Jenny+Choi--Korean+War+Oral+History

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1. What was it like before the Korean War? 2. What was your reaction to it? 3. Did you ever come in direct contact with North Koreans? 4. What kind of effect did it have on you? 5. What do you think might have caused it to happen? 6. How did you think of North Koreans before the invasion? 7. How did the invasion change your view? 8. How did you escape? 9. What was your life like back then?

-What was your life like back then? (+Where did you live?)

-I was a student, about 22.

-Where did you live?

-I used to live in Seoul, before we escaped to Daegu.

-Did you know what was happening then?

-The North Koreans invaded Seoul, and then they got pushed back from Daegu by the UN soldiers. They went back up. We won.

-Was it a run, then (from Seoul to Daegu)?

-Yes, everybody did. Some people walked, some people even rode on the roof of the train.

-What were your thoughts on North Korea before the attack?

-We heard that the Communists were killing all the people who believed in God. That's why we came down to South although our home was up North.

-DId your perception of North Korea change after the invasion?

-I think Communism should disappear from this country.

-Could you tell us something from when you were on the run?

-We walked over the frozen Han river to Young-deung-po, where we escaped by riding on the roof of the train. We worried about the communists catching up to us, but they never came that far. We followed the UN soldiers back to Seoul, where we settled again.

-Were you with all your family?

-Yes. Even the children and grandmothers all went together.

-Did you ever come in direct contact with North Koreans?

-Yes, we saw them when they first came. We were in Seoul when they first came, so we left behind our houses and there was no food. They disappeared after three months, but frequently came back.

-What was it like before the Korean War?

-It was peaceful before they suddenly attacked on 25th.

-(no question)

-South Korea wasn't ready when they came. All the bridges in Han River was cut off. Everyone in Seoul ran southward when they came; everyone thought they would be dead under the communists. People who couldn't run were taken away to the North. Your grandfather (my brother) was captured too. People they couldn't take away were all killed.