Korea
How Could We Ever Forget You?
“How Could We Ever Forget You?” For those who fought in the “Forgotten War,” it’s a rhetorical question they rarely hear. But this past June in Houston, hundreds of Korean War veterans, their relatives, and guests attended a commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. Like similar events held around…
Read MorePodcast – Col. Edward Forney and the Hungnam Evacuation
Walking from Farragut West station towards the offices of Korea Economic Institute of America, I was excited. I was also tired. I had just arrived from Seoul, and the 17 hours of flying and restless lapses into semi-consciousness on the plane were catching up with me. No worries, I thought. It’s not every day you…
Read MoreThe Underestimation Game
As US soldiers and Marines moved closer to China in November of 1950, General Douglas MacArthur – and many top American military and government officials – refused to believe Mao. The Chinese leader had repeatedly warned that dire consequences would befall American forces threatening his border. Few listened. And those who did had no sway…
Read MoreThe Only Time and Place
It’s only happened once. And the chances of it happening again are slim to none. When North Korea attacked across the 38th parallel on June 25, 1950, and captured Seoul three days later, the UN took action. With the adoption of Security Council Resolution 84 on July 7, combat troops were sent to the Republic…
Read MoreMay the Circle Be Unbroken
They boarded a ship on December 19, 1950, and never returned. None of them could have imagined on that fateful day 67 years ago that they were saying goodbye to family and friends – forever. But they survived. With the help of Dr. Hyun Bong-Hak, a Korean doctor who was determined to save them, and…
Read MoreWho Would Have Guessed?
When my cousin Alice told us she’d be coming to Seoul for her first trip to Korea, we were thrilled. After somewhat randomly agreeing that she’d arrive on June 23rd and stay until the 3rd of July, we patiently waited for the big day. We had everything planned out. Or so we thought. What we…
Read MoreHome Again, Home Again
My whirlwind trip is over. I’m back in Seoul. After traveling nearly 13,000 miles in a 3-day period, it’s good to be home! It’ll take a while for everything to sink in, but for now I’m just trying to recall the moments that made the trip such a memorable experience: talking with President Moon in…
Read MoreIn the States – for 36 hours!
Last week I received one of those calls that instinct tells you will unleash an avalanche of meetings, ceremonies, dinners, speeches, and interviews. Not to mention international flights, rental cars, and hotel stays. After talking with a South Korean embassy official and being invited to Washington to attend ROK President Moon Jae-in’s speech at the National Museum of…
Read MoreA Day of Books
International publishing and education companies, book outlets, printing houses, 200 exhibitors from around the world, and – most importantly – books. What is it about browsing through shelves, counters, and stacks of books that makes many of us lose track of time and become lost in a world of ideas, stories, faraway places, and interesting…
Read MoreLiving in the Land of Maneul
It’s all about garlic. Koreans love their garlic, or maneul (마늘). Whether minced, pickled, roasted, added to soups, stews, or kimchi, cooked on a grill with meat, or served raw – they love it raw – it’s a part of every meal. And that makes me happy. I also love garlic, lots of garlic. Over the…
Read More