(4th LD) S. Koreans mourn death of their first Roman Catholic cardinal

(ATTN: UPDATES with U.S. ambassador's visit to the cathedral in para 11)
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Yonhap) -- Mothers, office workers 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.
"The nation has lost a great man," President Lee Myung-bak said while visiting
Seoul's Myeongdong Cathedral. "He taught people to love and share with each other
during the hard times."
President Lee, a devoted Protestant, was among some 3,000 people who paid their
respects on Tuesday, murmuring a prayer in front of a glass coffin that held
Kim's body clad in his favorite white robe.
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.
Braving a late winter cold spell of minus 9 C, Catholics and non-Catholics alike
crowded into the church, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had been their
spiritual leader for decades.
Pope Benedict XVI, in a message to Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, the
archbishop of Seoul, offered "heartfelt condolences to all the people of Korea."
"Recalling Cardinal Kim's devoted service to the Catholic community in Seoul and
assistance to the Holy Father, I join you in praying that our merciful Father
will grant him the reward of his labors and welcome his noble soul," the message
revealed by the Archdiocese of Seoul said.
A large number of prominent politicians, including former Presidents Kim Dae-jung
and Kim Young-sam, also visited the cathedral to offer prayers.
"A bright star has fallen," said former President Kim Young-sam. "Cardinal Kim
lived his whole life on behalf of the people suffering from poverty and political
suppression."
President Kim Dae-jung called the late cardinal an "inspiration and the country's
treasure."
The two ex-presidents are among South Korea's political activists who received
support from the late cardinal during their fight against the authoritarian
governments as former opposition leaders.
U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens also paid her respects at the
cathedral.
Stephens, who was in South Korea in the 1980s, recalled the cardinal's
contribution to democracy, human rights, equality and justice.
College student Jeong Jae-young, who was waiting toward 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."
The Presbyterian Church of Korea and the Cheondo Religion of Korea issued
statements expressing solace to the Catholics' loss, calling him a "leader to
everyone."
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 gave sanctuary to 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 in 1784, and Kim's grandfather died in prison after
being persecuted for his religion.
Kim was the Archbishop of Seoul from 1968-1998 and also showed a deep reverence
for North Korean churches and their congregations.
The government plans to build a memorial hall on behalf of the late cardinal
after discussing the details with the Catholic community, officials at the
culture ministry said Tuesday.
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.
The late cardinal donated his eyes to two patients and all his possessions to the
parish. Myeongdong Cathedral will be open to the public for four days until
Friday, when a funeral mass will be held.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)