[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 124 (Friday, July 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H7978-H7979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        REFLECTIONS ON THE DEDICATION OF THE KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] is recognized for 60 
minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  (Mr. KIM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, yesterday afternoon I joined with Presidents 
Clinton and Kim Yong-sam of Korea as well as with hundreds of thousands 
of Korean war veterans, their familes and friends in dedicating the 
Korean War Memorial on The Great Mall in Washington, DC.
  For me, this was a most emotionally moving experience. At the time of 
the Korean War, I was a young boy in Seoul, Korea, trying to survive 
the horrors of the war. Now, 42 years later at the dedication of the 
memorial, I am a U.S. Congressman from California. This seems so 
unreal, so unbelievable.
  But, as I stood there looking at the memorial, yesterday, I know this 
is real because this is America and only in America can such incredible 
things happen. Perhaps it was Washington's notoriously hot and humid 
weather that made me feel faint during the ceremony--but I think it 
could have been 10 below zero and I still would have felt overcome with 
pride and joy.
  The Korean war is often called the forgotten war. While those of us 
who lived through it will never forget, I think I see why so many 
others have.
  You see, Mr. Speaker, it is because we were successful in Korea. It 
was indeed a true successful story. That why it was almost forgotten. 
On June 25, 1950, North Korea launched its surprise attack and by 
August had pushed American and South Korean troops into a small pocket 
surrounding the southern-most port of Pusan.
  But, rather than give up, the United States made a bold landing and 
counter-attack at Inchon that same September, thereby defeating any 
chance of Communist victory.
  This was a victory for liberty over tyranny. Many people have 
forgotten that the rescue of Korea was not just an American and South 
Korean operation.
  Twenty-seven nations, under the blue flag of the United Nations, 
fought to defend the U.N.'s charter principles of freedom and self-
determination for Korea. And they were successful.
  Just across the reflecting pool from the Korean War Memorial is the 
Vietnam War Memorial. While the Korean war may be the forgotten war, we 
still anguish over the conflict in Vietnam.
  It is true that over 10 years of fighting in Southeast Asia resulted 
in 55,000 American deaths and 2,000 still missing in action. I give the 
highest honor to these sacrifices.
  But it is also true that in just 3 years of vicious combat, 54,000 
Americans died in Korea and over 8,000 remain missing.
  Why the concentration on Vietnam at the expense of Korea? Just as 
many gave the ultimate sacrifice in Korea. Is it because we won in 
Korea?
  Is is because those who protested against our brave troops in the 
1960's and 1970's now feel guilty about their actions and fear that 
acknowledging our victory in Korea will weaken their arguments against 
our involvement in Vietnam?
  I don't know. But, I do know that international freedom and liberty 
did win in Korea. And, it is past time that this victory be fully 
recognized.
  The ultimate sacrifices made by these brave Americans and others 
during the Korean war were not made in vain. While the war in Korea may 
have left the entire peninsula looking like a wasteland back in 1953, 
look at how the southern half--with American help and protection--
rebuilt into a strong, vibrant free-market democracy.
  As President Kim said in this very Chamber just 2 days ago, ``This is 
the story of the Republic of Korea, a country which began with nothing 
but bare hands and courage and managed to achieve democratization and 
industrialization in a short period of time, a country now proudly 
marching out toward the world and into the future.''
  Today, South Korea continues to pay back that help to the United 
States. South Korea is America's sixth largest trading partner with 
bilateral trade exceeding $40 billion this year alone--and the balance 
is tilted in favor of the United States as America has a trade surplus 
with Korea.
  Now, compare the prosperity and success of South Korea with the 
misery and poverty in Communist North Korea. Despite all the Marxist 
propaganda claiming North Korea to be a people paradise, in reality it 
is a land where only two meals a day are eaten because there is not 
enough food for three. Despite a 40-year program for self-sufficiency, 
the North must accept rice from its self-described enemy, the South. 
There is no freedom in the North as ``big brother'' watches every move 
every person makes.
  Economically, politically and morally, the North is bankrupt. Only 
through tyranny and massive military mobilization are the Communists in 
the North able to stay in power. The differences between the North and 
South are very well defined.

[[Page H 7979]]

  Yes, Mr. Speaker, we--the forces of freedom--did win the Korean war 
and we're winning the peace, too, with our policy of peace through 
strength on the peninsula.
  Near the apex of the Korean War Memorial, across from the American 
flag, is the inscription ``Freedom Is Not Free''. That simple, four 
word phrase is so very meaningful.
  Clearly, from looking around the memorial and reflecting on the 
sacrifices it represents, we can appreciate this phrase in the 
political-military context. But, the phrase ``Freedom Is Not Free'' has 
another everyday meaning, too.
  Let me tell you a true story about a little boy named Jay Kim. The 
year was 1950 and Seoul, the capital of Korea, had been overrun and 
occupied by the Communists. Life was dangerous and miserable.
  Because my family was educated, we were branded ``enemies of the 
people''. Most of our possessions were confiscated and my father was 
forced to go into hiding.
  Others, like my adopted brother, were hunted down, lined up against 
the wall and executed.
  They made the younger boys, including me, watch. I was so scared but 
I'll never forget the way he looked at me and gave me a brave, little 
smile, and then they shot him.
  I was left to care for my mother--always wondering would the next 
bullet be for us?
  Then came the liberation of Seoul. In retreat, the Communists tried 
to destroy everything. They lit our houses on fire and threatened to 
kill anyone who tried to extinguish the flames. We took the risk and 
tried to save what little we had.
  As I was rushing back and forth carrying things from the burning 
house, I heard people shouting that the Marines were coming. I was so 
overjoyed I dropped everything and ran into the street, despite the 
gunfire.
  There were tears in my eyes and I screaming with excitement that 
these brave soldiers had come to save our lives.
  One of the marines--he seemed so big--smiled and gave me some 
spearmint chewing gum. Communist sniper fire rang out and the marine 
sheltered me from the danger. I can still smell his sweat and feel the 
press of his hand keeping me down out of the line of fire.
  With the sniper neutralized, the marine smiled and moved on to save 
some other poor little soul like me. I watched him until he left my 
sight--this angel in a marine uniform who had come to deliver me from 
the hell we were in.
  I knew from that very day, that I wanted to be an American. America 
represented so much hope, opportunity, freedom, and goodness.
  Who else but Americans would come thousands of miles from their homes 
and risk their lives to save some nameless little boy like me?
  After serving in the Korean Army, I was one of the lucky 1 in 1,000 
to be able to come to the United States. I had very little money and 
spoke no English.
  But, I had determination. Spirit was the one thing the Communists 
could not take away from us and I was not going to miss the incredible 
opportunities America presented.
  I worked hard--very hard. A day only has 24 hours, but mine seemed to 
have 30. I went to college and worked at the same time. My wife, who 
joined me a year after I came to California, did the same and we 
started a family. I was a janitor, cleaned up after a supermarket 
butcher, and washed dishes. I took any job I could find to feed my 
family.
  I didn't know about any Government assistance programs then.
  And, even if I had, I wouldn't be qualified for such Government 
subsidy program anyway. Times were tough, but they were nothing like 
the war. I knew that in America hard work would pay off. It did--and it 
still does today. Hard work always pays in America. Through hard work 
and determination I came from the ashes of Seoul to the United States 
Congress. Only in America can this happen.
  But, as the inscription on the memorial reminds us, ``Freedom is Not 
Free.'' Earlier today in this very Chamber, I listened to a lot of 
heated debate about the role of the Federal Government in housing. A 
few weeks ago it was welfare.
  Big government, mandating all kinds of expensive one-size-fits-all 
programs reduces freedom of opportunity. It makes the American dream 
subject to Government regulations and bureaucratic delays.
  Rather than depend on the Government, people must be responsible for 
their own lives. Those who work hard and take advantage of the 
opportunities in this country will succeed.
  Rather than look for a free ride, they should be working hard to 
restore their pride.
  Freedom from want, freedom from poverty, and freedom from illiteracy 
cannot be achieved through endless, free Government handouts. I know 
from personal experience that it is tough being poor. I hated being 
poor.
  But, instead of blaming someone else and demanding more Government 
handouts, I worked hard, determined to achieve success.
  Yes, I had some lousy jobs I did not like. The hours were long and 
the pay was poor. But, I labored hard and got an education and started 
my own business. I was able to buy a nice house and pay back my country 
by serving the public in Congress.
  I did not ask for a free handout to achieve this. I only asked for 
the freedom to pursue the great opportunities this country provides. 
The rest was up to me.
  That's what the American spirit is all about. That's what is 
reflected, so very clearly by the Korean War Memorial. Unselfish 
sacrifice, teamwork, pride, and courage. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge 
all of my colleagues and the American public to take the time to visit 
this new memorial. It is a most moving and rewarding experience.
  It reminds us of why America truly is the greatest country on Earth. 
I'm so proud I'm American.


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