[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 23127]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    CONGRATULATIONS TO KIM DAE-JUNG

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate Kim Dae-jung, 
the President of South Korea, on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for 
2000. This award is well-earned for a great leader whom many call the 
``Nelson Mandela of Asia.'' President Kim's life-long dedication to 
peace and reconciliation is evident in the fact that he had been 
nominated for this award on 14 different occasions. Last Friday's 
announcement made President Kim his nation's first Nobel laureate, a 
source of great pride for the people of South Korea.
  Kim Dae-jung has led an extraordinary life, highlighted by an 
unwavering commitment to democracy. In fact, throughout his career, 
President Kim has been willing to risk his own life in standing up for 
the principles that allow South Korea to be the great nation it is 
today.
  President Kim has indeed paid a heavy price for speaking out against 
totalitarian rule. Shortly after his first run for President in 1971, 
Kim was nearly killed in a car accident that many believed to be an 
assassination attempt. Two years later, he was kidnapped by South 
Korean agents, ostensibly because he was perceived as a threat to the 
status quo. He would have been killed, had the United States not 
intervened. In the years that followed, President Kim survived 
jailings, house arrest, exile and numerous beatings.
  Three years ago, President Kim campaigned on an innovative, open 
approach to reconciliation with North Korea, which he called the 
``sunshine policy.'' This policy of building ties with the North is on 
a scale that has not been seen in the history of postwar Korea. After 
winning the election, President Kim, a forgiving and religious man 
above all, pardoned the former military rulers who tried to kill him as 
his first act in office. He has also been a positive force for South 
Korea's economy which was at a low point when President Kim was 
elected. The South Korean economy grew by 10.2 percent in 1999 and is 
projected to grow by 6 percent in 2000.
  President Kim's ``sunshine policy'' culminated in a June summit 
between the leaders of North Korea and South Korea. The summit was a 
success, and set a tremendous precedent for the relationship between 
the two countries. Speaking of the meeting, President Kim said, ``the 
Korean people are one; we have a common fate. There is nothing we 
cannot do if we make steady efforts with good faith and patience.'' The 
possibility for continued conversation between North and South gives me 
great hope that the two sides have taken the first steps to a true and 
lasting peace.
  The rebuilding process between the Koreas has been enhanced by 
several small but meaningful achievements. North Korea and South Korea 
have pledged to work on rebuilding roads and rail lines between the two 
countries. Earlier this summer, a brief reunion occurred of families 
separated by the Korean war 50 years ago. Just last month, the entire 
world was moved when the North Korean and South Korean teams marched 
together in the opening ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics.
  I had the opportunity to meet President Kim in 1986 when he was under 
house arrest. I was very moved by his courage and faith and thought 
that he would some day lead his beloved nation. It is with great 
happiness that I take this opportunity to congratulate Kim Dae-jung and 
the people of South Korea on this historic occasion.

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