Indongcho, His Name Will Endure
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The "indongcho," or Japanese honeysuckle, is a small flower that endures the severe winds and frost of winter to bloom in spring, and the vulnerable yet strong-willed flower is synonymous with the late former President.
Kim was a fighter for peace and democracy and his journey was not an easy one. However, just like the vulnerable plant, Kim endured torrential winds to become one of the most respected and influential Asian leaders in the world.
The greater the mountain, the larger and darker the shadow, and this was true of Kim's life.
When he was elected to the presidency in February of 1998, Korea was in the middle of the ``IMF crisis,'' which pushed millions of Koreans below the poverty line. But Kim and his fellow nationals rolled up their sleeves to fight for survival, paying back the IMF loan three years ahead of schedule.
His ongoing efforts to reconcile with North Korea, i.e., the Sunshine Policy, bore the fruit of the historic summit with Kim Jong-il in 2000. The same year, he became the first Korean to win the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his crusade for peace and human rights. He was criticized at times for being too lenient with the North, but he endured and adhered to his policy stance.
We now bid farewell to a former President who loved Korea as a whole, not just the South; who adored his people and believed in their hidden strengths even they overlooked; who supported peace and democracy; a survivor who endured the harsh winds and painful blows. Kim Dae-jung may be gone, but his name and legacy will stay on.
