So in Asia I want to make - I want to succeed to make a model of

Kim Dae-jung, the “Nelson Mandela of Asia,” once declared: “So in Asia I want to make—I want to succeed to make a model of what success, practicing democracy, and market economy. Then that will give a good influence over Asian countries.” These words are not the boast of ambition, but the vow of a man who endured prison, exile, and threats of death, yet still believed in the power of example. In them lies the ancient wisdom that leadership is not domination, but demonstration—that to truly guide others, one must live the vision one proclaims.

The ancients themselves taught this. In China, the sage Confucius said that the virtue of a ruler spreads outward like the wind bending the grass; in Greece, Plato wrote that the ideal city must be governed by philosopher-kings, whose lives themselves are the proof of wisdom. Kim Dae-jung, speaking in the storms of the late twentieth century, echoed this same truth: that the way to transform Asia was not through conquest or demands, but through becoming a model, a living beacon of democracy joined with prosperity.

His own story gives weight to his words. For decades, Kim Dae-jung was persecuted by dictators in South Korea. He was jailed, nearly assassinated, and even kidnapped by secret police. Yet he refused to abandon his belief in democracy. When he finally became president in 1998, it was during the Asian Financial Crisis. Many thought Korea would collapse. Instead, Kim Dae-jung steered the nation with both reform and compassion, embracing the market economy while protecting the vulnerable. His leadership turned despair into resilience, showing that freedom and prosperity could stand together.

This is the origin of his vision: he knew that nations often look to one another for guidance. If South Korea could flourish as a democratic, prosperous society, it would shine as a model for its neighbors, many of whom were still bound under authoritarianism or poverty. His hope was not selfish triumph, but the influence of example—a flame that could light other flames across the continent. He sought to prove that success need not come through tyranny, that freedom could walk hand in hand with growth.

The meaning of his words is both noble and universal. To lead by example is the most powerful form of influence. A nation, like a person, can inspire others not by force, but by living in such a way that others see and say: “This path is possible.” Kim Dae-jung understood that the true strength of democracy and market economy would not be in speeches, but in results—in lifting people from despair into hope, and in showing that such a path is sustainable and just.

The lesson for us, then, is clear: if you wish to change others, begin with yourself. If you long to shape your community, your nation, or even your family, first become a model of the values you hope to see. Preaching without practice is hollow, but practice becomes its own testimony. Just as Kim Dae-jung sought to live out democracy and prosperity in South Korea so that all Asia might take courage, so too must we live the truth we wish to spread.

Therefore, let each person ask: what model am I building with my life? Am I living in such a way that others are lifted, encouraged, or inspired? Do my actions give hope to those who watch me? For every life has influence, whether small or great. By embodying perseverance, compassion, and vision, you can become a beacon for others in darkness.

Thus Kim Dae-jung’s words endure: “I want to succeed to make a model of what success, practicing democracy, and market economy… Then that will give a good influence over Asian countries.” His life proved his teaching—he showed that courage and integrity, even after years of oppression, could transform not only one nation but inspire many. And so it is for us all: if you would shape the world, first live as the example. For the model you create may become the light by which others find their way.