Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has used his public platform to highlight a poignant new function of oral history, recommending the book “Because There Is Love, I Can Live” (사랑이 있으니 살아집디다), recently authored by writer Rhyu Si-min. The work serves as a memoir of Kang Soon-hee, whose life story intersects with some of the most turbulent chapters of the peninsula’s modern era.
In a Facebook post shared on April 8, Moon described the book as the autobiography of Kang Soon-hee, the wife of Woo Hong-sun, a victim of the infamous People’s Revolutionary Party (PRP) incident. Moon noted that the book was crafted through a collaborative process, with writer Rhyu Si-min listening to and organizing the oral testimonies of the then 93-year-old Kang.
Beyond the Tragedy of the PRP Incident
The core of the narrative centers on the People’s Revolutionary Party incident, which Moon characterized as one of the “worst judicial murders” committed by the Park Chung-hee administration. Whereas the book documents the harrowing details of the case and the desperate rescue efforts led by the wives of the accused, Moon emphasized that the work transcends a mere political or legal record.
According to the former president, the book provides a broader lens into the survival and resilience of a woman who lived through the most volatile eras of the 20th century. Born in Pakchon County, North Pyongan Province, Kang’s life spanned the liberation from Japanese colonial rule and the devastation of the Korean War, making her personal trajectory a mirror of South Korea’s broader modern history.
Moon’s recommendation highlights the dual nature of the text: This proves both a historical witness to state violence and a deeply personal account of love and loss. He noted that the narrative follows the trajectory of Kang’s relationship with Woo Hong-sun, from their early romance to the painful moment of his passing.
A Portrait of Resilience and Agency
In his reflection on the text, Moon praised Kang’s strength and multifaceted identity. He described her as a woman who lived “diligently and bravely,” balancing her roles as a daughter, daughter-in-law, and mother while simultaneously engaging in a fierce struggle against an oppressive regime to save her husband.
The recommendation underscores a theme of subjective agency. Moon wrote that the book presents the life of a woman who remained “independent and dignified” despite the harshness of her personal history and the oppressive nature of the era. By bringing this story to light, the work aims to humanize the victims of political purges, shifting the focus from the crime and the court to the lived experience of those left behind.
Key Elements of the Narrative
- Oral History: The book is based on the direct spoken accounts of Kang Soon-hee, curated by writer Rhyu Si-min.
- Historical Scope: Covers the transition from North Korean origins to the post-war South Korean experience.
- Political Context: Documents the judicial irregularities of the Park Chung-hee era and the subsequent fight for justice.
- Personal Theme: Focuses on the enduring power of love as a mechanism for survival.
The Impact of Oral History in South Korea
The collaboration between a high-profile intellectual like Rhyu Si-min and a survivor like Kang Soon-hee reflects a growing trend in South Korean literature to preserve “bottom-up” histories. By recording the voices of those who suffered under authoritarian rule, these works seek to ensure that the human cost of political instability is not erased by official state narratives.
Moon concluded his post with a personal wish for Kang, who is now 94 years old, expressing his hope that she remains healthy and happy. This gesture links the political act of remembering the PRP incident with a humanitarian concern for the individual survivors of that trauma.
As the book enters public discourse, it is expected to spark renewed conversations regarding the legacy of judicial errors during the military dictatorships of the 1960s and 70s and the ongoing process of restorative justice for the victims’ families.
Further updates on the book’s reception and any potential public discussions hosted by the author or related historical organizations are expected to follow as the work gains traction in the literary and political spheres.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the importance of oral histories in preserving national memory in the comments below.
