S.Korea set to stage state funeral of ex-Pres. Kim Young-Sam

South Korea is set to carry out the state funeral of former President Kim Young-Sam today (Thursday).

Led by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-An, some 10,000 people are expected to attend the funeral ceremony to send off the deceased former president -- a renowned pro-democracy fighter and driving force of bold reforms.

The government has announced that a committee composed of more than 2,200 people from almost all walks of life will take charge of the first such state funeral in the country.

The funeral ceremony is scheduled to be held at the National Assembly later today. Kim is to be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in southern Seoul.

Foreign envoys including U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert are to attend the ritual.

Government data shows more than 110,000 mourners have paid tribute to Kim at some 200 mourning altars set up across the country, since his passing on early Sunday morning at the age of 88.

Hours after her return from a 10-day overseas trip for regional summits on Monday, President Park Geun-Hye visited Kim's funeral parlour at Seoul National University Hospital, to offer her condolences to bereaved family members.