Kim Dae-jung's Exile Records Released... Emphasizes "Inter-Korean Dialogue and Restoration of Local Autonomy"

Letters and Statements Released on the 26th Anniversary of the June 15 Inter-Korean Summit
"Cooperation from the US, Japan, China, and the Soviet Union Essential for Successful Inter-Korean Talks"
"Dictatorial Regimes Suspended Local Autonomy"...Calls for Prompt Restoration

Records have been released showing that the late former President Kim Dae-jung, who was in exile in the United States in 1984, emphasized the necessity of inter-Korean dialogue and the restoration of local autonomy, outlining the direction for Korean democracy. In commemoration of the 26th anniversary of the June 15 Inter-Korean Summit, the Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial Hall made public on June 14 letters and statements written by former President Kim appealing to the US political sphere and the international community for the restoration of democracy and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The materials were donated last April by Professor Tomohito Shinoda of the International University of Japan. They include a letter sent by former President Kim to US Senator Edward Kennedy in 1984, as well as a statement titled “Korean Democracy at a Crossroads: My Views and Proposals,” which was published in the newsletter of the Korean Institute for Human Rights Studies.

DJ seeking asylum in the United States and Mrs. Lee Hee-ho. Photo by Yonhap News

In his statement, former President Kim expressed his willingness for inter-Korean dialogue, saying, “If I can contribute to easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, I welcome any form of talks.” He went on to stress, “For inter-Korean talks to succeed, cooperation from the United States, Japan, China, and the Soviet Union is essential. Even if they are not direct participants in the talks, without their cooperation, it is impossible to expect successful outcomes.”

He also clearly expressed his thoughts on his life in exile in the United States and his desire to return to Korea.

Former President Kim stated, “Since arriving in the United States 15 months ago, I have reached out to leaders in the US administration and Congress, the media, academia, religious circles, and human rights organizations to correct US policy toward Korea,” adding, “My concern is not with my personal political future, but with how to most effectively continue the mission I have undertaken in the United States.” He further revealed his intention to return by saying, “My greatest wish is to go back to my homeland and once again stand shoulder to shoulder with my beloved people.”

He also shared his views on local autonomy.

Former President Kim asserted, “For the past 23 years, local autonomy was suspended under the regimes of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan because effective repression by the dictatorial governments deemed it an obstacle to their efforts to completely control the people,” and insisted, “We must resolutely reject such justifications and demand the prompt restoration of local autonomy.”

The Memorial Hall explained that this statement later became a declaration outlining the direction of “Kim Dae-jung’s politics,” leading to the founding of the Peace Democratic Party, his victory in the 1997 presidential election, the Sunshine Policy, and the 2000 Inter-Korean Summit, and is regarded as the starting point of his political vision.

Jang Shingi, Ph.D., of the Yonsei University Kim Dae-jung Library, said, “During his exile, Mr. Kim Dae-jung engaged in persuasion and public opinion campaigns targeting key figures in the United States for the restoration of democracy in Korea and peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula. The significance of these materials lies in the fact that they provide concrete evidence of those efforts.”

The Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial Hall plans to hold a special exhibition titled “Kim Dae-jung, the Human: Records of His Inner World” on August 18, marking the 17th anniversary of President Kim Dae-jung’s death, and will display the newly released materials.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.