SEOUL — Prominent South Korean politicians from both major parties convened on Sunday to mark the 15th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung’s passing, recognizing his pivotal role in the nation’s democratization process.
According to Yonhap News Agency, key political figures including National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, and Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae paid their respects. Both President Yoon Suk Yeol and former President Moon Jae-in, while absent, contributed wreaths to honor Kim Dae-jung’s legacy. Speaker Woo praised Kim for his dedication to the populace throughout his career, particularly during the challenges of the International Monetary Fund crisis, emphasizing his impact on South Korea’s trajectory and the broader Korean Peninsula.
Kim Dae-jung, who led South Korea from 1998 to 2003 and died in 2009, was celebrated not only for his democratic reforms but also for his significant efforts in improving relations with North Korea. His leadership culminated in the historic 2000 inter-Korean summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, an event that contributed to him receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
Han Dong-hoon highlighted Kim’s ability to transcend political divides, suggesting that his insights remain profoundly relevant amid today’s escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.