In Democratic Opposition

Abstract

From the time of his exile in the United States, Kim Dae Jung had his heart set on the Nobel Peace Prize. His closest American friends and confidants had convinced him that the Nobel would be the reward he deserved even if he never achieved his other goal, that of election as president. Moreover, a Nobel would be a great boost for his presidential ambitions. In 1986, as DJ was establishing the nationwide support needed to drive the Chun regime over the brink, he was also proselytizing for the prize. It was not his first bid for the accolade but was his most intense so far. As a prelude to politicking in Korea, he put together a book, Philosophy & Dialogues, a compendium of speeches, interviews, even a press conference, from his years in the United States.