[AJU NEWS DB]
Former Korean President Kim Young-sam passed away aged 87, Sunday morning. Kim, who established an era of true democracy and civilian leadership in Korea, lead the nation from 1993~1998.
Kim’s health wasn’t at its best in recent years. He was hospitalized for 18 months from 2013 until last year with pneumonia and stroke. His causes of death were sepsis followed by acute renal failure.
The iconic democratic fighter was well known for his strong will and his political determination. The late President’s left a statement “You may twist a rooster’s neck, but dawn will still come” when he was being expelled from the National Assembly in 1979, for his anti-government activities against President Park Chung-hee regime, which still is favored by the public.
Kim Young-sam made many changes to Korean political map during his time of presidency. One of the greatest legacies was the purging of politically engaged military generals. The scholars judge his actions as being the foundation of Korea’s institutional democracy.
His other well-known legacy was the “real-name” financial transaction system. It was a reform in financial and real-estate transactions which, made politicians and businessman to trade or make transactions in false names.
But his presidency didn’t end well. Towards the end of Kim’s presidency, his legacies were eclipsed by the late President being under his son’s influence- peddling and the economic crisis that hit the nation to call for help from the International Monetary Fund.
Former and current politicians and supporters mourned the former President’s death. Former President Lee Myung-bak expressed his condolence y saying, “The last symbol of Korea’s democratic movement has passed.”
Ruling Saeuri Party’s chairman, Kim Moo-sung also mourned the late President. “I am President Kim’s political heir,” He said, “I am so heartbroken.”
The late President will be commemorated with the state funeral. The funeral, organized by the Interior Minister, will be at 2 p.m on Thursday after a five-day mourning period. The late Kim Young-sam will be laid to rest at the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak district
아주경제 박세진 기자 = swatchsjp@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
![[OPINION] Election loss weakens Turkeys President Erdoğan](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/04/11/20240411153203838176.jpg)
