In a first, South Korean government invites 38 Korean A-bomb survivors in Japan to country — Group to meet with South Korea’s president
Sep. 29, 2023
by Kana Kobayashi, Staff Writer
SEOUL — Thirty-eight South Korean A-bomb survivors living in Japan who experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, as well as second-generation Korean survivors, visited South Korea on September 28 based on the first invitation extended to them from that nation’s government. During their South Korea stay, which lasts until October 3, the group is scheduled to meet with South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol. The survivors, who had experienced the double hardship of the atomic bombing and discrimination due to their identity as Koreans in Japan, called their entry into South Korea “like a dream.”
On the morning of that day, the group departed from the Hiroshima Airport, in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Lim Si Heung, consul-general of the Hiroshima Consulate-General of South Korea, saw off the members there. “I hope you make good memories there and have a safe return to Japan,” he said. Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, near Seoul, they were greeted by Lee Key-cheol, director of the Overseas Koreans Agency.
Oh Byeongsu, 92, an A-bomb survivor living in Hiroshima’s Nishi Ward who received a bouquet of flowers from Mr. Lee at the airport, remarked, “I was so impressed.” Jo Insun, 87, a survivor who lives in Hiroshima’s Asakita Ward, said, “I forced myself to come here despite being elderly, because I wanted to meet my homeland’s president. I feel on top of the world.”
Korean A-bomb survivors living in South Korea are expected to join the meeting with the president. Other events are also planned, including a dinner party hosted by the Overseas Koreans Agency.
The visit to South Korea was made possible because of Mr. Yoon’s wishes. He had visited Hiroshima as the first sitting South Korean president to do so when he was invited to the summit meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations), held in the city earlier this year in May. At that time, Mr. Yoon visited the Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the A-bomb, located in Peace Memorial Park.
(Originally published on September 29, 2023)
SEOUL — Thirty-eight South Korean A-bomb survivors living in Japan who experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, as well as second-generation Korean survivors, visited South Korea on September 28 based on the first invitation extended to them from that nation’s government. During their South Korea stay, which lasts until October 3, the group is scheduled to meet with South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol. The survivors, who had experienced the double hardship of the atomic bombing and discrimination due to their identity as Koreans in Japan, called their entry into South Korea “like a dream.”
On the morning of that day, the group departed from the Hiroshima Airport, in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Lim Si Heung, consul-general of the Hiroshima Consulate-General of South Korea, saw off the members there. “I hope you make good memories there and have a safe return to Japan,” he said. Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, near Seoul, they were greeted by Lee Key-cheol, director of the Overseas Koreans Agency.
Oh Byeongsu, 92, an A-bomb survivor living in Hiroshima’s Nishi Ward who received a bouquet of flowers from Mr. Lee at the airport, remarked, “I was so impressed.” Jo Insun, 87, a survivor who lives in Hiroshima’s Asakita Ward, said, “I forced myself to come here despite being elderly, because I wanted to meet my homeland’s president. I feel on top of the world.”
Korean A-bomb survivors living in South Korea are expected to join the meeting with the president. Other events are also planned, including a dinner party hosted by the Overseas Koreans Agency.
The visit to South Korea was made possible because of Mr. Yoon’s wishes. He had visited Hiroshima as the first sitting South Korean president to do so when he was invited to the summit meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations), held in the city earlier this year in May. At that time, Mr. Yoon visited the Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the A-bomb, located in Peace Memorial Park.
(Originally published on September 29, 2023)
