"So if North Korea continues present isolation, then with such economic difficulties the North Korean government must meet a very serious situation in the future."
Politician
Kim Dae-jung was a South Korean politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his advocacy of democracy and human rights, particularly during authoritarian rule.
About Kim Dae-jung
Kim Dae-jung, a prominent South Korean politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is best known for his unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights. His significant contributions during a time of political turmoil in South Korea, particularly his efforts to challenge authoritarian regimes, have left a lasting impact on the nation’s democratic landscape. Kim's philosophy centered around the belief that democracy is essential for human dignity, a sentiment echoed in his famous assertion that 'the people are the true owners of the country.' This quote encapsulates his view that power should be derived from the will of the people, challenging the oppressive structures of his time. Throughout his life, Kim Dae-jung faced immense personal struggles, including political imprisonment and exile, experiences that deeply informed his worldview. His quotes often reflect a profound understanding of the sacrifices required for freedom, emphasizing that 'freedom is not a gift from the government; it is a right that must be fought for.' This perspective illustrates his belief in the active role citizens must play in securing their rights, a theme that resonates strongly in today's global discourse on democracy. Kim's legacy is significant, as his quotes continue to inspire individuals to engage in civic life and advocate for their rights. His emphasis on the importance of human rights and civic engagement remains relevant, encouraging new generations to uphold the values of democracy and freedom in the face of adversity.
Quote collection
18 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"So if North Korea continues present isolation, then with such economic difficulties the North Korean government must meet a very serious situation in the future."
"If America would withdraw from South Korea, there could be a power struggle between such as China and Japan."
"To realize peace on the Korean peninsula, and to develop exchange, cooperation between both Koreas, they are the, you know, immediate target of our government."
"So South Korean ability is very much limited to handle North Korean, you know, difficulties. So we don't want to see an immediate collapse of the North Korea regime."
"So such an American troops presence in Korea in the South and Japan, total some 100,000 should stay there forever, even after unification of Korean peninsula."
"There is some sign that North Korea is changing recently. There is ongoing successful negotiation to have a military talk to Pyongyang, which has been stopped for seven years."
"Well, that is very imperative to let North Korea open door to outside."
"And also, we are providing, you know, a nuclear power plant in the north, two light water systems, so some 4 or 5 billion dollars we are providing to meet with North Korean requests on the condition North Korea will not produce a nuclear weapon."
"You know, North Korea situation is far worse than East Germany, and South Korea is weaker than West Germany."
"So in Asia I want to make - I want to succeed to make a model of what success, practicing democracy, and market economy. Then that will give a good influence over Asian countries."
"I think a major cause of present Asian economic difficulties that mainly come from, you know, lack of market economy."
"But such IMF pressure is very much helpful for me to push such a, you know, reform. So in this sense I think IMF is very much helpful for alien society."
"American presence is, you know, the major cause of balance of power and the stability in this region."
"Unification is not our present goal. That is a future program."
"Democracy is the absolute value that makes for human dignity, as well as the only road to sustained economic development and social justice."
"Only the truly magnanimous and strong are capable of forgiving and loving."
"So now we are pushing economic reform, bank reform and enterprise reform. So we can finish that reform this year, in September or October. Then our economy may be much more, you know, normalized."
"Unification is one thing, and stability in Northeast Asia is another thing."