The former president of South Korea, Kim Dae-jung, died today at the age of 85, the Associated Press reports.
A champion of human rights and a pro-democracy leader, he survived years of imprisonment and exile under the rule of two military juntas. After a couple of futile attempts to serve as the nation’s top leader, Kim Dea-jung was elected president at age 72. As president, he earned the Nobel Peace Prize following a summit with North Korea. It opened the door for reconciliation and resulted in emotional reunions for many families separated by war between the two governments. It also earned him the Nobel Peace Prize, the first and only for a South Korean.
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