Second-generation Korean A-bomb survivors’ group to be reestablished in Hiroshima
Mar. 16, 2015
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
The children of Korean survivors living in Hiroshima Prefecture will form a group of second-generation A-bomb survivors on March 21. A similar group was formed 36 years ago, but died out. With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, Lee Sil Gun, chair of the Council of Atom-bombed Koreans in Hiroshima, urged the younger generation to revive their activities. As the first-generation survivors advance in age, the new group will support such activities as conveying survivors’ experiences and conducting surveys of survivors living in North Korea.
The new group will be independent from the council. Han Jeong Mi, chair of the board of directors of Hiroshima Korean School, will serve as the group’s head. Six to seven key members will call on second-generation survivors to join the group, while trying to gain better understanding of the conditions involving Korean survivors. They will cooperate with other organizations in handing down A-bomb accounts.
A meeting to start the group will be held at the school between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on March 21. Kim Jin Ho, the executive director of the Korean council, will deliver a speech.
The Council of Atom-bombed Koreans in Hiroshima was established in August 1975 as the first group of Korean A-bomb survivors in Japan. For the past 40 years, the council has been active in calling for improving public assistance for survivors and in conducting surveys of survivors. A group of second-generation survivors was organized in 1979, but it ended its work after several years partly due to the deaths of key members.
Six people, including members of the council and second-generation survivors, met at the council’s office in Nishi Ward on March 9 to prepare for the group’s inauguration. Mr. Han said, “Our parents’ generation suffered from the atomic bombing and discrimination, but they were active in their campaign. We will convey their wishes to the next generation.”
(Originally published on March 10, 2015)
The children of Korean survivors living in Hiroshima Prefecture will form a group of second-generation A-bomb survivors on March 21. A similar group was formed 36 years ago, but died out. With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, Lee Sil Gun, chair of the Council of Atom-bombed Koreans in Hiroshima, urged the younger generation to revive their activities. As the first-generation survivors advance in age, the new group will support such activities as conveying survivors’ experiences and conducting surveys of survivors living in North Korea.
The new group will be independent from the council. Han Jeong Mi, chair of the board of directors of Hiroshima Korean School, will serve as the group’s head. Six to seven key members will call on second-generation survivors to join the group, while trying to gain better understanding of the conditions involving Korean survivors. They will cooperate with other organizations in handing down A-bomb accounts.
A meeting to start the group will be held at the school between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on March 21. Kim Jin Ho, the executive director of the Korean council, will deliver a speech.
The Council of Atom-bombed Koreans in Hiroshima was established in August 1975 as the first group of Korean A-bomb survivors in Japan. For the past 40 years, the council has been active in calling for improving public assistance for survivors and in conducting surveys of survivors. A group of second-generation survivors was organized in 1979, but it ended its work after several years partly due to the deaths of key members.
Six people, including members of the council and second-generation survivors, met at the council’s office in Nishi Ward on March 9 to prepare for the group’s inauguration. Mr. Han said, “Our parents’ generation suffered from the atomic bombing and discrimination, but they were active in their campaign. We will convey their wishes to the next generation.”
(Originally published on March 10, 2015)
