(published in Korea.net: A tribute to Korea’s strongest generation)
I came across my old post “South Korea’s Halmonis” in my Facebook timeline. The post made me look back at my years here in South Korea and how I continue to look up to South Korea’s halmonis. The halmonis are Korea’s grandmothers. Like all grandmothers all over the world, they come to us in different forms – the regal, the haughty, the exhausted, the hunched back – representing their respective social classes.
The halmonis of Korea – what sets them apart?
This is the only remaining generation that knew what it was to struggle between communism (courtesy of the North) and military rule which gradually turned into a liberal democracy (South). This is the generation whose families are divided by the 38th parallel – that military demarcation line disallowing unity of families. This is the only remaining generation that still hopes they will be able to see the reunification of the country they were born in and knew as one Korea!
This coming August, the North and South Korea agree to hold a family reunification meeting that will take place at North Korea’s Diamond Mountain resort. The last of this emotional meeting was in 2015. For most of the participants, it was their first and last chance to be with their families. They are related by blood but almost strangers to each other, if not for their emotional connection heightened by the political drama of the 2 Koreas. Some were couples who have since led separate lives. It is heart-wrenching to see images of their helplessness.
It is admirable to see the Moon’s administration’s determination to settle and see peace between the 2 Koreas. We understand the complexities of setting up reunification reunions but time is running out for most of these halmonis (and harabojis). They are the last of that generation to have full connection with their relatives and spouses from the North. The generations after them are strangers to each other. When economic reality and practicality set in, the generation that comes after may not even want to or care to acknowledge any affiliation.
But the current generation is enjoying the fruits of this older generation’s labor. Their women settled with whatever was available and made something out of it – may it be food, clothing, infrastructure. The halmoni I randomly took a photo of was taking out some vegetable that commonly and randomly grows on Spring time. We could easily take those for granted because they look like weeds growing among weeds. I thought, this was a perfect example of how this generation made do with whatever was available and made something out of it. This is not an isolated picture. I see them everywhere, even along the Han River.
What kind of strength and discipline and will-power does this generation possess to be able to have achieved the status, convenience and wealth South Korea is now enjoying?
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Thinking about the families the separation of the 2 Koreas breaks my heart – especially knowing that quality of life in the north is questionable. Halmonis are a gift, have you heard of ‘The House of Sharing”?