SEOUL (UCAN) - Korean Catholic and other religious leaders have lauded South Korean President Thomas More Kim Dae-jung for winning this year's Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts toward reconciliation with North Korea.
President Kim, a Catholic, is the first Korean to receive a Nobel Prize, and according the Norwegian Nobel Institute, his efforts toward Korean reunification have prompted hopes for peace on the Cold War's last frontier.
Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, retired archbishop of Seoul, who nominated Kim as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992, said, "The award is an honor not only for President Kim but also for the entire Korean people."
"President Kim's efforts for democracy and human rights were finally recognized internationally," the cardinal told UCA News Oct. 14.
Archbishop Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk of Seoul, in his Oct. 14 congratulatory message, thanked the president for his "efforts devoted to the nation's democracy, defending human rights and promoting peace on the Korean peninsula during the past three decades."
Archbishop Victorinus Youn Kong-hi of Kwangju said in a message, "The Nobel Peace Prize crowns international recognition of the president's commitment to democracy, human rights and peace during three decades of struggle against dictatorial regimes."
Bishop Augustine Cheong Myong-jo of Pusan hailed the president's winning the prize as a national event. He said that he expects the president will make further efforts to enhance peace, freedom and democracy.
Joseph Yo Kyu-tae, president of the Lay Apostolate Council of Korea, told UCA News Oct. 14, "I sincerely congratulate President Kim together with all Catholic laypeople in the nation on his winning the Nobel Peace Prize."
He added that he hopes the president will make more efforts to stabilize the nation's difficult economic situation.
Venerable Seo Chong-dae, chief executive of the Buddhist Chogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist denomination, said President Kim would be remembered as a prominent world leader.
Reverend Kim Dong-wan, secretary general of the National Council of Churches in Korea, told UCA News Oct. 13 that he hopes President Kim's winning of the prize will increase the momentum of efforts to realize a peaceful reunification of the divided Korean peninsula.
Gunnar Berge, chairman of the Nobel Institute, said in his announcement on Oct. 13 that President Kim is critical to this peace process and "we are convinced that he will be strengthened by receiving this prize."
Shortly after the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced him as this year's laureate, Kim said that he will share the peace honor with victims of South Korea's past authoritarian regimes, and his supporters at home and abroad.
"I will continue to make efforts for democracy and peace on the Korean peninsula and throughout Asia and the world," Kim said in a statement read by his spokesperson Park Joon-yong.
"I would like to pass the honor to all South Koreans and world citizens who supported my pursuit for democracy and human rights, peace, reconciliation and cooperation between South and North Korea over the past 40 years," he said.
The president confirmed that he will attend the award ceremony to be held in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 10.
Kim was baptized in 1956 by the late Archbishop Paul Ro Ki-nam of Seoul with then vice president John Chang Myon as his godfather.
He faced many trials including attempts on his life and years of imprisonment and exile under past military regimes.
Kim, elected president in December 1997, visited Pyongyang June 13-15 this year for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
It was the first-ever visit by a South Korean president to the North. The two leaders signed a historic agreement that the two Koreas would strive for reunification and cooperate with each other.
UCAN (16. oktober 2000)
16. oktober 2000