A number of high-profile figures visited a hospital in Seoul on Monday to offer condolences for the death of former President Kim Young-sam.
  

Kim, an iconic figure of the pro-democracy movement who ended decades of military rule in South Korea during his presidency from 1993 to 1998, passed away Sunday at Seoul National University Hospital. He was 87.
  

Many incumbent and former politicians and government officials, including Lee Hoi-chang who served as prime minster under the Kim administration, mourned Kim's death.
  

"Kim left a huge step in our country's democracy," a grim-faced Lee told a reporter at the hospital, adding that Kim's legacy will go down in history.
  

Former prime ministers -- Chung Un-chan, Kim Hwang-sik and Chung Hong-won -- all paid their respects at the president's memorial hall.
  

"A giant politician has passed away," Chung said, adding that the former president formed democracy in the country.
  

Mark Lippert, the top U.S. envoy in Seoul, also visited the hospital to mourn the death of Kim.
  

The government is scheduled to hold a state funeral for Kim on Thursday.
  

Kim fought against military rulers for decades and laid the groundwork for a peaceful power transition in a country rife with military coups. (Yonhap)