Staff members arrange the state memorial hall for late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, capital of South Korea, Aug. 20, 2009. The South Korean government decided on Wednesday to hold a state funeral for late President Kim Dae-jung on Aug. 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Newsis Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

S Korea's former President Kim Dae-jung dies

    SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Former President Kim Dae-jung died at the age of 85 at 1:42 p.m. (0442 GMT) Tuesday, Seoul's Severance Hospital said.

   Kim was moved to the hospital on July 13 as he showed symptoms of pneumonia. Full story

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 president Kim 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. Full story

DPRK to send high-ranking official to mourn former ROK president

    PYONGYANG, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- A delegation led by Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), will visit the Republic of Korea (ROK) to mourn former ROK president Kim Dae Jung from Friday to Saturday, the official KCNA news said on Thursday. Full story