Former Minister Choi Hyung-woo passes away at 91

Choi Hyung-woo, a former Minister of Home Affairs and a key political ally of former President Kim Young-sam (YS), passed away on January 24 at the age of 91.

A funeral service is being held at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, with political figures from across the spectrum attending to pay their respects. The funeral committee is co-chaired by Kim Min-seok of the Democratic Party and Jang Dong-hyeok of the People Power Party.

Choi was a prominent six-term lawmaker and a central figure in South Korea's democratization movement. He was known for his close ties to Kim Young-sam, often described as part of the 'Sangdo-dong' faction. During the military regimes of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan, Choi faced significant political repression, including house arrest and multiple instances of torture, which his family noted contributed to long-term health complications.

Throughout his career, Choi held several high-ranking positions, including Secretary General of the Democratic Liberal Party and Minister of Home Affairs. He was recognized for his dedication to democratic values and his role in supporting student movements during the struggle for democratization.