Handwritten Letter Sent by Jimmy Carter to DJ 42 Years Ago Revealed

Yonsei University Kim Dae-jung Library Releases Handwritten Letters and Conversation Materials from 43 Years Ago

Yonsei University Kim Dae-jung Library disclosed on the 7th the recorded materials, including handwritten letters exchanged between former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on the 29th of last month, and the late former President Kim Dae-jung.

The materials revealed on this day fully captured the respect and friendship the two leaders showed each other. On February 26, 1983, when former President Kim Dae-jung was in exile in the United States, former President Carter wrote in a letter, "I regret not being able to meet you this week. However, I look forward to rescheduling and meeting you as soon as possible."

Former President Kim Dae-jung and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter met on March 30, 1983. Yonhap News Agency (Yonsei University Kim Dae-jung Library)

As former President Carter wished, about a month later on March 30, 1983, he met with former President Kim at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. In a two-minute audio recording containing their conversation and welcoming remarks, former President Kim said to Carter, "I have always respected you, especially your human rights policies."

Former President Carter responded, "I believe that progress toward democracy in Korea has been advanced not only by the political leaders currently holding public office but also through the efforts of the opposition parties." He added, "I am proud of what has been accomplished in the past, and I hope that we can achieve greater progress toward fundamental rights and freedoms in our country and other countries around the world."

Meanwhile, former President Carter, who took office in 1977, was a figure who showed interest in human rights issues in Korea, including campaigning for the pardon of former President Kim, who was sentenced to death under the new military regime in the early 1980s. It is known that they maintained a special relationship with Korea even after their retirement.