Catholics From South Korea

"I am aware of the recent discussions about creating a nuclear-free zone in the Korean peninsula. But, in my view, it is meaningless to talk about declaring a nuclear-free zone in Korea alone. For the Korean peninsula to be protected against a nuclear threat, the neighboring countries of China and the Soviet Union must be free of nuclear weapons. To exclude this factor and talk only about U.S. nuclear weapons in (South) Korea--and I am not aware of whether they exist here--is not logical. The three countries that possess nuclear weapons (in this region) should get together and discuss the reduction of nuclear weapons. That, I think, is more logical."

"Discipline and abuse are different, but there is a culture (in Korea) that identifies them and says they are a family issue."

"One of the things I envy while watching American television dramas is an office with a sense of openness. The offices of senior executives are made of glass and are transparent. Here (in South Korea), the higher the status, the more closed the space they have – even as far as a personal bedroom."

"Korea’s perception on gender has not yet reached an advanced level."

"The election should be about what the city needs now and also down the road. I promise to run my campaign strictly on the vision and plans that I have for the city."

"Nowhere do we see in the last year’s process the denuclearization of North Korea. We only see denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula on the North’s terms."

"If the United States accepts North Korea as the de facto nuclear state through a small deal, acquiring nuclear weapons is the only viable path for us, some people argue. With a small deal, demand for deploying strategic nuclear weapons will increase."

"For child abuse, there are various related institutions, such as organizations dedicated to child protection, the police and government offices. The thing is that they do not share information with each other."

"More state power should be used to intervene in child abuse cases as children are the most vulnerable members of our society and find it difficult to express themselves."

"Democracy did not stop at fighting authoritarianism. It enabled humanity to prosper with the power of freedom and creativity. Democracy is, even now, expanding in a manner that helps people live life to the fullest as humans."

"It is very fortunate that our economy has managed to catch two rabbits in two senses: growth and distribution as well as innovation and inclusion. It is a national achievement made by the Government, the people and businesses pulling together. My Administration will do all it can to further develop what has been achieved to date and make up for any shortcomings until the end of my term."

"The successful return to daily routines lies down a path never taken. We may encounter unexpected difficulties at any time. However, we will not make the same mistakes again. We will turn this brief pause into an opportune time to move forward."

"One of the biggest problems with this THAAD deployment decision was that it lacked democratic procedure, and it has resulted in a wide division of the nation and aggravated foreign relations. If the South Korean government were to push this issue further, it would only make matters worse, and it would be more difficult to find a solution to this problem. I hope the U.S. government will fully consider these issues."

"I believe that we need to have North Korea understand that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula."

"Opportunities will be equal. The procedures will be fair. The result will be just."

"If tensions between the United States and China intensify, North Korea can take advantage of it and capitalize on it."

"When Moon Jae-in looks back on the history of the ROK he holds up only the anti-state riots and protests as high points."

"Abuse of power has become the norm in Moon's South Korea, and Koreans are taking notice."

"When you face difficulties and hardships, your homeland is always by your side. The Government will work more meticulously to make it possible for you to take pride in your homeland."

"If the truth is not revealed, we cannot say it is a just society."

"Wherever they are around the world, Koreans are shining stars in their chosen fields. We have fostered hopes and built our strength to recover while trusting, relying on and longing to be with each other. I extend my profound respect and gratitude to our overseas Koreans, the delegation of Korean community leaders and those who rendered distinguished service to Koreans abroad for uniting as one and shining all the more brightly even amid the COVID-19 pandemic."

"The most ardent dream of the global community is creating a life that is peaceful and secure. The birth of the UN has transformed the paradigm of international relations based on competition and conflict into the one of coexistence and shared prosperity. The UN has endeavored to replace the incomplete peace maintained by the balance of power with sustainable peace grounded in cooperation, thereby promoting freedom for entire humanity."

"Korea is an exemplary testament to the value of democracy. Although having lived through colonial rule and a war, we have grown while complying with international free trade norms and become the first developing country to ascend to the ranks of advanced economies in tandem with progress in democracy. Every time authoritarianism suppressed the Korean people, they protected democracy and moved it forward through peaceful civil revolutions. Korea will build on this experience and contribute to global democracy."

"I am confident in my dealings with the heads. I believe that I have won their trust because, I have asked them for nothing. Unlike past presidents, I did not force them to give me money or political funds. Not a single cent. And, I have not shown favoritism to any particular chaebol. They know that I am fair."

"Once elected president in 1998, Kim chose reconciliation over revenge — even inviting his persecutors from the previous military governments to the Blue House, where he sought and welcomed their counsel during his presidency. Kim Dae Jung showed[,] that true leadership lies in compassion, not [in] coercion."

"Dr Kim Dae-Jung, the one unmistakably great political leader with whom I have had the privilege to talk at length, to whom his country owes far more than it has yet begun to realize, by his singular courage."

"In China and Korea, feudalism was brought down and replaced with counties and prefectures before the birth of Christ, and civil service exams to recruit government officials are a thousand years-old. The exercise of power by the king and high officials were monitored by robust systems of auditing. In sum, Asia was rich in the intellectual and institutional traditions that would provide fertile grounds for democracy. What Asia did not have was the organizations of representative democracy. The genius of the west was to create the organizations, a remarkable accomplishment that has greatly advanced the history of humankind."

"In an era of a global economy, we can't survive without foreign investment. We must change our attitude toward foreign investment. We should welcome it."

"Eventually, North Korea will come out for dialogue. Even though we may hold dialogue at the end, if the provocations are prolonged, then the compensation that we have to give North Korea will become bigger."

"For human rights issues, I think the intervention or support from the outside world is important. But also the effort and sacrifice, or willingness to make sacrifices within, among the people of a nation is important. The Korean democracy -- we had a few decades of sacrifices and tens of people lost their lives because of this concept and hundreds of people were imprisoned because of this concept and we finally gained it. And also the support from the democratic-minded peoples and democratic countries was very important. Of course the prime example of that nation is the United States."

"So when the U.N. made a resolution and asked us to send troops to East Timor, we took this as a responsibility that we must take, and also this was to repay them for their favors. As for the secretary-general's statement that when there is a conflict between human rights and the sovereign right, that sometimes the human rights can override the sovereign right, I think in principle that is right, because before we had nations, we had God-given human rights."

"If we had true democracy in Korea, then the collusive intimacy between business and government and corruption would not have been as great here. And the wealth would not have been allocated to only a few people. Usually the dictatorship or authoritarian style of government lies to people."

"If parents can tell their kids, `Look at Kim Dae Jung: Live upright, put your effort into a good cause and you will be successful,' then I think my life would be very meaningful"

"Many of the leaders of Asian society have been saying that military dictatorship was the way and democracy was not good for their nation. They concentrated only on economic development. I believe that the fundamental cause of the financial crisis, including here in Korea, is because of placing economic development ahead of democracy."

"I believe democracy is the foundation of a healthy economy. Without genuine democracy you cannot have a genuine market economy. And, under the market economy, one must fully open doors to allow free trade and investment."

"I agonize over the suffering that the North Korean people must be experiencing. Every time I'm having a meal and I leave some food, I think about how much this food could do for suffering North Korean children. I really do want to do more to help them, but again, with such negative public opinion in this country, it is very difficult to go ahead with assistance."