In 1980, I was sentenced to death by the military regime.

“In 1980, I was sentenced to death by the military regime.

For six months in prison, I awaited the execution day. Often, I shuddered with fear of death. But I would find calm in the fact of history that justice ultimately prevails. I was then, and am still, an avid reader of history. And I knew that in all ages, in all places, he who lives a righteous life dedicated to his people and humanity may not be victorious, may meet a gruesome end in his lifetime, but will be triumphant and honored in history; he who wins by injustice may dominate the present day, but history will always judge him to be a shameful loser. There can be no exception.” 
In his Nobel Prize lecture, Kim Dae-jung shared the story of how he bravely struggled against authoritarian regimes in South Korea. For this he was imprisoned several times. After being sentenced to death Kim Dae-jung was sent to Chungju prison.  

His wife Lee Hee-ho knitted clothes to give more warmth than the prison uniform. In prison he was only allowed one sheet of paper per month. The letters to his wife Lee Hee-ho had to be written with small characters so he could fit in as many as possible.   

Kim Dae-jung is occasionally referred to as the "Nelson Mandela of South Korea". He dedicated his life to working for democracy and human rights in South Korea.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Medieval Torture for the unfaithful,

As a WOMAN, once you PLACE your VALUE on MONEY

In 1663, France implemented a program called "Filles du Roi" ("Daughters of the King")

10 REASONS NOT TO DATE AN OLDER WOMAN.

the "Carolina Twins

Why Onitsha Has No Omu

The way Geologists determine the difference between Clay/Mud.

HOW THE APOSTLES DIED.

first person to walk across the icy wilderness of Antarctica

the Chippewa Flowage.