In tribute to ‘harabeoji’
This past week, Prince Phillip of the United Kingdom passed away. Even though I’m a Yankee, as some of my pupils in York called it, the United States has a special relationship with the U.K.
Mind you, having overthrown monarchy and colonialism in our revolution, we’ve come a long way to stand as allies, now as strong as ever.
The Anglo-American alliance is necessary for global security, whatever else may be said of the limits of European ideology and values these days and past. Critics should also think that America and Britain have spawned the global technology that is constitutional democracy, no small feat for human civilization.
But I’m not going to write on about this, or about Phillip. His death, as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, does remind me of elders in Korea, of several men, who if not my grandfathers, are at this point for others. Some have passed on. I want to praise Korean grandfathers of the 20th century, of this generation.
Korean men born early and to the middle of the last century lived through two world wars, Japanese occupation, the 195053 Korean War, and the period of poverty following. They also wrought the miraculous developmental tide that now places South Korea among the world’s most prosperous and secure nations. They championed the era of Park Chung-hee, but also lived to celebrate the end of military rule in South Korea. South Koreans must remember that their advance to democracy likely is what has saved them from juche delusions that prevail elsewhere.
Korean grandpas have worked and toiled in factories, forests, fisheries, dockyards, and farms.
They’ve invented and developed cities great and towns small. They’ve continued to set up and to preserve dozens of fine universities and schools.
They’ve lived to support their children, whose daughters, wives, and female children achieve on par with men. Thanks to the work of Korean grandpas, women enjoy greater equality than grandmas may ever have thought possible. There is still much work to do, but they’ve achieved much for their daughters and sons.
When I think of several men of this generation, I remember meeting them as a young man and finding their manner and guidance encouraging and consoling. Even as a foreigner, I never met an elderly Korean man who lacked interest in Americans as well as in his family members.
The axis of harmony in Confucian cultures relies on virtuous elders. They pass on love and positive attention to the right and proper pathways of life. My best friend’s father, my best friend’s uncle, and my senior and mentor, all exude these qualities. They and others begin to pass on, but I see their virtues emerge in behaviors and thoughts of my friends, their sons and grandsons, nephews, and grandnephews.
Recently, I learned of the poetry of Yoon Dong-ju and accounts of Korean War children through the life and work of the late Choi Yearn-hong. This opened to me the realization the Korean War and aftermath achieved success through countless small and great sacrifices of what are now Korean grandfathers.
The life of Korea over the last 50 years owes more than we know to their sacrifices and commitment. Today’s grandfathers as a generation are heroes and path builders for over 50 million Koreans today.
I hope Korea’s national, provincial, and local leaders will celebrate the lives and memories of their seniors, their grandpas, as we move toward Father’s Day. It’s not too early. There also isn’t much time to remind many of the world’s unsung heroes just how much they mean.
Beyond celebrating and remembering grandpas, their wisdom, example, and insights should guide the lives of today’s fathers, sons, and other family members. Grandfathers are the least-tapped set of teachers for today and tomorrow.
Their stories, memories, and lessons should not go unheard. Young Koreans should collect and publish what their grandfathers say, know, and have learned for the good of the present and future generations of Koreans and beyond.