Former ROK President Kim Young-sam dies at 88

South Korean President Kim Young-sam waves after arriving in Vancouver for the APEC Summit in this November 22, 1997 file photo.  [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - Former South Korean President Kim Young-sam passed away Sunday, aged 88.

Kim, who had been hospitalized with fever since Thursday, died at 0:22 am local time, according to Seoul National University Hospital.

Kim was born on Dec. 20, 1927 on Koje Island off the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula. In 1992, Kim became the head of the new ruling party and was elected president, five years after his first unsuccessful presidential bid.