Imjin River was one of the critical battles of the Korean War, and perhaps the most tragic. It was also one where two Irish units – the Royal Ulster Rifles and the Irish Hussars – proved their worth in the sternest test of war – a battle against overwhelming odds.
Andrew Salmon, who recently presented to the IAK and guided re-visiting veterans around the “Happy Valley” battlefield during the summer, will lead this IAK organised tour, which will take in the full valley where the RUR fought, stop at their final “backstop” position, and recount the stories of the men who survived. If you have seen him talk or read his books, you’ll know that this will be an unmissable chance to learn more about the war and these battles.
The Columban Missionary Society will be celebrating 80 years of involvement in Korea with a mass in Myeong-dong Cathedral this Tuesday, October 29, at 2pm. All our welcome to attend.
The service will be followed by a photo exhibit of some of their work in Korea in Saint Mary’s Cafe across from the Cathedral, and will be on display until the Thursday after.
The Columbans have had an impressive impact on Korea, and many today still work long hours as part of various charities around the country, and not without their own sacrifices. During the Korean War seven Irish Columban priests were killed when they refused to leave the people and parishes which they had made their homes. There is a small memorial in the Columban house in Seongbuk-dong, as well as the Memorial to the Irish who Fell in the Korean War, erected in the Korean War Memorial, Seoul.
The Love North Korean Children charity is a UK registered NGO that manages 5 bakeries in North Korea that feed some 20,000 children daily. LNKC hopes to open 20 more. To help raise awareness and funds there is a supporter evening on Thurs Nov 14th. This very worthwhile event was brought to our attention by recently arrived Irish person – Catherine Lewis. Probably best if we let her explain more….
“As the international community wrestles with how to help the hungry North Korean population, the U.K. registered NGO, Love North Korean Children, has gained new levels of access in its goal to deliver bread to children suffering from malnutrition across North Korea.
George Rhee, director of LNKC, manages five bakeries in North Korea feeding some 20,000 children each day and he has the ability to monitor operations ensuring that bread gets to those targeted to receive it. LNKC’s dream is to open a bakery in each of the 26 major cities in North Korea; a vision that was borne from George’s first visit to the North in search of his father’s homeland when he witnessed the famine of the 1990s.
George visits the bakeries on a regular basis and works with the local government and schools to make sure that those requiring further nutrition receive LNKC’s bread. North Korea is in the midst of a food shortage – poor harvests, irregular government distribution and lack of resources means that a balanced variety of food is not available to children and for some, the bread they receive from LNKC is all they will eat that day.
Hair and weight loss, skin irritations that lead to infection and tooth damage are some of the symptoms from which the children ostensibly suffer. Natural growth and development is at risk and psychologically, being hungry is a situation that can prevent learning and play as the mind is permanently focussing on food.
The North Korean border is less than 50 miles away from us in Seoul but as political relations are sensitive, delivering aid from South Korea is complicated and in most cases impossible. LNKC buys flour and other ingredients in China and George travels via China so that he can maintain the bakeries.
If you would like to join us on Thursday 14th November please see the above save the date flyer for details and send your Registration Form to catherine@etonhouseprep.com so we can register you and post an invite. If you would like to find out more we would be delighted to get in touch and can also direct you to our website: www.lovenkchildren.org
If you, like us, feel that the crisis in North Korea is a cause to explore and help while living on the Korean peninsula, then by supporting our fundraising event or just by donating on line you will be making the impossible possible and changing the lives of thousands of children.
Many thanks,
Mrs Catherine Lewis, Dr Jana Kovar and Mrs Sujata Hodarkar”
Over the weekend the IAK held its annual assessment meeting. At this meeting we talked about the past year, which we believe was very successful, and of course the association’s outlook for the next twelve months.
While there was much discussed at this meeting and many formative decisions made, what is of most significance is an update on the make-up of the committee. We don’t usually hold formal elections unless they are entirely necessary or called for. However, as of Saturday the IAK is proud to announce that we have a new Chairperson, Shauna Browne.
Shauna has been tirelessly promoting our cause since she joined up in 2011 and has been a revelation in terms of getting events running. She started off working as our PRO, and made great strides promoting and building a strong Facebook and Meetup following. It didn’t take her long to start getting involved in all other kinds of activities, none more so than dancing and music,
Last year, she accepted the role as vice-chair of the association, a position opened up by the necessity to allow for more flexibility and to create a more streamlined decision making process. It also allowed for Shauna to concentrate on more activities than just promoting our events, and she grew to the task admirably. She was instrumental in our 2013 St Patrick’s Day Festival, and the recent Ceili, where she is always a familiar site leading and encouraging dancers, not to mention playing music on stage. To be honest, if there has been an Irish event run in the past twelve months it is sure to have had Shauna’s stamp on it somewhere.
Former IAK Chairman Conor O’Reilly and newly elected Chairwoman Shauna Browne at the 2013 Saint Patrick’s Day festival in Seoul.
As Chairman over the past year it has been a welcome reassurance to have Shauna with me. As I have a young family, I couldn’t guarantee my attendance at many evening and Seoul events. It was at this time that I started working closest with Shauna (probably mostly through kakao talk!) and I began to understand that here was a person who I could recognise my own can-do attitude.
For myself, I am both happy and sad to be stepping down as Chairman. It was a very productive two years for me in the IAK, where I realised many different goals and was granted some unforgettable experiences.
When I set out in 2011 I aimed to make the community more close, and to make the IAK more visible in the Irish community. While I now realise that because of the nature of the Irish community I can never really achieve that, I can at least start to set the train in the right direction. With small numbers and restricted commitment, it will always be an uphill battle but it is an area I hope to continue working on with the IAK.
Another project I am particularly proud of is the Irish Korean Essay Competition. As a lecturer in a university here I realised the importance of attracting the many enthusiastic learners of English to Ireland. While our competition is young, our prize is still significant. This November will see the third essay competition taking place.
Finally, it was this April where I was really humbled and honoured by my position, as I laid a wreath at the foot of the memorial for the Irish who fell during the Korean war. While so much went on behind the scenes for the establishment of this small monument, it was this simple ceremony on a damp morning at the Yongsan Korean War Memorial that made the long hours of preparation worthwhile for all concerned. The IAK is by no means an official representative of the Irish community here, but I think that I was honoured for being the representative of all the Irish in Korea, from the past, the present, and the future.
That’s enough about me though, as it is time to welcome Shauna into the hot-seat. I am sure that she has her own goals and aspirations as chair of the IAK. I think we shall see renewed energy in our activities and I hope that everyone will continue to support Shauna as much as they have supported me over the past two years.
Thank you again to everyone who has been my friend and offered support to our organisation, and I look forward to a bright and vibrant future for the Irish Association of Korea.
Kindest regards
Conor O’Reilly ex-Chairman of the IAK
Committee Officer Update
Shauna Browne has been elected as Chairwoman of the IAK for the first time. Shauna comes from Tipperary and lives in Paju. She has been living in Korea for four years and has been with the IAK since 2011. She is active on the Irish music circuit in Korea, as well as maintaining a healthy blog of her adventures here.
The IAK would like to congratulate Janet Newenham on her new position of Public Relations Officer with the IAK. Janet, a native of Cork and a resident of Paju in Gyeonggi-do, will be busy working on our publicity here in Korea.
We would like to wish Eamonn Maher, our secretary, all the best in the future as he returns to Ireland in January. Eamonn has been working hard as our secretary and as a enthusiastic committee member, getting his hands dirty on all occasions. Of course, his toughest job was undoubtedly making sure Conor followed up on most of his responsibililites…but that’s another story!
With that in mind, the IAK currently have an opening for a secretary in our committee. The main job of the secretary is to communicate about meetings, and to keep minutes.
The IAK is also keen to encourage new committee members to assist in our many activities throughout the year. If you have any experience working promoting events or managing a small non-profit, or if you absoluntely no recognisable skills but bags of enthusiasm and energy, we’d love to hear from you. The IAK works year round promoting Irish culture in Korea and the more hands we have the better job we can do. For details of how you can get involved please email us: irishassociationkorea@gmail.com
The Irish program in the Busan International Film Festival looks great with classics like The Crying Game and Once, and new films such as the Pat Short starring Life’s a Breeze. If you’re living in Busan I’m sure you’ve already plans to see a couple of films from this selection.
On Monday October 7th from 10pm, Jameson will be throwing a Jameson Night with music and Jameson cocktails in O’Kims Bar in the Westin Chosun Hotel to which the Irish community is welcome to attend.
The Irish Association of Korea's aim is to highlight and promote Irish culture in Korea
Irish Association of Korea 한국아일랜드협회 