A Day With the Mayors
Day 2 While In Seoul
The second day was spent visiting the City Government Offices and meeting the mayors. We were treated like royalty, having pictures taken, refreshments, and gifts. In each city, we had the opportunity to sit down with the mayor, ask questions, listen, and see their offices.
Marit’s birth story is from Pocheon. We learned all about the city and that a lot of rice is from there. You may wonder what we are doing with our fingers; it is a heart symbol made with our index finger and thumb. It shows our love for that area and the people.
Susie, Milan, and I have connections in Yangju. We were shown the files in the basement where children’s records are kept at this office. Susie and I were given a copy of our “child card,” which is basically a card that has our name and information on it prior to going to either the orphanage or wherever we were being sent.
While my orphanage, Yangju Babies Home, was located in Dongducheon, not in Yangju, we visited this office to see if any information could be retrieved. The mayor said he grew up in Dongducheon and recollects some of the memories of the orphanage but needs more information about it. But he was willing to help us with whatever questions we may have.
We went to visit where the Yangju Babies Home used to be, which is now a Baskin Robbins. We discovered that the Orphanage began in the mid-to-late 1950s and closed in 1981 when the Kwaks (its founders) moved to the United States.
We then went to the entrance of Camp Casey to take pictures, as we couldn’t enter without permission. We learned that the army soldiers often came to play with the children at the orphanage, and some even adopted the children.
Then, we stopped at the Uijeongbu City Government office to get a picture as we couldn’t get an appointment with the officials there. This is where Susie and I were “found.” I have a lot of questions that I would have asked if we could have met with them.
It was a great day but heavy with many emotions, questions, and few answers.