Looking back over the more than 60 years that have passed since the end of World War II, two diplomatic achievements in East Asia stand out clearly as towering events of lasting importance. The first of these is the U.S. opening to China in 1972, and the second is the Pyongyang Summit in 2000 between President Kim Dae-jung and Chairman Kim Jong-il.

The Pyongyang Summit came as the culmination of President Kim's lifelong efforts to establish democracy in South Korea, and his determination to initiate the arduous process of forging reconciliation between North and South Korea through his Sunshine Policy.

As is often the case with truly epochal events, it has been difficult for both Koreans and Americans to place the Pyongyang Summit in its proper historical perspective. With the passage of time, however, it is becoming increasingly clear that this epochal event was the "tipping point" for all the Korean people, starting a process of North-South reconciliation that is now seen as inevitable.

The Van Fleet Award has been awarded to two former American presidents, and it is only fitting that today a former Korean president is being added to the list of its recipients. It is particularly noteworthy that this award is being made in conjunction with a commemoration of President Kim's acceptance of the 2000 Nobel Peace prize "for his work for democracy and human rights in South Korea and in East Asia in general, and for peace and reconciliation with North Korea in particular."

Therefore, in recognition of his unparalleled and innumerable lifelong contributions toward building a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, on behalf of The Korea Society, it is my great honor and distinct pleasure to present the Van Fleet Award to President Kim Dae-jung.

This award was presented on December 7, 2006 at A Night of Peace on the Korean Peninsula, a dinner commemorating Kim Dae-jung's receipt of the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize held at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul.