Jung Cheong-rae: President Lee Embodies Kim Dae-jung's Peace Spirit

Rep. Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, lauded President Lee Jae-myung as a "peacemaker" who best embodies the spirit of former President Kim Dae-jung. Jung made these remarks during a special lecture at the Kim Dae-jung Library at Yonsei University in Seoul, commemorating the 26th anniversary of the June 15th Inter-Korean Joint Declaration.

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He was a leader who acted for peace not because he had no fear, but because he could not abandon peace even when he was afraid.

Jung highlighted Kim Dae-jung's unwavering pursuit of peace, stating, "He was a leader who acted for peace not because he had no fear, but because he could not abandon peace even when he was afraid." He drew a parallel to President Lee, asserting that Lee will actively create peace rather than passively wait for it, and will pave the way forward without blaming the other side for changes.

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He will create peace rather than wait for it, and will pave the way forward without blaming the other side for changes.

The commemoration event celebrated the architects of the June 15th declaration, whom Jung referred to as "peacemakers." He paid tribute to figures like former Unification Ministers Im Dong-won and Jeong Se-hyun, and Rep. Park Jie-won, who served as minister of culture and tourism under the Kim Dae-jung administration. Jung concluded by emphasizing that peace itself is the path, a core tenet of Kim Dae-jung's legacy, and urged attendees to become peacemakers who open the way to peace.

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Peace is the path. That is what I firmly believe is the spirit of Kim Dae-jung's June 15th.