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South Koreans mourn death of Kim Dae-Jung
AFP - Wednesday, August 19
SEOUL (AFP) - - Past and present leaders joined ordinary South Koreans Tuesday in mourning Kim Dae-Jung, who fought for democracy against military rulers and struggled to make peace with North Korea when he finally became president.
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"We lost a great political leader today," said President Lee Myung-Bak soon after Kim died in a Seoul hospital Tuesday at the age of 85.
"His accomplishments and aspirations to achieve democratisation and inter-Korean reconciliation will long be remembered by the people."
Kim held South Korea's first-ever summit with North Korea in 2000 and was awarded the Nobel peace prize later that year.
The presidential office said it would respect the family's wishes on whether to organise a state funeral. It said Seoul would not stop North Korea sending an official delegation to the funeral if it wishes.
Former leaders also paid tribute.
"I hope former President Kim, who underwent a stormy political life, will rest peacefully in the bosom of God," said former military ruler Chun Doo-Hwan, whose government condemned Kim to death in 1980.
In one of his first acts after starting his five-year term in 1998, Kim pardoned Chun who was convicted of treason and corruption after leaving office.
"I feel sad and regretful,"said Kim Young-Sam, who was Kim's predecessor as president between 1993 and 1998. "A big tree has fallen in the country."
The two Kims battled together for democracy in the 1970s and 1980s but chose different political paths after decades of military rule ended in 1987.
Hundreds of mourners including United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon paid last respects to Kim, whose body lay in a funeral hall at the hospital, amid a national outpouring of grief.
Ban said the country had lost a "great leader."
The government said it would set up mourning altars in central Seoul and other cities.
"South Korea lost one of its greatest leaders today," the conservative ruling Grand National Party said in a statement.
"During his lifetime former president Kim dedicated himself to democracy, human rights and the development of relations between South and North Korea."
The main opposition Democratic Party described Kim as "the great teacher of the age."
It added: "We are not ready to bid farewell to you, who did not give in to dictatorship, overcame the economic crisis and made us aware that we (North and South Koreans), divided by hostility for half a century, belong to one nation."
Kim took office in February 1998 at the height of the Asian economic crisis which ravaged South Korea. Under his leadership, the nation pulled itself out of the crisis and launched major economic reforms and corporate restructuring.
Kim never wavered on the need for reconciliation with North Korea, even though his "sunshine" engagement policy failed to halt Pyongyang's drive for nuclear weapons.
The US embassy described him as an "inspiring leader, a committed activist, and a good friend."
Park Kie-Duck of the Sejong Institute think-tank said Kim ushered in the era of politics for the masses.
"Shouldering the burden of democracy more than anybody else, he was eventually successful in achieving the country's peaceful power transition," Park said.
Choi Seong-Jin, 55, was one of dozens of ordinary residents blocked from visiting the altar at the hospital while VIPs paid tribute.
"I felt my heart collapse at the news," she said tearfully." I wish I could pay tribute to the great politician today."
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