Asia Quote by Elliott Abrams
“I first met Kim Dae Jung when he was a Korean dissident whose life was threatened by the military regime ruling in Seoul. I was Ronald Reagan's Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights, and Kim was directed to me because the East Asia Bureau at the State Department had long shunned him.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Human Rights, US State Department, 1985
He recounts meeting Korean dissident Kim Dae Jung while serving under Reagan, highlighting US concern for political repression in South Korea.
In simple terms: He met a Korean activist while working for human rights.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and support those facing oppression.
Themes
human rights
political repression
US diplomacy
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- advocacy meetings
- policy briefings
- international negotiations
Key Concepts
Cold War
authoritarianism
activism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can individuals influence diplomatic decisions?
- What responsibilities do officials have toward dissidents?
A Different Perspective
US foreign policy constraints limited direct action.
