Child, you who do not remember the rough hands of the Samshin Halmae (Korean birth goddess), you who will faintly recall the warm back of being carried, you who called out “Mama” and “Papa” countless times in babbling, you who learned “Do-re-mi” and “Pat-a-cake” separately, you who reached for dreams as a toddler, who am I, where did I come from, why am I here, when asked “Where are you from?” you asked yourself these questions.

Yes, indeed.

Today (February 23, 2023), on the occasion of the historic launch of the ‘K-Diaspora Global Solidarity,’ poet Ko Chang-young presented this congratulatory poem’s opening lines. It gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes. Precious life designated as ‘Korean’! Just like salmon that travel far and wide and return, may you come back to the pure, clear waters of your origins and wash away the scars of your body and soul. To the K-Diaspora youth!