Former President Kim Dae-jung, who met the late Michael Jackson on several occasions, expressed his deepest condolences Friday for the legend of contemporary pop music.
``Today, we lost a hero and a dear friend of Korea who supported our country's cause for reunification and peace. Personally, he was a good friend," said Kim, who served as President from 1998 to 2003.
Jackson was present at Kim's inauguration ceremony on Feb. 25, 1998, and had a private meeting with him at Cheong Wa Dae.
Kim first met Jackson at his office in 1997 when he was a presidential candidate and presented the singer with a calligraphic work that read ``Respect the heavens and love humankind."