Kim Geun-tae, a renowned pro-democracy activist and politician who laid the cornerstone of South Korean democracy, died of complications from pneumonia and blood poisoning on Friday. He was 64.

He served as leader of the former ruling Uri Party and health and welfare minister during the late President Roh Moo-hyun administration.

Kim was hospitalized late last month due to cerebral vein thrombosis at Seoul National University Hospital after suffering from Parkinson’s disease for years. 

Complications of pneumonia and blood poisoning were the main factors in his death, hospital officials said.

Due to his pro-democracy activities, he was imprisoned frequently under the military dictatorship in the 1970s and 80s.

In 1985, he was subjected to electrical and water torture more than 10 times at the hands of police during interrogation for his pro-democracy activities. The torture reportedly accelerated the onset of his Parkinson’s disease.

He was first elected to the National Assembly in 1996, and was reelected twice.

Once considered a potential candidate to succeed Roh as president, Kim retreated from public view after he decided not to run in the 2007 race.

He had since served as a standing advisor for the main opposition Democratic Unified Party, mediating the opposition camp’s efforts to create a united liberal front ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.

He is survived by his wife In Chae-keun, who received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award with him in 1987, a son and a daughter.

By Kim Yoon-mi (yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)