Kim Dae Jung

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Who is this man they call the "Nelson Mandela of Asia"? Nelson Mandela was a great man who did amazing things to change the world; however there is another man who has done something equally as great. This man was Kim Dae Jung, the "Nelson Mandela of Asia". He is called the “Nelson Mandela of Asia” because of his long-standing opposition to authoritarian rule. Although he has done many great things, these things did not just happen over night. Through his compassion, resolve, and vision, Kim Dae Jung successfully opposed authoritarian rule, implemented the Sunshine Policy to promote relations between North and South Korea, and led the Korean peninsula in its first steps toward unification. Growing up Kim Dae Jung never wanted to be president but when the ruling government became increasingly dictatorial he decided to become involved with politics in his late 30's. He had a different way of thinking than these controlling leaders. He always thought that it would be better to engage the North than to confront it. Kim Dae Jung took every opportunity to oppose authoritarian rule and in 1976 sparked pro-democracy demonstrations all across South Korea by issuing the "Independence Day Declaration for Democratization" (1). For his involvement for this event he was sent to prison for five years. Upon release he endured assassination attempts, kidnapping, repeated arrests, fierce beatings, exile to America, and a death sentence before he became president in 1997. He kept his beliefs alive even after losing the presidential race three times as he said “I never lost hope”. Finally, when he became president he was able to persuade the leader of the United States, President Clinton, to support the Sunshine Policy. Past candidates got presidential nomination by exaggerating the threat of North Korea and playing to the fears of the people. Kim Dae Jung on the other hand
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