S. Korea bids farewell to late President Kim Dae-jung
- Source: Xinhua
- [13:38 August 23 2009]
- Comments
A South Korean woman attends the state funeral for the late former President Kim Dae-jung at the National Assembly in Seoul, capital of South Korea, Aug. 23, 2009. South Koreans bid farewell to Kim Dae-jung at the state funeral on Sunday afternoon. (Xinhua)
South Koreans bid farewell to formerPresident Kim Dae-jung at the state funeral held for him at the National Assembly on Sunday.
The service, starting at 02:00 p.m. (0500 GMT), marks the second "state funeral" held in the nation, following that of former President Park Chung-hee.
A state funeral is the highest form of tributes given in the nation, for which the government covers the full expense.
Some 30,000 people gathered at the nation's parliament to attend the service, the largest crowd ever, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.
Among the attendees were South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, First Lady Kim Yoon-ok, and former President Kim Young-sam, as well as politicians and foreign delegates.
The service started as the funeral car preceded into the site at around 01:50 p.m. (0450 GMT).
Giving an eulogy, Prime Minister Han praised the late president, calling him "a great leader of modern history, recognized not only within (South) Korea but by the world."
The service, which came after a six-day mourning period, lasted about an hour after various ceremonies, including religious rituals, were given to commemorate the ex-president.
Kim died of pneumonia-related complications on Tuesday after he was admitted to a Seoul hospital on July 13.
President Lee Myung-bak called him a "great political leader" while paying a condolatory visit to Kim earlier.
"His work and desire for democracy and national reconciliation will be remembered by the people for years to come," Lee was quoted as saying.
