2 weeks ago
South Korea politicians call for unity on Kim Dae-jung anniversary
Many years ago, South Korea had a very important leader named Kim Dae-jung.
He helped make his country more democratic, and he worked hard for peace with North Korea.
He even won a big prize called the Nobel Peace Prize.
Kim Dae-jung passed away in 2009, and this week people remembered the 17th anniversary of his death.
Important leaders from different political parties gathered at a special cemetery in Seoul to honor him.
They said they want to work together and follow his example.
A new leader of the Democratic Party, who used to be Kim Dae-jung's assistant, said everyone should put aside their differences.
One leader from the other political party went to help people whose homes were flooded instead.
Everyone agreed that Kim Dae-jung taught them to talk and work together instead of fighting.
South Korean politicians from rival parties called for national unity at the 17th anniversary ceremony for former President Kim Dae-jung.
National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik pledged to carry on Kim's spirit of unity and pragmatism, strengthening democracy and promoting peace.
Newly elected Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, Kim Dae-jung's chief of staff in 2000, called for bipartisanship beyond ideological divides.
PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok skipped the event to visit flood-hit areas in South Gyeongsang Province; PPP spokesperson Park Choong-kwon urged dialogue and compromise.
Kim Dae-jung, president from 1998 to 2003, held the first inter-Korean summit with Kim Jong-il in 2000 and won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Who
- National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik, newly elected Democratic Party (DP) leader Kim Min-seok, and other South Korean political figures from rival parties
- What
- Marked the 17th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's death with calls for national unity and pledges to uphold his democratic values
- Where
- Seoul National Cemetery, where the former president is entombed, in South Korea
- When
- Tuesday, on the 17th anniversary of Kim Dae-jung's death; Kim Dae-jung died in 2009
- Why
- To honor Kim Dae-jung's legacy of democracy, unity, pragmatism, and reconciliation with North Korea
Key facts
- Occasion
- 17th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's death
- Ceremony location
- Seoul National Cemetery
- Presidential term
- 1998 to 2003
- Year of death
- 2009
- New DP leader
- Kim Min-seok, elected on Monday
- Nobel Peace Prize
- Awarded in 2000 for promoting democracy and reconciliation with North Korea
- Inter-Korean summit
- First-ever summit, held in 2000 with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il
- Absent PPP leader
- Jang Dong-hyeok visited flood-hit areas in South Gyeongsang Province
Quotes
Cho Jeong‑sik
National Assembly Speaker of South Korea
“He defended democracy in the face of dictatorship, ultimately achieving a peaceful transfer of power and rebuilding the country’s shattered economy, and the National Assembly will do its utmost to carry on the president’s spirit of unity and pragmatism.”
thehansindia.com
“Once your youngest chief of staff, I come before you today as the leader of the Democratic Party, following your footsteps.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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