President Lee says S. Korea lost great political leader

SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday that the country
has lost a "great political leader" with the death of former President Kim
Dae-jung.

"The people will long remember his aspirations and accomplishments for democracy
and national reconciliation," Lee was quoted as saying by the presidential office
Cheong Wae Dae.
Lee expressed hope that Kim's efforts will lead to inter-Korean reconciliation
and national unity and also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, it
added.
Kim, who served as South Korea's president from 1998-2003, is revered for his
life-long campaign for democracy and the co-prosperity of the two Koreas. He had
the first inter-Korean summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2000 and
won the Nobel Peace Prize the same year for his achievements in inter-Korean
reconciliation.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)