Inflation Rate at 12.6% and Trade Deficit of $5.3 Billion: Records Connecting DJ and the World

For the first time, notes written by the late Lee Hee-ho while preparing for visits to her husband, former President Kim Dae-jung, during his imprisonment have been made public. With the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising approaching, the release of this book, which includes the couple's 'Prison Records,' is expected to resonate with the spirit of forgiveness and tolerance that Kim emphasized in the political arena.

On May 14, the Kim Dae-jung Library at Yonsei University held a press conference in Mapo-gu, Seoul, to introduce the book 'Kim Dae-jung and Lee Hee-ho's Prison Records.' Published by Hangilsa, the book compiles various records from Kim's imprisonment during the March 1 Democratic National Declaration incident in 1976 and the 1980 conspiracy to commit insurrection.

Notably, the book includes previously unreleased materials, such as notes Lee Hee-ho wrote between June 1981 and March 1982 for her visits to Kim Dae-jung, as well as letters she sent to advocate for his release. To efficiently convey domestic and international situations to Kim during their brief 10-minute meetings, she prepared notes in advance. On January 20, 1982, she recorded key economic indicators for Kim, including a 7.1% growth in Gross National Product (GNP), a per capita income of $1,636 (the same level as in 1979), an inflation rate of 12.6% for retail, and a trade deficit of $5.3 billion with exports at $21 billion and imports at $26.3 billion.

Park Myung-rim, Director of the Kim Dae-jung Library, stated, "The notes encapsulate and summarize the realities of Korea and the world, accompanied by Lee's high-level analysis. It appears that she played a crucial role in helping Kim maintain his sense of reality and grasp global trends while imprisoned."

During the press conference, Kim Hong-gul, the son of Kim Dae-jung, recalled anecdotes about his parents. He noted, "After my father was imprisoned, my mother consistently connected with families of other detainees and continued to inform the world about the situation under the Korean dictatorship. It is very meaningful that these related records are being published for a wider audience."

The publication of the book has sparked calls for the South Korean political sphere to reflect on the spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation, and tolerance that Kim Dae-jung emphasized. While on death row, Kim stated, "Even if I die, there should never be political revenge again." After being elected as the 15th president, he took steps toward national unity, including pursuing pardons for former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo.

Kim Sung-jae, who served as the Chief of Civil Affairs and Policy Planning Secretary and Minister of Culture and Tourism during the Kim Dae-jung administration, criticized the current political climate, saying, "Politicians are only seeking political power and engaging in politics for personal gain." He added, "In his prison memoirs, Kim Dae-jung wrote, 'Without forgiveness and reconciliation, our nation cannot move forward.' While both parties talk about the spirit of Kim Dae-jung, the most important aspect of that spirit is indeed reconciliation and forgiveness."