farewell and a salute to a great leader KIM DAE JUNG, a man of honor, dignity ,courage for democracy and dedication for peace

Kim spent much of his life studying ways to bring North and South Korea closer together. It is impossible to talk about him without mentioning his "Sunshine Policy" of rapprochement with the North. He started the policy immediately after taking office and by 2000 brought about the first summit of the two sides since the Korean Peninsula was divided. In recognition of that achievement, he became the first Korean to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

That is why Kim is considered to have set the framework for inter-Korean reconciliation. But critics accuse Kim of being unprincipled in engaging the North and aiding its nuclear weapons program with an under-the-table payment of US$500 million in the process of arranging the summit.

◆ Presidency

Kim made the transition to Cheong Wa Dae abruptly and without preparation because Korea was in the midst of an economic crisis, taking the helm almost the day after his election win by directing measures to steer the nation out of the crisis. He pushed ahead with so-called "Big Deal" business swaps between the country's major conglomerates, closures of nonviable financial institutions and other painful restructuring measures. As a result, Korea was able to repay all of the loans it received from the International Monetary Fund in August 2001, earlier than expected.

Kim paid as much attention to inter-Korean relations as to the economic crisis. It dates back to as far as 1971 when he ran for president. His main focus at that time was on resolving tensions on the Korean Peninsula by pledging a peace guarantee supported by the United States, Japan, the Soviet Union and China. He also pitched a three-stage unification plan that began with a confederation of North and South Korea, transitioning to a federal system and eventual unification. In the confederation, a summit would serve as the highest decision-making body. The federal system would be created once peace takes root on the Korean Peninsula, followed by unification. Because of such political beliefs, Kim was constantly accused of being a communist sympathizer and dangerous progressive.

In November 1998, the first year of Kim's presidency, South Korean tourists were granted unprecedented access to North Korea's scenic Mt. Kumgang resort. During his presidency, there were several incidents that could have dampened inter-Korean relations. A North Korean submarine intruded into South Korean waters in the East Sea, a tourist was detained in the North Korean resort at Mt. Kumgang, and a bloody naval skirmish occurred along the West Sea border. But Kim did not abandon the Sunshine Policy.

Clockwise from top left, former President Kim Dae-jung taking office as the 15th president; holding hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il at Baekhwawon State Guesthouse in Pyongyang on June 14, 2000, during the Inter-Korean summit; accepting the Nobel Peace Prize; and attending former President Roh Moo-hyun's funeral service
He finally accomplished a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in June 2000. It was the first time that the leaders of the two Koreas had met in the half-century of division. During his historic visit to North Korea between June 13 to 15, the two Kims signed the June 15 Declaration. In recognition of this achievement, Kim became the first Korean to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in December that year. Following the summit, Kim achieved tearful reunions of families who had been separated by the Korean War and launched a cooperative economic project, the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

Only after Kim's presidential term ended was it revealed that Hyundai Group had paid North Korea $500 million in the process of arranging the summit, raising suspicions that the various kinds of financial support to the North were used to fuel its nuclear weapons program. This caused many to reassess the merits of the Sunshine Policy.

Despite Kim's rapprochement policies, North Korea conducted two nuclear tests -- one in 2006 and another in 2009 -- damaging the legacy of the Sunshine Policy and unification plan. The final word remains to be spoken.

Corruption scandals involving his three sons as well as confidants including Kwon Roh-kap, which began emerging in early 2002, tainted the final months of Kim's presidency. It was during this period that his health deteriorated and he required dialyses. Kim was succeeded by Roh Moo-hyun in February 2003 in Korea's first-ever peaceful transition of power, with Kim's party able to maintain its lead.

◆ Life After the Presidency

After his presidential term ended, Kim continued to serve as a messenger of peace. He traveled to Europe, China, Malaysia and other countries around the world to deliver his message in interviews with the international press. He remained largely silent on political issues during the Roh presidency but resumed his political activities following the inauguration in 2008 of the Lee Myung-bak administration. In numerous interviews and lectures, Kim strongly criticized the hardline stance of the Lee administration toward North Korea. His aides say his health got worse after the suicide of former President Roh, which was a great shock to the Nobel laureate.

Throughout his life, Kim was seen as a staunch fighter for democracy, a leader of people and messenger of reconciliation. But he was also labeled as being too generous to North Korea and criticized for favoring people from his stronghold in South Jeolla Province in appointing key officials in his government. Now, history will be the judge of Kim's legacy.

thank you for sharing this...God Bless.