The voice of longing

By Lee An-su

Lee An-su

Hwang In-Cheol is a South Korean who has been advocating for the release of his father from North Korea. On Dec. 11, 2021, I was his interpreter on the 52nd anniversary of the tragedy that befell his family.

On Dec. 11, 1969, Korean Airlines flight NAMC YS-11 was flying from Gangwon, South Korea, to Gimpo International Airport when it was hijacked and forced to land in North Korea. Of the fifty individuals kidnapped, eleven never made it back to their original country. Hwang Won, the father of Hwang In-Cheol, was one of the 11.

The younger Hwang has now been protesting for his father's return for two decades. In 2010, he appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and, in 2012, he filed a lawsuit against the North Korean hijacker who kidnapped his father.

For the last six years, he has made several trips to the DMZ with Mr. Casey Lartigue and Ms. Lee Eun-koo, the co-founders of Freedom Speakers International, to raise public awareness of the tragedy that took place five decades ago.

As our car neared the Imjingak Peace Bridge, where the event was to be held, I could feel every fiber in my body tighten from nervousness. I began to second guess my decision. "All my friends are studying for their final exams now. Why am I here?"

The event was planned to be recorded so that Hwang's plea could be heard around the world. What if I made a mistake while interpreting? I grew more anxious as the weight of responsibility began to constrict my chest. It felt like the car was going faster and faster when all I wanted was more time to prepare for translating this aching story.

In front of the Freedom Bridge, FSI had set up a stage with a banner depicting a photo of Hwang and his father ― a photo taken in 1969. The child in that photo grew up not knowing what it was like to have a father.

Taking the stage, he began to speak about his life story and the unbearable burden of the hopelessness he felt when he realized that the enemy who took away his father was one of the most dangerous regimes in the world. His speech, infused with honesty and determination, was infectious and began to wash my nervousness away. When he said, "I dearly hope that the never-ending flight YS-11 could finally land safely at its original destination, Gangneung Airport, and bring us the warm smiles of those we missed," it brought a wave of emotion upon others listening. I felt invigorated by Hwang's heartfelt words. Letting the words flow from my mouth, I could feel myself conveying the very sentiment that he had presented in his speech. A moment of sheer inspiration.

When I ended my interpretation with a final "thank you," the mic that had been stone-cold thawed in my grasp. Even the freezing weather was no match for the glow of hope and warmth that had set upon us that afternoon.

After the speech, we moved on to folding paper airplanes, which were meant to represent flight YS-11. In each of our small planes, we (Americans, South Koreans, North Korean refugees) wrote messages of hope and love. With each fold and press of the paper in our hands, it felt like this effort grew more substantial and more concrete.

"Everyone, please sign Mr.Hwang's petition."

"I hope he can reunite with his father."

"Let's make our advocacy impactful."

These are just a few of the touching messages that I can recall.

We threw those paper airplanes off the bridge, waving goodbye as they made their short but significant journeys toward North Korea. For what seems like an eternity, Hwang has been protesting for the right to be reunited with his father. His sincerity has been conveyed to human rights influencers around the world. On February 13, 2020, the WGEID demanded the North Korean authorities to repatriate the 11 people who could not return to their families, and on May 5, 2020, the World Human Rights Council requested Hwang Won's release.

Due to a culmination of efforts, this tragic story would not fade away in our minds. Hwang was once a child longing for his father but now he is the head of his own family ― a generation has passed.

After waiting 51 years and 11 months, Hwang's mother passed away a few weeks before the anniversary of the hijacking. His grief only gave him more resolve to meet his father before it was too late. He was fighting not only for his lost family, but to ensure that injustices like this never happen again. His perseverance is like a beacon that has brought us together, and his hope is like a fireplace that warmed us to the core of our hearts. As the volunteer president of FSI's Global High School Union, I will continue to assist Hwang in his efforts to meet his father and other people who have been separated from their loved ones by the dictatorial regime. The world may seem like a cold place, but through collaboration and a unified heart we can turn it into a tropical paradise of love and hope.

Lee An-su is a 12th grade student at the Yongsan International School of Seoul and president of the Freedom Speakers International Global High School Union (FSI-GHSU).

This text was edited for publication by Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder with Lee Eun-koo of Freedom Speakers International (FSI) and co-author with Han Song-mi of the book "Greenlight to Freedom."