Like the rough breathing of Geojedo’s roiling ocean waves
You roared towards the wilderness.
Undaunted by the sharp blades of the dictatorship
You planted a tree of hope on frozen soil
And hold it upright
Until the tree blossomed into democracy.
You devoted your entire life to the cause,
Praying day and night,
You’ve come a long way
Taking the less-trodden path of “storm and stress.”
Thanks to you
We finally saw a spring light
At the end of the gruesome winter tunnel.
Now, the wilderness is under a sky jeweled with stars,
Ripening grains and fruits abound in the land,
The scents of flowers permeate the air.
But just like everyone has their final winter
The winter of eternal sleep has come to you,
Just like you came to this land
With the mettle of the blue sea
You just went back to where you came from
Joining the waves of the sea
And thus leaving us behind.
Having you buried in the backwaters of history
Much to our regret, we now say goodbye to you,
Till the season of verdure and rebirth comes,
May you rest in peace.
The great man who held the turbulent times in his arms;
The hero of the nation’s democratic movement;
And the everlasting guardian of the nation
Farewell, our leader Kim Young-sam!