Paying tribute to former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today said the Korean leader inspired millions with his unswerving commitment to the reunification of the North and the South.
"The Secretary General pays tribute to Kim Dae-jung's noble life of dedication to the goals of peace, democracy and prosperity on the Korean peninsula," a UN statement said.
"The Secretary General is filled with great sorrow and a sense of personal loss at the death of Kim Dae-jung, former President of the Republic of Korea and Nobel Peace Laureate," the statement said.
Ban expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Kim Dae-jung, as well as to the people of the Republic of Korea.
Kim Dae-jung was a great son of the Korean nation and a compassionate champion of human rights and democracy, the UN Secretary General said.