The government said Sunday it will hold a national funeral for former President Kim Young-sam, who passed away earlier Sunday.
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Kim, who served as president from 1993-1998, was an iconic figure in South Korea’s pro-democracy movement. He fought against military rulers for decades and laid the groundwork for a peaceful power transition in a country rife with military coups. He was 88.
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The Ministry of Interior said it has agreed with the bereaved families to hold a ceremony at the National Cemetery in southern Seoul, the specifics of which will be discussed at a meeting at noon.
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Any decisions made at the meeting need President Park Geun-hye’s approval. The president also has the authority to appoint the head of the funeral committee, which will oversee the budgeting and execution of the ceremony.
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The mourning period will last five days, the ministry added. (Yonhap)
