The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Thu, August 18, 2022 | 19:20
Isang Yun’s Widow Visits Homeland After 40 Years
Posted : 2007-09-12 17:29
Updated : 2007-09-12 17:29
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

I Soo-ja, 80, wife of the late maestro composer Isang Yun, holds a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday.
/ Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

I Soo-ja, 80, wife of the late maestro composer Isang Yun (1917-1995), has returned home Tuesday for the first time in 40 years since being kidnapped here together with her husband from Germany by the South Korean secret police. The highly scandalous East Berlin spy incident had scarred the Korean-German couple for life, but the upcoming Isang Yun Festival signals the recovery of her husband's honor here, I told reporters at a press conference in Seoul.

``Please help the cultural heritage Prof. Isang Yun has left behind to blossom and bear fruit,'' she urged. She broke into tears several times during the press meeting, having to pause but she maintained her composure throughout.

``That is the way to truly honor and reestablish the impaired reputation of a tragic artist who had lived as a proud son of the nation,'' she said.

Yun gained a strong reputation in the international avant-garde scene while pursuing a musical career in Berlin during the late 1950s and 60s. His life took a tragic turn in 1967 when the South Korean government accused him of ``high treason.'' An international petition lead by Igor Stravinsky and Herbert von Karajan enabled him to escape life imprisonment. The couple had since lived in Berlin, and Yun was interred in a grave of honor bestowed upon by the City Senate when he died in 1995.

``As a son of the nation, Prof. Isang Yun lived with no shame whatsoever and has shined upon his motherland. The entirety of 150 artworks endorse the spirit and thoughts of his homeland,'' she said.

``I thought I was rather unemotional but once I boarded the homebound plane I burst into a rage of tears,'' she said. ``My husband comes home with me in spirit.''

I said she feels rather foreign in Seoul, but hopes she can become better attached over time. She plans to attend programs here celebrating her late husband, and also visit Yun's hometown in Hamheung, and make a trip to Jeju Island. She will then fly to Pyongyang Oct. 3 to participate in the annual Isang Yun celebrations there.

The 2007 Isang Yun Festival commemorates Yun in Seoul, Pyongyang and Berlin, through a variety of programs, Sep.16-Nov.10. Visit www.isangyun.org for more information.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
 
LG
  • Samsung's defective washing machine fans consumer concerns
  • Korea urged to overhaul pension, tax systems to cope with rapidly-aging population
  • [INTERVIEW] Moon rallies int'l support for unification of two Koreas
  • Yoon confident about Korea hosting World Expo 2030
  • 'Labor law should be changed in line with Fourth Industrial Revolution'
  • Standard Chartered Bank chief to visit Seoul in late August
  • Yoon opposes forceful change to status quo in North Korea
  • [INTERVIEW] Data essential for 'evidence-based decisions': Statistics Korea commissioner
  • Envoy raises awareness of Korea among Serbian public
  • What polls don't say about Yoon
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • [INTERVIEW] Director of 'A Model Family' on blending Korean and European-style thrillers [INTERVIEW] Director of 'A Model Family' on blending Korean and European-style thrillers
    • Thriller series 'Flower Of Evil' becomes first K-drama to be remade in India Thriller series 'Flower Of Evil' becomes first K-drama to be remade in India
    • 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' to be made into musicals in 2024 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' to be made into musicals in 2024
    • [INTERVIEW] YouTubers bridge Korean, Muslim and Latin American cultures [INTERVIEW] YouTubers bridge Korean, Muslim and Latin American cultures
    • 'Mukbang' binge-eating shows give way to new trend of eating little 'Mukbang' binge-eating shows give way to new trend of eating little
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group