The most pronounced regional cleavage is between Kyongsang in the south-east and the Cholla region in the south-west.

ECONOMIST: Regionalism could be on its way out

Much of Mr Kim's political support comes from Cholla, in the south-west, South Korea's poorest region.

ECONOMIST: Too many South Koreans are reluctant to change their ways

Cholla, on the other hand, was left out in the cold and its people stigmatised and disadvantaged, along with their long-term champion and Mr Roh's predecessor, Kim Dae-jung.

ECONOMIST: Regionalism could be on its way out

Kim was born to middle-class farmers on Ha Enido, a small island in South Cholla province, but the family moved to the nearby port of Mokpo so Kim could complete high school.

CNN: Former South Korean President Kim dies