Book Description
The American who walked into the turmoil of Korean history
After graduating from university, David wanted to make a positive change in the world. He joined the Peace Corps and arrived in South Korea in 1978. He was bestowed with a Korean name, Im Dae-oon and it was his name throughout his time in Korea. He was assigned to serve as a tuberculosis worker in Yeongam, a town in Korea's southwest. He came to fall in love with the country's food,scenery, and people.
On May 18, 1980, David arrived in Gwangju to transfer buses to his home, Yeongam. Tim Warnberg, his friend and fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, told him that there was brutal violence against any young people seen in the streets. He came back home but he continued to hear that the violence was getting worse and the phone lines to Gwangju had been cut. David set out for the city to check on Tim and his Korean friends.
Bearing Witness of the Gwangju Uprising
On the road to Gwangju, David encountered a military truck and a bus with protesters. David took a photo of them. He had a confrontation with KCIA agent who was demanding his camera. When he reached the city, he witnessed gunfire from helicopter, results of brutal violences, and the wailing from the deads’ family members. He was shocked by what human can do to other humans. David and 3 other Peace Corps Volunteers helped the wounds and interpreted for foreign journalists.
David was invited to the Provincial Office building, which was the center of the uprising. He got to know students leaders and bore witness to the aftermath of the last stand against the dictatorship. When the 10 days of uprising ended in tragedy, David and other Peace Corps Volunteer were called to the head office. Only David was forced to resigned for violating its rules on political noninterference. Even after he lost his status as a Peace Corps Volunteer, he decided to stay in Korea. He got even involved deeper to Korean history working with the dissident.
What is the Gwangju Uprising?
The 1980 Gwangju Uprising was a people’s uprising by the citizens of Gwangju in response to the brutal and harsh suppression of student protests carried out by the Korean military after their leaders declared martial law and took over the country. It began on May 18 and ended the early morning of May 27, 1980. It began in Gwangju, the capital of South Jeolla province, but also expanded beyond the city to involve the southern half of the province.