Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Even in death, Kim Dae-jung unites Koreas
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Even in death, Kim Dae-jung unites Koreas
By JEAN H. LEE,Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, August 24
SEOUL, South Korea - In death as in life, Kim Dae-jung managed to bring the two rival Koreas together.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hours before his funeral Sunday, North Korean officials dispatched to Seoul to pay their respects to the Nobel Peace Prize winner held talks with South Korea's president _ the first high-level inter-Korean contact after many months of tension.
They relayed a message about bilateral relations from North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during a half hour of "serious and amicable" talks with President Lee Myung-bak, Lee's spokesman said.
It was a fitting breakthrough on a day of mourning for a man who made history by traveling to Pyongyang in 2000 to meet Kim Jong Il for the first summit between leaders of the two countries.
"Farewell, Mr. Sunshine," read yellow placards held up by mourners who packed the plaza outside City Hall on Sunday to watch a broadcast of his funeral at the National Assembly. Kim died Tuesday at the age of 85.
The two Koreas technically remain in a state of war because their three-year conflict ended in 1953 with a truce, not a peace treaty. Tanks and troops still guard the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone bisecting the peninsula.
Kim Dae-jung, however, was respected on both sides of the border. As president from 1998 to 2003, he advocated a "Sunshine Policy" of engaging the isolated North and sought to ease reconciliation by plying the impoverished nation with aid.
In 2000, he traveled to Pyongyang for the summit with Kim Jong Il. Raising their hands aloft in a sight that would have been unimaginable just years earlier, the two Kims pledged to embark on a new era of peace on the Korean peninsula.
The following years saw a blossoming of reconciliation projects, including the emotional temporary reunions of thousands of family members separated by the Korean War, the restoration of a cross-border cargo train and inter-Korean business ventures.
Some criticized the flow of money to North Korea, which has evaded years of international pressure to dismantle its nuclear program.
Relations have been tense since Lee, a conservative, took office in February 2008, abandoning the Sunshine Policy and insisting that North Korea must prove its commitment to international nuclear disarmament pacts before it can expect aid.
Pyongyang, in response, ditched the reconciliation talks and most of the inter-Korean projects and routinely excoriated Lee in state media as "scum" and a "traitor" to Korean reconciliation.
The North also has been locked in an international standoff with the U.S. and other nations over its atomic ambitions after launching a rocket, test-firing missiles and conducting an underground nuclear test this year.
However, there have been signs the tensions may be easing. After welcoming former President Bill Clinton during his mission to secure the release of two jailed American reporters, the North freed a South Korean citizen held for four months. Pyongyang also said it would allow some joint projects to resume.
Kim Dae-jung's death prompted condolences from Kim Jong Il, who authorized the high-level delegation of six to pay their respects _ the first time the North has sent officials to mourn a South Korean president.
Led by senior Workers' Party official Kim Ki Nam and spy chief Kim Yang Gon, the delegation went straight to the National Assembly mourning site Friday to leave a wreath on behalf of Kim Jong Il and bow before Kim's portrait.
Extending their trip by a day, three North Korean officials met Sunday morning with Lee, relaying Kim Jong Il's thoughts on "progress on inter-Korean cooperation," presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said. He declined to quote the exact message, citing the sensitivity of the matter.
The South Korean president then detailed his government's "consistent and firm" policy on North Korea and reiterated the need for "sincere" dialogue between the two Koreas, the spokesman said.
"We're returning in a positive mood," Kim Ki Nam told reporters before departing.
Hours later, a somber funeral took place at the National Assembly, where Kim _ who endured torture, death threats and imprisonment during his decades as a dissident _ triumphantly took the oath of office as South Korea's president in 1998.
Though best known abroad for his efforts to reach out to North Korea, Kim Dae-jung was admired at home for devoting his life to the fight for democracy during South Korea's early years of authoritarian rule.
A native of South Jeolla Province in the southwest, he went up against Seoul's military and political elite. He narrowly lost to Park Chung-hee in a 1971 presidential election _ a near-win that earned him Park's wrath. Weeks later, Kim was injured in a traffic accident he believed was an assassination attempt, and barely survived a Tokyo abduction engineered by South Korean intelligence.
In 1980, tens of thousands took to the streets in Kim's southern stronghold, Gwangju, to protest the junta that seized power when Park was assassinated in office. Kim, accused of fomenting the protests, was sentenced to death.
International calls for leniency resulted in a suspended prison sentence, and he went into exile. Returning in 1985, he helped usher in a new era of democracy in South Korea.
"We love you, Mr. President Kim Dae-jung. We will not forget you," read one banner outside the National Assembly. "Democracy, peace, human rights: We will carry out your will, Mr. President," read another. Yellow ribbons and balloons lined the street leading to parliament.
Memorials nationwide for the man dubbed the "Nelson Mandela of Asia" for his lifelong struggle for democracy attracted some 700,000 people, the government said.
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo praised Kim in a eulogy as a passionate leader who dedicated his life to democracy, human rights, peace and reconciliation. He recalled Kim's resilience during the hard fight for democracy, and his skillful handling of the financial crisis of the late 1990s.
"Today we are overwhelmed with heartbreaking grief and sorrow. The whole of Korea is truly overcome with great sadness," Han said at the multifaith ceremony held under a blistering sun.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was among the dignitaries who joined more than 20,000 for the funeral at parliament. Another 14,000 mourners gathered outside City Hall to watch a broadcast of the ceremony, police said.
"My heart feels so empty. I'm so sad," said Kim Nam-yeop, 53. "He is someone who sacrificed his entire life for democracy, North-South Korean peace, and our economy."
Kim was buried at the national cemetery in Seoul, a blanket knit by his widow and a Bible tucked into his coffin.
"I hope you'll leave with the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness," his wife, Lee Hee-ho, told mourners at City Hall. "This is my husband's last wish."
___
Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim, Nicolai Hartvig and Wanjin Park contributed to this report.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
England win fifth Test, regain AshesAFP - Monday, August 24
No US puppet, recent Karzai decisions anger USAP - Monday, August 24
Even in death, Kim Dae-jung unites KoreasAP - Monday, August 24
Suicide bomb in Pakistani city of Peshawar kills 3AP - Monday, August 24
Plugging Australian oil leak could take weeksAP - Monday, August 24
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Homes of former Porsche executives searched: report
Triple gold for Bolt as Kenya trump Ethiopia
Egypt warns pharaohs' tombs could disappear
Ramadan begins on Saturday amid swine flu worries
New economic data set to test Wall Street bull run
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 24 August 2009 Iraqi suspect: It cost $10,000 to pass checkpoints
Hundreds evacuated as fire threatens Athens suburbs
Five killed in light aircraft crash near French Riviera
Iraq broadcasts truck bomber video confession
Settlements seen clouding Netanyahu's Europe trip
Iraq shows video it says is confession of bomber
| International
|
Eight dead in Ukraine mine blast: reports
| International
|
Iraq shows video it says is confession of bomber
'Hezbollah' accused allege torture in Egypt jail
Russia sees no threat to deals in new Mongolia leader
| International
|
Iraq halts removal of Baghdad security barriers
Iraq intelligence chief retired before major blasts
Egypt tries 26 men seen with Hezbollah links
England win fifth Test, regain Ashes
No US puppet, recent Karzai decisions anger US
Even in death, Kim Dae-jung unites Koreas
Suicide bomb in Pakistani city of Peshawar kills 3
As Calif. prison spending rises, so do concerns
Plugging Australian oil leak could take weeks
Obama facing hard choices on Afghanistan war plans
Koreas hold talks amid funeral for Kim Dae-jung
Scotland defends Lockerbie bomber release
Israel PM hopes to resume peace talks in September
Ponting steadies Australia in Ashes decider
Attackers kill 2 soldiers in southern Thailand
US military: American soldier killed in Iraq
NASA clears shuttle for launch, weather improving
Tarantino, Pitt put 'Basterds' on top with $37.6M
AP Analysis: Martinez departure part of GOP schism
US military leader concerned by Baghdad bombings
Senator: Single health care bill a better approach
Tarantino's Nazi movie slays at box office
| Entertainment
|
Burglary reported at Lindsay Lohan's L.A. home
| Entertainment
|
Sinopec profit surges on higher retail prices
Police probe burglary report at Lohan's LA home
Attack on Obama riles Beck's advertisers
Tarantino's Nazi movie slays at box office
Tarantino, Pitt's 'Basterds' earns glorious $37.6M
Italian village looks for its mystery lottery winner
US brass plea for more toops in Afghanistan: report
U.S. presses sanctions to end N.Korea atomic plans
| International
|
Germany presses for news this week on Opel's fate
Mass rigging in Afghan vote says leading contender
Al-Qaeda 'very capable' of more attacks: US military chief
Malaysia state says woman to be caned after Ramadan
| International
|
China trials over Xinjiang riot likely this week
| International
|
Israel presses Sweden to condemn 'anti-Semitic' report
Singapore shoots down rumor of APEC attack plot
| International
|
Fit-looking Fidel Castro appears on Cuban TV
| International
|
Ahmadinejad rivals rise within conservative camp
EU to draft new immigration policy by October
| International
|
Iraq shows video it says is confession of bomber
| International
|
AP NewsAlert
China legal activist freed, but may face tax case
Malaysia woman spared caning for drinking beer
Nepal's vice president ordered to retake oath
Aussie pundits back Ponting to stay as skipper
Steel beam slated to return Monday to ground zero
Japan opposition party in lead: survey
Teen trippin' on ADHD drugs can be a real downer
Afghan vote fraud allegations mount
Ponting vows to carry on after Ashes reverse
Discovery gets the all-clear for Tuesday launch
Sheriff: NC senator shoots intruder at his home
Scotland defends Lockerbie bomber release
Outed blogger who flamed model angry at Google
Plane, 3 cars collide after SoCal freeway landing
Weakened Hurricane Bill heads toward Canada
Golf course groundskeeper finds mammoth tooth
Police probe burglary at Lindsay Lohan's L.A. home
Seoul shares hit 13-mth high; Samsung Elec rallies
Taiwan dollar firms on Bernanke, exporters
S.Korean bonds slide on shares, auctions
Venezuelan wins sixth Miss Universe crown
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares open up; Samsung Elec sets record
Robin Williams accidental star of new indie comedy
| Entertainment
|
China's Sinopec 1st-half net profit up more than fourfold
Suspect in U.S. model murder found dead in Canada
| Entertainment
|
Venezuela repeats at Miss Universe contest
Suspect wanted in model killing found dead in Canada
Venezuelan wins sixth Miss Universe crown
Lockerbie bomber plans tell-all book: report
Montag sings at Miss Universe, dismisses critics
Police say fugitive reality TV star found dead
Award-winning keyboardist Knechtel dead at 69
Robin Williams accidental star of new indie comedy
Police probe burglary at Lindsay Lohan's L.A. home
Contestants eye Miss Universe crown in the Bahamas
Afghanistan awaits first election results
U.N. urges calm in wait for Afghan poll result
| International
|
Dam disaster shows Russia 'very far behind': Medvedev
US-TECH Summary
World stocks power higher on brighter outlook
Eight dead in Ukraine coal mine blast: officials
Britain's recession 'at an end': industry survey
Shiite groups announce new alliance minus Iraqi PM
Fires near Athens recede after 3-day inferno
| International
|
Israeli PM heads to Europe for talks on Mideast peace
Dam tragedy shows Russia lags behind: president
Al-Qaeda 'very capable' of more attacks: US military
Big Pharma races to get swine flu vaccines to market
Israel PM expects no breakthroughs in London talks
| International
|
Iran tells world states to stop countering nuke drive
Sudan mulls immunity for aid workers' kidnappers
| International
|
Iran says cooperating with IAEA, West skeptical
| International
|
Ukraine leader hits back at Russia on anniversary
| International
|
Pakistanis rally to support war-affected populations
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Rebels blow up train track, mobile tower in India
200 to face trial in China for Xinjiang unrest
In the red, US school districts cut yellow buses
Asian markets soar on renewed recovery hopes
Nokia to enter PC industry with first netbook
| Technology
|
Obama spokesman announces interrogation unit
SKorea seeks jail for disgraced cloning scientist
Facebook to boost staff by 50% in 2009: report
| Technology
|
Officials say North Korea must scrap nukes
SC judge to punish men in $9.8M armored car heist
Aussie cricket selectors erred 'but not to blame'
Hundreds to remain entombed in Taiwan village
Taiwan Red Cross pledges 1,600 homes for typhoon victims
Hurricane Bill peters out as it rolls over Newfoundland
The Nation's Weather
S.Korea prosecutors seek jail for clone expert
Lead poisoning haunts Chinese smelter communities
Analysis: Health overhaul tactics need overhaul
Opening statements to begin in gang rape trial
Social Security cost of living increases since '75
3 Calif. fires contained after burning for weeks
ADB to lend $500m stimulus to Philippines
ADB approves $500M stimulus loan for Philippines
Hong Kong tycoon makes Birmingham buyout bid
Toyota to conduct biggest recall yet in China
Taiwan's jobless rate hits record high
Taiwan jobless rate hits record high
Minister says Air India needs bailout: report
China Mobile to develop smartphones with Taiwan
Indonesia police dismiss Obama plot report
Seoul shares end at 13-mth high, Samsung at record =2
Qatar's Tribeca looks to create regional film hub
| Entertainment
|
Goldthwait brands Williams `World's Greatest Dad'
Spokeswoman: Lindsay Lohan's LA home broken into
Malaysian Islamic party urges Ramadan ban on concert
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Suspect in U.S. model murder found dead in Canada
African fashion has the look; not what you expect
Ex-Soviet missile base offers a glimpse of Cold War
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights