Dear Readers,
I wrote an article for Plough, and I wanted to share it with you here on substack:
From This Side
Seventy years after the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, an American living in Korea reflects on the divided nation.
After reading, enjoy some bonus photos.
Above, on the right, is “Haraboeji”, whose presence reminds me that Korea was not always two separate countries, and that South Korea as I know it is very different from how he knew it.
A tank passes just meters behind us as we sing and pray for peace. The threat of war is not imaginary but prayers for peace are never futile.
We (all who attended) walk to the base of Soi Mountain to pray together. The mountains in the distance are North Korea.
We enjoy some traditional Korean musical performances. Does North Korea do the same?
Lastly, we gaze over rice paddies, to the DMZ, and beyond into North Korea. There can be tensions and even war, but can there be peace instead?
Pray.