Kim Dae-Jung
Born: December 3, 1925
Died: August 18, 2009
Country: South Korea
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for: "his work for domocracy and human rights in South Korea and East Asia in general, and for peace and reconcilation with North Korea in particular."
Work and Specific Contributions: He was arrested many times while trying to bring South Korea out of the abusive rule of President Park Hung-Hee, which he finally did when he was elected President of South Korea in 1997. In 2000, he signed a declaration with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, bringing the two Koreas closer together.
What issues caused this person to take action?
Kim Dae-Jung wanted to get rid of Park Hung-Hee's dictatorship and make peace with North Korea.
Was the issue local or global? Explain.
Park Hung-Hee was a national issue because he ruled South Korea with a dictatorship and Kim wanted to stop it. Wanting to make peace with North Korea was a global issue because it involved two countries and an old, international dispute between capitalism and communism.
How did the person take action?
Kim Dae-Jung ran against Park Hung-Hee many times and was finally elected in 1997. He then began talks with Kim Jong-Il, the leader of North Korea, and went there and signed a declaration in 2000.
What media channels did he or she use to take action? How did he or she use each?
Considering that Kim Dae-Jung is a political figure who would make speeches, he would most likely have broadcast them on TV and the radio in order to get his message to the rest of South Korea. Also, important things concerning him would be put in a newspaper. He could use this to his advantage by doing things that would get what he would want in the papers.
Answers to my questions:
1. What was his life like during WWII?
His parents falsified his birth date so that Kim wouldn't have to serve in the Japanese military ( Japan occupied Korea at the time ). He then moved so that he could go to high school. He then worked in a Japanese shipping company until the end of the war.
2. What was his life like during the Korean War?
At the time, Kim was living in Mokpo, which was taken over by the North Koreans. He was then arrested as a capitalist.
3. What was his life like throughout the Cold War?
During the Cold War after the Korean War, Kim Dae-Jung simply continued his political career, which began in the mid 1950s, and his attempts to overthrow Park Hung-Hee's rule, with heavy opposition, of course.
4. Were tensions high when Kim Dae-Jung signed the declaration with Kim Jong-Il?
According to my research, tensions did not appear to be strained.
5. How was Kim Dae-Jung treated in prison?
South Korean political prisoners are only given a little extra food, and they are put under psychological pressure.
How does this person inspire you?
I did get some inspiration, but it wasn't an epiphany. Kim Dae-Jung's story is another example of the advice never to give up. Kim spent many years trying to get into office, and after a couple decades of trying, in1997, he was elected president of South Korea. He also reminded me that i have to take action about what I want to change and not just sit around and hope for the best.
Sources:
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2000/dae-jung.html
www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/kim-dae-jung-52.php
news.bbc.co.uk./2/hi/asia-pacific/788861.stm
www.asian-affairs.com/biographies/kimdaejungcv.html
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