Koreans Experimenting With Direct Democracy

Former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner
Kim Dae-jung

The following is the text of a speech former President Kim Dae-jung delivered in Seoul Thursday at a conference to mark the eighth anniversary of the inter-Korean summit. ― ED.

Honorable Chairman Lim Dong-won! I sincerely congratulate that the event commemorating the eighth anniversary of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration is being held successfully tonight. Also, I welcome and express my gratitude to diplomatic delegates including H.E. Ambassador Norbert Baas of Germany, Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong, and all distinguished guests who are here tonight. In particular, I extend my special gratitude to Dr. Bruce Cumings, Dr. Wada Haruki, and Dr. Paik Nak-chung who have delivered us great lectures tonight.

Today, we are experiencing an extraordinary phenomenon in Korea. We are witnessing the practice of direct democracy in Korea amid public participation and their keen interest for the first time since it was exercised in Athens 2,000 years ago. This direct democracy is practiced both on- and off-line via the Internet and text messages, and candlelight vigils on the streets.

If this new and momentous experience is practiced peacefully and reaps success, it will bring sensation and inspiration to the world democracy, presenting a new path. Watching the direct democracy tried by Korean people, I came to think about who Korean people are.

First, our people have a proud history of having protected our independence. Korea is located in a small peninsula at the edge of East Asia. However, facing the goliath-like China, Korea was not assimilated but preserved its identity. Our ancestors thrust the hundreds of thousands of Chinese forces from the Sui and the Tang Dynasties. In order to resist against the Mongolian invasion, the grassroots stood at the forefront for 50 years. During the 1592 Japanese Invasion of Korea (Imjin Woe Ran), militaries and civilians became one to fight against and eventually drove out the Japanese force. Also during the 35 years of Japanese colonial rule, people did not stop their strife for independence including armed struggles both inside and outside Korea from the first day of the colonial rule until August 15, 1945, the day Korea became independent.

Second, our people have held fast to our cultural autonomy. Many Northeast Asian people around China were assimilated by the overwhelming Chinese culture, mostly leading to extinction of the people themselves. Although the Manchu established the Qing dynasty in China and ruled for 270 years, they were after all absorbed into the Chinese culture and disappeared. On the other hand, our people have audaciously accepted the Chinese culture - the sophisticated culture such as Confucianism and Buddhism - and re-created it into our own, proudly preserving our identity and without letting cultural assimilation deprive us of our uniqueness.

Third, we created the society of knowledge and education. Our people did not adopt the Western feudal system which let the high governmental officials dominate the power by descending their privilege to their children. In Korea, even children of prime minister (young eui jung) could not join the group of leaders unless they passed civil service examination (Gwa Geo). The examination is equivalent to today's national examination for lawyers or for high-ranking government officials and required tremendous efforts. Therefore, education naturally became important for Korean society. Such educational tide of the elites influenced even the common people, who were not qualified to take the examination, to be ardent about education. And such fervor for education continues today, placing Korea as one of powerful nations in terms of education. Korea is also an IT powerhouse. This has its root in intellectual tradition as well.

Fourth, Korea is being a role model for developing countries. Since the end of the World War II, 150 countries that newly earned independence regard Korea as an exemplary country to follow and learn. We won democracy sacrificing our lives and shedding blood. Now re-emergence of dictatorship is simply unimaginable. We built our economy that was devastated by the Korean War, and we also revitalized our economy even in the midst of the Asian Financial Crisis which was called "the second national crisis equivalent to the Korean War." Now, Korea is one of the world's largest 13 economies.

The spirit of independence, the fervor for education, and Korean people's determination to preserve freedom led to the emergence of "hallyu" or Korean Wave. It has exponentially growing fans in Japan and let one billion Chinese people watch Korean TV shows every night. Currently, the Wave is spreading throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the U.S., Europe, and various corners of the world. Moreover, Korea is experimenting direct democracy for the first time since it was practiced in Athens 2,000 years ago. Korea is attracting attention from not only both developing countries, but also industrialized nations.

Fifth, since the presidential election in 1971, Korea has been calling for peaceful resolution of inter-Korean issues and for the assurance of peace on the Korean peninsula by the four major powers of the U.S., Japan, China, and the Soviet Union. If you add two Koreas to these four countries, it becomes the six-party talks. In other words, it can be said that we have been claiming for the Sunshine Policy and the six-party talks for 37 years. Even during the Cold War led by the U.S. and the Soviet Union and the consequent confrontation between two Koreas, we affirmed to achieve a win-win situation by peacefully resolving issues regarding the future of Korean people. Although the slander and persecution from the dictatorship and the media were severe, we did not surrender.

Although the inter-Korean relations are currently strained since the launch of Lee-Myung-bak administration, I foresee that we will eventually move toward reconciliation and cooperation because we do not have other alternatives, and because reconciliation and cooperation are beneficial for both Koreas. The six party talks are on the way of success. As we have urged for a long time, a process of direct dialogue and give-and-take negotiation are being progressed. If the talks are finalized, the talks will be developed into a Northeast Asian security system as agreed at the six-party talks. The peace on the Korean peninsula can be realized amid the participation of four major powers, as we yearned for during the presidential election in 1971.

At the same time, we have to continue developing our alliance with the U.S. and friendship with China, Japan, and Russia. This is the most certain way to maintain our own peace and autonomy. Now is a very crucial moment for the future of our people, and also for the peace of Northeast Asia. We also have to actively pursue the peace system buttressed by the four countries, which will ensure our survival as well as our development.

Distinguished guests!

An eminent French critic of civilization said, "Korea does not have to feel small between two major powers, China and Japan. Although they are strong, they have also shortcomings such as exclusive nationalism and retrospective nostalgia for the past. However, Korean people are moving forward with their highly intellectual creativity, adventurous spirit, and open-minded attitude." A leading German press said that Korea will surpass Germany in 30 years. Many distinguished American think-tanks also talk about the great potentials of Korea.

Of course, such evaluations are based on the premise that Koreans secure their peace through strong solidarity and keep up with the global flow of the 21st century. And yet, it is true that we have a bright future. Thus, we should be confident. In particular, we should value and respect the "people," since the 21st century is the era based on the knowledge economy. The goddess of victory is waving at us. Let us boldly grab her hands and walk toward the promising road to future. By doing so, let us place Korean people at the forefront of the world. Thank you.

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