Nobel Peace Award Tribute

Pansy Wong

National Ethnic Affairs Spokesperson

Monday 16 October 2000

Nobel Peace Award Tribute

National MP Pansy Wong today paid tribute to South Korean President Kim Dae-jung for his Nobel Peace Prize award for his work in bringing about reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.

"With resilience, commitment and courage, President Kim deserves a place in the history book. This same characteristic reflects well on the Korean communities in New Zealand which number around 12,000," Pansy Wong said.

"In April 1998, I was part of the Speakers' delegation to visit four Asian countries including South Korea. We met with President Kim.

"It is a meeting I will never forget," Pansy Wong said. "During the meeting, President Kim expanded on his sunshine policy.

"President Kim also noted my ethnic background and commented on it. He said "New Zealand must be a great country to embrace a member from the Asian communities into her House of Representatives".

"His generous praise made me proud to be a New Zealander and proud to represent New Zealand well.

"His sensitivity towards racial harmony and promoting Asian interests is genuine and spontaneous, " Pansy Wong said.

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