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.”
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.
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