2015-10-22 Even the interpreter cried!^^ TNKR@Osan Air Force base

Teach North Korean Refugees presented today at the Osan Air Force Base to an overflow crowd of at least 500 air force personnel and spouses (more than 300 were military personnel).

One speaker delivered his talk in English, another speaker spoke in Korean. It was quite a sight to see the interpreter lose his composure while he was translating. Then I looked in the audience, and many of those tough soldiers were also crying.
Getting it done! An awesome lieutenant got this done. Many people talk about arranging events for us, then, nothing happens, or we keep talking. The first time was slightly smaller scale, maybe 150 to 200 attendees. But today, it was an overflow crowd, at least 500, plus some high-ranking people joined us.
Many people came over to thank me for TNKR presenting their stories. They are military people, so they appreciated hearing the human side about North Korea, about the people inside the country, about their escapes and adjustment.
For our speaker who was in the North Korean military, he admitted that was a bit nervous looking at all of those U.S. military people. He had been taught in North Korea that he must try to kill U.S. soldiers anytime he saw them. But he met the “enemy” today, and they were friendly, respectful, gave him congratulations, and even gave huge gift baskets to both of the speakers.
* If he is ever questioned by North Korea about the event:

Q: Comrade! Is it true that you gave a speech before the enemy US soldiers?
A: Yes! I made them cry, that’s how tough I was.
Q: Then what happened next?
A: Oh… they applauded me, hugged me, and gave me gifts… But I made them cry, I promise…

After the speeches, we joined them at a casual discussion over pizza and soft drinks. So many people wanted to talk with our two speakers today, take photos with them, and also asked me how they could volunteer for TNKR. I recommended a couple of things, and they are military people, so one thing they apparently believe in is following up, getting it done!
I will post more photos, I will need to mosaic them first…

www.lovetnkr.org/donate

French version, translated by Alexia Andrieux
TNKR à la base aérienne d’Osan : même le traducteur a pleuré ! ^^
Aujourd’hui TNKR a pris la parole à la base aérienne de Osan devant plus de 500 soldats et épouses.

L’un des intervenants a pris la parole en anglais et l’autre en coréen. C’était impressionnant de voir le traducteur perdre son sang froid au fur et à mesure de sa traduction. J’ai donc regardé dans l’assemblé et un grand nombre de ces soldats étaient, eux aussi, entrain de pleurer.

Agir ! Un formidable lieutenant a permis que cela se fasse. Beaucoup de personnes nous disent qu’elles vont organiser des événements pour nous, puis rien ne se passe, ou nous nous contentons de parler. La première intervention avait été réalisé à plus petite échelle, quelque 150 ou 200 personnes étaient présentes. Mais aujourd’hui, un grand nombre de personnes étaient présentes, au moins 500, dont quelques personnes haut placées.

Beaucoup de personnes sont venues à ma rencontre pour me remercier du fait que TNKR ai partagé leurs histoires. Etant militaires, ils apprécient d’entendre évoquer par des nord-coréens les conditions de vie dans leur pays, l’histoire de leur fuite et de leur adaptation à leur nouvelle vie.

Notre intervenant qui faisait partie de l’armée nord coréenne nous a confié qu’il était un peu nerveux en voyant tout ces militaires Etats-Uniens. En Corée du Nord on lui a appris qu’il devait essayer de tuer chaque militaire Etats-Unien qu’il voyait. Mais aujourd’hui il a rencontré l’« ennemie », un « ennemie » amicales et attentionné le félicitant pour son intervention, et offrant même un énorme panier cadeau à chacun des orateurs.

Si le gouvernement Nord coréen l’interroge un jour au sujet de l’événement :

Q : Camarade ! Est-il vrai que tu as prononcé un discours devant nos ennemies les soldats Etats-Uniens ?
A : Oui ! Je les ai fait pleurer, voici à quel point j’ai été pénible. Q : Que s’est-il passé ensuite ?
A : Euh … Ils m’ont applaudi, m’ont serré dans leurs bras, et m’ont donné des cadeaux … Mais je les ai fait pleurer, je vous le promets …

Après les discours, nous avons rejoint les soldats afin de discuter autour de pizzas et de sodas. Aujourd’hui, beaucoup de personnes voulaient parler avec nos deux orateurs, prendre des photos avec eux, et même leurs demander comment ils pouvaient aider TNKR.

Je leur ai donc adressé plusieurs recommandations et comme ils sont militaires, l’une des choses en lesquelles ils semblent croire est : agir !

Je posterais plus de photos une fois que j’aurais terminé d’en faire une mosaïque.

"Yoegi Anjuseyo!"

* I have a short reflection in today's Korea Times about an encounter with an unfriendly looking Korean man on the subway. It was a reminder not to be too quick in judging people in Korea. 09-13-2011 16:47 'Yeogi Anjeuseyo!' By Casey Lartigue Jr. The recent incident in which an American English teacher bullied an elderly Korean man and other passengers on the bus reminded me of a more pleasing incident from years ago. I was on the subway, taking the train outside of Seoul for a work assignment. I have the habit of standing on the subway to strategically position myself near the doors in case my stop magically appears. On that particular day, there was a Korean man STARING at me. Not just looking at me, but intensely staring at me. He had an incredible frown on his face. Not just for one stop, but for several stops the guy just kept staring at me. If I had known more Korean then I would have been able to curse him ...

Michael Breen discussion at 10 Magazine

Yesterday I attended a discussion with writer Michael Breen, hosted by Barry Welsh. Very often, when I attend a speech or discussion about a topic I know a lot about, I often think about ways the speaker/facilitator/discussant could have done better. But I didn't feel that way about Breen, it was one of those times that I really felt like I had a lot to learn and should listen more than talk. He's been in Korea for three decades, working as a reporter, commentator, communications specialist. He reminds me of Andrei Lankov in that his analysis seems to be based on observation of how things work rather than trying to get the world to fit his biases. I don't know him, so his friends may say he is a raging ideologue, but that's not the impression I had yesterday and based on his writings. Michael Breen (L) and Casey Lartigue I first read his book The Koreans about a decade ago. It was a delightful read, that was both warm to Koreans but also critical at times. Yes...

Humanitarian with a guillotine (Korea Times, February 1, 2013) by Casey Lartigue, Jr.

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, `` I’m from the government, and I’m here to help .” For many well-intentioned activists, politicians, and intellectuals, that should be updated as: ``We are here to help you. You’re under arrest.” For example, ``sex workers” around the world oppose anti-prostitution laws. Prostitutes may not know the theoretical arguments but they do know in reality that prohibiting prostitution means they lack protection in dealing with abusive pimps and madams, violent patrons and crooked cops. Locally, a Korean woman busted for prostitution recently appealed to the courts pleading , ``I cannot survive without this job. I don’t want to be treated as a criminal for making a living the only way I can.” How should someone who genuinely wants to help her respond? If you say ``arrest her” then you are qualified to be a “harmful humanitarian.” In your desire to help, you have elimin...

Inspiration from a lousy visitor (The Korea Times, December 31, 2013) by Casey Lartigue, Jr.

2013-12-15 It was a great occasion yesterday. A group of us held a Christmas party in the cancer ward of severance hospital. So many people to mention. The man who inspired it all: Nick Adams. It was his trip to Korea last month that inspired me to organize the party. He had cancer when he was a child, and he insisted that as part of his itinerary that we stop by the hospital. I was so moved that I contacted the best party planner I have ever known. The man behind the motion: Edward M. Robinson! As I've said several times: If you are looking for someone to hold an incredible party for kids, then contact Eddie! I look forward to big things from HOPE now that he has taken an even more active role with the organization (and was smart enough to name me an International Adviser, for example). The staff members at Mulmangcho are still talking about the incredible Halloween party he hosted, and they are looking forward to the Christmas party he has planned this weekend! The lady behind t...

2020-11-26 My basketball story

This photo was uploaded today by my aunt Annette. This was back in the day, when 1) I had a head full of hair and 2) played basketball a lot. That first year of playing organized basketball, I focused on playing defense. It seemed that everyone wanted to shoot the ball, so I passed the ball and played defense. I probably led the league in steals, rebounds and blocked shots. I enjoyed taking on the best player from the other team, I felt like I would get better, quickly. The second year, I was a different player. I will never forget the first game that second year--we lost 29 to 26, I scored 18 points. I probably led the universe in scoring that second year, although we didn't win much. One thing I learned from that experience is that one great player 9 (at least in his own mind) can't beat a team. An eye injury ended my pro career before it began, to this day I still have floaters in my eyes because of the injury. I started wearing glasses, but the problem never went away. On t...

The Casey Lartigue Show!

Search This Blog