Former South Korea President Kim Dae-jung expressed his concerns for South Korea’s democracy in his keynote speech at the 9th Anniversary of the June 15 South-North Declaration ceremony held at the KLI 63 Building located in Yeouido, Seoul, June 11.
Former President Kim said, “I am concerned about the current situation regarding the democracy in South Korea that came about through so many people’s sacrifices and now seems to be at risk.” He attempted to encourage people to fight against the current Lee Myung-bak administration’s efforts to force democracy into retreat by saying, “I emphasize with great heartbreak that if one does not act against injustice, he is already on the side of evil.”
In his speech, he, referenced former dictators, including Seungman Rhee, Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-whan, and said, “Korean people restored democracy by overcoming authoritarian regimes that had suppressed people.” He also said, “If one wants to make South Korea a free nation, one should act with conscience and cannot be pardoned if one attempts to flatter a dictator.”
He also made note of the need for a change in President Lee Myung-bak’s method of governance by saying, “If Lee Myung-bak’s administration maintains his current methods of governance, not only his administration, but all of the people of South Korea will only face misery.”
He also asked the current president to fulfill the June 15 Joint Declaration and October 4 Summit Declaration by saying, “President Lee should realize that people are growing uneasy as inter-Korean relations have worsened.”
By way of conclusion, Kim suggested to those present that “Everyone should actively engage in maintaining democracy and in seeking a reconciliation between the two Koreas.”
Approximately 1,000 people attended the anniversary event, including senior officials from his and former President Roh Moo-hyun’s administrations. Chung Sye-kyun, the Chairperson of Democratic Party (DP), Kang Ki-kap the Chairperson of Democratic Labor Party (DLP), Moon Kuk-hyun, the Chairperson of the Creative Korea Party (CKP) and Roh hoe-chan, the Chairperson of the New Progressive Party (NPP) were also present.
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