The government said Sunday it will hold a national funeral for former President Kim Young-sam, who passed away earlier Sunday.
  

Kim, who served as president from 1993-1998, was an iconic figure in South Korea's pro-democracy movement. He fought against military rulers for decades and laid the groundwork for a peaceful power transition in a country rife with military coups. He was 88.
  

The Ministry of Interior said it has agreed with the bereaved families to hold a ceremony at the National Cemetery in southern Seoul, the specifics of which will be discussed at a meeting at noon.
  

Any decisions made at the meeting need President Park Geun-hye's approval. The president also has the authority to appoint the head of the funeral committee, which will oversee the budgeting and execution of the ceremony.
  

The mourning period will last five days, the ministry added. (Yonhap)