Ban Ki-moon, Nah Kyung-won, Go Ara... Second Day of Mourners Paying Respects to 'Ahn Sung-ki'

Condolences Paid by Various Figures Including Go Ara and Nah Kyung-won

The funeral hall for actor Ahn Sung-ki, who passed away on the 5th, has seen a continuous stream of mourners for a second day. On January 6, former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the funeral hall at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to pay his respects. The late actor and Ban Ki-moon developed a connection when Ban was in office and Ahn served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

After offering his condolences, Ban Ki-moon said, "During my tenure as UN Secretary-General, he was very active as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, giving hope to many children and young people around the world."

A medal is placed at the funeral hall of actor Ahn Sung-ki, who passed away on the 5th, at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. The government posthumously awarded him the Gold Crown Cultural Medal, the highest honor in the field of popular culture and arts. Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "When I visited Korea in 2012 and visited UNICEF, and even after my retirement, I met him several times. He played a significant role in expanding UNICEF's activities and giving hope to children in need worldwide. He was someone who inspired hope for children globally, not only as a celebrity but also from a humanitarian perspective."

He added, "As a former UN Secretary-General, I am truly grateful. Although he has gone to heaven, I believe he will continue to watch over us from there," expressing his wishes for the late actor's peaceful rest.

Nah Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, also visited the funeral hall and bowed her head, saying, "Mr. Ahn Sung-ki made tremendous contributions not only to the development of the Korean film industry but also to the advancement of culture and the arts."

On the 5th, at the Seoul Film Center in Chungmuro, Jung-gu, Seoul, visitors are paying their respects by offering flowers and observing a moment of silence in the space dedicated to commemorating the late "National Actor" Ahn Sung-ki. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Nah Kyung-won shared that she became acquainted with Ahn Sung-ki through attending the Beautiful Artist Awards ceremony, which is held annually by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation, where Ahn served as chairman.

She said, "I have always respected his sense of restraint within warmth," and added, "I pray that Mr. Ahn Sung-ki, who continued to show care and affection for junior filmmakers even while battling illness, may rest in peace."

Actress Go Ara said, "He was a role model simply by his presence, and I will never forget all that I learned from him. I will strive to remember and honor that even more going forward."

Park Myung-hoon, who acted alongside Ahn Sung-ki in his final film, "Noryang: Deadly Sea" (2023), said, "Not only I, but also many junior colleagues in the film industry, will remember Ahn Sung-ki's kind and generous character."

He added, "He always took care of actors, staff, and even new directors in independent films as if they were his own younger siblings or children. While I may never reach his level, I will do my best to follow his example as a junior colleague."

Director Jang Hang-jun, actors Jeon Do-yeon, Cha In-pyo, Jung Jae-young, Ok Taec-yeon, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Professor Seo Kyung-duk, and many others from various fields continued to pay their respects.

Meanwhile, the funeral is being organized by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation and the Korean Actors Association and will be held as a film industry funeral. A memorial mass for the late actor will take place at Myeongdong Cathedral at 8 a.m. on January 9, followed by the funeral ceremony at 9 a.m.