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U.N. chief mourns death of ex-S. Korean President Kim Young-sam

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U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon / AP-Yonhap

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon mourned the death of former South Korean President Kim Young-sam, crediting him for devoting himself to the country's democratization and carrying out bold reforms.

"I cannot contain my sorrow after learning that former President Kim has passed away," Ban said in a Korean-language message released after his arrival in Malaysia for the East Asia Summit. "I pray for the soul of the deceased and express deep condolences to the bereaved family members."

Ban said the former leader not only "sacrificed his whole life for our country's democratization while enduring all sorts of hardships, but also realized bold reforms to help the economy and the society of our country develop in a transparent and healthy manner."

Ban said Kim's legacies will go down in South Korean history.

Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, served as senior secretary to Kim from 1996-1997, when the former leader was in office.

"While assisting him with my little might, I was able to receive a lot of guidance from him. That has been a big foundation in my public career," Ban said. "I once again express deep condolences and pray for his soul to rest in peace."

In Tokyo, former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama also extended his condolences, calling Kim a "leader who South Korea needed in that era."

"I pray from my heart for his soul may rest in peace," Murayama told Yonhap News Agency by phone, recalling his summit talks with Kim when they were in office.

Murayama is famous in Korea for his 1995 statement apologizing for Japan's past aggression and colonial rule.

Even after retirement, the two had some "exchanges," he added.

Kim, president from 1993-1998, died early Sunday at the age of 88.

As an iconic figure of South Korea's pro-democracy movement, Kim fought against military dictators for decades and laid the foundation of a peaceful power transfer in a country that had been marked by military coups. (Yonhap)