Inter-Korean Relations and the Future of the Korean Peninsula

Please join the Walter H. Shorenstein Forum at the Asia-Pacific Research Center and the Asia Foundation for an evening with His Excellency Kim Dae-jung, Former President of the Republic of Korea and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

In December 1997, Kim Dae-jung, longtime opposition leader and survivor of multiple assassination attempts, imprisonment, exile and political persecution, was elected the eighth president of the Republic of Korea, marking the first transition of power from the ruling to the opposition party in Korea's modern history. President Kim was immediately faced with an unprecedented financial crisis and strained relations with North Korea. He devoted himself to economic recovery and reform, pulling Korea back from the brink of bankruptcy. In February 1998, he announced his intentions to pursue what he called the "sunshine policy" with North Korea in hopes of encouraging greater discussion and cooperation with Seoul's northern neighbor. In December 2000, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, in recognition of his "extraordinary and lifelong works for democracy and human rights in South Korea and East Asia in general, and for peace and reconciliation with North Korea in particular," awarded the him the Nobel Peace Prize.

On his first visit to the United States since leaving the presidency, Kim Dae-jung will address the challenges for the Republic of Korea in its continued engagement with North Korea and future of the Korean Peninsula.