“The Great Man of the End to the Cold War,” Former President Reagan Dies

Ronald Reagan, the former U.S. president, died at age 93 on the afternoon of the 5th at his home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles, California.

Nancy Reagan, the widow of the late Mr. Reagan, announced in an official statement, “The former president Ronald Reagan, who has suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for 10 years from 1994, died of complications with pneumonia.”

Mourning flags were held everywhere in America, including Washington D.C. and statements in token of respect to the memory of Mr. Reagan were declared around the world.

"A great American life has come to an end," U.S. President George W. Bush, who was in Europe to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings, expressed his sorrow at Mr. Reagan’s death after telephone call with Mrs. Reagan. "The former president, Mr. Reagan, won America`s respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness."

The former president Mr. Reagan is admired as a hero, who has decisively contributed during his time in office from 1981 to 1989 towards the end of the Communist world of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and the victory of the free world.

The funeral ceremony will be held at state expense on June 11 in Washington D.C., and Mr. Reagan’s body will lie in “the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library” in California.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com