On the 25th Anniversary of Kim Dae-jung's Nobel Peace Prize, President Lee Says "The Great Korean People Are Also Truly Deserving"

"Democracy's Foundation Strengthened by the First Peaceful Transfer of Power"
Mention of Overcoming the IMF Financial Crisis
"Improving People's Lives with the Intellectual's Awareness and the Merchant's Pragmatism"

President Lee Jaemyung, marking the 25th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's Nobel Peace Prize, stated, "It is the great people of Korea who truly deserve to stand alongside President Kim Dae-jung as Nobel Peace Prize laureates." He directly linked the people's resilience in peacefully overcoming last year's 12·3 Martial Law crisis to the democratic legacy of former President Kim.

Yonhap News Agency

On December 10, President Lee wrote on Facebook, "On this day 25 years ago, President Kim Dae-jung became the first Korean to receive the Nobel Peace Prize," recalling, "It was the world's tribute and expression of respect for a life devoted to democracy, human rights, and peace on the Korean Peninsula." He added, "It was a moment when the name Kim Dae-jung was indelibly etched not only in the history of Korea but also in the history of global democracy."

President Lee invoked former President Kim's leadership during the process of overcoming the International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial crisis, emphasizing that the foundation of today's Korea is a continuation of that legacy. He said, "Today's Korea is possible because of President Kim," and noted, "Even amid the IMF national crisis, he looked to the future, built an information technology (IT) superhighway, and, with the 'arm's length principle' of providing support without interference, respected and encouraged culture and the arts. Thanks to this insight, Korea was able to emerge as a digital powerhouse and a cultural leader."

He also highlighted that the first peaceful transfer of power achieved by former President Kim became the foundation supporting today's democracy. President Lee stated, "Above all, because the foundation of democracy was strengthened through the first peaceful transfer of power in our history, we were able to wisely overcome last winter's crisis of rebellion. I am proud that the courage and solidarity of the countless 'Kim Dae-jungs' who gathered in front of the National Assembly offered new hope and inspiration to the world." He continued, "I firmly believe that it is the great people of Korea, who peacefully overcame an unprecedented crisis of democracy, who truly deserve to stand alongside President Kim Dae-jung as Nobel Peace Prize laureates."

President Lee also expressed his intention to base future state governance on the philosophy set forth by former President Kim. He said, "The path we must follow from now on is the very path that President Kim walked," and pledged, "With the keen awareness of an intellectual and the pragmatic sense of a merchant, I will strive to improve the lives of the people and open a better future for our nation."

Quoting former President Kim, President Lee introduced the phrase, "The people do not always win. But the final victor is the people," and vowed, "With President Kim's insight as my compass, I will trust only in the sovereign people and walk in accordance with their will, no matter what difficulties and trials may come."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.