Ex-president pays tribute to old rival
Former President Kim Young-sam, center, makes a visit to the Severance Hospital yesterday to pay a call to his political archrival, former President Kim Dae-jung. By Kim Sang-seon
With Kim Dae-jung fighting for his life at Severance Hospital in Seoul after complications from pneumonia, Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung’s direct predecessor in office, paid a visit yesterday. Kim Young-sam noted the “unique” relationship between himself and Kim Dae-jung, saying the two have been “both kindred spirits and rivals.”
“Ours has been a love-hate relationship,” Kim Young-sam said. He was the conservative president from 1993 to 1998, and Kim Dae-jung was the liberal head of state from 1998 to 2003.
“It’s been a unique and special relationship, unprecedented not just in Korea but in the world,” Kim Young-sam said.
The two Kims date back to the 1970s when they both spearheaded democratization movements in Korea. But they went their separate ways in 1990 when Kim Young-sam led the merger of three political parties to form a major conservative party.
In June, Kim Dae-jung referred to President Lee Myung-bak as “a dictator,” and Kim Young-sam said Kim Dae-jung “should keep quiet.”
But when asked yesterday whether his visit meant the two had reconciled, Kim Young-sam said, “Yes, you can say that. And it’s about time, too.”
Kim Young-sam also said he wished Kim Dae-jung’s family the best of luck and added, “I said there are always miracles in life.”
Kim Dae-jung remained in intensive care yesterday. While his blood pressure was normal, Kim was still breathing with the aid of a respirator, and his aides said Kim is asleep most of the time.
A source with knowledge of Kim’s condition said the former president “may not last very long.”
“The X-rays of his lungs showed that his condition has worsened,” the source said. “He did improve slightly from early Sunday morning [when his blood pressure plunged], but he is still relying heavily on the respirator and medication to maintain his blood pressure level.”
Kim Young-sam was one of several political figures to visit Kim Dae-jung yesterday. Lee Hoi-chang, chairman of the Liberty Forward Party who ran against Kim in the presidential election, said Kim has overcome many obstacles in his life.
“I hope he overcomes this challenge, too,” he said
Kim Hyung-o, the National Assembly speaker, said he was “praying for a quick recovery.”
“President Kim still has a lot of work to do for the democracy of Korea,” the speaker said. “I am sure all of us are hoping for his fast and complete recovery.”
By Yoo Jee-ho [jeeho@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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