Born on December 3, 1925, in a small village on an island off South Korea’s southwestern coast, Kim Dae-jung decided to enter politics during the turbulent Syngman Rhee Administration (1948-1960). He was elected to the National Assembly in a bi-election in 1961 after two unsuccessful bids, but, within three days of his election, the National Assembly was dissolved following a military coup led by Major General Park Chung Hee. He was elected again to the National Assembly in 1963 and he began to emerge as a junior leader within his party.

As President Park Chung Hee sought constitutional revisions in 1969 to allow himself to run for a third term, the young Kim Dae-jung spoke against the scheme in an outdoor rally and was widely acclaimed for his courage.

He was chosen the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Party in 1971. He lost to the powerful incumbent, Park Chung Hee, but won 46 percent of the votes cast.

Barely a year after the election, President Park imposed martial law, banned all political activities, and the so-called Yushin (revitalizing reform) Constitution passed the National Assembly, giving the President power for life. Kim Dae-jung led campaigns against Park’s regime in the US and Japan. In August 8, 1973, agents of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency abducted Kim from a Tokyo hotel but swift reactions from the US and Japan resulted in his release in Seoul a week later. He was placed under house arrest.

On March 1, 1976, he joined in issuing the “Indepenence Day Declaration for Democratization,’’ which touched off yet another wave of demonstrations in Korea.

He was sentenced to five years in prison but the authorities released him and put him under house arrest in 1978.

After President Park was assassinated by one of his close aides in October 26, 1979, Kim had his civil and political rights restored. After a few months of political unrest, another group of soldiers seized power and Kim Dae-jung was thrown into prison again on May 18, 1980 on charges of treason. In November, a military court sentenced him to death. The sentence was later commuted
to life imprisonment, and then to a 20-year term. In December 23, 1982, his prison term was suspended, and he was allowed to travel to the United States.

Kim returned home in early 1985 despite his supporters’ warnings that he might meet the same tragic fate as Philippine Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Back in Seoul, he was immediately put under house arrest but his return intensified the nationwide pro-democracy movement. In 1987, Kim was cleared of all outstanding charges and his civil and political rights were fully restored. He ran but was defeated in presidential elections on December 16, 1987 and December 18, 1992. Finally, in December 18, 1997, he was elected to the presidency. When he was inaugurated as the eighth President of the Republic of Korea, it marked the first transition of power from the ruling to the opposition party in Korea’s modern history.

Taking over the government in the midst of an unprecedented financial crisis, President Kim devoted himself to the task of economic recovery and managed to pull the country back from the brink of bankruptcy. Reforms and restructuring that began early in his administration still continue. President Kim Dae-jung’s vision for the Korean people led him to pursue a policy of engagement toward North Korea. He and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il worked together on a joint declaration they signed on June 15, 2000, paving the way for a brighter future for all Koreans and other peace-loving peoples of the world. In the year 2000, because of his efforts, President Kim Dae-jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Former President Kim Dae-jung died last August 18, 2009 at 85 years old. In his demise, leaders across his country and the world were unified in recognizing the accomplishments of the former South Korean President especially as he paved the way for democratization and inter-Korean reconciliation.

We extend our condolences to the family of the former President Kim Dae-jung, Madame Lee Hee Ho, their three sons Kim Hong-up, Kim Hong-il, Kim Hong-gul, and to the People of the Republic of Korea for the untimely demise of their dedicated champion for peace and democracy.

May he rest in peace.