Seoul  - Thousands of South Koreans and international delegates attended the state funeral for former president and Nobel peace laureate Kim Dae Jung which began at Seoul's national assembly on Sunday.

Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was among the guests at the memorial services for Kim, who died aged 83 last Tuesday.

During his term in office from 1998 to 2003, Kim had promoted the country's "Sunshine Policy", seeking a detente with North Korea. He received the Nobel Peace Award for his work for democracy, human rights and reconciliation with North Korea.

Kim was the second South Korean president to die this year. His successor Roh Moo Hyun had committed suicide aged 62 in May. (dpa)