• UN Memorial Cemetery: Remembrance

    The only United Nations Memorial Cemetery in the world is located in Nam-gu, Busan.After learning that fact, I decided to do a project report on the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea. As a youth reporter for Leaders Times, I visited the UNMCK to cover meaningful historical facts.Together with reporters for Leaders Times, I initially visited Busan out of curiosity about the soldiers and countries that made sacrifices to protect Korea. There, many people were honoring the soldiers and veterans who participated in the Korean War. As I wandered through the memorial cemetery, observing the memorial stones and events, I felt an even stronger desire to learn more about the immense courage and sacrifice of these soldiers.To briefly explain the war, the Korean War began with North Korea's invasion of South Korea, supported by the Soviet Union, on June 25, 1950. Initially, North Korea pushed South Korea all the way down to Busan, where the last defense line, known as the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, was established. However, the tide began to turn on September 15, 1950, when General MacArthur launched a daring counterattack at Incheon with the support of the United Nations. This marked a significant moment, as it was the first major military action under the United Nations Command. Thanks to the efforts of many countries and General MacArthur, the South was able to push the North back to the Yalu River near China. Feeling threatened, China intervened to help North Korea, ultimately resulting in a stalemate near the 38th parallel.Many nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands, Canada, France, New Zealand, Philippines, Turkey, Thailand, South Africa, Greece, Ethiopia, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Colombia, contributed troops under the United Nations command. Among them, 36,516 U.S. soldiers, along with many others from various nations, lost their lives in the effort to protect Korea, a country many had never known before the war. In honor of the soldiers, the UM Memorial Cemetery is dedicated to honoring the soldiers and ensuring that those buried there rest in peace. Busan was chosen as the site because it was the only place that remained safe when North Korea invaded, and it continues to stand as a symbol of peace and protection for the country.As I saw and read more about the UN cemetery and all the nations that came to South Korea’s aid, I realized that honoring the sacrifice of these soldiers is not just about remembering history; it's about acknowledging the profound impact of their bravery on our present and future. I wanted to do something to commemorate their courage. This is why other students and I made a “Freedom isn’t Free” shirt and help fundraise enough for a wreath at the UN memorial cemetery to honor the soldiers buried in the cemetery. Although I placed a wreath for one soldier, this personal act of remembrance is my way of showing respect and gratitude for the soldiers who laid down their lives for the peace and protection of the world.Thank you for your service and sacrifice. If it were not for the soldiers who protected this small land, we would not exist today. My country, as well as the rest of the world, would not be free without your dedication and bravery.   - Hyeonseok Rho,  Junior (11th grade) at Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, Missouri.-      

  • Global News
  • 영어뉴스

  2024-08-15

• Respect for UN soldiers

    The Korean War, which took place from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, began when North Korea launched an attack on South Korea with the aim of conquering the South and gaining control of the entire peninsula. This conflict resulted in significant loss of life, as well as widespread destruction of homes and property. In response, many UN member countries, especially the United States, came together to support South Korea. The U.S. remains a protective force in the region to this day.General Douglas MacArthur led the Incheon Landing Operation, despite concerns that it was a highly risky endeavor. However, MacArthur’s leadership resulted in a successful recapture of Incheon, thanks to the sacrifices of both Korean and UN soldiers. To honor these sacrifices, the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea was established on January 18, 1951. With my fellow youth reporters for Leaders Times, I visited the cemetery on June 25 this year, during a ceremony marking the 74th anniversary of the war and paying tribute to the fallen veterans. Interestingly, many non-Korean veterans expressed a desire to be buried in Korea, rather than in their hometowns.The ceremony began with an opening statement and an overview of the events, followed by a performance of marching and singing by children. We then recited the Pledge of Allegiance, prayed, and sang the Korean national anthem to honor the victims. High-ranking officials in Korea delivered a commemorative address, and a flower-placing ceremony followed, which I believe is one of the most powerful moments of the event. During this part of the ceremony, the representative narrator offered prayers for all the fallen veterans, while flowers were placed by bereaved families and others wishing to express their gratitude.After attending the ceremony, I felt a deep sense of gratitude toward those who sacrificed their lives to save Korea. I learned that even people without direct ties to the fallen soldiers could donate flowers in their honor, which inspired me to raise awareness of this important UN commemoration. To do so, I, with other youths, help sell T-shirts to raise funds for placing a bouquet on a UN soldier’s tomb. During my visit with other Leaders Times reporters, I also explored a museum that displayed lists and photographs of the UN countries involved in the Korean War. Seeing these images filled me with profound respect for the veterans, as I imagined the immense courage required to face the North Korean Army. Although war inevitably brings great loss, today’s military forces are dedicated to protecting their families, citizens, and countries. As a student, I am committed to supporting these efforts and serving in the military to help safeguard our world.   - Do Yoon Park,  Junior (11th grade) at Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, Missouri.-   

  • Global News
  • 글로벌리더스

  2024-08-15

• North Korean Defector Ahn Chung Guk’s Art Exhibition: “Form from the Other Side (저 너머의 형태)”

    [Leaders Times] From March 5 to June 28, 2024, artist Ahn Chung Guk’s special abstract art exhibition will take place at the Unification Ministry’s Uni-Korean Cultural Center in Magok-dong Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Anyone can enjoy his work from every day except Sunday and Monday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. This exhibition, ‘Form from the Other Side,’ comprises 30 works in three series: Circle, Light, and Wall.Ahn Chung Guk, a North Korean defector, escaped from North Korea when he was fifteen in 2009, and he enrolled and graduated from Hongik University majoring in painting. Currently, he is working as a freelance artist. To him, the subject of ‘North Korean defection’ is a significant idea to represent his experiences and heartwarming memories. Still, he expressed there is a need for more study about North Korea because words like ‘North Korean government’ or ‘North Korean human rights’ are heavily complicated. Ahn said he wants to have the opportunity to talk about North Korea with one of the projects.In one of three series, the Circle series, the moon and circular lights, which helped An Chung Guk find his way in the dark when he was living in Onsong, North Hamgyong, are painted. Moonlight was a compass of life that constantly guided his sight, and his experiences and memories under the moonlight became one of the compositions that formed his identity and settled down his distinct features in his artwork.Also, in the Light series, various neon colors are used. Ahn Chung Guk was shocked by their bright and colorful appearances when he first arrived in China. His astonishing conversion to his big decision that he would take the Light series forever. In Ahn Chung Guk’s Wall series, his works incorporate cement, copper, and acrylic. He usually uses cement. His experience working under his father, a carpenter, helped him use this material to create art. He uses his unique mesh fixing method. Firstly, he pours cement on the canvas and sharpens it with sandpaper. After repeating these processes, he secures the mesh on the cement and approaches his distinctive artwork by spreading out copper and scribbling.Ahn Chung Guk believes the beauty of aesthetics is ‘whatever looks like himself,’ so he exhibits the works that show himself. Most of his works represent “identity.” Particularly, his signature, which appears harmoniously as a painting on the canvas, is more highly located on the canvas than that of other general artists. This intention indicates an incomplete condition in that he is still looking for his identity, unlike other people living stable lives in society.Likewise, his own thoughts on the beauty of art also show up in the materials used in his works. The features of cement and copper, such as roughness, rustiness, and flow, represent his life, which has undergone rough experiences as a North Korean defector. Their changing color and shape over time symbolize Ahn Chung Guk’s sense of identity, which is continuously evolving.It is also important to keep in mind that Ahn focuses on the values of visitors’ perspectives rather than solely the author’s intention in the arts. Therefore, he recommends that visitors appreciate the artwork before checking the titles. He hopes all the authors, visitors, and artworks harmonize during his art exhibition, ‘Form from the Other Side.’ This hope appears in his artworks. Ahn Chung Guk's paintings evoke sympathy in anyone.

  • 뉴스
  • 문화

  2024-06-21

• French Article

      Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, named after the patron saint of Paris, was founded by French Canadians around 1735, making it the oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri. Much of Ste. Geneviève’s charm is due to the exceptional preservation of the original colonial settlement  Still maintaining houses built by the French in the 18th century, Ste. Genevieve attracts tourists through many early French settlers’ homes. Beauvais-Amoureux Historic House, for example, was built in 1792 with a steeply-pointed roof, reminiscent of early French Canadian architecture. Other historic buildings are the Bolduc & LeMeilleur Houses built with vertical log structures, representing the colonial Americans' living conditions. Having visited the historic housing sites at Ste. Geneviève’s National Registered Historic District, I found myself fully immersed in each room. The plentiful French early Empire furniture in every living quarter caught my attention instantly. At the Felix Vallé Historical House Site, a fully operating fresh garden was still cultivated in the original brick and frame outbuildings.  Sainte Genevieve Catholic Parish also depicts French influence on the previously French, Louisiana Purchase territory. Catholic church in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, is the first organized European church west of the Mississippi River. The interior is filled with original stained glass windows and paintings from the French colonial era. Last but not least, the Louis Bolduc House Museum is a prime example of traditional French Colonial architecture. In 1792, Louis Bolduc, a successful merchant built a one-story house at the new village site. Still owned by the Bolduc family descendants until the 1940s, the Louis Bolduc House now turned into a museum for colonial French artifacts and furnished pieces. If you visit the States, make sure to explore the French influence on towns like Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.   - Alex Lee,  senior (12th grade) at Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, Missouri.-   

  • Global News
  • 지구촌

  2022-11-08

실시간 문화, 스포츠 기사

• UN Memorial Cemetery: Remembrance

    The only United Nations Memorial Cemetery in the world is located in Nam-gu, Busan.After learning that fact, I decided to do a project report on the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea. As a youth reporter for Leaders Times, I visited the UNMCK to cover meaningful historical facts.Together with reporters for Leaders Times, I initially visited Busan out of curiosity about the soldiers and countries that made sacrifices to protect Korea. There, many people were honoring the soldiers and veterans who participated in the Korean War. As I wandered through the memorial cemetery, observing the memorial stones and events, I felt an even stronger desire to learn more about the immense courage and sacrifice of these soldiers.To briefly explain the war, the Korean War began with North Korea's invasion of South Korea, supported by the Soviet Union, on June 25, 1950. Initially, North Korea pushed South Korea all the way down to Busan, where the last defense line, known as the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, was established. However, the tide began to turn on September 15, 1950, when General MacArthur launched a daring counterattack at Incheon with the support of the United Nations. This marked a significant moment, as it was the first major military action under the United Nations Command. Thanks to the efforts of many countries and General MacArthur, the South was able to push the North back to the Yalu River near China. Feeling threatened, China intervened to help North Korea, ultimately resulting in a stalemate near the 38th parallel.Many nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands, Canada, France, New Zealand, Philippines, Turkey, Thailand, South Africa, Greece, Ethiopia, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Colombia, contributed troops under the United Nations command. Among them, 36,516 U.S. soldiers, along with many others from various nations, lost their lives in the effort to protect Korea, a country many had never known before the war. In honor of the soldiers, the UM Memorial Cemetery is dedicated to honoring the soldiers and ensuring that those buried there rest in peace. Busan was chosen as the site because it was the only place that remained safe when North Korea invaded, and it continues to stand as a symbol of peace and protection for the country.As I saw and read more about the UN cemetery and all the nations that came to South Korea’s aid, I realized that honoring the sacrifice of these soldiers is not just about remembering history; it's about acknowledging the profound impact of their bravery on our present and future. I wanted to do something to commemorate their courage. This is why other students and I made a “Freedom isn’t Free” shirt and help fundraise enough for a wreath at the UN memorial cemetery to honor the soldiers buried in the cemetery. Although I placed a wreath for one soldier, this personal act of remembrance is my way of showing respect and gratitude for the soldiers who laid down their lives for the peace and protection of the world.Thank you for your service and sacrifice. If it were not for the soldiers who protected this small land, we would not exist today. My country, as well as the rest of the world, would not be free without your dedication and bravery.   - Hyeonseok Rho,  Junior (11th grade) at Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, Missouri.-      

  • Global News
  • 영어뉴스

  2024-08-15

• Respect for UN soldiers

    The Korean War, which took place from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, began when North Korea launched an attack on South Korea with the aim of conquering the South and gaining control of the entire peninsula. This conflict resulted in significant loss of life, as well as widespread destruction of homes and property. In response, many UN member countries, especially the United States, came together to support South Korea. The U.S. remains a protective force in the region to this day.General Douglas MacArthur led the Incheon Landing Operation, despite concerns that it was a highly risky endeavor. However, MacArthur’s leadership resulted in a successful recapture of Incheon, thanks to the sacrifices of both Korean and UN soldiers. To honor these sacrifices, the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea was established on January 18, 1951. With my fellow youth reporters for Leaders Times, I visited the cemetery on June 25 this year, during a ceremony marking the 74th anniversary of the war and paying tribute to the fallen veterans. Interestingly, many non-Korean veterans expressed a desire to be buried in Korea, rather than in their hometowns.The ceremony began with an opening statement and an overview of the events, followed by a performance of marching and singing by children. We then recited the Pledge of Allegiance, prayed, and sang the Korean national anthem to honor the victims. High-ranking officials in Korea delivered a commemorative address, and a flower-placing ceremony followed, which I believe is one of the most powerful moments of the event. During this part of the ceremony, the representative narrator offered prayers for all the fallen veterans, while flowers were placed by bereaved families and others wishing to express their gratitude.After attending the ceremony, I felt a deep sense of gratitude toward those who sacrificed their lives to save Korea. I learned that even people without direct ties to the fallen soldiers could donate flowers in their honor, which inspired me to raise awareness of this important UN commemoration. To do so, I, with other youths, help sell T-shirts to raise funds for placing a bouquet on a UN soldier’s tomb. During my visit with other Leaders Times reporters, I also explored a museum that displayed lists and photographs of the UN countries involved in the Korean War. Seeing these images filled me with profound respect for the veterans, as I imagined the immense courage required to face the North Korean Army. Although war inevitably brings great loss, today’s military forces are dedicated to protecting their families, citizens, and countries. As a student, I am committed to supporting these efforts and serving in the military to help safeguard our world.   - Do Yoon Park,  Junior (11th grade) at Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, Missouri.-   

  • Global News
  • 글로벌리더스

  2024-08-15

• North Korean Defector Ahn Chung Guk’s Art Exhibition: “Form from the Other Side (저 너머의 형태)”

    [Leaders Times] From March 5 to June 28, 2024, artist Ahn Chung Guk’s special abstract art exhibition will take place at the Unification Ministry’s Uni-Korean Cultural Center in Magok-dong Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Anyone can enjoy his work from every day except Sunday and Monday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. This exhibition, ‘Form from the Other Side,’ comprises 30 works in three series: Circle, Light, and Wall.Ahn Chung Guk, a North Korean defector, escaped from North Korea when he was fifteen in 2009, and he enrolled and graduated from Hongik University majoring in painting. Currently, he is working as a freelance artist. To him, the subject of ‘North Korean defection’ is a significant idea to represent his experiences and heartwarming memories. Still, he expressed there is a need for more study about North Korea because words like ‘North Korean government’ or ‘North Korean human rights’ are heavily complicated. Ahn said he wants to have the opportunity to talk about North Korea with one of the projects.In one of three series, the Circle series, the moon and circular lights, which helped An Chung Guk find his way in the dark when he was living in Onsong, North Hamgyong, are painted. Moonlight was a compass of life that constantly guided his sight, and his experiences and memories under the moonlight became one of the compositions that formed his identity and settled down his distinct features in his artwork.Also, in the Light series, various neon colors are used. Ahn Chung Guk was shocked by their bright and colorful appearances when he first arrived in China. His astonishing conversion to his big decision that he would take the Light series forever. In Ahn Chung Guk’s Wall series, his works incorporate cement, copper, and acrylic. He usually uses cement. His experience working under his father, a carpenter, helped him use this material to create art. He uses his unique mesh fixing method. Firstly, he pours cement on the canvas and sharpens it with sandpaper. After repeating these processes, he secures the mesh on the cement and approaches his distinctive artwork by spreading out copper and scribbling.Ahn Chung Guk believes the beauty of aesthetics is ‘whatever looks like himself,’ so he exhibits the works that show himself. Most of his works represent “identity.” Particularly, his signature, which appears harmoniously as a painting on the canvas, is more highly located on the canvas than that of other general artists. This intention indicates an incomplete condition in that he is still looking for his identity, unlike other people living stable lives in society.Likewise, his own thoughts on the beauty of art also show up in the materials used in his works. The features of cement and copper, such as roughness, rustiness, and flow, represent his life, which has undergone rough experiences as a North Korean defector. Their changing color and shape over time symbolize Ahn Chung Guk’s sense of identity, which is continuously evolving.It is also important to keep in mind that Ahn focuses on the values of visitors’ perspectives rather than solely the author’s intention in the arts. Therefore, he recommends that visitors appreciate the artwork before checking the titles. He hopes all the authors, visitors, and artworks harmonize during his art exhibition, ‘Form from the Other Side.’ This hope appears in his artworks. Ahn Chung Guk's paintings evoke sympathy in anyone.

  • 뉴스
  • 문화

  2024-06-21

• French Article

      Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, named after the patron saint of Paris, was founded by French Canadians around 1735, making it the oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri. Much of Ste. Geneviève’s charm is due to the exceptional preservation of the original colonial settlement  Still maintaining houses built by the French in the 18th century, Ste. Genevieve attracts tourists through many early French settlers’ homes. Beauvais-Amoureux Historic House, for example, was built in 1792 with a steeply-pointed roof, reminiscent of early French Canadian architecture. Other historic buildings are the Bolduc & LeMeilleur Houses built with vertical log structures, representing the colonial Americans' living conditions. Having visited the historic housing sites at Ste. Geneviève’s National Registered Historic District, I found myself fully immersed in each room. The plentiful French early Empire furniture in every living quarter caught my attention instantly. At the Felix Vallé Historical House Site, a fully operating fresh garden was still cultivated in the original brick and frame outbuildings.  Sainte Genevieve Catholic Parish also depicts French influence on the previously French, Louisiana Purchase territory. Catholic church in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, is the first organized European church west of the Mississippi River. The interior is filled with original stained glass windows and paintings from the French colonial era. Last but not least, the Louis Bolduc House Museum is a prime example of traditional French Colonial architecture. In 1792, Louis Bolduc, a successful merchant built a one-story house at the new village site. Still owned by the Bolduc family descendants until the 1940s, the Louis Bolduc House now turned into a museum for colonial French artifacts and furnished pieces. If you visit the States, make sure to explore the French influence on towns like Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.   - Alex Lee,  senior (12th grade) at Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, Missouri.-   

  • Global News
  • 지구촌

  2022-11-08

• 미국에서재미있었던행사∙체험에관하여

  미국에서재미있었던행사체험에관하여                                                                                                                  이은준   Our Lady of Lakes   졸업반수련회 (Senior Retreat)     먼저Senior Retreat을간단하게설명하자면,같은해에졸업하는학우들과함께뜻깊은 1박2일을보내는것이다. 짧은기간이지만잠시바빴던학교생활로부터휴식을가지면서친구들과더욱친해지기도하고, 여러교회관련활동을통해예수님과가까워지는시간을가진다.공립학교에도이런행사를진행하는지는잘모르겠지만,본인이다니는학교는사립학교라이런새롭게의미있는경험을할수있었다.   구체적으로어떤활동을했는지설명해보겠다. 먼저수련회장소에도착하여지도자를만나고가벼운게임들로행사를시작했다. 이를통해친구들과더친해질뿐만아니라서먹함또한없앨수있었다. 이후,교회로가서예배를드리고설교를들었다. 자유시간도주어져서농구도하고,탁구도치며재미있는시간을보냈다. 다음활동으로는학기동안함께시간을보내지못했거나, 별로친하지않은친구들에게1대1로궁금했던질문을하며서로를알아가는시간을가졌다. 이뿐만아니라같은학년학우들에게편지를쓰면서서로를칭찬해주는시간도가졌다. 이런활동으로별로안친하던친구들을더알아갈수있어서굉장히의미가있었다. 특히서로에게편지를쓰는활동이가장기억에남는다. 마지막으로다시교회로돌아가예수님께자신의죄를말하고회개를하였다. 한국에서교회를다닐때에는죄를회개하는시간을가져본적이없고그런기회조차많지않았기에되게색달랐다.       1박2일이라는굉장히짧은시간이었기에많은활동을할수는없었지만,한국의수련회혹은수학여행과는정말다른,굉장히색다르고의미있는경험이기에본인의미국생활중기억에남는다.      사이더밀(Cider Mill)           사이더밀은가을을대표하는행사로주로미시간주에서유명하다. 농장에서사과를재배할시기가되면방앗간에서사과를짜낸즙으로사과주스를만든다. 이때갓만든사과주스와도넛을함께먹으며농장을구경하는계절행사이다,   사이더밀이기억에남는이유는영화로만봐왔던미국농장풍경을직접보고재미있는체험들을했기때문이다. 본인이간장소는Northville Cider Mill 이라는곳이다.도착하기전부터창밖으로소외양간, 돌아다니는말들을볼수있었다. 농장이라그런지장소가굉장히컸고, 여러가지체험활동을마련해주었다. 기념품상점들도있고, 공연하는장소도있었으며트랙터를타고농장을돌아보는체험도있었다. 행사에서가장재미있었던것은옥수수밭미로(Corn Maze)였다. 말그대로옥수수밭에만들어진미로를탈출하는체험이다. 호스트가족들과함께들어갔는데,서로먼저앞장서간다음옥수수밭에숨어있다가놀라게하며, 함께미로를탈출해재미있는시간을보냈다. 트랙터를타고농장을둘러보기도했다. 특히할로윈시즌에는트랙터를타고가는길에여러장식도하며사람들을놀라게하기도한다       

  • 청소년기자단
  • 문화, 스포츠

  2022-05-08