OH+Reflection

** Interview Subject: Saemok Lee (Hawoon's Grandfather) **
 * Oral History Topic: Korean War **


 * __Reflection__ **

Since I was little I have been told about the Korean War several times. I thought I knew the details of it very well, but when I interviewed my grandpa, it was surprising to hear that there was a lot more. It was interesting to hear about what happened from such a close person and what conditions we were in. I was able to understand people's reactions about what happened rather than the facts. I realized that South Korea was not at all prepared for this war; The military was weak and the people were poor. I was able to learn what people general felt about the events and people through our the war. It was surprising that my grandpa thought that ending the war without resolving the problem was the best thing to do because Korea has been a unified country for a long time and if they ended the war now, it would be divided up.

Splitting up Korea had a long term impact. This makes me think about what would have happened if Korea's conflicts were resolved. Splitting up the land meant a lot for the people in Korea. There friends and even family were now forbidden to see. The citizens are now saying them and us although we were the same. People are touched when they see the family unite (for a short while from the separation that occurred when the 38th parallel was closed back up) on TV. The South Korean citizens are sad when they have to compete against there own people in major sports competitions like the World Cup. I hope, personally, we all get to see Korea unite.