Belated appreciation

Kim Geun-ho was born into a rich family in Bukcheong, South Hamgyeong Province in North Korea in 1937. However, his father died when Geun-ho was just three years of age. Then, when the Chinese Communist Army entered the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War (1950-53), his grandfather, who was penniless, took refuge in Busan. He had only his grandson, Geun-ho.

At this time, Kim's grandfather was so old that he couldn't do anything. Instead, Kim attended middle school and high school by earning money delivering newspapers. After the war ended, he moved to Seoul. He dreamed of having his own company in his 30s and helping students after he earned money.

Soon, Kim married Song. After he had worked at a printing shop for a few years, he started his own business related to press work in Cheongnyang-ni, Seoul. During the early 1970s, most printing shops produced various cards, such as Christmas cards or New Year's cards, in the European style.

But Kim had a gift for painting and design that inspired him to run the company in a different way. He drew Oriental-style pictures that he designed himself, and then made them into cards. He hit the jackpot! As soon as his cards were printed, they sold out immediately. Moreover, Korean diplomatic missionaries around the world took the initiative to sell the cards made by Kim as a way to promote Korea.

This business continued from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s. The Kims' wealth accumulated. One day during the late 1980s, Kim said that he hoped to use his wealth to help poor students. His wife agreed. Her hometown was located in the southern part of South Jeolla Province. Thus, Kim bought a four-story building in Yeosu City, South Jeolla Province. He made it into dormitory housing for one hundred poor high school students who lived on the islands. He managed this job for six years, from 1989 to 1995 until, in 1996 by which point most high schools in Yeosu City had built dormitories.

Suh lived in Seoul where she attended a church where, by chance, she met Song. They got to know each other fast, as they were from the same hometown. One day, while they were having a chat, Suh introduced a minister, Hong. However, Song already knew him. He had guided the couple to open the dormitory house in Yeosu and, at the opening ceremony, had also encouraged them to manage it well.

At the time, Suh was attending a circle that pursued life as art and told the leader of the group about Song's philanthropy. Soon, after listening to the moving story, the leader and his members decided to give the couple an appreciation plaque.

Then, the leader invited Hong, who was living in the USA, and the couple to meet in Gongju City, South Chungcheong Province in November of this year. After Song received the plaque, she said that she was happy to receive this symbol of appreciation. After almost 30 years, their benevolent act was recognized for the first time.

She also said that her husband's ancestors' spirit of sharing and her mother's mercy had influenced their life. Jared Diamond, who wrote the book "The World Until Yesterday," said that much of the past is still with us. That's another reason for wanting to understand what has happened in the past.

In fact, numerous values that maintain our society have a long history. To that point, the couple's generous contribution, the minister's guidance, and the neighbors' applause might be considered a legacy of traditional society.

Kim Jin-heon (shinykim60@hanmail.net) is a retired English teacher who published a book titled, "Flower Is Flower."