ID :
76498
Sat, 08/22/2009 - 13:46
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https://www.oananews.org//node/76498
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Deputy Sec. Lew visits Korean Embassy to pay tribute to Kim Dae-jung
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew paid his
respects to former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung Friday, depicting the late
leader as a champion of human rights and democracy.
"He played a historic role in Korea's democratization and worked tirelessly
toward a lasting peace on the Peninsula," Lew said in the condolence book he
signed before paying tribute to Kim at an altar set up at the South Korean
Embassy here. "He will be remembered for his tireless advocacy of democracy and
human rights and his sunshine policy that transformed inter-Korean relations."
A democracy activist and dissident turned politician, Kim died of pneumonia
Tuesday after being hospitalized last month. He was 85.
Kim was elected president in 1997 and served for five years, focusing on reviving
the South Korean economy that was battered by the Asian financial crisis in late
1997. Kim won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts for inter-Korean
reconciliation through the unprecedented inter-Korean summit with North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il that year.
Kim Dae-jung and the North Korean leader signed an agreement June 15, 2000, that
paved the way for the construction of an inter-Korean industrial park in North
Korea's border town of Kaesong. Tourism projects bringing South Koreans to the
medieval capital of Kaesong and North Korea's scenic Mount Kumgang were also
products of the summit.
U.S. President Barack Obama will send a 10-member condolence delegation, led by
former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, to the state funeral for Kim slated
for Sunday.
Obama extended condolences to Kim's family and the South Korean people Tuesday.
"I was saddened at the passing of former President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic
of Korea, a courageous champion of democracy and human rights," Obama said.
"President Kim risked his life to build and lead a political movement that played
a crucial role in establishing a dynamic democratic system in the Republic of
Korea."
Kim's Nobel Prize was tarnished 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.
Kim is credited with helping South Korea escape the unprecedented Asian financial
crisis in 1997 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.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew paid his
respects to former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung Friday, depicting the late
leader as a champion of human rights and democracy.
"He played a historic role in Korea's democratization and worked tirelessly
toward a lasting peace on the Peninsula," Lew said in the condolence book he
signed before paying tribute to Kim at an altar set up at the South Korean
Embassy here. "He will be remembered for his tireless advocacy of democracy and
human rights and his sunshine policy that transformed inter-Korean relations."
A democracy activist and dissident turned politician, Kim died of pneumonia
Tuesday after being hospitalized last month. He was 85.
Kim was elected president in 1997 and served for five years, focusing on reviving
the South Korean economy that was battered by the Asian financial crisis in late
1997. Kim won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts for inter-Korean
reconciliation through the unprecedented inter-Korean summit with North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il that year.
Kim Dae-jung and the North Korean leader signed an agreement June 15, 2000, that
paved the way for the construction of an inter-Korean industrial park in North
Korea's border town of Kaesong. Tourism projects bringing South Koreans to the
medieval capital of Kaesong and North Korea's scenic Mount Kumgang were also
products of the summit.
U.S. President Barack Obama will send a 10-member condolence delegation, led by
former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, to the state funeral for Kim slated
for Sunday.
Obama extended condolences to Kim's family and the South Korean people Tuesday.
"I was saddened at the passing of former President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic
of Korea, a courageous champion of democracy and human rights," Obama said.
"President Kim risked his life to build and lead a political movement that played
a crucial role in establishing a dynamic democratic system in the Republic of
Korea."
Kim's Nobel Prize was tarnished 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.
Kim is credited with helping South Korea escape the unprecedented Asian financial
crisis in 1997 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.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
