WT-Youngmi Han-#19-C2

8/9/2019 WT-Youngmi Han-#19-C2

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I Miss his Smile and his Laughter

By Young-mi Han #19 C2

“If you want to take away the students, you must step on me first.” is a famous

saying uttered by the late cardinal, when police came to the cathedral to arrest

students during the democratization movement. (Cardinal Kim Su-hwan, 1987) How

many people can be so strong and act so bravely in front of armed soldiers? Can I?

I'm not sure. I know the one who did on the side of the weak. It's Stephen Kim Su-

hwan, Korea's first cardinal. I don't believe in any particular religion. However, he had

a major influence on my life in terms of how to live and to see the world. More than

400,000 people attended his funeral ceremony, which proved how much he was loved

by Koreans, so I also respected him. In this paper, I will describe why I admire

Stephen Kim Su-hwan greatly and how he has influenced me on my personal and

professional life.

It was early evening on February 16, 2009. Just coming back from work, I saw

breaking news on TV which said 'Stephen Kim dead'. I was shocked because it

happened suddenly. He didn't want people to worry about him, so the news was just

released after his death. He was that kind of person who was always concerned about

many people over himself. His motto was 'for you and for many!'. His life was not

only for the Catholic Church but for all Koreans and for all people. His great love for

people is the most important thing I want to tell you.



Stephen Kim Su-hwan often visited the poor, the disabled, the condemned

prisoner and the homeless and listened to them to improve their standard of living

and the human rights. When he was with them, he was so humble, generous and

open-minded that some people called him just 'grandfather'. He even smiled at those

who didn't favor him. That's the way he practiced his great love: listening to the

underprivileged and helping them find ways to get over their difficulties. In the end,

he donated his eyes which were the only thing to donate due to his old age. His organ

donation inspired many Koreans to join the worthy program. He shared love entire his

life.

Courage against injustice was the second reason why I admire him greatly. He

gave refuge to protesters sought by the police during the democratization movements

of the 1970s and 1980s. As mentioned at the beginning, “If you want to take away

the students, you must step on me first” became his famous saying after that. He

expressed his deep concern for the underprivileged and did not hesitate to speak out.

Besides, he called on the president at the time, Chun Doo-hwan, to allow for Korea's

first open presidential elections. That's why Koreans remember him as the most

reliable and beloved leader in the Korean society.

Kim Su-hwan’s great love for people made a profound impression on the way of

my thinking. Personally, I used to be a bit emotional and sensitive, I easily became

exhausted and sad at work. Looking at him, I set my mind positively and tried to

understand people and situations. I turned into a cheerful person just after I changed

my thinking positively. I also tried to find some ways to help others, especially those

in need. I reached an idea that donation is the easiest and most effective way for me

to practice and share love. Now, I regularly donate some money for my students and

children in need. I also consider joining the organ donation. I'm happy to realize the

joy of sharing love. Love makes the world go round.



Professionally, I'd like to be a better teacher. He inspired me to be more eager

for it, in terms of loving students. Looking back on my former days, I didn't know the

way and skipped some important steps. The golden rule I found out from his legacy

was to listen to my students and to be with them until they don't emotionally and

mentally want me anymore. Sometimes, having somebody to be with makes a big

difference and gives comfort. Whenever I stayed at school late at night, I talked with

my students about anything they wanted. I could hear many hidden stories from

them that led me to the further understanding and was glad to offer some useful

advice. Indeed, love makes the world go round.

Lastly, I hope that I'll be always courageous against injustice like Stephen Kim

Su-hwan. It's one of my philosophy here and there. An ordinary person like me can

do something. I voted in every single election for democracy, kept traffic order for

somebody's safety and offered my seat for the disabled and elderly. At school, I

attended a student council meeting for revising school rules and opened up my idea

for them. This is my own way of practice courage.

The priceless message Stephen Kim Su-hwan left through his life is to love all

people around me. I’m grateful that I could realize how important and rewarding it is

to love people even when it takes courage. I’m also glad to find myself trying to be a

loving, caring and brave person personally and professionally. In fact, his life gave me

an opportunity to grow further as a human and a teacher. Though the cardinal left us,

he will always remain in my heart. I miss his smile and his laughter.

WT-Youngmi Han-#19-C2

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