Kim Hongup, Second Son of Former President Kim Daejung and Chairman of Kim Daejung Peace Center, Passes Away at 75 (Comprehensive)

Devoted as a Political Companion to Kim Daejung

Kim Hongup, the second son of the late former President Kim Daejung (DJ) and Chairman of the Kim Daejung Peace Center, passed away on September 24 due to a chronic illness. He was 75 years old.

Born in 1950 in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, Kim lived as a political companion to his father, the late President Kim, who suffered oppression under military regimes.

In 1976, when the former President Kim was imprisoned over the March 1st Declaration for National Salvation, Kim, together with his mother Lee Heeho and other civic leaders, led a campaign to save him.

Kim was the one who planned the silent protest in which Mrs. Lee and others placed black cross-shaped tape over their mouths.

During the 1980 military regime, in connection with the so-called "Kim Daejung Rebellion Conspiracy Case," Kim was placed on the wanted list for allegedly orchestrating protests and was tortured after being arrested.

He accompanied his father during his exile in the United States and served as a director of the Korean Institute for Human Rights in America, rallying international support for the Korean democracy movement.

In the 1997 presidential election, he contributed to his father’s victory.

Although he was imprisoned for his involvement in a corruption case at the end of the Kim Daejung administration, he was elected in a 2007 by-election and served as a member of the 17th National Assembly.

After the passing of former President Kim, he worked to uphold his father’s legacy, including establishing the Kim Daejung Memorial Foundation (now the Kim Daejung Foundation). He had served as Chairman of the Kim Daejung Peace Center since 2019.

He is survived by his wife Shin Seonryeon and sons Jongdae and Jongmin. The funeral hall has been set up in Room 2 of the Special Hall at Yonsei University Severance Hospital in Shinchon.

The funeral, which will be held as a family ceremony, will be organized by the Kim Daejung Peace Center and the Kim Daejung Foundation.