S. Koreans mourn death of their first Roman Catholic cardinal

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By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Yonhap) -- Mothers, office workers, merchants and political
leaders formed a lengthy human chain outside a landmark cathedral in Seoul
Tuesday, paying homage to the late Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, the country's first
Roman Catholic cardinal who stood at the forefront of South Korea's rugged path
to democratization.
"He was an inspiration, the country's treasure," said former President Kim
Dae-jung, who was among an early group of people to visit Seoul's Myeongdong
Cathedral. "He was never afraid to put his beliefs into action during the
country's period of dictatorial rule. I was lucky to have received so much
guidance and love from him."
Ex-president Kim, a former opposition leader who was imprisoned as a
pro-communist figure in the 1970s, is among South Korea's political activists who
received support from the late cardinal.
Ordained by Pope Paul VI in 1969, Cardinal Kim died at Seoul's St. Mary's
Hospital Monday evening at the age of 86 after suffering from pneumonia and
complications.
Shedding tears and murmuring prayers, Catholics and non-Catholics alike crowded
into the church where Kim's body lay, clad in a white robe inside a glass coffin.

Funeral officials said nearly 3,000 people had arrived at Myeongdong Cathedral
since 6 a.m. Tuesday, with people hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who was
their spiritual leader for decades. The temperature hit minus 9 C Tuesday
morning.
"A great man he was. Yet he was always alongside us, not above us," said
42-year-old Catholic faithful Im Mi-jeong. "I will always remember him by the
sacrifices he made for society."
College student Jeong Jae-young, who was waiting towards the back of a lengthy
line with two friends, said he came to see Kim's face for one last time although
he is a self-described non-believer.
"Cardinal Kim was there for the poor and underprivileged people, and fought for
democracy. I am so sad to see him go," he said.
"He is someone to remember, not just for Koreans but people everywhere," said
Richard Henderson, an English teacher in Seoul from Canada. "I have been told by
many people that he was a leader and a mentor for the country."
A large number of politicians, including former President Kim Young-sam, National
Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o, former presidential candidate Lee Hoi-chang, former
opposition leader Sohn Hak-kyu and minority party leader Moon Kook-hyun, also
visited the cathedral to offer their condolences.
President Lee Myung-bak, a Protestant, on Monday called the cardinal's death a
"great loss to the nation," praising Kim's symbolic role in the country's
democratic and labor movements.
South Koreans remember Kim not only as their first Roman Catholic cardinal but
also as an ardent supporter of democracy who unreservedly stood up against the
authoritarian governments that reigned here from the 1960s through the 80s.
During his sermons, Kim often outspokenly criticized the governments of Park
Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan for suppressing student activists and labor unions.
In 1987, he hid dozens of anti-government student activists at Myeongdong
Cathedral and told authorities who came to arrest them, "You'll be able to get to
the students only after you get past me, the priests and the nuns."
Kim was born to a poor family in the southeastern city of Daegu in 1922 as the
youngest son of eight children. His family's Catholic faith was considered
unusual in the traditionally Confucian society of the time. Catholicism was first
introduced to the peninsula as late as 1784, and Kim's grandfather died in prison
after being persecuted for his religion.
Kim was the Archbishop of Seoul from 1968 until 1998 and also showed a deep
reverence for North Korean churches and their congregations. He established an
inter-Korean religious organization in 1995, in hopes that religious persecution
would one day cease in the North and the two nations would reunify.
The number of Catholics in South Korea increased more than six-fold while Kim was
cardinal, topping 5 million in 2005 out of the country's 48 million people,
according to state data. Christians account for nearly 30 percent of South
Korea's population, followed by Buddhists, which account for roughly 23 percent.
Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, who succeeded Kim in 2006, is South Korea's current
cardinal.
Kim's eyes were donated to two patients awaiting cornea transplants, as per his
final wishes.
The late cardinal also donated all his possessions to the parish and asked not to
receive any floral wreathes and to keep the funeral "quiet and simple."
Myeongdong Cathedral will be open to the public for four days until Friday when a
funeral mass will be held.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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