정희수 부동산 교실

One step to Korean War 2.0 and Two steps to Hot Sino-American War?(3)

Dr. Joseph H. Chung (정희수), Professor of Economics in Montreal (UQAM)

(지난 호에 이어)

Trade Sanctions

In 2019, Japan reacted violently against the Korean Supreme Court's ruling ordering Japanese corporations who practiced labour slavery to pay the victims of labour slavery. And Japan imposed trade sanctions by restricting the exports to Korea of vital chemical product needed for the production of chips, smart phone and TVs.

Yoon announced before the summit that Japan would remove the trade sanction. But Japan said that it would consider the matter Yoon did not protest.

Dokto/Takeshima Island

There was the question of Dokto/Takeshima Island. The legal status of the Island has been the thorny issue ever since WWII. There are ample proofs that Tokto is a Korean territory. But Japan has been arguing that it is its territory usually before major elections.

For Koreans, Tokto Island is sacred. If Japan insists that it is its territory, Koreans are ready to go to war against Japan.

Thus, Tokto Island is a very delicate issue for Japan and Korea. In the past, when Japan mentions at bilateral meetings, Korean delegate reacted very strongly. 

The Japanese media, including NHK reported that the issue of Dokto was discussed, but Yoon did not protest. The presidential office of Korea denies such discussion having taken place.

But, Koreans are nervous about the hidden agreement which might have been produced. When Japan put the Tokto issue on the table, the Korea delegation usually leave the meeting room. But Yoon was drinking whisky smiling with Kishida.

Japan went much further. Japan completely ignored the pride of Koreans by putting, in the school history text book, the statement that Dokto is a Japanese territory few days after the Yoon-Kishida summit. This episode is serious enough to impeach Yoon.

Fukushima Sea Foods

Japanese sources reported that Japan asked Yoon to remove the imports restriction of Fukushima's contaminated (radioactive) marine products to Korea. Yoon is reported to have promised to consider the possibility.

In all the seven issues, Korea has gained nothing and gave everything to Japan. The summit was major victory to Japan and miserable defeat of Korea.

2.2 Kishida's Gift to Yoo

Kishida gave nothing beneficial to Korea. What Kishida gave was the bilateral military alliance between Japan and Korea, although it was not declared.

It is by no means a gift beneficial to Korea. On the contrary, it means the possibility of forcing ROK armed forces to join the Japan-North Korea war and Sino-American war involving Taiwan.

It is not a gift given to Korea; it is a curse to Korea. Thus, Yoon got nothing form his summit with Kishida, but he gave everything to justify the Japanese colonialism and allowing Japan to consider re-colonizing Korea and Asia.

3. Yoon-Biden Summit

The Yoon-Kishida summit was the preparation session for the Yoon-Biden session. The outcome of this session was the undeclared Japan-ROK military alliance on the one hand, and, on the other, the integration of ROK into the Indo-Pacific Strategy of Tokyo-Washington.

This means, in more practical terms, the integration of ROK strategic high technology including chips, batteries, electric cars, and AI into the American value chain on the one hand and, on the other, the integration of ROK military forces in the U.S.-led military coalition deployed in the coming Sino-American war involving Taiwan.

In return, Yoon has asked Biden to protect his government and his family against angry South Korean people and the threat of North Korea.

The results of the Yoon-Biden summit may be measured in terms of Yoon's gifts given to Biden on the one hand and, on the other, Biden's gift given to Yoon.

3.1 Yoon's Gift to Biden

 The following is the list of Yoon's gift to Biden

• Anti-Russia Behaviour

• Anti China Statement

• ROK Companies' Investments in the U.S.

• ROK Integration into Japan-U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS)

• Japan-Korea-U.S. Military Alliance (JKUS)

Anti-Russia Behavior

Prior to Yoon's departure, the U.S. CIA spied on the conversation among high-ranking presidential advisors of Yoon talking about the shipment of 330,000 155mm artillery munitions to Germany which will be eventually shipped to Ukraine leading to the prolongation of the war imposing heavy burden on Russia.

Vladimir Putin is quite upset, and he may take measure which will create several punitive measures taken by Russia including the violence against more than 100,000 Koreans living in Russia, expulsion of Korean firms, trade sanction against South Korea and even military threat by sending up-to date military arms to North Korea.

This decision of Yoon may please Biden, but it may cost a lot to ROK.

Anti-China Statements

Before he left for Washington, Yoon made two statements about Taiwan during the interview with the Reuters. These statements have greatly angered China.

Yoon said :"The issue of Taiwan is a global problem." This statement implies that Yoon does not recognize the One-China policy, which the whole world including the U.S. recognizes. (다음 호에 계속)

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One step to Korean War 2.0 and Two steps to Hot Sino-American War?

Dr. Joseph H. Chung (정희수), Professor of Economics in Montreal (UQAM)

(지난 호에 이어)

Therefore, Biden would have put pressure on Yoon, as the condition for being invited as state visitor, to accept Japans view of Japanese colonialism. And, Yoon has accepted Biden's demand, because he has the same view of Japanese colonialism.

If Kishida and Yoon have the same view of Japanese colonialism and if hey cooperate for the global hegemony of Washington, it would be one of Biden's successful diplomatic accomplishments, which will give an edge in the coming presidential election.

But, Yoon is surely aware of the violent reaction of the majority of the South Korean population who have nationalistic view of Japanese colonialism. This does not seem to bother him much, because he thinks that he can silence the dissidents with prosecutors' force.

The results of Yoon's summit with Kishida have turned out to be what was expected. It made it clear that the Japanese colonialism was beneficial to the inferior Koreans. Yoon gave away everything which is dear to Koreans.

Yoon knows well that South Koreans will fight back. But, he does not care, because he thinks that he will be protected by Kishida and Biden, because he is riding on the wagon of China killing.

2.1 Yoon's gift to Kishida

The following is the list of what Japan wanted and what Yoon gave

• The justification of Japanese colonialism in Korea

• The compensation payment for the labour slavery

• The Global Security of Military Information Agreement.

• Comfort women

• Trade sanction

• Dokto/Takeshima Island

• Fukushima Sea Foods

Justification of Japanese Colonialism in Korea

Japan has been arguing that its colonialism in Korea was beneficial to Korea, because without Japanese colonialism, Korea could never modernize itself and develop its economy.

On August 15, 2022, at the annual commemoration day of Korea's liberation from Japan, Yoon Suk-yeol justified, in his speech, Japan's claim. This can be interpreted by Japan that Korea would welcome Japanese colonialism 2.0.

Compensation payment for labour slavery

During the 35-year of Japanese illegal occupation of Japan in Korea, Japan committed countless war crimes against humanity. One of these crimes was the conscription of almost one million Korean workers forced to work in Japanese mines and factories under sub-human living conditions.

The negotiation between the former slave masters (Japanese corporations) and the former slaves (Korean workers) for Japan's sincere apology and compensation has lasted for decades.

At last, in 2018, the Supreme Court of Korea ordered two Japanese corporations- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Nippon Steel- to pay the compensations to the victims of the labour slavery. It was reported that these corporations were ready to pay the compensation, but the Japanese government told them not to do so.

You may not believe this. Since Japan refuses to pay the compensation to the victims, the Yoon's government has decided to force the Korean corporation to pay the compensation. Then, Korea will ask the Japanese corporation to pay later. This is ridiculous idea; the Japanese corporation will never pay.

Thus, the Korean corporations which have nothing to do with the labour slavery have to pay the victims of slavery imposed by Japanese corporations.

Moreover, Yoon violated the Korean constitution by disobeying the ruling of the country's Supreme Court. This can be a reason for impeachment.

What is more shocking is this. A ranking Japanese cabinet minister says that the conscription of Korean workers never took place.

Yoon did not protest against such irresponsible declaration of a Japanese cabinet minister.

General Security of Military Information Agreement:

Then, there was the issue of General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). It is an agreement on the exchange of security related information. Under the agreement, partner countries must share security-related information after proper analysis of information.

During the Korea-Japan trade war of 2019, under the government of Moon Jse-in, Korea withdrew from the agreement, but, the agreement was restored informally.

But, this time, Yoon agreed formalized GSMIA and Korea must provide Japan with information on North Korean military activities which may be a threat to Japan and South Korea.

The agreement is a lopsided agreement, which is more beneficial to Japan.

What worries Koreans is that this agreement is likely lead to Japan-Korea military alliance which will allow the return of the Japanese military to the Korea soil. This will be never accepted by Koreans.

Comfort Women

Yoon went to Japan hoping that Japan would show remorse and apologise for raping more than 250,000 Korean girls during several years by Japanese soldiers. True, in the past, handful Japanese political leaders showed remorse:  Kono (1993), Murayama (1995), Obuchi-Kim joint declaration (1998), Koizumi (20005).

But in 2015, Shinzo Abe denied all these manifestation of apology or remorse.

Fumio Kishida, current prime minister of Japan, was asked if he would apologise for the sex slavery. He answer was that he would follow the position taken by his predecessors, but he did not say which predecessor. The predecessor was most likely Shinzo Abe. But Yoon did not protest.

So, the negotiation on the apology for sex slavery ended up with total victory of Japan. It is reported that even before the summit, Yoon sent someone to Kishida begging him to say a simple word of regret for the crime against the poor comfort girls. Kishida ignored such humiliating request.

In practical terms, Kishida was saying that the sex slavery never happened. Yoon did not protest. (다음 호에 계속)

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One step to Korean War 2.0 and Two steps to Hot Sino-American War?

Dr. Joseph H. Chung (정희수), Professor of Economics in Montreal (UQAM)

Introduction

In March 2022, South Koreans chose Yoon Suk-yeol as new president with a slim margin of 0.7% of votes. It was their worst decision ever made.

Within one year, Yoon has destroyed the economy, paralysed the foreign trade, demolished public welfare system and threatened public safety.

However, the worst thing he has done through his pathologic diplomacy with Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan and Joe Biden, President of the United States was the creation of  grave danger of the shooting third world war, let alone total destruction of Korea as a sovereign nation.

It is obviously difficult to understand how come such thing could happen. But, to understand Yoon's stupid and destructive diplomacy, we have to know who and what he is. Then, we can discuss his diplomacy.

In this paper I am asking the following questions:

• Who and what is Yoon Suk-yeol?

• What has happened at the Yoon-Kishida summit?

• What has happened at the Yoon-Biden summit?

• What is the impact of Yoon's diplomacy on regional and global security?

1. Who and What is Yoon Suk-yeol?

Before we introduce Yoon Suk-yeol, we should know the unique political situation in South Korea. Many think that there is only one South Korea, but there are, de facto, two groups making up South Korea.

The first group has the closely knit pro-Japan conservative group led by the descendent of colonial collaborators who betrayed the Korean race during the 35-year Japanese colonial rule in Korea. This group is identified as the pro-Japan traitors (PJT) and it has ruled South Korea for 60 years through police, military and prosecutor dictatorship regimes supported by Washington and Tokyo.

The traitors have formed closely integrated corrupted community and oppressed the people, violated human rights, abused power and enriched themselves through the embezzlement of tax payers' money.

The second group consists of the rest of South Koreans who represent perhaps 80% of the South Korean population and they have been the victims of the traitors' corruption and their abuse of power.

But, they fought back and punished all the six presidents representing the interests of the PJT. They were kicked out of their presidential office by impeachment, assassination or imprisonment.

Yoon Suk-yeol has been prosecutor all his adult life and, as the leader of the PJT, he has distinguished himself as the champion of the game of arresting and eliminating leaders and leaders to be of the opposition forces.

Yoon is not trained for political leadership. He is illiterate in politics, economics, national security or diplomacy. To make the matter worse, according to the expert of political leaders psychology, Kim Tae Hyung, Yoon is psychopathic and socio-pathetic. He dislikes the people; he is afraid of the people. He is not interested in promoting well being of the people. He does not care about his approval rate which remains at the critical of 30%.

The worst aspect of Yoon's personality is his cowardice and toadyism. He worships the strong and he is cruel with the weak. He worships Japan and the U.S. because they are strong. He looks down on Koreans, because he thinks that they are weak. In fact, the PJT led by Yoon, who are the elite group of the South Korean society regard the rest of South Koreans as "pigs & dogs".

Yoon's diplomacy with Kishida and Biden reflects his perverse perception of ROK's relations with Japan and the U.S. For him, Korea must side with Japan and the U.S. for they are strong and they can protect his government, his family and the PJT from South Koreans who are his enemies and North Koreans who are the most-anti-PJT.

Many may ask how come South Koreans voted for him and made him president. I have to write a book to explain why. But I may say that he was elected due to money, fear and ignorance.

Many voted for him, because they are paid to do so. Many selected him due to fear of losing illegal and immoral wealth which may be difficult to keep, if Lee Jae-myung is chosen. Lee represented the pro-People Democratic Party (DPK).

Many picked him, because they were made ignorant about Yoon's lack of qualification of Yoon Suk-yeol as president due to the pro-Yoon propaganda put up by the PJT media, especially the Chosun-Ibo, Joong-ang Ilbo and Donga-Ilbo (Cho-Joong-Dong).

By the way, the Cho-Joong-Dong has played a crucial role for the defence of PJT's dictatorship, the demonization of North Korea, the corruption of the PJT community and the vulnerability of the democracy in Korea.

As long as Cho-Jung-Dong flourish, it will be always difficult to have pro-People democracy and peaceful reunification of Korea.

2. What has happened at the Yoon-Kishida Summit?

The Korea-Japan dispute is a century-old dispute between two views of Japanese colonialism.

On the one hand, there are those who argue that the Korea's annexation to Korea of 1910 was legal and beneficial to Korea which was inferior, too backward and incapable of modernizing Korea without Japan's intervention. Therefore, there is no need for Japan to apologise for its wrong doings against Korea and Korean people.

This is the position taken by Japan and pro-Japan conservative groups in South Korea represented by the pro-Japan civic movement called, the "New Right Movement" and the conservative government of Yoon Suk-yeol representing the People Power Party (PPP).

On the other hand, the rest of the South Korean population have an opposite view of the Japanese colonialism. For them, the Korea's annexation was illegal and Korea could modernize by itself in time.

The intensity of the Japan-Korea dispute has been growing ever since 1945. Under the pro-Japan conservative government which has ruled South Korea for 60 years since 1948, the Japan-Korea relations have been rather peaceful. But, under the nationalist democratic government which has governed South Korea for 15 years, the bilateral relations have been less peaceful.

Now, the peaceful and cooperative Japan-Korea relations have strategic importance for the American global hegemony, because the combined military forces of ROK and Japan are of vital importance in Biden's plan to destroy China. (다음 호에 계속)

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Mr. Kim came to Canada; he had dreams; did he realize them?

 Joseph H Chung (정희수), Ph.D.

Professor of economics Quebec State University in Montreal (UQAM)

(지난 호에 이어)

He said this with emotion. He apparently had enormous difficulty in getting a job.

“So what did you do?” asked Kim with expectation.

The man replied:  “Well, I knew a Korean who owned a corner grocery store. I approached him for advice. He told me that for a Korean, the grocery store may be the best bet.

You see, its biggest advantage is that it does not require a high level of French language proficiency; if you can say “Bonjour”, “Merci”, “Ceci est dix dollars”, “Au revoir” and business related French, you can run a grocery store. Another advantage is that you do not need refined management know-how.  It is a hard work, but you make money”.

He continued: “He told me to work with him and learn the grocery business. I did. I do not regret. I can support my family, I send my kid to private schools.”

Kim was listening as if the story would decide his whole life. He was almost sure that he would go for the depanneur. But he was worried about the sacrifice required by the grocery business. Lee, the host of the evening who was himself running a depanneur began to speak slowly but convincing.

“Yes, it is true that depanneur may not be the first choice, but it is perhaps the most realistic business which Korean immigrants can manage. It requires sacrifice".

"You see the moon twice a day: once at the dawn and, once more in the evening. It is a 15-hour hard labor a day. You have to spend all day by selling things for one dollar, two dollars".

"If you have a small family, you have to stay at the store alone; you have no time to go to washroom. I know that in some cases, this creates serious sickness. I heard about a lady who wished to go the Eaton store and buy a pretty blouse; she could not, because she died”.

Lee paused and said to his wife “Yobo, bring some more wine for our guests”.

His wife brought another bottle of wine and everybody shared. Lee continued to share his knowledge and experiences.

“One of the most difficult situations is one where the clients steal things and hide underneath the skirts. This kind of theft costs you more than 2% of your sale".

"But you have a real crisis when you confront armed thieves. Sometimes the thieves are your neighbors".

"I think that if you run depanneur, you encounter them twice a year in some cases. You should be very careful in coping with these people. You may call the police who may catch them".

"Then, they may revenge you later. In fact, I heard that a Korean was killed by armed thieves”, spoke Lee with concerned face.

Lee continued: “The so called “language police” is another problem. The Quebec government passed, in 1977, the Language Charter (Law 101) obliging the children of parents who were not educated in English school, to go to French school until high school; the law obliges firms of more than certain size to conduct business in French”.

Mr. Lee continued his thought on the language problem. as well.

He said:  “You must remember the political upheaval in Quebec. After two hundred years of English domination and the Catholic Church, the people of Quebec have decided to liberate themselves, under the leadership of the PQ party, from the dark period; the preservation of French language was the primary political tool to achieve what they wanted: self-respect, freedom, dignity, creativity and prosperity. The young Quebecers are now passionate and even aggressive in their determination of making Quebec a French nation”.

“For these people, the immigrants are a menace to the survival of Quebec as a cultural and political entity, because the immigrants are siding with English Canada. So, the young French Canadians go around the Korean depanneurs and blamed them for not speaking French. In some cases, they became violent”, remarked Lee.

“Guess what Professor Hong did; he went to some of the Korean depanneurs and put upon the wall behind the cashier a message in French that read:  “Koreans are learning French very hard. So give them enough time to learn!”. This calmed the young French Canadians whom the immigrants called ‘language police’. Despite all these problems, the deppannur is the number one choice for Koreans”, concluded Lee.

It was late. Kim was really tired. The guest left and Kim and his family went downstairs to go to bed.

In the bed, Kim talked to his wife:

“Yobo, don’t you think that we are really lucky? I didn’t expect that the church people would be so nice to us. We are so fortunate to be introduced to Lee and his family. I am sure that all these are the Providence of Almighty God”.

“Nancy’s Appa, you are right! We are blessed!”.

“Amen!” whispered Kim.

They switched off the light and tried to sleep. But despite the fatigue, Kim could not sleep. What he experienced, since his family arrived in Montreal, looked like a dream, but it was a reality.

It was a reality in which Kim could see the hope; it was a reality in which he could justify his decision to immigrate to Montreal.

He could see again the face of his mother full of motherly tears at Kimpo airport hugging Paul and Nancy.

Kim remembered how hard she tried to feed his five children under the Japanese rule and during the Korean War. Kim felt warm tears on his cheeks; he realized the power and beauty of mother’s love.

Kim said to himself: “Mother, I will be better son and try to be worthy of your sacrifice by becoming a good father, loving husband and above all a good Christian. Kim closed eyes and sleep came."

It was earl next morning when Kim woke up from sound sleep. Sookja and the kids were eating breakfast with the Lees except Mr. Lee, who went to open his depanneur.

“ Nancy’s Appa, have you slept well?”, saluted Sookja.

“ Yah, I slept like a baby”, replied Kim.

“Appa, are you all right?” greeted the kids.

“Yes! Yes! I feel good! I feel refreshed! I am ready to fight!”, shouted Kim with joy.

Then, he greeted Mrs. Lee and two children. (다음 호에 계속)

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Mr. Kim came to Canada; he had dreams; did he realize them?

 Joseph H Chung (정희수), Ph.D.

Professor of economics Quebec State University in Montreal (UQAM)

(지난 호에 이어)

The wonderful meal was followed by serious conversation. The first topic was obviously on the evaluation of the Park Chung-hee regime.

“What is going on in Korea, now? Do you think that the Park’s regime will survive after having violated so many times basic human right”, inquired one lady.

“I am not sure, but it is possible that Park’s regime may survive, because Koreans recognize that without President Park’s economic policy, Korea would not have succeeded to escape from the absolute poverty so rapidly”, replied Kim.

It was the time for Kim to lead the conversation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you came before we, so I want you to share with me, if possible, some of the important lessons of immigrant life”, asked Kim.

One man in his fifties volunteered.

“I came here in 1974. I thought that I came to Canada where English was the language. But at the moment I arrived in Dorval airport, I was completely lost; I thought that I was in France! It took long time before I could accept that I was in Quebec where French language is the official language”.

“I thought that I had some talents in language, but the French language is the toughest language to learn. In fact, many Koreans who came here leave for Toronto and elsewhere because of the difficulty of learning the French language”, continued the man.

Having listened to this story, Kim and his family began to worry and asked.

“How well do I have to speak French to make a living here?”, asked Kim.

“Well, all depend on what you do. There are jobs which do not force you to speak much; there are jobs in which one has to talk much. The job which requires less conversation in French is corner grocery store, called in French “depanneur”, explained a man sitting across Sookja.

“Mr. Kim, don’t worry. The Quebec government gives you money so that you earn French; there are many ways of learning French”.

“You see, you learn French and you become rich!”, said another man.

This made everybody nod smiling.

“Besides, if you run retail business such as corner grocery, restaurant, flower shop, all you have to know is basic daily French and specialized word associated with your business”

“You will be OK! We are here to help you. Fighting!”. Everybody laughed.

Kim thought. He told to himself that he would master French not only to communicate with his children and do business but also make the life richer as a civilized man.

Mr. Kim found  his Dwelling

“As for me, I had some terrible experience with housing problem, when I came five years ago. As you can imagine, as soon as you put your feet on Montreal soil, the first thing you have to do is to find a place to stay.

For a few weeks, you can rely on the help of some kind people, but you got to move to your own place”, volunteered a well-dressed man.

“So what did you to find your place?” asked Kim.

“Before I made up mind, I went a seminar organized by one of the Korean community organizations on housing. The speaker was a university professor Hong. His lecture can be summarized like this.

It is better for an immigrant to rent an apartment rather than buy owner house right away.

In Montreal, the rental housing market is well organized, because the Montreal people like to live in their rental apartment during the week and go to their chalet on the mountains or by the side of lakes in week-ends.

In fact, more than forty per cent of Montreal people live in rental dwellings. Therefore the market offers a wide choice of rental dwellings.

A rental law under preparation protects the tenants while assuring normal profit for the landlord.

However, there are many landlords who try to exploit the tenants. There are many ways of exploiting the tenants.

They demand deposit for one year. Some Korean immigrants mistake this for Chunsei practiced in Korea. The rental law stipulates that the landlord cannot ask more than one month deposit. In fact, the professor had to intervene several occasions to help out the Korean tenants. 

Another problem is the violation of tenant’s “right to stay” by virtue of which the landlord cannot evict the tenant before the end of the lease.

The landlord cannot increase the rent more than certain amount. According to the rental law, the Rental Board (Regie de loyer) will announce at the beginning of the year acceptable rent hike. If the tenant does not agree, he or she can go to the Rental Board and ask the landlord to reconsider.

The law covers so many things which prevent the landlord from exploiting the tenants.

The professor advised the Korean immigrants to learn about the Law and protect themselves.

Kim realized that housing market in Montreal was quite different from the Korean market. He thought that he should ask more advice from the professor.

The conversation was animated and terribly useful for Kim. He was so grateful to Lee for having organized this party and provided the occasion to learn how to survive from immigration Sun-baes (the earlier immigrants).

Sookja did listen carefully to every word of what was said, for the information shared was of vital importance for her family’s survival. She felt a strong urge to ask some detailed question, but being a good Korean wife, she refrained from doing so, at least, this time.

It was getting late, but Kim hoped somebody would talk about businesses.

“Once you find your dwelling, the next urgent matter is to find job to support your family”, observed another elder.

He continued:  “For us, finding a job is something like snatching the stars (byol-tta-gi); it is just not possible unless you work as a hired hand at a grocery store. This is primarily due to the language barrier, but it is more than that; it is also due to cultural barrier”. (다음 호에 계속)

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Mr. Kim came to Canada; he had dreams; did he realize them?

 Joseph H Chung (정희수), Ph.D.

Professor of economics Quebec State University in Montreal (UQAM)

(지난 호에 이어)

“Mr. Minister, I and my family thank you for your kindness and considerations. I am grateful to God for having given us the chance to meet you and know your congregation,” replied Kim.

There were, inside the church, about one hundred people who were singing hymns along with a leader standing on the podium accompanied by piano. The ambiance was very friendly. Kim was saying to himself:  “This church looks all right, if the sermon is acceptable”.

After singing along for twenty minutes, the minister took over and made the congregation to recite the usual Credo; then they all read a passage from the New Testament Luke10:25-37.

This message is one of the most famous ones. It is the story of a good and friendly Samaritan who helped a poor fellow beaten by a thief and who was ignored by a priest and a Levite.

The minister spoke with soft voice; he was not an eloquent speaker. But he seemed to believe in what he was saying; Kim listened eagerly the sermon; he thought that the sermon touched the essence of Christianity. The story teaches how to love neighbors.

He appreciated the sermon; it was a good contrast to what Kim had heard in Korea during the Sunday services.

In Korea, the sermon is focused on the salvation of each individual; the love of neighbor is not important. In Korea, the sermon put great importance to the dedication to the church and the minster who says that such dedication will bring blessing and wealth.

During the hours of church news, the minister introduced Kim and his family; they were greeted by loud applause. The sermon was followed by the “hours of fraternity”. There were about one hundred people who were separated by sex and age. There were tables for men of different age groups; there were tables for women of different ages.

 But the tables for the youth were mixed-sex tables. Kim was surprised to see that Koreans, though they now live in Canada, are behaving as if they were still in Korea.

Kim shared a table with six other men of similar age. One of them broke silence and asked Kim.

“When did you come?”

“Yesterday” replied Kim”

“Where are you from?’ asked another man sitting beside Kim.

“We are from Seoul” said politely Kim.

“How old are you?” asked a third man.

“I am 45 years old” confessed Kim.

Kim was amused by these questions. He was surprised that no one asked about his university degree or his career in Korea. Usually, Koreans are very curious about other’s university degree and profession.

Kim knew the hidden purpose behind these questions. The Korean society is hierarchically organized. This is the result of long tradition of Confucianism.

In the Confucian society, the behavior of individual is defined by the status and the position in the society; the key determinants of status and the position of individual are the age and the education level. But, the home town of birth and the profession are also important variables.

The questions Kim received were designed to determine the place of Kim in the church so that the congregation decides appropriate attitude towards him; the intention was not to make a critical appraisal of Kim, but to “know him better”.

Kim remembered a humorous way of describing a Korean. Two Korean meet. If they are from the same clan, they are 40 % friend. If they went to the same high school, they are friends 20% more. If they are from the same town, they are friends 20% more. In short, if they are from the same clan, the same high school, the same home town, they are 80% friend.

These questions settled the position of Kim in the church. Now the people sitting around the table introduced themselves. They were the leaders of the church; they were elders or senior beacons. One of them was Mr. Lee who had come to the airport to pick up the Kims. They told Kim their stories of survival as immigrants in Montreal.

What Kim wanted to hear from these church leaders was their perception regarding the mission of the immigrant church.

“Elders, how do you perceive the mission of your church for the Korean community in Montreal?” asked Kim, though he knew that the question was a little delicate.

“I think that the primary mission is obviously the redemption of the congregation. This can be done through the gospel. So our mission is to spread the gospel and make the congregation to live a life as prescribed in the gospel”, said one elder.

“But, we have the mission of helping the Koreans of our church in their daily struggle to survive in Montreal” added another elder. Kim was glad that he could have their help.

These statements gave Kim the impression that these elder were limiting the beneficiary of the gospel and immigrant adaptation service to the members of their church; they seemed to ignore all other Koreans in Montreal; they seemed to be little interested in social justice and suffering humanity. But, in general, Kim was happy to have met these elders and the minister.

Mr. Lee organized, in the evening, a welcome party for the Kims.  He invited twenty persons, some of whom were not the members of Lee’s church. Kim was tired because of the trip, but he was grateful to Lee’s family for their consideration and generosity. It appeared that the party was intended to provide some basic information of immigrant life in Montreal.

What was interesting to see was that everyone brought something for the occasion. Some brought cooked rice; some, rice cakes; some, soup; some vegetable; some fruits. It was a custom Kim could not see in Korea. Kim thought that it was a good idea.

After all, in immigrant life, everybody is busy; it is just too much to prepare alone meals for twenty people. Some brought Kalbi-ztim which he adored. It was tender and very tasty. There was also a bottle of wine. Christians are not supposed to drink alcohol drink, but being a special occasion, it was allowed. (다음 호에 계속)

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Mr. Kim came to Canada; he had dreams; did he realize them?

 Joseph H Chung (정희수), Ph.D.

Professor of economics Quebec State University in Montreal (UQAM)

(지난 호에 이어)

Kim mind was crowded with these difficult questions. Kim could not see clearly the answers to these questions. What he needed most were some criteria, if there are any, which will guide his answers. Is the criterion altruism? Is it patriotism? Is it charity? Is it the feeling of having done something good? Is it the feeling of accomplishment?  It may be that all of these are true and relevant criteria.

But, all looked superficial; none of these seems to provide what Kim was seeking. He thought, as a Christian, that only the prayer will tell him what it is. But, Kim was certain that God’s answer would be the love of God and the love of neighbors, that is, the commandment of love taught by Jesus Christ.

The voice of the captain was heard:

“Ladies and gentlemen, we will land in Montreal in twenty minutes. We thank you for having chosen Air Canada. We wish you happy stay in Montreal!” He repeated in French, which Kim did not understand.

Twenty minutes later, the plane was touching gently on the Dorval soil. Yes, they made it! Here they were! 

They arrived at the starting line of their new life. It was mixed feeling. It was a feeling of joy, anxiety, expectation and doubts. It was a complex feeling, but beneath all these feelings was the feeling of pride, the feeling of “We have made it!”

Kim left the plane with his family and thanked the crew for having brought them safely to Montreal. He was following the long line of passengers toward the luggage room. Kim was wondering if Mr. Lee from the Korean church in Montreal would be there; he was supposed to meet them.

.

Mr. Kim arrived in Montreal

Lee was one of the elders of a Korean church in Montreal and the pastor of his church was a friend of the minister of a church in Seoul of which Kim was a member. The luggage room was on the first floor of the airport which was a small but well kept. They were coming down the escalator to pick up their luggage. There, somebody was waving to them.

It must be Mr. Lee, Kim thought. He was.

“Are you Mr. Kim?” asked the man.

“Yes, are you Mr. Lee sent by the church?” said Kim.

“This is my wife, Paul, my son and Nancy, my daughter.” said proudly Kim.

They shook hand and bowed in Korean way.

 Kim and his family felt quite relieved. They were so glad that they now know somebody in Montreal.

“By the way, Minister Park of our church sends you his welcome greetings. He is sorry not to be here to greet you.” added Lee.

“No! No! He is too kind, we are just grateful that the church sent you here” replied Kim.

Lee and Kim’s family went to Lee’s car, which was a large GM wagon. It was large enough to accommodate five people including Mr. Lee and many suitcases, boxes and other things belonging to the Kims.

It was a black color car; it reminded Kim of big black cars ridden by VIPs in Korea.

He took the Kims to his home located in St. Lambert area. It was late afternoon. He took Highway 20. There were many cars. Most of the cars were middle-priced cars; there were few luxury cars.

This was a surprise to Kim; since Canada was one of the richest countries in the world, he was expecting full of expensive cars on the highway, which was not the case.

It was a rush hour, but the traffic congestion was a very mild one compare to Seoul streets. Another thing which surprised Kim was that almost no one tried to cut in; every driver was waiting with patience. Kim thought that the citizens of a culturally developed country should behave like these Montreal residents.

On the way, Mr. Lee asked about Kim’s background including his home town, his plan for settlement and future expectation. Lee told the Kims a little about Quebec.

He insisted that they must learn French, which worried Kim. He told the Kims that there were, in Montreal area, more than five hundred Koreans. He said that many Koreans were having hard time in adjusting to immigrant life.

Mr. Lee’s house was a large bungalow. Lee’s house should be more 50 Pyong (1,650 SF) of living space, which would be a big house even in Gangnam Area.

The house had two garages and it was surrounded by beautiful lawns. The house was a two story high split-level type house with three rooms and two more in the basement. The house was located in the middle of agreeable middle-class neighborhood, which showed that Mr. Lee had a high income job.

Mr. Lee has two children, two girls of school age. His wife was a charming lady considerate and eager to help the Kims. She cooked Korean meal in the evening and they had very productive conversation before going to bed.

Mr. Lee gave them the entire basement area equipped with separate bathroom. Kim’s family could sleep comfortably. When they woke up next morning, they could recover much from the fatigue of the long voyage.

It was Sunday. Mr. Lee prepared full course of Canadian breakfast consisting of toasts, jams, two fried eggs and bacons. Kim was a little accustomed to western breakfast but his wife and kid were not very familiar. But they loved what Mrs. Lee prepared.

Mr. Kim found the Church

Kim’s family and Lee’s family, eight in all went to the Korean church in the NDG area. They crossed the famous Champlain Bridge which was, at least, three times longer than the Hangang Bridge in Seoul. Minister Park was a tall man of about 60 years, carefully dressed and talked softly but with authority. Kim was impressed with the dignity of the minister. He was waiting for Kim’s family at the church door and greeted them warmly.

The church was located right at the middle of the residential area. Kim could see that the church was an old building, given the height of trees surrounding it.

It was a red-brick building with humble look; it was a good contrast to the big pretentious building of the church Kim used to go before immigration.

“Welcome to Montreal, Mr. Kim and your charming family. My friend in Seoul told me about your coming to Montreal. My church is glad to welcome you and help you. Please feel comfortable,” said the minister. (다음 호에 계속)

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Mr. Kim came to Canada; he had dreams; did he realize them?

 Joseph H Chung (정희수), Ph.D.

Professor of economics Quebec State University in Montreal (UQAM)

(지난 호에 이어)

This was an unexpected surprise. In fact, he was preparing answers to custom officers’ questions who would surely ask about the purpose of their trip to Canada. But the custom lady did not ask many questions.

When she stamped their passports, Kim had the feeling of passing school examination. He had the feeling that passing the custom office was a giant step forward in his new life.

They had to wait for three hours before they took the plane to Montreal. They went to the shopping area near the waiting room.

They found a Udon shop. What a relief to find Udon which he and his family enjoy eating! He ordered four Udon bowls with shrimp; they were delicious. There were huge crowd and more than a half of them were Asians.

He learned later that about 40% of the Vancouver citizens were Asians. This gave Kim a feeling of relief of not being alone in Canada. That there were many Asians in Canada made Kim feel less marginalized.

Finally, the plane took off and Kim and his family were heading for their final destination, Montreal. Contrary to the trip up to Vancouver, this time, the passengers were mostly Caucasians. Kim has never seen so many Caucasians at the same time.

Kim was watching their behavior closely. They looked relaxed and content of themselves; they talked with low voice not to disturb others; this was a contrast to Asians who talk aloud in the plane. The flight personnel were older than those of the Korea Air or Japanese Air, but they were efficient and professional.

In the plane, apart from Kim’s family, there were four other Asians who were heading for Montreal. Kim did not have a chance to talk to them, but he thought that they could be immigrants like his family. He wished them all the best.

The plane was flying over the Prairies. Kim was looking down through the window. After having passed the vast Rocky Mountains, the plane was flying over Alberta and Saskatchewan. Kim was just awed by looking down at the endless plain.

Kim heard about the vastness of the Canadian territory, but he never imagined this. He later learned that the Canadian territory was 150 times that of South Korea. He thought that Canada was surely the most blessed country in the world.

Kim was thinking about Korea. More than forty million people have to live in a space of about 33,000 square kilometers; 66% of 100,000 square kilometers that is the total size of South Korea is mountains and hills which are not suitable for human settlement.  Korea lacks the habitable space; this is the reason of real estate speculation and unusually high housing price. Kim wished that many more Koreans should come to Canada and settle for good.

As the plane was flying toward Montreal, Kim became uptight and asking himself again. He thought that he was sure of the reason for immigrating to Canada. But he never defined what he expected from immigrated life. He began to think and think. “What is my dream?” he asked himself. He could identify some of the possible elements of his dream.

It is true that Kim decided to leave Korea for a better life. But what is a better life? What should he expect? Kim was thinking hard; he knew that he should not be content with some vague wishes; he knew that he should establish road map of his new life which just began.

He was looking at his wife and kids who seemed anxious and at the same time excited. He felt the weight of his terribly important responsibility.

The pilot announced: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are passing over Winnipeg. Enjoy your trip!”

Kim classified his dream into four targets. First, he thought that the top priority should be the education of Paul and Nancy. He thought that they should go to the best school in Montreal, find a rewarding profession, get married and have babies and live happily.

But he was asking more; he was praying God that they should become better Christians by loving neighbors and doing something, even if it is a small thing for the humanity created by God.

Second, he thought that he should become a better husband. In Korea, his profession and the very survival in the dog-eat-dog competitive environment kept Kim away from Sookja; he had little time to spend time with kids; he had to drink wine by necessity for the sake of the “business success.” Kim had little time to build up sweet memories with his family. He had little time to create loving memories.

Kim was looking again tenderly at Sookja and promised to himself:

“ Dear wife, I will try to be a better husband for you. I am so sorry that I was often impatient; that I arrived at home drunk; that I kept my mind closed to you; that I did not give you chance to share my life!”

Kim suddenly found that Sookja was much more beautiful than he had thought. He strongly felt a sense of gratitude to her. He promised to himself to tell her his inner life and build up a loving and productive relationship including spiritual life.

Sookja looked at him with tender smile as if she understood his mind.

A stewardess passed through offering coffee.

“ Yobo, do you want coffee?” eagerly asked Kim.

Yobo means in Korean “Sweet Heart” or "Darling."

“Yes, I like that, Nancy’s Appa!” replied Sookja with convincing voice.”

In Korea family, wife calls her husband as child’s father (Appa). and husband calls his wife as mother of child, Paul's Omma.

The coffee was good. Sookja seemed enjoying it.

The kids asked for soft drinks.

Knowing that the long journey will soon be over, everybody was relaxed and the tension shown on their faces disappeared.

After having decided to make a reform in his relation with Sookja and his kids, he was thinking of his relation with other people.

 But, what should be his relation with non-family people? What should be his relations with his home country, Korea? What is going to be his relation with Canadians and Quebec people? How is he going to develop constructive relations with Koreans in Montreal? What does the church mean to him? Above all, what is going to be his relation with God? (다음 호에 계속)

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Mr. Kim came to Canada; he had dreams; did he realize them?

 Joseph H Chung (정희수), Ph.D.

Professor of economics Quebec State University in Montreal (UQAM)

(지난 호에 이어)

One sunny day of June, Mr. Kim invited her to take a walk in a nearby park. Mr. Kim had though that time came to tell his wife about his plan.

"Nancy Omma (mother), you may have suspected about my idea of immigrating, but I like to know your view"

"Yobo (darling), I knew it all along, but I did not dare intervene. I am glad that you have decided to go to Canada. I agree!"

The next people to be convinced were his children. One day, Mr. Kim took his children to a nice Chinese restaurant. The children were excited to be able to eat their favorite dish, Zazangmyun.

The dinner was over, the crucial moment came. But Kim was not sure what to tell his children.

"Look, children, would you like to go to Canada?"

"Yoopie! Yes Dad! We would love it!" Shouted the children.

"When and for how long Dad and Mom?" asked the children.

That was it. Mr. Kim had to tell the truth.

"Children, we will go to Canada as immigrants."

The children were surprised and their reaction was not cooperative.

"I don’t like it. I will lose all friends. No, I will not go! I will stay with my grandparents!" cried Nancy.

"Dad, I understand your decision. But do you think that I will be able to make friends over there?, asked Paul.

Mr. Kim did not know what to say. But, he declared with authority "Yes my son, you can!"

I took some time that Nancy finally agreed to come along.

Mr. Kim had to ask the permission of his own parents. His mother agreed because she understood why his son has decided to immigrate. On the other hand, his father, retired college professor encouraged his son to go to Canada.

The last group of people Mr. Kim wanted to consult were his close friends. They organized a dinner in one of the best Korean food restaurants. It was a touching events, because they knew that they would not know when they could meet again. However, all envied Mr. Kim. They too wanted to immigrate to Canada.

"We wish happy immigration of Kim Sung-ho to Canada!" It was his friends' last wish which Mr. Kim cherished.

Mr. Kim left for Canada

It was middle of July 1977 when Kim and his family took a plane and left Kimpo airport and let the plane to carry away their dream.

The plane was full. The plane was to take Kim’s family to Tokyo, where they would take bigger plane of Japanese Airline. The Japanese plane was to take them to Vancouver where they were to take Air Canada to Montreal.

The flight was short; they arrived safely at Tokyo and they took a bigger Japanese plane. The plane looked more modern, more powerful and more comfortable. Once they settled in their designated seats and put their things safely in the self above the seats, Kim could observe the passengers.

Many of the passengers seemed to be immigrants. Very few of them looked joyful; Kim could see dark clouds of fear and worries in their eyes and faces. Yet, they showed strong determination as if they were ready to overcome any challenge waiting for them in the future. Some of them looked even sad. Kim thought that it was normal for the passengers to behave the way they did, because they were giving up so many things due to immigration.

Immigration means a profound change in life. It means leaving one’s country; it means departing from old friends; it means no more occasional gathering with old friends and spend hours of gossip; it means long separation from the hills, trees, brooks, birds singing and white clouds familiar to them.

It means that one can no longer appreciate the beauty of Korean four seasons. It means no more friends to make jokes about their high school teachers, the way girls dressed and crazy parties. It is indeed tough to separate from one’s past.

But immigration gives new hope. Korea was very poor; still, many had to be content with two meals a day. Korea was constant threat from North; one had to accept the violation of human right in the name of national security.

Korea was just coming out of absolute poverty; the Korea economy was just beginning to take off the ground. Indeed, for many, immigration was a solution; but many could not do so for lack of qualification. In a way, those who were on the plane were privileged people; at least they were going toward new opportunities.

They were in the economy class, but quite comfortable. Kim and his wife Sookja took two seats by the window; the two children took seats just behind their parents’. It was the first time Kim’s wife and children took plane; he himself once went to Hong Kong on business. Nancy who had shown fear during the flight from Kimpo to Tokyo seemed now to be all right.

Paul looked a little preoccupied with something; he did not say very much. Kim thought that he was thinking about his school class mates or school life in Montreal. The plane was approaching Vancouver.

“Look, Daddy, the big mountains!” said Nancy with excited voice.

Kim was really impressed with the beauty and the majestic Rocky Mountains with snow covered top. He could see the well balanced skyline of the Vancouver city.

The plane touched smoothly the landing lane and taxied into the terminal of Vancouver. Ten-hour flight from Tokyo was over. And they were on the Canadian soil.

Kim had a confused feeling. On the one hand, he was very much excited to find himself with his family in the country he chose as his second country and, on the other hand, he felt uptight in his stomach.

He felt heavy load on his shoulders; he was realizing how heavy was his responsibility to insure the wellbeing of his wife and his children.

With this mixed feeling, he followed the crowd toward the custom office. The custom officers were professional and polite, they were different from Korean government officials who were very authoritarian and have a tendency to look down the ordinary people.

Four of them approached the custom lady who examined carefully their passports and paper and said: “Welcome to Canada! I wish you happiness here!” (다음 호에 계속)

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Mr. Kim came to Canada; he had dreams; did he realize them?

 Joseph H Chung (정희수), Ph.D.

Professor of economics Quebec State University in Montreal (UQAM)

Introduction

This e-novel is based on my observation of the life of Korean immigrants in Montreal. I have had the privilege of observing their dreams, their joy of success, their fear of failure, their courage to meet difficult challenges including language and cultural barriers, their feeling of isolation, their dedication to the Korean community, their devotion to their family and their search for meaning of life.

This e-novel is based on the actual people I met and events I participated in. It is story of a real family who came to Montreal and who found Christian faith and family happiness after having gone through the bumpy road of immigrant's life.

 Mr. Kim was thinking about his 35 years of immigrant life on a Plane coming back to Korea

Kim woke up on his business class seat of Korea Air. It was a beautiful day of September 2012.

The plane was speeding smoothly above Rocky Mountain ranges he had seen many times in the past. Mr. Kim was 80 years old and had come back to Korea many times mainly on business. But, this time, the trip was special; it was organized by his children.

The plane was crowded; there were many Caucasians, there were many Chinese and other Asian people. He heard people speaking English, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, German, Spanish and even French. The plane was loaded with globalization. All these people were going to Korea. It seemed to him that Korea was a destined port of globalization. He was very proud of Korea which gave him his life.

The female flight personnel were beautiful, fluent in English, some in French and very cosmopolitan. For Kim, these girls were the modern brand of Korea. He felt proud of being a part of Korea. The Korean meals were excellent and when people around him praised them, he felt the urge to speak out:” I am a Korean!”

 Kim had ten hours to think back his life.  For him, this trip looked like the closing of a life circle. He left Korea in 1977 with his wife and two children, one boy, Paul and one daughter Nancy. He was 45 years old then.

 He ordered a glass of Scotch whisky which he enjoyed sipping once a while; it made him relax. He closed his eyes and recollected his life; so many things passed through his mind like a movie film.

 Kim was trying to make some sense out of his 35-year life as immigrant. He was wondering if he had done the right thing for his wife and children. He was asking himself if he did something useful for his Kim’s clan and for Korea.

Indeed, he was eager to know if he had done something good for the poor Koreans in Montreal. He thought that he was an elite person in the Korean society in Montreal; but, he was not sure if he acted as true responsible elite.

Kim kept closed eyes and fell into deep thought. The lady sitting beside him thought that Kim was sleeping. He was not; he was thinking and thinking. He was asking himself whether he was a good Christian; he was asking himself if he followed the God’s command of love of neighbor through love of God.

He was not sure; he cheated the customers to make money; he justified his action in the name of his family responsibility. He was jealous of a fellow church member who made a lot of money and who could make frequent expensive cruises.

The plane left Canadian soil and flying toward Korea, but Kim’s though flew back to 1977.

Mr Kim's Decided to Immigrate to Canada

1977 was the year of his departure from Korea, Kim Sung-ho (45 years old) had a loving family with his wife his wife, Lee Sookza (42 years old) a son Paul (12 years old) and a daughter, Nancy (10 years old).

Kim's family was an elite family. Mr. Kim went to one of the SKY universities (Seoul National University, Koryo University and Yonsei University); he had a good job at one of the Chaebol companies; he had a good salary.

So, he could live reasonably well in Korea. His wife, Sookza went to Ehwha Women University, the top women university in Korea. She had B.A. in business administration. She did not have a job; she wanted to be a good wife and devoted mother; her career had to wait.

Mr. Kim was thinking about immigration for some time. He examined various documents related the immigration. He met some people who immigrated to the U.S., Canada and Australia. He knew that there would be heavy cultural, psychological and financial cost of immigration.

So, it was not easy to deicide, but there were realistic reasons for choosing immigration.  

First of all, Kim had to retire from active career at the age of 55, ten years later; this made him wonder what he could do after such early retirement.

Second, he was fed up with the corrupted leaders. In Korea, the corruption culture was so deeply rooted that it was just impossible to pull the root off. This corruption culture had been well institutionalized from the time of Chosun dynasty led by the Yangban people.

To his despair, even the minister of his church was corrupted; he liked women and money. Kim thought that the greatest danger of the corruption culture is that it moves Christian away from Jesus Christ, love of neighbor and social justice.

Third, he could no longer see the terror of military dictatorship of Park Chung-hee government violent violation of human rights.

Fourth, he thought that the whole education system was preventing the young children to develop analytical capacity, to enjoy the life of youth and to form a mature personality of loving neighbors.

 Kim was a devout Christian; in fact, he was a deacon of a large Presbyterian Church in the Gangnam area. The corruption culture was something a Christian like Kim could not digest.

For all of these reasons, Kim decided to leave for Canada. He chose Canada for the following reasons. He was told that Canada was a rich country; he learned that Canada needed immigrants; he was informed that Canada was the most egalitarian country; he read somewhere that Canada had the most universal medical care insurance.

Mr. Kim chose Montreal despite the fact that it was French-speaking city. He had two reasons for choosing Montreal.

The first was that there was a church pastor who was a friend of a pastor of the church Mr. Kim used to go in Seoul. The second was that being a French region, his children would learn both English and French.

There was the hurdle to go over. He had to have the consent of his family. It is possible that his wife night have guessed what her husband had been thinking, but she did not intervene.  (다음 호에 계속)

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