Local Leaders Nationwide: "We Lost a Symbol of Democratization"

On the 22nd, after learning of the death of former President Kim Young-sam, local government leaders across the nation expressed deep condolences, saying "a great star symbolizing South Korea's democratization has set."

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon posted on social media: "88 years devoted to democratization, civil government, and reform. We have lost an elder," adding "The great legacy that the late President Kim left us with 'great deeds without grandiosity,' we remaining people will act with the weight of that responsibility."

Local leaders from Busan and South Gyeongsang Province, who had special ties with former President Kim, quickly issued statements or sent flowers to the mortuary to express condolences.

Busan Mayor Seo Byeong-soo said, "I sincerely mourn the passing of former President Kim, who established a civilian government and led South Korea's democracy," adding "As a president from Busan, he made great contributions to regional development, so the citizens and I extend our deep gratitude and respect."

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Hong Jun-pyo and Changwon City Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, who grew into senior political figures after receiving former President Kim's endorsement in the 1996 legislative elections, also expressed condolences.

Mayor Ahn said, "We have lost a great leader," pledging "I will do my utmost to inherit the spirit of the President, who devoted himself to South Korea's democratization and achieved numerous reforms, so that South Korea and Changwon City can achieve greater development."

Governor Hong sent flowers to the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital, where the mortuary was set up, on the morning of the 22nd.

Local leaders on overseas business trips are expressing condolences on their return or hastening their return home to pay respects.

Gyeongbuk Province Governor Kim Kwan-yong, returning from a business trip to Senegal, said, "Former President Kim was a symbol of South Korea's democratization and a great leader who brought about many changes to the nation," adding "I cannot contain my regret at news of his passing, and I mourn deeply with 3 million residents of the province."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-phil, on a business trip to Japan, said, "Former President Kim tirelessly ran for the sake of this land's democracy and was the president who opened South Korea's era of civilian government," evaluating that "During his tenure, he achieved bold reforms including the eradication of factional ties within the military, the real-name financial system, and the public officials' asset disclosure system."

Evaluations of democratization, one of former President Kim's greatest achievements, have continued.

South Jeolla Province Governor Lee Nak-yeon said, "Former President Kim devoted his entire life to freedom, human rights, and democracy, and did not yield despite numerous hardships including expulsion from the National Assembly and house arrest," revealing that "Regarding the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, he assigned historical significance by stating 'today's government stands on the extension of the Gwangju Democratization Movement as a democratic government' and condemned the new military faction."

Gwangju City Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun mourned, saying "During his tenure, he laid a cornerstone for the completion of democracy and left great footprints through bold reforms to eradicate privilege and corruption," and "Gwangju remembers how it established the May 18 Democratization Movement as a proud history of South Korea, preserved the spirit of Gwangju, and created a history of which future generations need not be ashamed."

Incheon City Mayor Yu Jeong-bok said, "As a president who revived local autonomy and established grassroots democracy centered on citizens, laying the foundation for today's local autonomy," he remarked "Through bold reform measures such as eradicating corruption, he left a legacy that transformed the nature of South Korea's politics and economy."

The mayors of Ulsan and the governor of Jeju introduced special regional ties with former President Kim and honored his memory.

Ulsan City Mayor Kim Ki-hyun said, "As he devoted care during his tenure, including promoting Ulsan to metropolitan status, my condolences feel especially profound," pledging "I will long remember and further advance the great love he had for the nation and Ulsan."

Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong said, "He showed great affection for Jeju, the island of peace, hosting the 1996 Korea-U.S. summit and Korea-Japan summit in Jeju," adding "In a single year alone, he held two occasions where he discussed Korean Peninsula affairs and world peace with the leaders of the United States and Japan in Jeju, playing a major role in introducing Jeju to the world as an 'island of peace,'" mourning his passing.