Nobel Peace Prize 2000 to Kim Dae Jung, president of South Korea.

I am very pleased to learn that this year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the President of South Korea, Kim Dae Jung. It is well deserved," commented Foreign Minister Jagland. "President Kim’s tireless struggle for democracy in South Korea has many parallels to Nelson Mandela’s efforts in South Africa. Both have experienced many years of persecution, murder attempts, imprisonment and harassment. President Kim has devoted his entire life to combating the dictatorship in Korea. When he was elected president in 1997, it was the first time an opposition party had come to power in South Korea by peaceful means. This was a real breakthrough and a victory for democracy.

"Despite the protests of the opposition, Kim Dae Jung has involved Korea in international peace operations and has played an essential role in stopping the killings in East Timor and in establishing a UN force there. He has also taken a clear stand in favour of democracy in Burma. Today Kim Dae Jung is the foremost champion of democracy in Asia," says Foreign Minister Jagland.

"His efforts to promote peaceful reunification with North Korea have been just as long-term and resolute. It is particularly due to the foundation laid by Kim Dae Jung through his confidence-building efforts that the summit in Pyongyang came about in June this year. This event gives reason to hope that a lasting reconciliation and reunification process has now begun in earnest," says Foreign Minister Jagland.