Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library Opens
2003-11-04
Former president Kim Dae-jung said on Monday (Nov. 3) he will dedicate himself to inter-Korean reconciliation and peace on the peninsula.
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library, the former head of state said, "Although I have retired from politics, I will not hesitate to do all I can for the reconciliation, cooperation and peace of our peoples."
Kim also said that the current situation surrounding the North Korean nuke issue is extremely dangerous. "For peace on the Korean Peninsula, inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea relations must improve simultaneously," he said.
Kim's lifetime achievement in heralding the "sunshine policy" with the communist North throughout his five-year tenure and arranging the historic inter-Korean summit were internationally recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize in 2000, but were undermined after his administration was found to have funneled secret funds to the North in return for the inter-Korean summit.
In a rare scene in Korean politics, incumbent President Roh Moo-hyun attended the ceremony to deliver a congratulatory speech to his predecessor.
In his speech, Roh paid homage to the Nobel-winner: "Former president Kim dedicated his whole life to peaceful reconciliation, human rights and the expansion of democracy."
This marked the second time the incumbent President has met with the former president since Roh came to power on the ticket of the Millennium Democratic Party founded by Kim. Roh recently quit his party membership.
Roh has adopted a similar policy of "peace and co-prosperity," and some political observers have suggested giving the former president a role in unraveling the nuclear row.
With donations by former president Kim Dae-jung, the presidential library _ the first of its kind in Asia _ is expected to focus on the study of presidential leadership, and peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula.
Some 200 celebrities from inside and outside the country including 40 foreign diplomats attended the ceremony including National Assembly Speaker Park Kwan-yong, leaders of the major political parties and U.S. Ambassador to Korea Thomas Hubbard.
A total of 25 international leaders from around the world, including former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, sent personal congratulatory messages to Kim.
Source : www.korea.net
