ID :
75991
Wed, 08/19/2009 - 09:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/75991
The shortlink copeid
Kim should be remembered as Korea's face of democracy: expert
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung should be remembered as a symbol of South Korea's democracy and a crusader for the reconciliation of the two Koreas that fought the 1950-53 Korean War at the height of Cold War, a Korea expert here said Tuesday.
"His leadership during the Asian Financial crisis and his epic trip to Pyongyang
are but a few examples of his remarkable legacy," Jack Pritchard, president of
the Korea Economic Institute, said. "But most of all, he will be remembered as
Korea's face of democracy."
Kim died of pneumonia earlier in the day after being hospitalized last month.
A democracy activist and dissident turned politician, Kim was elected president
in 1997, soon after the Asian financial crisis hit South Korea.
He is credited with helping the country escape the unprecedented economic crisis
within years, although critics say his push for the globalization of the South
Korean economy resulted in mass layoffs, a massive increase in non-regular
workers, skyrocketing real estate prices and bargain sellouts of Korean companies
to foreign buyers.
Kim was awarded the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts for inter-Korean
reconciliation through the unprecedented inter-Korean summit with North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il the same year.
Kim Dae-jung and the North Korean leader signed an agreement on June 15, 2000,
that paved the way for the construction of an inter-Korean industrial park in
North Korea's border town of Kaesong and tourism projects that bring South
Koreans to North Korea's scenic Mt. Kumgang and the medieval capital city of
Kaesong.
Inter-Korean ties, however, have chilled since the inauguration of the hardline
Lee Myung-bak government early last year, as Lee has suspended food and
fertilizer aid while calling on the North to make substantial steps toward
denuclearization.
The tour programs have been suspended since last summer, when a North Korean
soldier shot and killed a South Korean tourist who strayed into a military
off-limits zone at the Kumgang resort.
Hyun Jung-eun, chairwoman of Hyundai Group that invested billions of dollars in
the inter-Korean project, met with Kim Jong-il Sunday and agreed to resume the
tour projects and facilitate operation of the industrial complex.
"President Kim Dae-jung will be remembered for the totality of his exceptional
life, not just for the award of the Nobel Peace Prize," Pritchard said. "He was a
visionary who changed the course of Korean history."
Kim's Nobel Peace Prize was marred by the revelation that he secretly sent US$500
million to North Korea in return for the North Korean leader's invitation.
Hardliners say unconditional aid to North Korea sent under the rule of Kim
Dae-jung and his liberal successor, Roh Moo-hyun, led to North Korea's nuclear
armament. Pyongyang detonated its second nuclear device on May 25, the second of
its kind after one in 2006.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung should be remembered as a symbol of South Korea's democracy and a crusader for the reconciliation of the two Koreas that fought the 1950-53 Korean War at the height of Cold War, a Korea expert here said Tuesday.
"His leadership during the Asian Financial crisis and his epic trip to Pyongyang
are but a few examples of his remarkable legacy," Jack Pritchard, president of
the Korea Economic Institute, said. "But most of all, he will be remembered as
Korea's face of democracy."
Kim died of pneumonia earlier in the day after being hospitalized last month.
A democracy activist and dissident turned politician, Kim was elected president
in 1997, soon after the Asian financial crisis hit South Korea.
He is credited with helping the country escape the unprecedented economic crisis
within years, although critics say his push for the globalization of the South
Korean economy resulted in mass layoffs, a massive increase in non-regular
workers, skyrocketing real estate prices and bargain sellouts of Korean companies
to foreign buyers.
Kim was awarded the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts for inter-Korean
reconciliation through the unprecedented inter-Korean summit with North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il the same year.
Kim Dae-jung and the North Korean leader signed an agreement on June 15, 2000,
that paved the way for the construction of an inter-Korean industrial park in
North Korea's border town of Kaesong and tourism projects that bring South
Koreans to North Korea's scenic Mt. Kumgang and the medieval capital city of
Kaesong.
Inter-Korean ties, however, have chilled since the inauguration of the hardline
Lee Myung-bak government early last year, as Lee has suspended food and
fertilizer aid while calling on the North to make substantial steps toward
denuclearization.
The tour programs have been suspended since last summer, when a North Korean
soldier shot and killed a South Korean tourist who strayed into a military
off-limits zone at the Kumgang resort.
Hyun Jung-eun, chairwoman of Hyundai Group that invested billions of dollars in
the inter-Korean project, met with Kim Jong-il Sunday and agreed to resume the
tour projects and facilitate operation of the industrial complex.
"President Kim Dae-jung will be remembered for the totality of his exceptional
life, not just for the award of the Nobel Peace Prize," Pritchard said. "He was a
visionary who changed the course of Korean history."
Kim's Nobel Peace Prize was marred by the revelation that he secretly sent US$500
million to North Korea in return for the North Korean leader's invitation.
Hardliners say unconditional aid to North Korea sent under the rule of Kim
Dae-jung and his liberal successor, Roh Moo-hyun, led to North Korea's nuclear
armament. Pyongyang detonated its second nuclear device on May 25, the second of
its kind after one in 2006.
