state funeral due to bad health

President Park Geun-hye and family members of late former President Kim Young-sam bow as the funeral car prepares to leave for the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

President Park Geun-hye stands as the coffin holding the late former President Kim Young-sam’s body is moved to a hearse at Seoul National University Hospital, Thursday. / Yonhap

President Park Geun-hye did not attend the state funeral of former President Kim Young-sam at the National Assembly Thursday due to health problems.

Instead, she revisited Seoul National University Hospital, where Kim’s memorial altar was set up, and bade farewell to the former head of state as his body was leaving for the service.

“I once again pray for the deceased and hope the funeral will turn out well,” Park told Kim’s second son, Kim Hyun-chul, who expressed his gratitude for her appearance despite her poor health. Park also comforted the bereaved family members.

Previously, the President visited the hospital on Monday, hours after returning home from a 10-day overseas trip that included G-20 and APEC summits.

Park had wanted to attend the state funeral, but due to her poor health she was prevented from going outside in the freezing cold, so the hospital visit was decided at the last minute. The funeral was held on the grounds of the National Assembly for an hour-and-a-half.

Park has a high fever and cold symptoms following her three-nation overseas trip.

“The President’s personal doctor recommended she refrain from outdoor activity because her condition has not improved. In addition, the doctor was worried that exposure to the cold may adversely affect her planned overseas trip this weekend,” said senior presidential press secretary Kim Sung-woo in a briefing.

“However, in order to pay her respects to the deceased, President Park has decided to make a visit to the hospital and bid a final farewell to Kim.”

Park is scheduled to leave for Paris on Sunday to attend the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference and deliver a speech at UNESCO. She also plans to hold a summit with the leaders of the Visegrad Group countries ― the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia ― in Prague, the Czech capital.

While attending the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, Park was informed of Kim’s death and mourned the former president. She also approved the state funeral for the democratic champion.