Pohang, February 20, 2025 – Early in the morning on February 20, Dodam and Hang, two activists from the Korean Council, boarded the train bound for Pohang to visit the halmoni they had not seen in a long while. As they journeyed south, Dodam felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. “What kind of conversation will I have with her today?” she wondered.
Halmoni had been staying at her daughter’s house recently, as her health had been not well. Seeing her in this state was a heartbreaking moment for the activists. She carefully applied a painkiller patch to her neck and knees yet still remarked, “This isn’t helping.” Her daughter, however, reassured us that the halmoni’s spirits had been lifted due to the activists' visit. Although Dodam and Hang were glad to hear this, they couldn't help but feel sad for not having visited more often.
Halmoni and her daughter warmly prepared lunch for the activists, a gesture of hospitality and care. The side dishes, made from freshly picked spinach and namul (seasoned vegetables), were prepared with such love and care that they tasted exceptional. Dodam, known among her peers as a light eater, was envious of her small stomach that day as she devoured the delicious meal. Afterward, halmoni cut up fruit from her garden for them. The fruit, grown with love by halmoni and her daughter, was undoubtedly the sweetest and most satisfying fruit Dodam had tasted all year.
After talking with the halmoni, the inevitable moment to leave arrived. Both activists felt sadness as they gathered their things to catch the train back. Leaving the halmoni behind always made their hearts heavy, knowing it would be some time before they could visit again. Dodam and Hang could only hope that the weather would warm up soon and that the halmoni’s body and mind would find healing.
Pohang, February 20, 2025 – Early in the morning on February 20, Dodam and Hang, two activists from the Korean Council, boarded the train bound for Pohang to visit the halmoni they had not seen in a long while. As they journeyed south, Dodam felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. “What kind of conversation will I have with her today?” she wondered.
Halmoni had been staying at her daughter’s house recently, as her health had been not well. Seeing her in this state was a heartbreaking moment for the activists. She carefully applied a painkiller patch to her neck and knees yet still remarked, “This isn’t helping.” Her daughter, however, reassured us that the halmoni’s spirits had been lifted due to the activists' visit. Although Dodam and Hang were glad to hear this, they couldn't help but feel sad for not having visited more often.
Halmoni and her daughter warmly prepared lunch for the activists, a gesture of hospitality and care. The side dishes, made from freshly picked spinach and namul (seasoned vegetables), were prepared with such love and care that they tasted exceptional. Dodam, known among her peers as a light eater, was envious of her small stomach that day as she devoured the delicious meal. Afterward, halmoni cut up fruit from her garden for them. The fruit, grown with love by halmoni and her daughter, was undoubtedly the sweetest and most satisfying fruit Dodam had tasted all year.
After talking with the halmoni, the inevitable moment to leave arrived. Both activists felt sadness as they gathered their things to catch the train back. Leaving the halmoni behind always made their hearts heavy, knowing it would be some time before they could visit again. Dodam and Hang could only hope that the weather would warm up soon and that the halmoni’s body and mind would find healing.