President named champion of democracy

AsiaWeek magazine, a weekly periodical based in Hong Kong, has selected South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung as the figure who represents Asia`s democratization within the past 25 years.

To celebrate the 25th year since the magazine¡¯s founding, AsiaWeek selected and named the Asia`s Best in eight categories representing fields ranging from business to international organizations.

President Kim was selected as the most outstanding champion of democracy in the past 25 years. The title of most outstanding international organization went to Asia Development Bank. For the most outstanding business and the book, Sony Corp. and Salman Rushdie`s "Children of the Night" respectively received the honors.

Honor as the most outstanding persons and facilities of the year went to chairman of the Economic Democratization Committee Chang Ha-Sung for his fight for stockholders` rights and the Shilla Hotel for the best health club.