THOUSANDS of South Koreans gathered for the state funeral of Kim Young Sam yesterday, the country’s first civilian leader following the military dictatorship.

Mr Kim, whose 1992 election ended 30 years of military rule, died on Sunday at the age of 87.

He was a leading opponent of dictators Park Chung Hee — the father of current President Park Geun Hye — and Chun Doo Hwan.