Hearts Beat Faster for the Reunion of Kim Young Nam and His Mother after 28 Years

[imText1]A 17-year-old boy who went to play at a beach one summer day wasn’t heard from again for almost 28 years. After such a long time, the boy over 40 years old now, is still looking for his mother.

The dramatic reunion of Kim Young Nam (45), abducted by a North Korean spy at Gunsan beach in 1978 and his mother, Choi Gye Wol is only a day away.

Ms.Choi and her daughter, Young Ja shed tears of joy when the reunion was announced. The family said, “We have been thinking that Young Nam was dead for a long time. It’s like a dream.”

Ms. Choi and the family are preparing for the reunion. It is hard for Ms. Choi to get around due to physical ailments, but she is waiting for the reunion and shopping for gifts with her daughter.

Ms. Choi said, “I can’t sleep at night at the thought of meeting my son. Days seem to be too long for me to bear.”

Young Ja said, “I didn’t expect to see my brother again. I am so glad that I get to see him so soon.”

She also added, “I can finally understand how my mother feels, as I have become a mother as well. I hope the sorrow of other families of the abducted can also be resolved this way.”

Young Ja answered a few questions regarding her state of mind.

– How do you feel about the upcoming reunion?

Words are insufficient. I have been involved in many activities and have done everything I could in order to see my brother again. My mother has been busy as well, even though she couldn’t move easily. All just to see her son again.

I have mixed feelings. I am excited and nervous. Since my brother has been living under a different system, we will likely have different ways of thinking. Everything will be different. I am aware of this and accept it, but I am a little anxious about it.

– How about Ms. Choi Gye Wol?

Mother has been saying that all the families of the abducted can have reunion like this. Families of the abducted have been suffering just like us, and I hope our reunion can be the starting point of good news for others. Abduction is an international issue and I hope everything will be resolved.

– How has Ms. Choi been as she waits to see her son?

Who wouldn’t be happy to meet their son after 30 years? Her health is deteriorating but she hasn’t slept a moment at the joy of seeing her son again.

[imText2]– What do you think Ms. Choi will talk about first, when she sees Kim Young Nam?

Mother are all the same. She will hug her son whom she hasn’t seen in 30 years. She will cry, hug him, touch his face.

And she will ask about how he has lived. He was abducted when he was young, and they will want to talk about everything that has happened since then. What wouldn’t they talk about? They will talk all night.

– Are you preparing anything special for the reunion?

I am preparing my heart. My brother must have changed a lot over time. I need to prepare my heart for that.

I am preparing some gifts that we want to give him, some clothes, medicine, vitamins, stationery, bags, accessories and make up for the children

Also, I want to show him pictures of the family. Mother, my sister and brothers all took a family pictures throughout the years. I want to be ready with those in case this is the last time I see him again.

“Our Wish Is to Have A Regular Reunion”

– What do you want to say to North Korea after the reunion?

All the families have the same thoughts. I hope they allow us to meet regularly. We don’t know what will happen, but our wish is to have regular reunions.

– What would you do if the request is not granted?

I don’t know. I think the reunion itself will be meaningful. I will have to see what North Korea offers, then discuss with our family and respond.

– Japan is afraid that North Korea might use this to its political advantage.

Our family has pointed out that Japan uses the situation politically, but that is only our personal opinion. People have different opinions on this situation.

We are more focused on our reunion than repatriation, and Japan focuses on repatriation rather than reunion, which is the cause of some disparity.

-What would you do if North Korea uses this politically?

That is a difficult question, one which I have not thought about it. At this point I want to focus on the reunion, but will respond later accordingly.