Former South Korean President Kim Young Sam Reportedly Dies At 87 Due To Septecemia
Kim Young Sam, South Korea's president from 1993 to 1998, reportedly passed away at 12:22 a.m. on Sunday at the age of 87 after being hospitalized at the Seoul National University Hospital on Thursday due to breathing problems and high fever, reported Korea Times.
In recent years, Kim was reportedly admitted and discharged from the hospital numerous times after suffering from age-related stroke, pneumonia and angina.
"Kim is believed to have died from acute stress derived from septicemia in addition to a worsened heart condition," reported the hospital's Chief Oh Byung Hee in a press briefing.
As the first elected civilian president, Kim led the country to the end of military rule, which lasted for decades, and established a more democratic South Korea.
"The late Kim Young Sam dedicated his whole life to democratize and develop our country as the 14th president," recalled Prime Minister Hwang Kyo Ahn.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, former and current South Korea leaders, including Kim's supporters and detractors, attended the wake and mourned over the former president's death.
Among those in attendance are former Prime Minister Kim Jong Pil, former President Lee Myung Bak, ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo Sung and opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy Chairman Moon Jae In.
Many people remember Kim's uttered words in 1979 during his expulsion from the National Assembly over his antigovernment movements under the regime of Park Chung Hee in which he stated, "You may wring a rooster's neck, but the dawn still comes."
South Korea's current President Park Geun Hye was in Malaysia for the East Asia Summit during the time of Kim's passing, but made sure to express her condolences through her spokesman.
"The government will, in accordance with related laws and the wishes of the bereaved family, prepare a funeral with the greatest courtesy," presidential spokesman Jeong Yeon Guk quoted Park saying. "I express my deep condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the deceased [former President Kim]."
At 2 p.m. on Thursday, a funeral ceremony for Kim will be held in front of the National Assembly Building Seoul, after which, Kim's remains will be buried at the Seoul National Cemetery as selected by Kim's family following discussions with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, noted Korea Herald.