A senior U.S. official made a visit to South Korea's Embassy in Washington and paid his respects to former President Kim Young-sam, remembering the deceased as a champion of democracy.
  

Amb. Sung Kim, deputy assistant secretary of state for Korea and Japan, visited the embassy with the department's Korea director, Mark Lambert, and offered condolences before a black-draped, chrysanthemum-framed portrait of Kim set up on the white-covered altar.
  

"We have great respect for former President Kim Young-sam's many important contributions to Korea's development. So on behalf of the American people, we convey our appreciation and deepest condolences to his family and of course the people of the Republic of Korea," Kim said.
  

"As someone who has followed Korea's development for many years, I do have vivid memories of President Kim's contributions and activities and of course have long respected his fight for democracy. I do think he's one of the central figures in Korea's miraculous transformation to democracy," he added.
  

On Sunday, the White House expressed condolences, saying the late leader helped lead the Asian ally to democracy and his legacy is enshrined in "unbreakable" ties between the two countries.
  

"His contributions to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Republic of Korea will always be remembered, and his legacy is enshrined in America's unbreakable relationship with the Korean government and people," the White House said in a statement.
  

The South Korean Embassy has been accepting mourners after opening the altar earlier in the day. Amb. Ahn Ho-young and other embassy officials first paid their respects. The altar will remain open until 5 p.m. Thursday, officials said.
  

"As a big statesman in our politics, former President Kim left a big footstep in the Republic of Korea's democratization," Ahn told reporters after paying his respects.  (Yonhap)