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War
And The Korean Community
From JoongAng (Editorial)
Mar 19, 2003
War has begun despite the world's desire for a peaceful solution.
Even though we are far from the battlefield in Iraq, we are soldiers
without guns in a sense that it is impossible to avoid the
direct and indirect effects of the war at home. Moreover, if Iraqi
terrorists or Al Qaeda members can possibly perform a terrorist
attack targeting the United States, we can be affected as well.
Living in one of the world's most threatened cities, we are already
facing everyday inconveniences regarding the high level of security
of checks and inspections. Also, in addition to the ongoing recession,
the war's mood deters many people from consuming, which affects
Korean store-owners.
Travel agencies, restaurants and dry cleaners are affected because
of constrained spending on unnecessary expenses.
Ultimately, our businesses and households are damaged regardless
of whether each individual is pro-war or anti-war. If the war is
not avoidable, it would be wise to confront it using a strategy
that allows us to be least affected by it.
Then, what should be the first step in confronting this war?
We have to consider our neighbors and community. There are families
who are directly affected as well as those who suffer from related
economic difficulties. There are families with a parent, son or
brother in Iraq, such as Lieutenant Oh and Lieutenant Cho. We have
to visit these families and hope for their relatives' safe returns.
We have to pray also for the Americans whose family members
were sent to the war.
Major inconveniences like checks and inspections in the city are
expected. We have to look for the way to help each other through
car-pooling.
Also, we can be emotionally vulnerable and nervous during times
of war: we have to be patient with each other and act and communicate
gently.
Moreover, to deal with possible economic depression, if we are
going to spend money, we should go to Korean businesses for grocery
shopping, washing our cars, or for a meeting place. We have to cooperate
to overcome this challenge by helping our own community and enabling
Korean businesses to survive.
Translated from Korean by JooYeon Lee
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