Another Former Korean President Dies

This time it was due to illness and not self-inflicted. Former President Kim Dae-jung died Tuesday. He's been in the hospital for a month because of pneumonia and other "complications."

Kim was incredibly influential in bringing this country's current democracy into being, wrestling the government away from military regimes. He also lead a crazy life, including assassination attempts, jail time, a death sentence and simply being a "Korean person."

According to the article:

'Numerous wellwishers at home and abroad, including U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his former political foes, had been visiting the hospital for days to pay tribute to the statesman known for his brave opposition to authoritarian rule in the 1970s and 1980s.

Kim championed human rights and democracy. Since 1963, he was elected to the National Assembly four times during an epic political career that spanned 46 years.'

I'm sure numerous vigils and protests will be held over the next few days.

Check The Korea Times article here.

Also in The Korea Times is this chronology of Kim's life.