Jang Sungmin Pays Tribute on Social Media for the 16th Anniversary
Emphasizes National Unity in the Era of US-China Technological Hegemony
Would Have Advocated for Korea as an AI Power with His Vision for Informatization
Former lawmaker Jang Sungmin introduced the values pursued by the late former President Kim Daejung on August 18, stating, "If he were alive today, he would say that Korea must become a leading nation in artificial intelligence (AI) in this era of US-China technological hegemony."
On this day, Jang commemorated the 16th anniversary of former President Kim's passing through social media, revisiting the values Kim pursued during his lifetime and their relevance in today's era. Jang recalled, "My first connection with former President Kim began when I joined the Peace Democratic Party as a university student volunteer in my twenties and served as a secretary in the General Affairs Committee for Kim Daejung's 1987 election campaign." He went on to highlight Kim's efforts to establish democracy, achieve peaceful reunification, and make Korea a leading nation in the internet era.
The photo shows President-elect Kim Daejung and his wife Lee Heeho waving to party members and supporters waiting outside their home in Ilsan on December 19, 1997, the day his presidential election victory was confirmed. [Image source=Yonhap News]
He said, "Former President Kim asserted that, to ensure the Korean Peninsula would never again fall under foreign domination, peaceful reunification must be achieved through inter-Korean coexistence, exchange, and cooperation." Jang continued, "He did not see dialogue as a cure-all. He made it clear that any armed provocation from North Korea should be met with resolute and firm retaliation, and in fact, he commanded the First Battle of Yeonpyeong in the West Sea, which was the first time since the Korean War that North Korean forces were repelled."
Jang also mentioned Kim's emphasis on the importance of national unity. Referring to Kim's efforts to overcome regionalism between the Yeongnam and Honam regions, Jang explained, "He believed that without national integration between Yeongnam and Honam, reunification would not be easily achieved; without reunification, it would be difficult for the Korean Peninsula to grow into a major power; and if Korea does not become a major power, its future may once again be subject to foreign domination. This reflects his historical awareness and political philosophy."
Jang particularly highlighted Kim's foresight in proactively establishing the information superhighway and called for an active response to AI. "Former President Kim had a deep interest in the new world that future technologies would bring," Jang said. "He repeatedly emphasized, whenever he had the chance, that while our nation was 100 years behind the West in industrialization, we must surpass them in technological informatization to become an advanced nation. He stressed, time and again, that in the future, the country that leads in technology will dominate the world."
Jang added, "If former President Kim were alive, he would strictly emphasize procedural respect for democracy and the rule of law, and he would thoroughly analyze the impact of the coming AI era on the economy, security, history, philosophy, and ethics, advocating for Korea to become a major power in AI."
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