S Korean president expresses condolence over former president's death

SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bakon Tuesday expressed deep grief over the death of former presidentKim Dae-jung.

"We have lost a great leader of the nation," President Lee was quoted as saying by Lee Dong-kwan, spokesman for the presidential office.

"The late president's passion for democratization and unification, not to mention his achievements, will remain in South Koreans' memories for a long time," the president said.

President Lee also said he prayed for the president's soul and expressed deep condolence for his family.

Earlier in the day, Kim Dae-jung, who has been hospitalized for pneumonia for more than a month, died at the age of 85 at Seoul's Severance Hospital.