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Today is May 29th. My name is Ian Kim and today I'm here with Nam-young Park on behalf of the Houston Asian American Archive at Rice University. Thank you so much for your time today. You're welcome. I'm glad you came.

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To begin, can you state your full name and tell me when–when and where you were born? My whole Korean name is Park Nam-young. Originally I was from Korea, born in North Korea and raised in South Korea, and I came to USA

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in 1956 as an exchange student, and I'd be able to study at the Davidson College with a full scholarship. Can you share your childhood experiences growing up in North Korea?

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Okay. I have some two, three-three stages of the growing in Korea. As most of the Kore-the Korean or the American knows, the 1930. I was born in

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1931, but this period is most kind of complicated. People were worried that the period after the Russo-Japanese

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War in 1904. Unfortunately, Japan won this war. Then Portsmouth Conference, 1905. America had a

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secret con-conference with Japan and handout Korea. That was 1910. Japan occupied for the next thirty-five years. So, I was

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raised in—during the Japanese period, in the 19—from 1930. So, I went to grammar school in Mokpo way down south after my

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father was resigned from Japanese bank as president of the Hamhung Industrial Bank, and our father gained some knowledge of the—how the Japanese try to make money.

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So, he moved Mokpo. Where there was a seaport and what they called "gokchang" at the rice warehouse. He thought he could make money, he did. So, when I was the

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six years old, we moved to Mokpo. I was raised in Mokpo. I would live in it for the next sixteen years. So, at the beginning, since my father was a

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well-educated in Korea, in Japan, he thought that the best way is he send his son to American missionary-operated school. So, he sent me kindergarten.

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Hisung(?) "yuchiwon" is operate American missionary in Mukpo. My memory, first day, I learned Jesus loves me. Then after come back, I sing loudly.

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Then I become, all of a sudden, famous child and singer. So, in spite of—I grow up in a Buddhist family, father was proud of me and said, "Nam-young,

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sing Western song. Western Jesus song." Then I start singing, "Yesu sarang hashim" everywhere. Even my grandfather, grandmother like it. So I become kind of famous in hometown.

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Then, next six year, grammar(?) school. And of course, this is under the Japanese occupation. Unfortunately, the Japanese government forced us to change our Korean name to Japanese name.

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So, my Japanese name was Inoue. Though I was educated under Japanese teachers, at that time, it wasn't much problem. I thought I was a Japanese because I was educated by Japanese

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teacher, our two neighbors are Japanese. So, I was kind confused stage. Am I a Korean? Why Koreans are different from Japanese? Why I have two names?

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But Japanese teachers were nice, kind. Actually, I enjoyed, but the problem (?) is due to the Korean tradition of the harsh family kind of teaching,

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Confucius teaching, Buddhist teaching, and the Japanese Shintoism. I was actually kind of confused since even my nationality, I thought I was Japanese.

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Then, now began middle school under the Japanese authority. Luckily, I went to one of the best only-Japanese middle school in Mokpo.

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Original Japanese is planned to accept only Japanese. But, after World War started—1944, two—Japanese government was saying "naisen itai." Japanese and Koreans are one body.

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So, kind of try to avoid the kind of racial discrimination in order to achieve their purpose to occupying entire eastern and our nation.

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So, Japanese middle school, my Mokpo middle school accepted only–only five to six Korean students each class. Picking out very carefully their parents' background.

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Then, even I remember the—every Friday we have to submit our daily, what we did, so Japanese teacher can read what our Korean families are teaching about the Japanese policy and Japanese government.

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So, kind of stuck in a situation. I am still under the kind of control, then discrimination, but luckily, they said we are attending best Japanese school.

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I still remember—I have a picture of all the... f-first grade, second grade, third grade in the middle school, wearing a mini(?) Japanese school(?). Just like soldiers recall(?) many Japanese students.

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It's wartime. We pay the tuition. We carried our lunch, then attached it to Japanese army or factory, working eight hours every day. As a middle school student?

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Working for the war purpose. Warring purpose, we are forced to attend shrine-Japanese shrine, every eighth day, because war started 8th of December, to commemorate

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eighth of war—Hawaii and war attack. And also asking(?) win thi-this war, praying to the Japanese god, Shinto. So, here, I am another

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mentally in the childhood religion confused. Why there is so many gods? Whenever I go to the Buddhist somewhere with my grandma, always say, "Nam, bow the head." Mountains, rivers.

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So, here is river god, mountain god, and so on, so on. One day, I tried to ask the question that—I am singing western song, "Jesus loves me.

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I'm happy. Whenever I go to kindergarten, I can smile." The Jap—Korean teacher hug me at kindergarten, but after five hours, when I come to home, I'm a completely different child. Afraid of my parents, asking question,

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the discipline. That will—as a society, Korean society, those days, you know, 1945. Then, one day, the day before war was over, we didn't know. Tomorrow the Japanese soldier—we are

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teaching(?) our Japanese soldiers working. One of the lieutenant said, "Tomorrow, you don't have to bring the tools. There's important radio message

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12:00." We couldn't figure out what's going on. Well, by the 1944, Japan was losing war in the South Pacific. Then 12:00, they set up small table

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on the army compound and a white cross and a small radio. Then, at 12:00 sharp, they asked him the salute to the radio. We don't understand what (?).

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Then captain said, "Hear important speech by the Emperor Hirohito." But we couldn't hear some of what he was saying. Then, when speech was over, the captain said,

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"Everybody go home. War is over." They didn't say a defeated Japan. So, this is August 15th, 12:00 radio, officially announcing. Then, when we went,

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when I went home, daddy was saying, "Don't go out. Don't say anything." What? "War is over. Japan was defeated. They are going back to the home.

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But now, city has all Japanese soldiers and policemen. If you speak something against Japan, you will be killed. So, you are Korean. You are not the Japanese."

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Then I said, "Oh, I am Korean." So, this is beginning of new era for me. Said Korean independence from tomorrow. Then, we operated our school

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by ourselves. When I went to school next day, we had only six student. So, new building and our(?) starting a new school.

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But the next two years—so, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth—practically, even I attended school, I didn't learn anything.

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Well, actually they—we-we'd need a teacher—teacher. Japanese student coming from Japan evacuating. They become college student, become a teacher, and they're teaching. So, then Korea was a

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chaos. School or–or—just kind of chaos situation. Then, demonstrations every day. When I (unintelligible) Russia

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and America say they set up, "We're going to control Korea, setting up trusteeship for the next five years." We don't understand what the trusteeship thing are,

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but demonstrations by—instigated by the teachers and the upperclassmen, demonstrations everywhere. I didn't watch(?) many trusteeship, but (laughs) I'd become kind of a leader.

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Well, I liked to stand up in front of the student and leading entire student or demonstration against Russia and against America. So, my high school was

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kind of chaos. But the father, who was educated in Japan, kind of—I had a family education. When the father opened a new store, even he put the Japan—English.

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He, by himself, and he wrote in English, Taedong trading company. So I learned my first English from my father. So, accent was terrible. I still remember, that is a pain, you know.

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That is a pain. But I enjoyed learning. Then high school, I studied hard in English, German. Then, I become

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everyth—always A-student and a class president. But, I wasn't smart because my father, every night, "Nam-young, after dinner, come." Then, he's asking homework and what did you

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do? I was really kind of—those days— upset toward my father. Even, I planned a few times to commit suicide. It was so harsh. But now, I appreciate.

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I am a valedictorian, and when I was graduating from Korean high school, because my father, that he was happy. Governor (?), then even he invited my first grade of teacher—of Korean teacher—in grammar school and–and

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they congratulated me. Then, now we know in order to get into the university, it's very hard those days. And so, money was involved,

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bribes involved, family connections involved, and so–so on. Luckily, I was able to enter Korea University. (coughs). So, you'd miss (unintelligible), childhood and go

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to college, okay. Before we go on to there, so—can I also ask more about your family because it's clear that your father was really important to you. I also saw that you had several siblings as well.

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Like, what was your relationship? (coughs) From Korean War, studies is a very important, everything. For the family life, I was happy. My

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family was comparatively rich. Well-to-do family. Once, father was a bank president. Then, he made a lot of money after he came to the Mokpo. I remember one time, he had seven houses.

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So, when I was kid, I'd go to the house to house to collect the rent. But, my mother was really unhappy.

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Mother was the North Korea. She was from North Korea, when my father went to the Hamhung, met my mother in North Korea. So, my father had all Jeju clan

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from brought—the Jeju and all the—very close to the Jeju to Mokpo. That's funny way, those Jeju people (coughs) against people from what they called

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"land people, yukji saram." So, mommy was isolated. Always wanted to go back to North Korea or Seoul. (coughs) My family is a very strong Buddhist family.

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Even my father's cousin had a temple in Jeju. A big temple— what'd they call it?—Chonggwang temple. I visited once and there was a big large temple. And even my mommy's side in North Korea is Buddhist

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family. My aunt, she was a beautiful lady. Oh, one day—I remember all the no-hair came to my home. And—woman monk, what they call a woman monk— So, under that condition, at the age

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11, I was be able to visit the Christian family, my friend, whose father was a famous doc-doc—medical doctor who was educated in Tokyo University, invited me

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to sit down and eat dinner. Then, first time I observed all family sit together, singing, eating at the same big table. Then I—my child mind is, "Oh, one day,

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I grown up, I will marry with a Christian girl and a family like (points). Not like my family." Father was giving order. Always. Always giving order.

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Well, the mother was influential too. There were, (laughs) always a bamboo stick if something wrong. "Come down. Sit down." That kind of family.

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But, I was making good grade. And also, I was a president of the student body, president of the classroom. So, father was kind of lenient.

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He knew I'm going to church Sunday, but I don't—I c-cannot carry the Bible because my grandparents, they said, "No, no." My father keeps secret... So, even I sneak out every Friday night, Father

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didn't say, but later said, "As long as you make good grades, I'm not going to say anything. So, just keep a good grade." So, kind of deal. So,

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this is my childhood life in a little portion. Uh, so were there any other, like, really important memories for you during this time that, uh—

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So, now I become a Christian, I'm going to Seoul and become (unintelligible) the start of war. Shall I start, now? [IK: Yeah, yeah.] Okay, so I passed the–the–the law school of Korea University.

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Then my brother, thirteen years old, wanted to go to school in Seoul, so we both, two, went to the Seoul and entering a-a new life. We are boarding house.

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I was cooking. And within one month later, June the 24th—fifth—started the Korean War.

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My mother wanted to see how we are doing, mother nature. So, she is coming to the Seoul to see how we are doing. That night, mother arrived.

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My grandmother—North Korean side—grandmother came. "Mama, do you know the North Korea attacked South Korea this morning?" "Yeah, I heard." But this is—nobody worrying about—we thought we gonna win the war if

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they invade. You know, South Korea and the propaganda and the last 4 or 5 years. That's a whole different situation. Then, second day of war started after 25th

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is war, started war 26th. I could hear sound of the cannons from north of the Seoul where we are staying. Then, third day, now, radio newspaper saying

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North Koreans advanced to the north of the Seoul. So, third day—night—27th of the second night, said he gave order.

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All evacuate from Seoul to the south. Mommy was saying, "Nam, you're gonna go to the Mokpo where my brother stayed with four brothers–brothers." "Mom, I cannot leave. Mom, you are six months

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pregnant. And the brother is a boarding house. Even you don't know your address." But, she was insisting. So, she made all the money bag(?).

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So, they go. That night, 27th at night, I knew if I go to Mokpo, I will be arrested by the–the–the student they called the train ride student near the Mokpo,

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I'll be arrested. So, if I arrive Daejeon, maybe I go move toward Busan. So, the mama, "Then I'm gone. Goodbye. But you have to find—" I gave out brother's

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address. And finally, the third day news was saying North Koreans are in Seoul. Seoul was occupied by the North Koreans.

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That point, Mommy was saying, "Nam-young, go to boarding house. Go get brother." She was crying so I just left work and everything just stopped in 5:30 in the morning. Well, actually, I won't cross the Han River.

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When he went to the Han River, kind of blow the bridges. I thought our South Korean border, but no, North Korean, they–they–they said–the news say that South Korea intentionally destroyed.

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And so, I turned around to coming home. The rain a little bit, 5:30 in the morning, I waited until the sun come out, then the 6:00, I started going boarding house.

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Then, all of a sudden, roaring sound. Big vehicle. Then, I went to the corner. I saw the three big tanks are rolling down.

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I thought that this is a South Korean withdrawing tank possibly, you know. But when I saw the tank operator, different. Something(?) in the Korean—North Korean flags.

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Wow. At that point, I was just scared back and about 30ft. See the Jongno police station. I saw two North Korean motorcycle, Two North Koreans are dead.

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The breathing. Then, I judge it "Oh, he was killed just few minutes ago." Then, I saw another two Korean policemen killed too. They are, all four, shot. That point, I turned around and rushed to the home.

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Was already 8:00. Then, I explained the situation to Mom. "Mom, I cannot bring the brother." The meantime, by the 8:30, I can hear the everybody and the big sound, "Mansae!

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Mansae!" Already North Korean has occupied Namdaemun. That's where my grandmother's home. So, let's take about some five to ten minutes,

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I went there. I was shocked. So many North Korean supporters, what they call their partisan (?) fifth columns, are supporting the North Koreans and everybody. So, I went home.

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Now, I thought it is safe to bring the—my brother. Then, in a city street in front of my grandmother's house, first time I saw what they call "people's court." [IK: People's

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court?] Yeah, I saw the people sitting up and North Korean politicians stand up, said "This woman committed," you know, "Bada bada bada bada bada." Then, shooting gun. I saw there, the first time

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woman's chest got busted. At that point, I just turned around and went home. I was able to bring my brother. He was crying, "Brother, you didn't show up three

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days!" And said, "I couldn't make it. I'm sorry brother. The mommy's waiting for you. Let's go home." He didn't eat for three days and (unintelligible). So, next three–three months under the Communist

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occupation, terrible things happening. Just terrible things happening. First nineteen days under the communist occupation was okay. But this

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condition, I have to–to do something to support my family. So, I made a wooden small box with a rope, went to the Eulji-ro and the main street of Seoul, started selling

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"kkwabaegi." That is the fried flour tortillas [IK: Oh.] Same as tortillas—really, Chinese tortillas. Oh, it was okay. I sold a lot. So, as soon as I sell this and then I

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go back factory and buy again. But in three days, North Korean soldiers come in on the street and are looking for the something. But neighbor people, they are

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making money selling Korean—I mean, American cigarettes and American chocolate. So, I did the same thing. Changed to chocolate and cigarette. Then one day, a North Korean officer asked me where

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I can buy watch. So, "I can get you tomorrow." Then, he came. He want to buy six watches. He was my best customer.

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Next four days, come in every day. But, I was scared to death. He may come back, and when come back, he going to shoot me. Because, watch is not running?

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I mentioned every time you buy a watch, "This is an old watch." I took watch up and newly gilded, you know, paint gold. But, "I don't care as long as it looks good, I buy watch."

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Buying watch, he come every day, 2:00 clock sharp. Then, after the fifteen days, now situation different in the city of Seoul, they start arresting or asking voluntary army, "uiyonggun."

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For North Korea? "Yonggun." So, my oldest—my brother in front of me, he—we had a kind of a signal. If someone stands there or arrest him, he gave me a signal,

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then I can run. So, now, the situation completely different. Everybody just start hiding. So, on the nineteenth days, I asked

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Grandmom, "I want to dig the underground. Hm? Underground." and I dig it. And upstairs, I made a wooden frame for at night, the bed, hide—night hiding.

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So, it was June, you know, it's hot, July was hot. The underground is okay, then, upstairs at the night, worst thing is biting by bugs.

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By bed–bed bug, "bindae." I haven't seen in my life so many bed bugs are coming out whenever they getting dark. So, I was busy killing with newspaper, just pounding, so my memory is terrible.

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Then, I had all kind of signal. If North Koreans come home, you know, give a knocking door three times, two times. We communicating with a signal. One night, all of a sudden, I hear a

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truck sound outside and then scream and yelling in North Korean. Uh oh. Then, my brother said, "They are here." It's quiet. They come in the house. "Where is young man?" So evidently,

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somebody reported our neighbor. "Young man, is it this house?" And the North Korean had a big bayonet, big bayonet. So, a Japanese house where I'm staying in the ceiling,

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wooden, thin wooden, like this one. Easy to thrust with. So, whenever he thrusted, pulled the gun, I can see the light, flash light or candle light.

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That point, I was really scaring. When I can see the light and North Koreans and just, you know, "Come in, come in, come in." Then, evidently, Mommy knew my location of where I am

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staying when the North Koreans thrusted, Mommy start screaming. She knew I would be killed, you know? So, "Nam, come down. Nam-young, come down." I came down. Tied and put me,

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something like a rice bag and cover it up. I didn't have the time to goodbye and they tossed me at the truck and—but, I know they at the beginning, about fifty North Korean soldiers and

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now, I began another new horrible twenty-nine days of the prison life as a prisoner. So, they tried to find out why I didn't go to Mokpo first.

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Number two, what I did during high school. They have a record. I cannot tell lies, you know. I was a student by the "hoguggan," Student Defense Force president so, I

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just said everything. So, they classified me...anti-communist, number one. Color(?) category.

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That time, I wasn't familiar still—one month and a half, so, I don't know about the exactly the city of Seoul. I was already Christian, now become. I'm praying. But the one thing

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I had, faith in God. I depend on God. I pray every day. Pray every day. No way to survive eating one meal a day. Believe it or not, one meal.

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They had a purpose. They want to kill all. But until they kill, if give one food, can find something from dying prisoners. So, you know, I lost the weight, about 30 pounds

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and one day, we had a rumors. We will be shot tomorrow at Westgate prison, Seodaemun Hyeongmuso. It's one of the largest, the other prison,

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where my uncle killed because he is from North Korea. Now, believe it or not, the situation is changing.

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One of the North Korean came. "Nam-young Park. We are going upstairs. Your last interrogation." So, he's taken upstairs.

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But he's—now happening something. His accent. His accent is a Jeju dialect. Jeju dialect. North Korean soldier with a South Korean accent.

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How did he become a North Korean soldier? I was wondering, then my—just, uh, brain popped up. Comrade. "Dongmu." I called him (unintelligible) we had called friends. "Dongmu, are you from Jeju?"

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This is on the way to the—"How do you know? Are you from Jeju?" I thought I better take advantage of something. My father was born in Jeju. So, he asked me.

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I thought he could ask me, "You too?" So, no, I didn't say I was born in North Korea. Even I left at the age of six, that point, I thought I better use him something.

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I'd like to use bathroom—was left side, it's a small, just stairs, and small doors, window. Wow. The blue sky, so bright. I was so weak, holding

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my pants, no belt–belt. I saw the cross through the window. Okay, now God is with me. Then, all of a sudden, my—from head to bottom,

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hot flashes coming down. I know, I called Holy Spirit experience in a bathroom. But after they escaped, I found later, that was a Catholic church. Myeongdong Catholic church just happened to

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be, through the window, I could see the background blue sky in the center. How could it happen? So, I know I will be saved. I ask it again, "God save me.

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This is the last chance." The next evening, oh, that evening, all prisoner, our group is, I guess, about some twenty, some—close to twenty-five, tied the rope.

00:43:39.640 - 00:43:58.440

It was a thin rope over the, uh, made of the, uh, rice straw. And said, "We are going—marching to the prison." So, I know which—they didn't say

00:43:58.440 - 00:44:19.250

which prison. So, you cannot run or escape. Just follow the North Korean guy. This, from the back. Then, those—they, uh, constantly, American airplane is flying,

00:44:19.340 - 00:44:39.250

dropping bomb, and a gunshot sound. All of a sudden, the American jet airplane. So, somebody maybe send the signal or I don't know,

00:44:39.250 - 00:44:57.340

at that point. All of a sudden, (laughs) everybody starts—North Korean soldiers first, they start running on and–and the rope—lose the rope. My sense, what is, uh, "banggoho"

00:44:59.890 - 00:45:18.750

or the foxhole. The—those in the street and dig the foxhole. I jump in. I cannot stay, best I better run, I don't have, uh, strength, but I don't know how I get the strength, I just jump to one.

00:45:19.230 - 00:45:34.910

At least, I changed four different foxhole. Reached home. I reached home and knocked the door. Everybody in the locked the door—wooden.

00:45:34.910 - 00:45:46.520

Wooden door. Backyard. Small yard. And they don't open. Because, a lot of young people, a lot of crazy young people become crazy. All beggars and hungry people come and ask for food.

00:45:51.250 - 00:46:04.360

The mommy is coming. "Open the door, quick! Nam-young, I'm Nam-young." Mommy, didn't hear and then open the door? Don't look at me. My hair. Wear the same clothes I wore.

00:46:04.750 - 00:46:22.470

So she will. She told me later. I realized my T-shirt and my pants were the same one when I was arrested. My hair. Thirty-nine days and I just, "I'm Nam-young." She didn't believe it.

00:46:27.960 - 00:46:41.450

"I just come from prison. I'm running. So, find me hiding place, not the house." Well, those in all our area, it's all destroyed. And my brother. "Brother." She knew it.

00:46:43.760 - 00:47:04.720

"Brother! Follow me." That's (unintelligible). So another some twenty days, I have to hide, you know, this time. Believe it or not, no

00:47:04.720 - 00:47:24.930

food, no money. So, mommy was already eight months now. I go to Namsan or market, collected some, you know, cheap stuff or pick up the,

00:47:24.930 - 00:47:44.400

uh, made, uh, food and eating. Some even, they didn't have the food to feed–feed me. You know, at that point, mommy brought "juk," the bowl of the soup. So,

00:47:46.050 - 00:48:07.310

I survived, just only praying. Then I heard, September 15th, my brother brought news of the Incheon landing. Americans are coming. Every day, I

00:48:07.310 - 00:48:19.900

hear the news, but why took so long? Incheon is only twenty something miles. You know, between Seoul, Incheon. That's not—they're not advancing so quick.

00:48:22.360 - 00:48:44.100

Finally, one morning, the day evacuating North Korea set the fire, Taepyeong-no, Taepyeong street, where I'm staying near the Namdaemun. Started a fire. Every house.

00:48:47.760 - 00:49:01.980

So many, just, I was just even shocked. So many hiding young people come to the street. You know, they are hiding like me. So, I saw a lot of old woman's neck.

00:49:02.040 - 00:49:18.290

Got a lot of shot. And just, nobody can help. You know, I tried to save myself. One thing, one point. A bullet—bazooka sound.

00:49:20.000 - 00:49:33.310

Terrible situation. My mother was afraid of—she was carrying a small bag. White bag. I never figured out what she was carrying. I thought money bag. You know, just.

00:49:34.780 - 00:49:49.360

That was the expecting baby's diaper. When bullets just came in, the mommy put in front of my face to save me. This is mother's love.

00:49:49.900 - 00:50:05.970

Try to save son. How did that thin bag can help my face? No way. So, I thanked mom. Still, mom. Thank you, mom.

00:50:10.290 - 00:50:24.700

By the 2:00, so quiet. Completely different. So quiet. Everything is so quiet. No bullet sound. No—just small little fire is burning. North Koreans evacuated from Taepyeong-no and Seoul.

00:50:30.880 - 00:50:49.680

Then within four hours in the morning, "mansae, mansae, mansae" everywhere. Then, I walked down a little bit lower here, Namdaemun. Through the

00:50:51.960 - 00:51:10.640

destroyed cannon(?) hall. Korean flags going up the old government building. I sat down and cried, I cried, "Thank you God."

00:51:11.540 - 00:51:34.570

I then run to the street. "Mansae, mansae." Was Korean, uh, army and American armies were following. That is part one of my war story, how I survived.

00:51:36.430 - 00:52:00.930

Uh, next story is joining army. The army life, so we can stop now. Now, United Nations? Retook the

00:52:00.930 - 00:52:29.000

Seoul. We are waiting for the new baby. So mommy said, "Nam, you go to Mokpo, tell family we survived as quick as possible."

00:52:29.900 - 00:52:44.800

So I left mom and my brother, went to Mokpo by train. No, no, no, not train. That time, I know the congressman, and they are quick to make money to buy rice from Mokpo to bring them.

00:52:46.900 - 00:53:07.470

Oh, I begged, "Let me go to one of you have the ships to Mokpo. Nobody taking a one and a half days in one day to the Mokpo. Unfortunately—fortunately,

00:53:10.110 - 00:53:26.880

twenty-four hours later, waves had—I was sick, seasick. Went down to the sea. Ship bottom.

00:53:26.910 - 00:53:44.810

No way to move. I am still weak because of the malnutritions and I lost I think about fourty pounds and then–then, I arrived in Mokpo. I was a sick, barely walked to the

00:53:44.810 - 00:54:03.340

home. Then, I was even thinking of—afraid of how mad—my father going to face me when he see me. Finally arrived home. I was shocked when I said,

00:54:03.340 - 00:54:21.090

my father bears(?), you know, just now he's old man. I can hardly recognize it. "Father, I'm Nam-young," because he didn't say to me (unintelligible). Exactly the same as—like my mommy.

00:54:21.090 - 00:54:39.420

So me and my father look at me said, "I'm Nam-young, father. I come from Seoul." "Why you are coming alone?" It's all the rest of the family dead so, "Father. They are arrived, safe.

00:54:40.070 - 00:54:55.610

You don't have to worry about." He didn't believe it. "Is that the true?" He look at my face. "Yes, father." I was sick, I wanted to asleep and lie down, you know.

00:54:56.810 - 00:55:17.530

So, "Father. I'm hungry." He never go out to buy or something. He just went to street and bought soup. I ask a soup broth, and I just (sips), yup. Then, he woke me up about

00:55:17.530 - 00:55:30.270

10:00. "Nam, Nam-young. I read a newspaper and a radio. I heard the radio. Tomorrow, train. First time from Mokpo, trains open and go to Seoul.

00:55:30.690 - 00:55:46.440

So you better go bring the mom." That time, I thought my father was so cruel. I cannot move, you know. But I pretend I'm okay in front of my father.

00:55:46.440 - 00:56:03.590

That's the reason. Maybe he thought, you know, he look at me. "Please go, bring the mother." Whew. I thought I couldn't make it at a railroad station that morning,

00:56:04.610 - 00:56:17.560

but when I bought the ticket, I was (unintelligible) dead. Eight hours later, I arrived. Seoul, and I rushed to the

00:56:17.560 - 00:56:34.540

mommy's—grandmom's home. But grandmom, my mama wasn't there. Grandmom told me to move to the friend's home, so I thought mommy said—the baby was born.

00:56:34.540 - 00:56:56.250

You know, kind of—I heard that, so my friends mom(?) said your mom's left last night. Where? Mokpo. She went to Incheon. Oh, boy. So, at that point, I was weak.

00:56:56.250 - 00:57:09.760

It was dark. Next day, early morning, went to Incheon. Search from the end to the end. Asked pregnant woman. Could you find

00:57:09.760 - 00:57:27.850

it? Finally one to ask. Doc(?) said "Yeah. Pregnant woman with a North Korean accent went to Mokpo." At that point, I was livid(?), but I didn't

00:57:27.850 - 00:57:48.510

ask her baby died or not, you know? Then, come back. Home. And my friend, who came from Marine Corps interpreters, looking for me, my friend—best friend

00:57:49.050 - 00:58:10.190

looking for, he heard I went to Mokpo, was coming. We hugged and cried and said, "Nam-young, I'm, uh, now working as interpreter, 25th Division. I'm going to quit and you can take my job as interpreter.

00:58:10.190 - 00:58:26.050

You need to practice interpreter. So as long as we speak in English, no problem finding a job." I took it. Next story is my army life. Five years.

00:58:39.640 - 00:58:58.410

Okay. Then, I was be able to work with American Army, first time, American Army, 25th Division, as the interpreter. I enjoyed and eating good food, you know, first and a good

00:58:58.410 - 00:59:14.630

money. In those days, American units at the beginning are looking for the—whoever speak the—even a little bit English working for the American armies. So, lucky. So, I changed about four or five times

00:59:14.630 - 00:59:32.710

in—with American armies, because I had the opportunity to make more money (laughs). Even I become a cheap Korean security forces of Suwon, Incheon, I mean Suwon, Suwon Air

00:59:32.710 - 00:59:49.630

Base. So it's a good job. And then, I was drafted 1951, 1951, Korean Army. That's interesting. I suppose get, uh, training at the training center,

00:59:49.630 - 01:00:06.810

Jeju. But commanding officer of a regiment officer is looking for the English teacher. He wanted to learn English because they are comi—uh, they, uh, the communi—uh, communicating with the Korean

01:00:06.810 - 01:00:23.420

military advisory group, say American soldiers attached in each regiment. So, he took the leader(?) to his home.

01:00:25.580 - 01:00:39.130

As a teacher. So, training period. I was English teacher. Luckily, I had, uh, good food (coughs). Good those days (coughs).

01:00:39.130 - 01:00:58.150

At the beginning and all Korean soldiers. So, I see, I stayed one day at the training center. Oh, the inside of the tent. The smell was so bad.

01:00:59.830 - 01:01:22.920

Food was terrible. I stayed the commanding regiment—commander's office. Then, they organized—it was—Korean Army's organizing interpreted sections in each regiment.

01:01:22.920 - 01:01:39.170

Jeju training center. They set up interpret section. So now, I'm a PFC. The training period is over. Uh, so commanding officer asked me, are you going

01:01:39.170 - 01:01:58.120

to—instead of sending you at the front line, I'm going to send you (coughs) interpret the section. Then occasionally, you can come and teach me English. And so, best deal. Then, I've been hearing within five days,

01:01:58.120 - 01:02:12.400

all my same groups finished the training, dead front line. Those days, when I was in army, just kill, kill, kill. Then one day, I was translating,

01:02:13.600 - 01:02:33.450

they had a VIP. Uh, the, uh, the some French army commanders and eight army commanders and all high ranking officers coming together about fifteen—I got a picture here. I have to translate it.

01:02:35.100 - 01:02:52.130

Uh, Paik Sun-yup was the army commander, huh? "Yuggundae." "Yuggun—" whatever, came to me. "Hey, PFC, Park. Where did you learn English?" "Well, school and–and also from American missionary.

01:02:52.700 - 01:03:11.650

Uh, I just studied myself too, so." So, I'm going to send you Korean, uh, what do they call an adjutant school, "bugwanhaggyo." Uh, the English officers, uh,

01:03:11.860 - 01:03:28.960

when you get, you go to one month, uh, the officer training and you're going to become the interpreter officer. Thirty-five days I have to become a PFC. I jump into "yuggunjung-ib"(?) first (unintelligible)

01:03:32.450 - 01:03:50.120

and my father surprised when I visited. "I thought you were PMC." I didn't tell, you know, (unintelligible) "yuggunjung-ib." So, next five years, four years actually, I worked as a liaison officer, UN liaison

01:03:50.120 - 01:04:06.400

officer, as another word interpreter officer for the United Nations attached to the KMAG, Korean Military Advisory Group. So, I was lucky. Seeing alway—every day the high ranking officer,

01:04:07.180 - 01:04:24.480

eating good food, go to party, and every day. It's unusual in those days, war time. That is my Korean Army life. Then let's rest. The next one, I'd like to talk about the how

01:04:24.480 - 01:04:45.830

I came to the US. Okay, let's start, yeah, about how I came to USA as an exchange student. Uh, while I was in army, all my friends, uh, three friends are

01:04:47.060 - 01:05:08.680

going to America to study. So, I'm thinking of how I can go to the America myself, too. So, I start writing a letter. Then, uh, after the, uh,

01:05:10.360 - 01:05:25.030

Davidson College in, uh, reviewed my record, and I'm a Christian, and, uh, I was raised in Mokpo, where the American missionaries are, many missionaries there. So, we offer you a full scholarship.

01:05:26.530 - 01:05:43.800

So, we give admission to Davidson. But unfortunately, in army, they need an English interpreter, officers, and a medical doctor.

01:05:44.370 - 01:06:02.120

So, they cannot let go. Have to serve five years service. With my good position, meantime, (unintelligible) I wanted to get out army.

01:06:05.090 - 01:06:22.090

Then, my condition is so good, I told Commanding Officer Paik In-yup full scholarship. There's a lot of people, even army officers, going you are American now, but my condition,

01:06:22.090 - 01:06:35.290

nobody gets like me the whole scholarship. Four years. So, I need discharge. Okay, so you got the full scholarship—

01:06:35.290 - 01:06:52.050

So luckily. I knew the one congressman very well. We visited the, uh, what do you call it, "gugmucheongli," (unintelligible) and explained to them,

01:06:52.050 - 01:07:08.600

"Okay, tomorrow, I'm gonna send the discharge and, uh, uh, orders and house discharge. Ready to go." Then, one day, miracle

01:07:11.990 - 01:07:31.180

is happening. One day, this congressman told me, "Nam-young, I'm going to have a party at my house inviting retired American general. So, I like to come home, invite—I invite you,

01:07:31.180 - 01:07:48.340

and translate as interpreters." Was okay. It was General Whitcomb, retired, who was once commanding, uh, logistic officer during the war in (unintelligible).

01:07:54.900 - 01:08:14.760

Then, Whitcomb asked me, "Nam-young, what your situation?" I explained, you know, I gotta go to Davidson, waiting for the visa. I said, but doesn't look like I'm going to get the visa and within twenty-four months. "Okay, I need interpreter, so can you work

01:08:14.760 - 01:08:26.510

for me?" But I said, "One condition. Once I get visa, I have to get out. I have to go to USA." Okay, at that point, you come to work tomorrow.

01:08:29.720 - 01:08:47.680

Then, I was still young. I give you civilian car, driver, your position is head of the, uh, supply, because that time,

01:08:47.680 - 01:09:03.280

they are building project—what they call home core. Home core project. This is making house, uh, half American way, half Korean way. Planned to give high ranking Korean government officials.

01:09:04.420 - 01:09:26.600

Oh, boy. God, what kind of person you are giving me. Tomorrow, my—I have a drivers–drivers in a car? So, I enjoyed, and I'm working for General Whitcomb.

01:09:26.600 - 01:09:46.160

Some reason, my visa is not approving, but I found the reason. This congressman, a few days later—actually his wife, because he knows the news that I got a good pay,

01:09:46.880 - 01:10:02.040

car, private car, you know. So–so, why don't—you, uh, you are single—why don't you come stay my—our home? Congress— [IK: Yeah] Kim Sang-dong. But don't—don't—I call Kim, Congressman Kim.

01:10:02.040 - 01:10:17.950

So, I said yes. So, I enjoyed my life about five months. And then, uh, there are rumors among the security guards and the businessmen, Congress, and all kind of stuff.

01:10:18.890 - 01:10:36.770

Oh, that lieutenant maybe—they call me Lieutenant Park— Lieutenant Park maybe son-in-law. You know, the room was—because they treat me so nice, you know? Five months later. This Kim Sang-dong's

01:10:36.770 - 01:10:51.010

wife asked me, "Nam, I bet you–you paid so good. You are saving, so." "Oh, yes. I saved every penny in the bank." And also, oh,

01:10:51.010 - 01:11:07.230

I just (unintelligible). I had a lot of money from, uh, the army. The commanding officer, Paik Sun-yup gave an order to the 12th Regiment commanding officers, my aide-de-camp

01:11:07.920 - 01:11:29.220

Bu-gan(?) is going to America, so send the money. So, I had about $6,000, $6,000 American money those days. [IK: That would have been a lot.] In the bank. [IK: Yeah.] So, I called a congressman—woman

01:11:30.950 - 01:11:47.480

"imo." "Imo." So, I called the congressman "imo-bu." So, like a family. So, I was like—when we eat together, "imo," "imo-bu." So "imo" asked me, "Nam-young, the money you have in

01:11:48.110 - 01:12:06.250

bank and loan me, I pay you back when you get the visa." So yeah, if you pay me, no problem. I give you all my deposit. I was stupid, I was innocent country boy.

01:12:06.670 - 01:12:25.800

I should get certificate(?). Then, this passed one year. Now, Davidson College is sending me letter, "If you cannot make it, and this, you have to give up the scholarship.

01:12:25.800 - 01:12:46.520

There is not going to be affect(?) you." I found the reason that Kim Sang-dong was the one of the number one men who opposed Sungman Lee politically. Even he called "so-tongnyeong" when he made a speech one ti—one time,

01:12:46.520 - 01:13:05.990

called me, didn't say "dae-tongnyeong." "So–so–so-tongnyeong." Small. [IK: Yeah.] So, my address was Kim's home. So, my background, they've been searching, searching, what kind of person is staying congressman's

01:13:05.990 - 01:13:20.050

house. Are they supporting politically, communicating all these Americans, you know. So, I'm sure government is trying to find. So, I was delayed. It delayed.

01:13:20.860 - 01:13:39.420

Then, September 10th, I had a telegram from Davidson College. The school opened already. "If you cannot make it within two days, just give up this

01:13:39.420 - 01:13:56.060

year." Oh, boy. Another interesting thing happened. My friend, who come every day, took advantage (unintelligible) and said, "Nam-young, why don't

01:13:56.060 - 01:14:12.680

you—let's go to, tomorrow, Myeongdong." Who? Fortuneteller. "Jeongjaeng-i." "He gonna tell you you can go to America or not." But it cost a lot of money. Said, "Okay, I have, uh, money." Next morning,

01:14:12.680 - 01:14:27.160

5:00 in the morning. Why at 5:00? Well, those people are—they said that tell good things in early morning. So, we took 5:00 in the morning, went to his hotel in the Myeongdong. It was a small hotel there.

01:14:28.510 - 01:14:43.800

I didn't say my name. Nobody told my name. I didn't explain what purpose I came. As soon as she saw my face, said, scream and yelled at me, "No, you cannot go to the west!"

01:14:46.770 - 01:15:02.250

At that point. I don't want to ask any question. So, I ask for the—pay the money. Let's go. I went home, cried, cried and cursed God and for the first time, I, in a small room,

01:15:02.460 - 01:15:17.570

cursed God. You know, "I ask you and I prayed and prayed every day. Now, I am missing such a good chance to go to America."

01:15:22.880 - 01:15:40.120

Then, about 10:45, housemaid brought a piece of paper, was a telegram. Your interview, 1:00 at the American Embassy.

01:15:42.970 - 01:15:52.360

I knew this is a visa. So, at that point, I sit down. I prayed about 30 minutes to God. I'm sorry, what I've did.

01:15:56.100 - 01:16:12.420

And then, Davidson College sent a telegram to the American Embassy. We guarantee—my sponsor in church sent a telegram to the American Embassy. "We guarantee Nam-young Park's scholarship for four years." Never happened before,

01:16:12.480 - 01:16:29.150

yeah? So, American Embassy was just sending me telegrams, said "Come." At that point, I couldn't trust the Korean government. The demonstration was, uh, every day affairs.

01:16:33.020 - 01:16:49.290

Airplane offices in front of the American embassy. I bought a ticket for tomorrow, so I didn't have the time to say goodbye to my father. So, I told "imo," "I got a visa.

01:16:49.290 - 01:17:07.020

I need the money." She was a completely different person. She even didn't say, "I'm sorry." It's a completely different person. "You can kill me if you want to.

01:17:07.020 - 01:17:26.090

I don't have the money. Just—you can go America." "Imo, I don't have the money." I just don't need few(?) from the American (coughs) Foundation. At that point, I was so disappointed.

01:17:26.090 - 01:17:47.440

She was the good Christian family lady deacon. Her husband was a head of the church. At that point. I couldn't fight with the, uh, good Christians who

01:17:48.820 - 01:18:06.420

took care of me the five months. So I better even, "You can make me my airfare." She rejected. "No, I don't have the money." At that point, I thought, better not to talk to her.

01:18:10.260 - 01:18:29.060

Next morning. This is a miracle. I arrived at Davidson College with $10 in my pocket. My mother came up and I asked, bring some money for my airplane. I'm leaving tomorrow morning.

01:18:33.650 - 01:18:52.270

This is my farewell, my mother's farewell poem. She wrote at the airport. "My son, come back, come back when you finish the study, come back to your family.

01:18:52.270 - 01:19:06.370

Come back to your country." So this poem, I hang at my door every day. I look at it. I'm sorry, mom. I wrote the letter. A long letter to my father.

01:19:09.270 - 01:19:23.970

As the first immigrant in Houston. I found so many things to do. I like to do good things in America. I like to build the Korean American Association or whatever.

01:19:24.450 - 01:19:38.270

I like to build the churches and organize the church and Korean church, Korean Sunday school. I did. Now, there is a reason

01:19:42.710 - 01:19:57.080

(coughs) I stayed Houston. So thank you God. So, (coughs) let's stop.