A career opposition politician, Kim Dae-jung has almost made a second career out of running for president: this is his fourth bid since 1971.
His willingness to stand up to former dictator Park Chung-hee earned him respect at home and abroad at the cost of 15 years - either in prison, under house arrest or in exile - and several attempts on his life.
Park almost had him thrown off a Korean ship in the 1970s while his successor, Chun Doo-hwan, sentenced him to death on false charges of inspiring the civil unrest that led to the Kwangju Massacre.
Now 73, Mr Kim walks with a limp - the result of a car accident that was also an assassination attempt - and uses a hearing aid.
His age has concerned many Koreans, but Mr Kim says that his doctors have given him a clean bill of health.
A Christian, he credits his strong faith in God with helping him to survive.