DPRK to send delegation to Kim Dae-jung's funeral

Watch Video

Play Video

An aide to the late South Korean President Kim Dae-jung has said that the DPRK will send a delegation to pay its final respects. He also said the former South Korean president's funeral will be held at the National Assembly, but that the exact date and format have yet to be decided.

The aide to the former South Korean president said the DPRK conveyed a message indicating that the leader of the DPRK, Kim Jong-il, had decided to send a five-member delegation to Kim's funeral.

Park Ji-Won, Aide to former S. Korean President, said, "Kin Jong-il sent a telegram expressing his condolence right after the news of former President Kim's death was reported. Also, he authorized a special delegation to express their condolences. They will visit with flowers from Chairman Kin Jong-il."

The letter, addressed to the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center, a non-governmental organization the former president established, said the delegation is planning a two-day trip to Seoul, and will offer floral tributes from Kim Jong-il. It includes a secretary of the DPRK's Workers' Party Central Committee, and a department director.

However, the South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman said the government has received no such information yet from the DPRK.

Inside the ceremonial funeral hall for Former President Kim Dae-Jung in Severance Hospital, South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo offered flowers and paid silent tribute to the Kim Dae-jung.

S. Korean PM Han Seung-Soo said, " He was a great leader in South Korea. We will remember his achievements for a long time. We will conduct his funeral service with the best respect and regard."

Meanwhile, hundreds of South Koreans queued to pay their respects to the country's former leader, who died of heart failure on Tuesday.

A S. Korean resident said, " As one of the Korean people, this year has been tragic. We have lost Cardinal Kim Su-hwan and a former president, Roh Mu-Hyun, and now we just lost Kim Dae-Jung. I think this is tremendously painful and sad for us."

A S. Korean resident said, " I am speechless. It is as if the sky is falling. My hope is gone, and my heart is empty."

Meanwhile, the South Korean government said it has not confirmed the date or the format of Kim Dae-Jung's funeral.