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International Forum >> The Democracy Forum for East Asia>> Inaugural Conference
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CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE BY PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG President Carl Gershman, President Dalchoong Kim, ladies and gentlemen! The fact that we are gathered here today to discuss democracy and the market economy has great significance for all of us. During a state visit to Seoul in November last year, President Clinton and I agreed to jointly commission research for a program that would develop both democracy and market economy in Asia. The Sejong Institute in Korea and the National Endowment for Democracy in the United States were appointed to spearhead this enterprise. This inaugural conference is the first project to be initiated under the auspices of the Democracy Forum and I would like to extend to you my sincerest congratulations on this endeavor. It has been my life-long conviction that democracy and market economy offer numerous benefits. It has been my belief that freedom, human rights, peace and prosperity, values which make our life worth living, can only be shared by the people if democracy is developed and a thriving market economy established. However, many of those who have led Korea in the past have either strayed from or neglected this path, causing great harm to the people. The recent economic crisis has exposed the damaging effects of crony capitalism that were hidden beneath Korea's rapid economic growth, once touted as the Miracle on the Han River. Even Korea's business conglomerates, despite their large size, were not competitive by global standards. However, we have learned much from the mistakes we have made. We have been able to establish a firm direction for reform that will enable us to become globally competitive and we are already well on our way. Many in the international community have accorded Korea recognition for showing how important a democratic and legitimate government is in overcoming an economic crisis. Moreover, we have been able to further develop democracy and the market economy, which have become the foundations of our philosophy, and this promises greater progress in the future. Democracy is a unique system that guarantees each individual's human rights, as well as political and economic freedom, and the freedom to acquire information. Under these circumstances, each individual will be able to give full scope to his creativity and thus contribute to economic development and prosperity. For the progress of democracy, the free-market economy must be defended and developed. Only under a fair market system can the capabilities and efforts of individuals be justly compensated, in turn contributing to the stability and development of the democratic system. Taking this a step further, in order to respond effectively to the demands made by the new information age of the 21st century, it must be acknowledged that democracy and a free-market economy, which guarantee individual creativity and expression, must be regarded as the most universal of values. Democracy and a free-market economy can only be realized when it is accompanied by a welfare system. The inevitable emergence of disparities in wealth in a free market economy alienates many people. This is a very serious problem for which an answer must be sought. However, if the welfare system becomes charity-based and largely unproductive, as has been the case in the West, it will weaken economic competitiveness and increase the burden placed on people. From now on, through the development of human capital, life-long education, aid aimed at self-sufficiency and so on, the welfare system must assist the rise of greater value-added productivity. It, moreover, must make economic independence possible for the unemployed, people engaged in small businesses, and for the elderly and the handicapped who are still able to work. I call this "productive welfare". Productive welfare, democracy and free market economy. These must be upheld as the "Three Great Principles" in charting a course for the future. I would like to share our valuable philosophy, experience, lessons, and a new vision with all of the Asian nations. As a result, I sincerely hope that democracy and free market economy will take root in Asia over the next century. Through this international conference, we have an opportunity to exchange our valuable experiences and expertise with each other. The historical development of democratic traditions, as well as future directions, in Asia must be examined in order to seek its future course of development. The causes of the unavoidable Asian economic crisis and the responses required to prevent its re-occurrence must be studied. Along with the protection of the socially vulnerable, an effective scheme for protecting human rights and welfare must also be provided. In addition, a framework for creating solidarity to defend and expand the values of democracy and free-market economy in Asia should be discussed. I believe that the life-long scholarship and practical experiences of each of the participants of this international conference will lead to valuable insights on the path that Asia must take in the next century. In addition, I believe that this conference will foster a greater understanding of the efforts that we must make in order to achieve democracy in Asia. A philosopher once said, "If gods were citizens, their government would be democratic. However, such a perfect government does not exist for man." I, however, am convinced that democratic government and democracy for people are possible. Furthermore, I believe this historical and solemn task rests on all of our shoulders. I sincerely hope that the inaugural conference of the Democracy Forum will accomplish all that it has set out to achieve, and establish a course of action which Asian countries will adopt as their goal in the future. I offer my sincere thanks to those who have made this conference possible today, and I wish all of you peace and happiness always. Thank you. It has been my life-long conviction that democracy and market economy offer numerous benefits. It has been my belief that freedom, human rights, peace and prosperity, values which make our life worth living, can only be shared by the people if democracy is developed and a thriving market economy established. |
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