Police superintendent Chang Ki-Taek dies of cancer

Chang Ki-Taek (53), former chief of the Kangnam Police Station, died of cancer at Yongdong Severance Hospital in Kangnam-gu, Seoul Wednesday. Chang continued to work while battling the disease during the third Asia-Europe Summit Meeting (ASEM) in Seoul last October.

Despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer of the stomach last June, Chang carried out his duties as head of guards and escorts at the ASEM. He collapsed in his office June 21, the last day of the ASEM.

Mourners said Chang always kept his spirits up and bravely fought the disease, despite losing his hair due to chemotherapy.

Chang¡¯s daughter, Ju-Yeon, a 23-year-old junior at Yonsei University's law school, said her father regretted missing so many dinners with his family and promised to climb a mountain with her after she passed the first-phase state law examination.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Sunday at the task force ground of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) in Shindang-dong, Chung-gu, Seoul.

Choi Ho-Won bestiger@donga.com