By Eugene Lee
Chuseok is a time to reconnect. And so, I did. I’ve reached out to a couple lecturers to broaden my analysis on worldwide affairs and a few attention-grabbing phenomena at present happening in Central Asia. Previous to that, whereas going by means of some supplies, I examine a symbolic variety of 160 years of historical past of “Koryo Saram” (ethnic Korean).
Throughout my dialog with no aside from Viktor M. Kim, the president of the Affiliation of Koryo Saram in Tajikistan, my data of the historical past of Koryo Saram has been up to date with a couple of vital info. After asking concerning the quantity, he talked about the next: Sure, Koryo Saram have been deported and went by means of an immense tribulation in 1937, however that wasn’t the start. In his phrases, it was on Sept. 21, 1864, when the primary households from destabilized and externally influenced Joseon Korea started to reach within the Russian Far East, and over the following few many years, hundreds of extra Koreans would migrate, forming tight-knit communities whereas preserving Korean tradition and traditions. Koryo Saram aren’t simply ethnic Koreans that, by fortune, occurred to dwell overseas. They’ve all the time maintained their Korean heritage, holding onto a powerful Korean id that resisted imperial and exterior influences of the nineteenth century.
My interplay with Victor, who may draw an even bigger image, led me to 2 realizations — first, he was an actual treasure field of historical past! And second, Koryo Saram aren’t simply a part of Korean historical past; they’re an unbroken line of resistance to imperial powers, from the period of Japanese occupation to the pressured deportation by Stalin’s regime. Regardless of being removed from the homeland, Koryo Saram preserved the language, traditions and values — a logo of cultural integrity. Whereas noting a course of happening in Central Asia as we speak between youthful generations, an inclination of delineation by nations: some are distinguishing between Uzbek Koryo Saram, Kyrgyz Koryo Saram and Kazakh Koryo Saram, he emphasised that Koryo Saram of Tajikistan remained as traditionally documented Koryo Saram, unchanged. My hunch is that Tajikistan, with its smaller group of Koryo Saram, has develop into a bastion of preservation of these traditions.
By listening to him, I started to see a strong lesson in unity and dedication to the preservation of shared cultural and historic consciousness — a deep connection to Korea and eager for homeland between Koryo Saram stayed unchanged, as a time capsule, displaying a path to a extra united and sovereign future.
After asking him to inform me extra, he excitedly shared a few tales referring to their robust angle in the direction of traditions. For them, Koryo Saram in Tajikistan, it was crucial to comply with guidelines with none deviation on two days of any given yr: Hansik (often called Mother and father’ Day) and Chuseok, the one we simply celebrated. By listening to about Hansik historically celebrated on the one hundred and fifth day after the winter solstice, not each Might 5, as as of late, I may hear some notes of criticism in his voice, as as of late in trendy Korea holidays are simply adjusted to suit weekends. Additionally, Viktor talked about that even when, by some motive, on that day individuals have been away, so far as within the Far East, they nonetheless would journey again to Dushanbe over 3,000 miles with no excuse for skipping conventional ceremonies.
The second account was throughout years of painful civil conflict within the Nineteen Nineties, when he organized journeys for individuals to the graves of their ancestors to pay their tributes, and the cemetery was a battleground of warring sides. He needed to negotiate a short lived cease-fire on these days, and surprisingly, either side agreed. Inadvertently, whereas risking his life, he additionally performed the function of peacemaker, no less than on these days. By practising his devotion to his ancestors, he was displaying what had an actual worth to combating sides and reminding them what is admittedly holy. Tajikistan is at peace now, and in my eyes, doubtless, there may be Victor’s contribution to that peace. By the best way, he additionally talked about that he wasn’t certain he would do this once more. After asking him about if it was an excessive amount of of a sacrifice or was it merely a religiosity of individuals, he said that the worth of such large sacrifices was just one — to maintain individuals collectively and, by doing so, assist them to outlive. And that’s precisely what they did.
He additionally stated that later, within the early Nineteen Nineties, Koryo Saram stood on the forefront of rebuilding ties between the Central Asian republics and their homeland, South Korea.
On a private degree, after listening to these tales, it could be straightforward to magnify and begin praising somebody. However, academically talking, if I attempt to disassociate myself from all of it, he’s a historic determine— an inspiring chief previously and a humble elder of that group as we speak. There are passionate and respectable lecturers who write about Koryo Saram, however Victor deserves separate consideration.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be capable of speak him into writing his personal memoir or guide on the historical past of the Koryo Saram in Tajikistan, however what I do know for certain is that if you wish to find out about them, he’s the one to begin from. Additionally, as South Korea continues to go looking its place in historical past, or really the historical past itself, the story of the Koryo Saram stands as a reminder of cultural integrity and nationwide satisfaction. By embracing them, the Koryo Saram, by studying and punctiliously rebuilding their and its personal historical past, South Korea can chart a course in the direction of a extra sovereign and united future, possibly even with North Korea sooner or later.
Eugene Lee (mreulee@gmail.com) is a lecturing professor on the Graduate College of Governance at Sungkyunkwan College in Seoul. Specializing in worldwide relations and governance, his analysis and educating concentrate on nationwide and regional safety, worldwide growth, authorities insurance policies and Northeast and Central Asia.
