- Kim Dae Jung, the President of the Republic of Korea, is a most worthy recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, says Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg at the announcement of the Prize for 2000 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee this morning.

The post-war period is over in Europe. However, on the Korean Peninsula conflict and tension has continued into a new millennium.

The visit by Kim Dae Jung to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in June this year was an important step towards building confidence between the South and the North. His ambition – to overcome more than five decades of hostility between the two Koreas – demands respect and our continued support.

Kim Dae Jung has fought for democracy and human rights in the Republic of Korea. He was for many years persecuted for his principles.

The election of Kim to the presidency in 1997 marked the country’s definitive entry among the world’s democracies. As president, he has sought to consolidate democratic government and to promote conciliation in the Republic of Korea.

Kim Dae Jung is a defender of universal human rights on a continent where attempts have been made to limit the relevance of such rights. Kim has also worked in favour of democracy in Burma and against repression in East Timor.