By Look who showed up at the hospital to see how Kim Dae-jung is doing:
Former President Chun Doo-hwan yesterday visited the hospital in Seoul, hoping for the recovery of former President Kim Dae-jung, who has been hospitalized for more than a month due to complications of pneumonia and old age. Kim, 85, venerated for his lifelong devotion to democracy and peace on the Korean Peninsula, had been sentenced to death for resistance against the military government under Chun’s rule.
Chun, 78, had been sentenced to death for rebellion in 1996 and was pardoned by Kim the next year. Chun served as president from 1980 to 1988 and Kim served from 1998 to 2003.
Chun met with Kim’s wife Lee Hee-ho, his aides and doctors, but not Kim due to his condition.
“I know how much trouble you may be going through. I’ve come here from my vacation as his condition appears to be deteriorating,” Chun said to the former first lady.
“Since the hospital staff here are preeminent, he will get well. Though it would take time due to his old age, he will definitely recuperate and get discharged happily.”
Kim was hospitalized on July 13 and linked to a respirator. He recovered soon, but was readmitted to an intensive care unit on July 23 after having developed a pulmonary embolism. [Korea Herald]
I’m sure Chun Doo-hwan is just trying to be nice, but considering he sentenced Kim Dae-jung to death before; I don’t know if he is type of person Kim Dae-jung or his wife would want to see at the hospital.
8:40 am on August 14th, 2009 1
Now that is interesting. And the part about not getting to see him too "because of his condition." Korean is a different culture, but it is hard for me to believe the hospital would prevent somebody from paying their respects to even a dying man… (I spent a lot of time in CCUs and ICUs with my grandparents)…I have to believe either Kim said no or his wife did…
Was Chun the one who went to a Buddhist monastery for penance?
8:49 am on August 14th, 2009 2
Taken at face value, it's a wonderful gesture of reconciliation.
Is Chun the same dictator who exiled himself to a buddhist monastery for awhile, in contrition for his strongman rule?
10:22 am on August 14th, 2009 3
Yes Chun Doo-hwan did exile himself to Baekdam-sa Temple in Gangwon-do which if you were going to exile yourself this is a pretty nice place to do it:
http://rokdrop.com/2008/05/24/places-in-korea-bae…
12:08 pm on August 14th, 2009 4
Yes, two years ,I beleive.
12:17 pm on August 14th, 2009 5
billions of won worth of corruption in the same room
awesome!
2:52 pm on August 14th, 2009 6
Tradition. Does tradition, history = corruption, when whats expected takes place. Or is it only corruption when one is caught.