UN Chief pays tribute to former S. Korean President

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Former South Korean President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kim Dae-jung has died at the age of 85. Local media reported that Kim died of heart failure on Tuesday. News of his death brought an outpouring of condolences.

Visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to the former South Korean President. He expressed his sadness over the death.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, said, "Now, President Kim Dae-jung has passed away. However, I hope the peaceful unification of the Korea Peninsula, national unity, and political and social development, which he pursued throughout his entire life, will be accomplished by all of you."

South Korean leaders also expressed their condolences, including Kim Dae-jung's long political rival, Kim Young-sam.

Kim Young-sam, Former President, said, "I feel very sorry. I think a big tree of our country has fallen. He was my long-time competitor and friend, so I am very saddened by the fact that he has passed away."

Kim Dae-jung had been hospitalized for pneumonia for more than a month. He died of cardiac arrest brought on by massive organ failure on Tuesday afternoon.

He was best known for implementing South Korea's "Sunshine Policy," which sought to establish closer ties with the DPRK.