Brian+Kim

Korean War Oral History Project Hello. I am Brian Kim and for the interview homework/project I have interviewed my grandfather. Name: Kim Yun Chul (김윤철) Age: 70 years old Age during the war: 10 years old Status: A kid living in a small village --- My Interview Questions with Summary ---

During the war, I lived in very small, poor village called No-Ryang-Jin (specifically: 경산북도 달성군 유가면 유곡동 291번지 노량진). My town had some involvement with the Korean War, however, my family was involved in the war at all, except shredding tears with the neighborers who had children over the age of 18.
 * 1. Where did you live during the Korean War? Any involvements with the war?**

During the war, there wasn't much that I have done except stay in my village. My family was unable to send me to school because we were short on money, and my father has died even before I actually got to know him (Kim Yun Shik- died the age of 32). During the war my neighborhood was not in a serious involvement except having a few people drafted in the military. I couldn't have done anything at such young age during the war, however, I know that the Nam-Buk war (Korean War) has caused many of my neighbors to cry.
 * 2. What were you doing the Korean War?**


 * 3. Explain to me your life before and after the war.**

Before the terrible war, I was just a normal (low-status) kid that was playing outside, and had poor education. Every day I would go out and play games with my friends, such as je-gi, and drool at the site or coversation of food such as banana (it was very expensive back at the times). My father has passed away when I was three years old, which made me grow up to be the oldest- son with four siblings (three male and one female). This allowed me to haveleadership and responsibility, and take care of my sick mother. After the Nam-Buk War (Korean War), my life has changed. I have decided to go out and earn money on my own, and promise to return home safely with money to feed & take care of my family. The time I hae decided to do such act (which has changed my life) was at the age of 16. I went to Seoul and started out to work in a rice-farm, then tried out many types of jobs, and finally started a small business.


 * 4. What types of stories did your mother tell you about the North Koreans?** (my grandfather became very emotional here : ) hehe)


 * Sigh...* My mother never said anything bad about the Reds/North Koreans. She was always a woman that cared for others before herself... According to my mother, there was no right to curse at the North Koreans. Both South and the North are doing bad things, just for the sake of clashing ideas and thoughts. That is not what humans should do; humans should get along instead of fight, kill one another to claim themselves right. Why do we have to kill the people that were once one of our own kind? Such war is unreasonable; these events leave nothing to the women in South Korea but tears; they see their sons being drafted into the war and I don't know any but I am sure many have died.

I had a friend that had an older brother who has been drafted into the war, and was crying every day because he never knew when his brother would come back. Gladly, in the end, his brother was alive and returned home safely. However, meanwhile, either it was because I really hated them or my friends were influencing me heavily, I hated the North Koreans. Every day whenever my friends and I have met together, we would always play a game called "Bbal-Ggeng-i moo-ja-gong-bi-dan." It was a game where the South Koreans were disguised as a North Korean soldier and went to kill the president of North Korea, as an assassination. I really felt like the North Koreans were worthless people.
 * 5. At the time, what did you think of the North Koreans?**

It was clear that I hated the North Koreans, however, to be honest, the war itself, I didn't have any "favoritism" about the war. In meaning, Although I liked the South Koreans to win the war, I didn't feel like the war was neccessary. This is most likely because I was a kid that has always been loyal to my mother; my mother was the type of person who would tell me that war is inhumane; don't even think about it. I found and realized that the war itself was what evil people will do, with the only excuse to the nation of saying "It is for the protection of our nation."
 * 6.** **How did you feel about the War?**

I actually think the Korean War has helped me become a successful man, because it has aroused my true self. In meaning, because of the Korean War, I was able to feel confidence as a South Korean and walk up to challenge myself in this country. At the age of 16, I moved to Seoul, alone, and worked in a rice farm, as I have told you. Brian, this is all about leadership and taking responsibility; going to school everyday and getting 100% on every exam doesn't make you a successful person. But becoming a leader and having responsibility will eventually make you successful; your grades are nothing but an insurance. Anyways, the way I was shaped was by becoming a strong leader, and now leading many groups such as the Gwan-Ak Bu.
 * 7. How do you think the Korean War has shaped you?**

The Korean War was certainly neccessary for Korea, however, back then, I thought it was unneccessary. I think that the war was neccessary because without the war, imagine Korea with inner-collisions and differing ideas. Honestly, because of the division, South Korea was able to become a democracy and become successful,unlike the stupid North Koreans. The war was to divide two ways, and I believe that South Korea chose the right way.
 * 8.** **Do you think the war was neccessary for Korea? If so, why?**

They are nothing but savages. South Korea has tried to provide aid for such poor country. South Korea also opened trade to help the North; actually, it wasn't trade at all. North Korea had nothing to give to the South! After all that action, the North replies to us by responding in such fashion; by threatening us with nuclear weapons and trying to cause another Korean War. Whenever North Korea comes out on news, I will always call them "mee-cheen-nom-deul" and call my son, your dad, and talk about them.
 * 9. As for now, what do you think about North Korea?**

Back in my days, although it is true that the economy has massively dropped and Korea was having serious problems, it can not be compared to today. Today we have nuclear weapons and today we do "gas-wars," in meaning, we fight using toxic gas as well. This will cause thousands of more casualties and today's South Korea? It's economy is going to be devastated; I just hope this war does not occur.. I do not want to imagine another era of with thousands of tears and deaths. I think it will be enough to have one war occur during my lifetime.. However, Brian, the war will most likely not occur, so don't worry^^.
 * 10. Recently, there is a huge tension between the North and the South. If the war were to occur again, what would you imagine of Korea?**

--- Reflection Post -

This interview is probably the longest interview that I have done throughout my life, so far. Through this intensive interview after dinner at my Grandfather's house, I have learne a lot about the personal views of the Korean War and I am sure that it will teach/help us understand more about the Korean War. The Korean War was a war that has been a horrible incident for both sides, especially to the women. Although it was the men who were mostly dying, the women were heart-broken because of their intensive loss. Another lesson learned was that there were many who had not been directly involved in the issue, however, it changed many. The Korean war has shaped man koreans today; many like my interviewee has gained confidence, leadership, and responsibility, which I believe is a huge factor that brings South Korea of what it is today. For some South Koreans, they weren't routing on for anyone. Although I find this rare, many people such as my grandfather's mother only wanted peace, not violence in order to fulfill a nation's greed. So, this fact could lead to that many people were being victims although not wanting to fight their own blood. Although the South was the victims because it was the North who have crossed the 38th parallel and ambushed during the night, the Korean War could not be blamed solidly on the North because we kept on disagreeing with the North and continued the war with our own brother (this is my opinion & obersvation). Anyways, to summarize it up, I think this interview gave me a better idea of the Korean War by hearing the voice of a primary source. Also, what I find more special of this interview was that I have found many answers that did not have bias answers, so it gave a bit more clear information on the war. To conclude this, in my opinion after gaining new information from interviewee Kim Yun Chul, the Korean War had no true victim, and it could not be justified to blame everything on the North.

--- Release Form -