President Lee Myung-bak visited Myeongdong Cathedral, central Seoul, to pay homage to the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan on Tuesday (Feb. 17), a day after Kim''s passing.

According to Lee''s spokesman, the President wrote in the guest book placed in the cathedral, "We all love and respect you. You will always be in our hearts," After that, Lee had a talk with Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk who succeeded Kim.

Chung said to Lee, "Kim has done many things for his country." Lee in response said, "When Kim was appointed 40 years ago, Korea was not well known around the world. Kim played a key role in promoting the country."

President Lee said on Monday (Feb. 16) that Kim''s passing away is a great loss for the country. Lee said Kim played a big role every time the nation went through difficulties, especially during the era of industrialization and democratization.