Review of Dr Kim's lecture

[Gustav Holst - Jupiter]

Wanted by the North Korean government, Dr Kim Hyun-Sik didn't looked the fugitive sort that both dictators Kim II Sung or Kim Jong II wanted dead. Speaking through a translator at a lecture here today, Dr Kim told us a rather light-hearted and pious story of his life - how he grew up in the authoritarian Democratic People's Republic of Korea (i.e. North Korea), how he was injured in the Korean War and miraculously survived, how he was selected by Kim II Sung to tutor his nephew and to represent DPRK to fly to USSR to teach the Korean language and how he effectively deflected from DPRK. One can only wonder at the great lengths that his message of unity and faith has been through in order to be delivered to us today. Despite all that he's been through, he does not bear any grudge or any form of hatred for DPRK. Instead, he continues to work on 2 projects to assist in the educational and spiritual development of his fellow compatriots in DPRK. Looking at his passion and faith, one's urge to contribute to his cause can only grow stronger.

After the lecture, when Anna, Yongmin and I approached Dr Kim and his wife for a photo, his wife would put her hands around our backs and "sayang-ed" us. She speak little English but that simple gesture was filled with some much warmth, gratitude and love, and it really touched my heart.

And so once again, very much like the ex-Secretary for Defense, William Perry's lecture, I was reminded of the price of peace and sovereignty of a nation. Coupled with the my Peace, War and Defense major, these issues mean a lot to me as I strive to remind myself daily in my studies and eventually professionally. It is only through the eyes of these people then you can see how fortunate we Singaporeans truly are, how important it is to ensure our blessings and to spread it around the world. On that note, I'm really blessed to be here at such a great university and I hope that I'd be exposed to many more of such opportunities in the future.