By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

The funeral of Kim Sun-il, South Korean hostage killed by Iraqi insurgents, was held Wednesday at a Pusan gymnasium with thousands in attendance and condolences from the entire nation.

The Christian funeral service sent a message of forgiveness and peace to Iraq and the world.

The center of the podium in the gym displayed Kim’s picture and placards on which letters were written in Korean, English, and Arabic, saying, ``I love Iraq.’’

Kim’s brother Jin-kuk, as a representative of Kim’s family, read the message ``Embrace the Nation of Iraq, Love the People of Iraq’’ with English and Arabic translations.

``We want to tell you that the dream blossoming in Sun-il’s heart was Korea’s love for Iraq, the world’s love for Iraq, and our love for each other by becoming one,’’ his family said in the message.

``At this place where we now part from Sun-il forever while we are on this earth, we cross the river of grief and pain to profess these things with trembling voices. We want to weep, but instead we profess with joy. We embrace the nation of Iraq, we love the people of Iraq,’’ the message concluded.

Kim’s sister Hyang-rim also expressed her gratitude to those who participated in the funeral and those who sent condolences to her family. ``Though Sun-il has gone, I hope his death can bring peace in Iraq and the Middle East,’’ she added.

In addition to Kim’s family and friends, about 3,000 mourners took part in the funeral. Among them were Uri Party chairman Shin Ki-nam, Uri Party floor leader Chun Jung-bae, and Grand National Party secretary general Kim Hyong-o.

President Roh Moo-hyun also sent condolences through senior presidential secretary for civil society Moon Jae-in.

Kim’s body was laid to rest at a public cemetery in Pusan, his hometown. His tomb is about 10 meters away from that of Lee Su-hyon, a Korean who sacrificed his life in an attempt to save a Japanese person from being run over by an approaching subway train at a Tokyo station in 2001.

In the evening at major cities many people gathered and held ceremonies to commemorate Kim. The People’s Action in Opposition to the Troop Dispatch, comprised of 351 civic groups, held a memorial service at 7 p.m. in Seoul. A group of 120 civic groups in Pusan also held a service the same night.

Meanwhile, Kim’s family plans to file a suit against the government as early as next week since the authorities refused to accept demands for compensation. The family requested burial for Kim’s body at a national cemetery and compensation from the government.

The family insists that the government neglected its duty to protect its citizens, and caused the death of Kim by failing to negotiate with captors in a timely and proper manner. However, some family members are opposing the suit, fearing that Kim’s death could be tarnished in the course of trials.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr