President Kim chosen Man of the Year: Asiaweek

Asiaweek, an English-language weekly published in Hong Kong, chose President Kim Dae-Jung as its Man of the Year.

In its Dec. 29 issue, in an editorial titled "In Search of Leadership: Who Will Build Asia's Future?" the magazine said President Kim put himself at the center of the most dramatic news story of 2000 when he extended his hand to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in June. Kim also won this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

As other top newsmakers in Asia, the magazine cited Philippine President Joseph Estrada, now facing impeachment, Taiwan President Chen Sui-bin and Carlos Gong, chairman of Japan's Nissan Motors.

Asiaweek went on to say that President Kim stood out above all others as the most significant figure and greatest newsmaker in Asia during the year.

Praising the President and North Korean strongman Kim Jong-Il for having overcome decades-old distrust through a summit meeting, the weekly added that President Kim changed a tense cross-border confrontation into hope, even though North Korea is yet to opt for speedy reconciliation.

Shin Chi-Young higgledy@donga.com