Archived Speeches

"Shaping an Asia-Pacific Century: Challenges and Choices"

Keynote Speech

"The Age of Asia and Leadership"
Kim Dae-jung, Former President of Korea

November 18, 2006
Shilla Hotel, Seoul

Dr. Vishakha N. Desai, President of the Asia Society, young leaders of Asia and distinguished guests!

Distinguished guests,

What is Asia?

First, Asia is a society that has been predominant in agriculture for more than 10,000 years. The legacy of such an agricultural society is still widespread today.

Second, Asia has a deep-rooted philosophy that teaches to "serve the people as you do the heavens," and that "the spirit of Buddha is inherent in all nature's creations." In the Asian society, there is a widespread philosophy that man himself, rather than a transcendent being, is 'heaven' and Buddha.

Third, since the third century, the feudal system has been replaced by a system based on counties and prefectures. The heredity system of passing down the noble title from father to son was abolished.

Fourth, along with the implementation of the district prefecture system, the system of feudal bureaucracy was abolished. Instead, high-ranking civil servants were selected through the civil service entrance examination called gwageo. Therefore, education saw remarkable development in the Asian society.

Fifth, Asia was at the peak of its prosperity during the agricultural era. In 1820, China took up 27% of the global GDP and India took up 14%. Compared to this, Britain took up only 5%, and the United States only 1% of the global GDP. However, with the emergence of the industrial era of the 19th century and the period of colonization, Western society saw rapid development, while Asian countries experienced downfall.

Sixth, with the start of the era of the knowledge-based economy in the 21st century, Asia is once again rising. Approximately 60% of the world's population lives in Asia. Asia is also abundant in natural resources.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Then, will the age of Asia really come? Many people predict such a possibility. I too believe that Asia will be one of the three powers that move the global economy, including the EU and NAFTA, to lead the knowledge-based society of the 21st century. As mentioned before, Asia has a rich tradition of education and is also abundant in natural resources. It also has good conditions for development in any sectors, whether they may be knowledge-based industries or conventional industries. One point we need to address, however, is the relative lack of solidarity among the countries, compared to the EU and to NAFTA.

Many religions coexist in Asia. It is not too much to say that all main religions of the world have developed in Asia, including Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hindu. However, with the exception of Islam, it is fortunate that all religions in Asia have coexisted together peacefully. This is a big advantage of Asia that will hasten the age of Asia.

Distinguished guests!

At the "ASEAN Plus Korea, China, and Japan" Summit held in Hanoi, Vietnam in 1998, I explained my thoughts on the East Asian community, and to this goal, proposed the establishment of the East Asian Vision Group (EAVG), which was adopted at the meeting. After many years of study, the East Asian countries finally organized the 1st East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur last year.

It took many years for the European Union to be established in Europe since the implementation of the "Schuman Plan." The East Asian community too will not be built in a day. However, as both globalization and regionalization are developing in parallel around the world, Asia cannot just stand by and lag behind. Establishing the Asian community is a very important task for both the benefits of each country and the common development of Asia as a whole. Where there is a necessity there is action. Emergence of the East Asian community or the Asian community is not so far away. When this becomes reality, the age of Asia will truly begin amid the blessing of the 4 billion Asian people.

Distinguished guests!

What is Asian leadership? The leadership of democracy, leadership of free economy, leadership of social justice and leadership of peace are leadership skills that both Western society and Asia share. In addition, there are some kinds of leadership unique in Asia.

First is the leadership of loving the people, and the leadership of taking the responsibility when policies go wrong. Asia has a long history of duckchi, "virtuous leadership" in which the king and the ruling class serve their subordinates with affection. Mencius once said that "The king has been given the obligation by the heavens to entrust happiness to his people. If the king fails to do so, the people can drive the king out of his throne." Such is a philosophy identical to the idea of democracy.

Second is leadership based on the idea of Shilsagushi, "seeking truth from facts." The practical notion of "searching for truth through concrete evidence" has persisted among the leaders in Asia. When such leadership was properly implemented, the affairs of state saw great success. However, when leaders fell into futile ideological arguments, the country's situation deteriorated.

Third is leadership for peace. Peace is crucial for Asia as well as for the whole world. Today world peace is under threat. However, most regions in Asia have maintained relative stability thanks to the wise leadership of their leaders. Despite the coexistence of various religions, various civilizations and various people, the people of Asia live in peace with respect for one another. We need leadership that can maintain and further develop such a unique advantage of Asia. I have no doubt that once we maintain peaceful cooperation the 21st century will be an age of Asia.

Fourth, we need leadership that can reduce the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Neither rhetoric nor any remarkable policy can be called a success if it cannot resolve this wealth gap. The gap between the rich countries and the poor countries is very wide in Asia. Only when we narrow this gap and enable the people of the poor countries to have hope for tomorrow can we nurture Asia's hope for the future.

The leaders of Asia must strengthen their cooperative relationship with the Asian community to set a clear and detailed vision for the development of poor countries. Unlike the age of industrialization, the age of information does not require immense capital or vast facilities to achieve economic development. We can earn wealth. With the dissemination of information through effective education, poverty can be overcome.

Terrorism, which is a source of great anxiety, cannot be resolved without first addressing the issue of poverty. This is because poverty is driving so many angry young people in despair into giving up their lives to the terrorist groups. Unlike the age of industrialization where a lot of money and resources were needed to succeed, in the age of information, as mentioned before, wealth can be created just through intellectual talent and education on information. The 21st century is an age where eradicating poverty has become possible. I dearly ask for you to stand at the forefront in eradicating poverty in the new era.

Dear young leaders!

The 21st century is an age of hope. It is an age of possibilities. If all of you young leaders set the right direction and strive towards that direction, Asia can come together as one. Furthermore, the world can be solidified into one whole cooperative community. I have high expectations for your strong leadership that can bring hope and salvation to the people in suffering.

Dear young leaders!

I would like to say a few words of wisdom based on my experience that can be of guidance to you.

First, strive to be "conscience in action." Both an angel and a devil coexist in our hearts. Depending on our state of mind and efforts, sometimes the angel wins over and sometimes the devil wins. What must be done to rid the devil from your hearts and hold hands with the angel to go forward? We must shed our self-centered minds and lead our lives for the sake of others. My spouse, my children, my siblings, my friends, people in my society and people of the whole world are all my neighbors. When you love your neighbors and do your best for them, you will be regarded as a person who has succeeded in life, whether or not you have risen to power, earned great riches or enjoyed longevity in life.

Next, maintain a keen "scholar-like" critical mind and a "merchant-like" sense of practicality. We must address all challenges that we face by critically assessing the principles and truth just like a scholar closely analyzing a problem. At the same time, when putting your ideas to action, you must be like a merchant who uses his business acumen to earn profits. If you think and behave in this manner, you will succeed in the principles and results of everything you do.

Furthermore, you must strive to be global citizens. The 21st century is an age of globalization. We influence and are influenced by the whole world whether we like it or not. Therefore, it is crucial for us to understand the people of the world and pursue exchange, cooperate and compete with them. We have now shifted from the age of nationalism in the industrial society and entered the age of globalization. This is the age where all of you will be living. Travel around the world as much as you can. Make many global friends. And actively participate in global affairs.

Lastly, you must work to create a society filled with love and tolerance. Such is a society filled with happiness where we can live together with our neighbors with warm affection. Such is a society where we can feel rewarded in life. At the same time, you must work to create a society where the ideas of law and order are upheld. Human beings tend to do good deeds and bad deeds. Therefore, law and order is needed to protect the good and prevent the evil. When you pursue both in parallel, you will contribute to the sound development of your society and at the same time feel satisfaction in your own lives.

Ladies and gentlemen!

I would now like to conclude my speech. The age of Asia is upon us. You are the main actors of this age of Asia. What role Asia plays in the 21st century for reconciliation and development of the world will determine the true value of this age of Asia. That task is now on your shoulders. I wish you all the best.

Thank you.

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