Eldest son of late President Kim Young-sam dead at age 68

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Eldest son of late President Kim Young-sam dead at age 68

Published: 07 Aug. 2024, 14:08

CHO JUNG-WOO
cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr

Kim Eun-cheol, the eldest son of late President Kim Young-sam, center, and his brother Kim Hyun-cheol, right, attend their father's state funeral procession in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Nov. 26, 2015. [JOONGANG ILBO]

The eldest son of former President Kim Young-sam died on Wednesday at the age of 68.

Police said that Kim Eun-cheol, the late president’s son, was found dead at his father’s residence in Dongjak District, southern Seoul, on Wednesday morning.

He was discovered by a chef living at the house at around 6:40 a.m. According to reports, he did not show any signs of symptoms or illness the day before, though he had been suffering from pneumonia and pneumothorax. He was also diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage a decade ago.

Kim’s father was an icon of Korea’s democracy movement. He served as president from 1992 to 1998 and died in 2015 at the age of 87.

The police said they are looking into the cause of the son's death, while they suspect it to be due to the worsening of his chronic illnesses based on the surviving family’s accounts that his health had not been good.

The eldest son was known for living a relatively quiet life compared to his brother, Kim Hyun-cheol, who serves as executive director of the Kim Young-sam Presidential Memorial Foundation.

He left the country after getting married and lived in the United States, starting his own business. He had returned to Korea after seeing little success in his business and living out of the media’s radar. His last appearance was at the funeral of his mother, Son Myung-soon, in March, where he showed up wearing a pair of sunglasses and a fedora.

Kim had been treated at a hospital for his lung-related illnesses for the past decade and had been living at his father’s residence.

His memorial service will be held at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in southern Seoul.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]