Politicians across partisan spectrum pay respects to late first lady Son Myung-soon

Politicians from across the aisle paid respects at the funeral for Son Myung-soon, widow of former President Kim Young-sam, over the weekend.

Mourners pay their respects at the memorial altar for Son Myung-soon, widow of former President Kim Young-sam, at the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Sunday. Son died on Thursday at the age of 95 and her funeral procession will take place on Monday. [NEWS1]

Politicians from across the aisle paid respects at the funeral for Son Myung-soon, widow of former President Kim Young-sam, over the weekend.

Son died at the age of 95 at Seoul National University Hospital on Thursday.

She had been undergoing treatment for a chronic ailment at the hospital in central Seoul. Son had been hospitalized with Covid-19 in December 2022 and suffered from pneumonia symptoms.

Son's late husband, Kim, was an icon of Korea's democracy movement. He served as president from 1993 to 1998 and died in 2015 at the age of 87.

Born in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, in 1929, Son majored in pharmacology at Ewha Womans University.

In 1951, she married Kim, a political newcomer, as a university junior.

Son has been recalled as a devoted wife and first lady who faithfully supported her husband as a political partner throughout his life.

Presidential staff, including chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup, visited the memorial service on Friday and delivered a condolence message on behalf of the president to her bereaved family.

Lee told reporters that President Yoon Suk Yeol relayed that "first lady Son Myung-soon made great contributions standing behind President Kim Young-sam, who led the democratization movement and made many major reforms while in office."

Upon hearing of Son's death, Yoon said that Son had "conveyed public sentiment to President Kim Young-sam and always played the role of a political partner behind the scenes."

He added that "everyone will remember her life of grace and beauty."

Yoon also asked his aides to support the "late first lady's departure with the highest respect," according to a presidential official.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, right, pays respects at the memorial altar for Son Myung-soon, widow of late President Kim Young-sam, at the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno District, central Seoul, Friday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who served as head of the trade office in the Commerce Ministry, the precursor of the Industry Ministry during the Kim Young-sam administration, also visited the memorial altar Friday.

"I witnessed in person first lady Son's warm heart, consideration for employees and dedication to supporting the president's state affairs," Han said in recollection of Son.

Both conservative and liberal political figures showed their respects to Son during the five-day funeral process.

Han Dong-hoon, interim leader of the People Power Party (PPP), floor leader Yun Jae-ok and other members of the conservative party visited the memorial service Friday.

Likewise, leaders of the majority Democratic Party (DP), including chairman Lee Jae-myung and floor leader Hong Ihk-pyo, also paid his respects throughout the day.

Other politicians from minor splinter parties, including former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, former PPP chief Lee Jun-seok, head of the New Reform Party and former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, also were seen at the memorial service.

"The era of 'three Kims' has completely come to an end," former Prime Minister Lee, chief of the New Future Party and a former journalist, said. "We are at the site of a changing of the era."

He referred to a trio of heavyweight politicians who dominated the Korean political scene in the 1980s and 1990s — former President Kim Young-sam, late President Kim Dae-jung, who died in 2009, and Kim Jong-pil, a former prime minister and political kingmaker who died in 2018.

Business leaders also visited the funeral parlor that day, including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, head of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and Hyundai Motor Executive Chair Euisun Chung.

Former President Lee Myung-bak and former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were among the high-profile figures who visited the altar on Saturday.

Son's burial ceremony is scheduled for Monday.

She will be buried at the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak District, where former President Kim is also laid to rest.

Kim and Son are survived by their two sons and three daughters.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]