On June 26, when the sunlight felt fresh and vibrant, Han Kyong-hee, Chair of the Korean Council, and activist Lilo visited halmoni in Seoul. As a rookie activist, this was Lilo’s first opportunity to speak with halmoni. At around 9:30 a.m., Lilo called halmoni, her heart full of excitement and nervousness, to let her know they would be visiting. Halmoni answered the phone warmly, in a bright, friendly voice.
Lilo bought beef and black bean soy milk as gifts for halmoni. Having heard that halmoni’s teeth were not in good condition, Lilo chose foods that would be easy for her to eat. When they arrived at halmoni’s home and opened the door, she came out from her room with a radiant smile. She offered them the soy milk they had brought as a gift during their previous visit and shared how her health had been recently.
Halmoni was especially happy to welcome Lilo, the new activist. Holding Lilo’s hand tightly, she said, “Oh, you’re so pretty. Oh, you’re so kind.” When Lilo told her that she had dressed up nicely to see her, halmoni smiled and said that she, too, had put on a pretty top because she knew they were coming to visit. Then their eyes fell on the long pants and thick beoseon socks (traditional Korean socks) halmoni was wearing. When they asked why, halmoni explained that because of the damage she suffered as a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery, she loses feeling in her lower body unless she keeps it warm by wearing beoseon or thick socks. Han massaged halmoni’s feet and legs while Lilo gently held halmoni’s hands and listened closely to her story.
Halmoni has an excellent memory and speaks clearly. She shared stories from her life, including stories about her mother from when she was a fetus, her older brother, her husband, and her children. Then, halmoni became upset as she thought about the "2015 Korea-Japan Agreement." Han empathized with halmoni’s feelings and sought to make her feel better. Perhaps feeling a little more at ease, halmoni smiled brightly and said, “Kyong-hee and I understand each other,” and “I’m so happy,” while tightly holding the hands of Han and Lilo. Halmoni said she hoped that her feelings would also be conveyed to the president.
Halmoni then spoke about the Bible and the church. She said that now that she is older, it is difficult for her to clearly remember the Bible passages she reads right before going to sleep. But when halmoni said she would pray for Han and Lilo the next time she went to church, Lilo promised to pray for halmoni as well.
As they listened closely to halmoni’s words, the time quickly came for them to return. They said goodbye to halmoni and told her they would visit again. We hope halmoni will remain bright and healthy for many years to come. Halmoni, we will see you again soon!
On June 26, when the sunlight felt fresh and vibrant, Han Kyong-hee, Chair of the Korean Council, and activist Lilo visited halmoni in Seoul. As a rookie activist, this was Lilo’s first opportunity to speak with halmoni. At around 9:30 a.m., Lilo called halmoni, her heart full of excitement and nervousness, to let her know they would be visiting. Halmoni answered the phone warmly, in a bright, friendly voice.
Lilo bought beef and black bean soy milk as gifts for halmoni. Having heard that halmoni’s teeth were not in good condition, Lilo chose foods that would be easy for her to eat. When they arrived at halmoni’s home and opened the door, she came out from her room with a radiant smile. She offered them the soy milk they had brought as a gift during their previous visit and shared how her health had been recently.
Halmoni was especially happy to welcome Lilo, the new activist. Holding Lilo’s hand tightly, she said, “Oh, you’re so pretty. Oh, you’re so kind.” When Lilo told her that she had dressed up nicely to see her, halmoni smiled and said that she, too, had put on a pretty top because she knew they were coming to visit. Then their eyes fell on the long pants and thick beoseon socks (traditional Korean socks) halmoni was wearing. When they asked why, halmoni explained that because of the damage she suffered as a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery, she loses feeling in her lower body unless she keeps it warm by wearing beoseon or thick socks. Han massaged halmoni’s feet and legs while Lilo gently held halmoni’s hands and listened closely to her story.
Halmoni has an excellent memory and speaks clearly. She shared stories from her life, including stories about her mother from when she was a fetus, her older brother, her husband, and her children. Then, halmoni became upset as she thought about the "2015 Korea-Japan Agreement." Han empathized with halmoni’s feelings and sought to make her feel better. Perhaps feeling a little more at ease, halmoni smiled brightly and said, “Kyong-hee and I understand each other,” and “I’m so happy,” while tightly holding the hands of Han and Lilo. Halmoni said she hoped that her feelings would also be conveyed to the president.
Halmoni then spoke about the Bible and the church. She said that now that she is older, it is difficult for her to clearly remember the Bible passages she reads right before going to sleep. But when halmoni said she would pray for Han and Lilo the next time she went to church, Lilo promised to pray for halmoni as well.
As they listened closely to halmoni’s words, the time quickly came for them to return. They said goodbye to halmoni and told her they would visit again. We hope halmoni will remain bright and healthy for many years to come. Halmoni, we will see you again soon!