Overview

Kim Duri, a woman born in 1929, shares her life story. 

Kim Duri, born in 1929, shares her life story. Duri's grandson, a seasoned journalist, recorded her life that cuts across South Korea's modern history. Duri's life is a live testimonial as she was the witness and the party involved in the South Korea's experience associated with comfort women, forced enlistment, ideological conflict, and the Korean War.  

Born during Japanese colonization, Duri's life began in poverty. At the time when there was not enough to wear or eat, the Imperial Japanese army attempted to drag young men and women to the heart of war away from their families. Young women's parents sought husbands for their daughters through matchmakers to prevent their daughters from being taken away. It didn't matter how poor or old the prospective sons-in-law were. The parents simply needed ways to save their daughters.

During the time when girls were not taught to read, Duri studied to read. Nobody taught her. She listened and taught herself when her younger brother was studying. However, even this did not last long. The era demanded Duri to get married or participate in the war. She was forced to choose the path to be a wife and a daughter-in-law.

Duri's married life continued to be impoverished. Her husband was taken into the imperial army; her daughter died of starvation; her food storage was empty. Without knowing whether her husband was  dead or alive, Duri set out to Pohang following the rumor about her husband -- a stream of light. Passing through the crowd of refugees and streets filled with American soldiers, Duri finally came to discover that nothing was waiting for her. It felt like there was no other solution but to throw herself into the river ahead of her, but she collected herself. If she lived on, there would be an end to this.

Through this book, the author aims to deliver the stories of lives that were easily forgotten. He hopes to record the experiences of the individuals who survived the treacherous era, rather than being remembered as part of the number. He also aspires for everyone living in the contemporary era to speak out and live as individuals.

About author

Oral History by Kim Duri

Duri was born in 1929 in Yeongil (present day Pohang). In the spring when she turned fifteen, her mother attempted to arrange a marriage for Duri in order to avoid being recruited as a comfort woman for the Imperial Japanese army, but the engagement was canceled. South Korea was liberated while Duri and her husband were hiding in a rural town to avoid being forcefully enlisted for the Imperial Japanese army. 

The political divide in the Korean peninsula following the liberation led to painful years. She attempted to commit suicide twice after losing hope in poverty and solitude. Being worried for and missing her children is the biggest concern.

Recorded by Choi Kyuha

Kyua is Duri's grandson. He is a seasoned journalist with twelve years of experience, including monthly Small Book, Oh My News, BookDB, and Baby News.

During his career as a journalist, he was recognized with International Amnesty Media Awards, Gender Equality Media Award, Internet Election Reporting Awards, and This Year's Reporting Awards. He is the author of Answers to Educating Children Ages 0-7, Locating Moonlit Labor, Finding Hidden Labor, and Nanjido Pasodoble.