Fireworks filled the sky and as people danced and cheered through the streets of Seoul, South Korea on October 13. What were these happy people celebrating? Their president, Kim Dae-jung, won the world-famous Nobel Peace Prize! Dae-jung was recognized for his efforts to make peace with North Korea, a long-time enemy.

Working for Democracy
Dae-jung, who has spent his lifetime working for human rights and democracy, is the first Korean to win a Nobel Prize. Dae-jung spent 40 years working to convert his country from one that had been run by the military into a democracy. His fight wasn't always easy. Along the way, the activist was jailed and risked his life a number of times for the sake of democracy.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, left, and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung shake hands at their historic meeting in June.

This past June, Dae-jung made a historic trip to communist North Korea to meet with North Korean President Kim Jong II in an effort to settle their differences. It was the first time in about 52 years that a leader of one Korea visited another. Some 60,000 North Koreans gathered to witness the meeting that marked a big step toward turning two Koreas into one. The 76-year-old South Korean president was overjoyed with his prize (worth $915,000 this year) and said he would share it with the people of his country. "I thank all the citizens of the world who love democracy and human rights, who have supported these efforts with our people," Kim said through his presidential spokesperson.