Koreans bid solemn farewell to Kim

Tens of thousands of citizens, politicians, government officials and foreign dignitaries gathered at the National Assembly yesterday to pay their final tribute to late former President Kim Dae-jung.

The state funeral for the Nobel laureate, revered for his lifelong dedication to democracy, human rights and peace on the Korean Peninsular, was also attended by President Lee Myung-bak, first lady Kim Yoon-ok, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o, Chief Justice Lee Yong-hoon and former presidents.

Foreign delegates from 11 countries, including former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former speaker of Japan`s House of Representatives Yohei Kono and former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan also took part in the ceremony.

Kim died last Tuesday at age 85 after battling pneumonia and other related complications at a Seoul hospital for 37 days.

He is the first former president to be given a state funeral. The first state funeral was held for then-President Park Chung-hee, who was assassinated in 1979 while in office.



Former presidential secretary Cho Soon-yong and former Environment Minister Shon Suk led Kim`s funeral ceremony, which was televised nationwide.

Public Administration and Security Minister Lee Dal-gon offered a brief personal history of Kim, followed by speeches by Prime Minister Han and Park Young-sook, head of the Meerae Forum, a civic organization on discussing the ideal future society.

"Having been imprisoned, put under house arrest, sentenced to death and lived in exile, you have had many vicissitudes. You have withstood them all with your unyielding will and tenacity," said the prime minister, who headed the 2,371-member funeral commission, during his eulogy.

"Your pursuit of the development of democracy and peaceful reunification, and your enthusiasm for national unity will offer a crucial guidance for our future ... Our wish is that you put all the heavy burdens down and rest comfortably."

During her memorial address, Park Young-sook, one of Kim`s close associates, said that the former president embodied democracy.

"Democracy on this soil was born out of your blood and tears. The democratic society you cultivated was a truly different world from the previous one," said Park.

"It would be foolish of us to recount your achievements as we cannot even measure the enormity of your legacy. Your name will live on for good. Rest in history now."

Christian and Buddhist leaders, in turn, offered their religious services in wishing that the former president rest peacefully. The funeral service ended with a volley of firings by soldiers from the Navy, the Army and the Air Force.

After the service, the cortege carrying Kim`s coffin and portrait passed through his residence in Donggyo-dong, western Seoul, Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza and Seoul Station before it entered the Seoul National Cemetery in southern Seoul where Kim was laid to rest.

"I deeply appreciate your overflowing love. My husband has never caved in to any appeasement or pressure in his efforts for human rights and inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation despite bloody pain and suffering," former first lady Lee Hee-ho told thousands of mourners at a memorial altar set up at Seoul Plaza in central Seoul on her way to the cemetery.

"My husband has, for his lifetime, pursued the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. His last wishes were we would live as consciences in action that love peace and needy neighbors."

Police dispatched about 16,900 police officers, including 5,480 officers around the Assembly, to assist in Kim`s funeral.

Near his tomb at the cemetery, the tombs for former Presidents Rhee Syng-man and Park Chung-hee, against whom Kim spearheaded the democratic movement, are located.

Kim served as the country`s 15th president from 1998-2003. Before assuming office, he had led an unceasing struggle against authoritarian leaders to bring democracy to the country. Following three defeats in presidential elections, Kim won the election in 1997 to become the first opposition leader to take power.

His unrelenting pursuit of reconciliation and improved ties with North Korea with his Sunshine Policy of engaging the communist neighbor resulted in the landmark inter-Korean summit in 2000. His lifelong dedication to democratization and peace on the Korean peninsular won him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.

A state funeral is fully funded by the government, and all public and government offices are required to be closed. Former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Choi Kyu-ha were honored with a people`s funeral, which is partially state-funded.

(sshluck@heraldm.com)



By Song Sang-ho