“Inviting U.S. Korean War veterans supports Korean Americans as well.”
2014-05-07 19:07
On May 5, Executive Director Dongsuk Kim of Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE) visited Sae Eden Presbyterian Church in Youngin, Gyeonggido, and met with Rev. So Kang-seok. Kim said, “I always wanted to visit Sae Eden Church because it has continuously invited U.S. Korean War veterans. This action provides great support to Korean Americans by sending out a message to the U.S. that the Korean church is loyal and does feel gratitude.”
Rev. So replied, “About 10 years ago when I visited Los Angeles, I met a Korean War veteran who wished to visit Korea some day. Later, I invited him to Korea, and since then we’ve invited from dozens to hundreds of veterans every year. This was simply to remember those who saved our freedom and peace and to prevent misunderstanding about the Korea-U.S. relationship. In any case, many remembered our church.
“Every time I visited the U.S., I observed that Korean Americans don’t collaborate with each other or have difficulties mingling in the society. Koreans are known for gathering actively at church. It would be good if Korean churches in the U.S. could play a key role helping Koreans be respected as model citizens,” said Rev. So.
The most important issue for Korean American society this year is getting Mike Honda, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, re-elected in the upcoming midterm elections. He has consistently spoken for Koreans and criticized the sex slavery system of the Japanese military during the Second World War. Executive Director Kim said, “Since Japanese Prime Minister Abe visited Washington, D.C., Japanese circles in the U.S. are maneuvering to make Rep. Honda lose the election. At the same time, the situation is difficult because support from Korean Americans is not well organized yet, and furthermore, Korean churches are distancing themselves, saying this is a political issue.”
Rev. So mentioned the case of former Rep. Ryuichi Doi (Democratic Party of Japan), who spoke the truth about wartime sex slavery, Dokdo and other issues, and is now retired from politics, saying, “For Japan to earn respect from international society, it should change its attitude of ignoring human rights and peace, as soon as possible.” Kim agreed, “It is a challenge, but this is the right time to let U.S. citizens know the correct history of Northeast Asia. I hope the Korean churches will pray together with Koreans in the U.S. about this issue.”
Rev. So told Executive Director Kim, “Jesus was a Jew and loved the Jewish people. But just as Jesus bore the cross for the salvation and peace of the entire human race, I hope the Korean rights movement in the U.S. will go beyond the point of loving our nation and people and standing against Japan, to love and serve our neighbors based on a vision of biblical nationalism and peace.”
Reporter Kim Jibang (fattykim@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
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