Who Is Kim Dae-jung? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on January 6, 1924, in the town of Namak, South Korea, Kim Dae-jung became a prominent political figure and served as the President of South Korea from 1998 until 2003. Renowned for his role in the country's democratization and his efforts towards reconciliation with North Korea, Kim was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his dedication to peace and democracy. Unfortunately, Kim Dae-jung passed away on August 18, 2009, leaving a lasting legacy in South Korea and the world.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 6, 1924 |
| Age | 85 Years |
| Birth Place | Hauido, Zenranan Province, Korea, Empire of Japan |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | South Korea |
| Date of death | 18 August, 2009 |
| Died Place | Seoul, South Korea |
Popularity
Kim Dae-jung's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As a historical figure, specific physical statistics such as height and weight are not commonly documented in public records, but Kim Dae-jung was known for his modest demeanor and presented himself as a dignified leader throughout his tenure.
One month later after the presidential election, while Kim was campaigning for legislative elections, a truck turned directly into the path of his car and seriously injured him and his two aides. Suffering a hip joint injury he was left with a permanent limp. It has been suspected that the collision was an assassination attempt by Park's regime.
Shortly after, he left for Japan and began an exile movement as President Park launched a self-coup and introduced the dictatorial Yushin Constitution of 1972.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Kim Dae-jung was married to Lee Hee-ho, who was a significant partner in his political journey. The couple had three children together: a son named Kim Hong-up and two daughters, Kim Soo-jin and Kim Hyun-jung. They shared a profound bond which continued to resonate in their joint advocacy for human rights and democracy.
Kim was the second of seven children. His father, Kim Un-sik, was a farmer. Kim was a 12th generation descendant of Kim Ik-soo (김익수;金益壽) who served as Second Minister of the Board of War (병조참판;兵曹參判) and the civil minister (문신;文臣) who was involved in the construction of Gwansanggam during Joseon period.
Ik-soo is the grandson of Kim Young-jeong (김영정;金永貞) of Gimhae Kim clan, this makes him a distant relative of Kim Jong-pil. Kim's family had moved to the nearby port city of Mokpo so that he could finish high school. He had to change his name to Toyota Taichū (豊田大中) because of the passing of the sōshi-kaimei ordinance.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his presidency, Kim Dae-jung's net worth was not publicly detailed, reflecting a characteristic trait of many politicians in South Korea who maintain a degree of privacy regarding financial matters. As a former president and Nobel laureate, it is expected that he had a modest yet secure financial standing based on his decades-long career in public service and political leadership.
Career, Business and Investments
Kim Dae-jung embarked on his political career as a member of the National Assembly in South Korea, quickly rising to prominence. His career was marked by significant challenges, including exile and imprisonment under previous authoritarian regimes. As president, he implemented the "Sunshine Policy," aimed at improving relations with North Korea, which was pivotal in opening dialogues that had long been stagnant. After leaving office, he continued to work as an elder statesman and remained active in various diplomatic and humanitarian endeavors.
Kim and the other leading opposition figure, Kim Young-sam, initially promised to unite behind one candidate. However, disagreements between the two men over who was in a better position to win made Kim Dae-Jung split from the main opposition party, the Reunification Democratic Party, and formed the Peace Democratic Party to run for the presidency.
As a result, the opposition vote was split, and Roh won with only 36.6% of the popular vote. Kim Young-sam received 28% and Kim Dae-jung 27% of the votes.
Social Network
Although social media was not prevalent during his lifetime, Kim Dae-jung's legacy continues to influence a range of social dialogues in South Korea today. Numerous organizations and foundations carry on his vision for peace and democracy, utilizing modern platforms to advocate for his ideals. His story and principles are celebrated across various channels, including forums dedicated to political discussions and initiatives concerning human rights.
In July 2019, according to American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) documents obtained by Hong Kong's South China Morning Post through a freedom of information request, the military-backed ruling forces drew up detailed plans to fix the election result in case Roh lost.
The documents suggested that the government was prepared to crack down hard on any unrest following the vote, with an Intel briefing stating that an "open arrest order" had been prepared for Kim Dae-jung if he tried to "instigate a popular revolt against the election results". As Roh won the election, the plans were not implemented.
Education
Kim Dae-jung pursued his education at the prestigious Hanyang University and later attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on a fellowship which expanded his worldview. His education played a crucial role in shaping his political ideology and approach to governance, particularly regarding human rights and democratic processes.
After completing a master's course in economics at Kyung Hee University in 1970, he ran as opposition candidate for the country's presidential election in 1971, against President Park Chung Hee. President Park had removed term limits and was seeking to run for a third term.
A very talented orator, Kim could command unwavering loyalty among his supporters. Kim won the nomination of the opposition party over Kim Young-sam, another pro-democracy politician.
