Jeffrey and Kristin Lee on the Road: Incheon and Seoul, Korea (October, November 2024)

I traveled to Korea in October and November for several purposes. One was to attend the in-person board meeting of SfK Korea. Another was to treat my pains, particularly the pain in my back. Yet, another was to take part in the SfK BAM Field Trip to Vietnam.

God allowed me to establish a dwelling place in Korea, in the special City of Incheon. This studio apartment is very convenient for my short or long stay due to its location close to both international airports and many parts of Seoul where I could meet up with people.

Also, a new government agency, called the Overseas Korean Agency, is located in City of Incheon and the city now claims to include all Koreans residing overseas, approximately 7.5 million inhabitants, thus making its population now greater than 10 million. A little stretch, I think.

I started having severe pain in my back when Kristin and I were on vacation in Kauai, Hawaii. I could not walk because of the pain. The first thing I had to do was seeking medical treatments to address the pain. I randomly selected an orthopedic surgeon in the neighborhood and I was diagnosed with cervical disc tear. The doctor gave me steroid shots three times and several physical therapy treatments along with pain control medicine. The healthcare process is very fast and efficient in Korea. Even on my first visit, I was able to receive the first shot. This would be impossible in the U.S. Thanks to God's grace, I was able to take part in the SfK BAM Field Trip to Vietnam. What a miracle it was!

While I was in Korea, I also received a physical exam at a nearby hospital. One result on my kidney function came out incorrect, but when I enquired, they fixed it right away with sincere apology.

In addition to the SfK Korea's in-person board meeting, I had several meetings although I refrained from meeting many people because I had to receive the medical treatments to address my back pain.

I met with Rev Dongho Kim to discuss my research report on Dankao Village Debt Issues. He was scheduled to leave for Cambodia to take the next step in the Village.

Later in November, I also met up with Elder Kyoung Sup Kwon. He made a donation to SfK Ministries in cash and I passed it to WiThee Mission for his tax deduction. Sadly, he shared a health concern about the deteriorating cognitive function. We all experience it as we age.

I met up with Rev Changsun Moon twice to share opinions on various topics. I am grateful for WiThee Mission's assistance in SfK's receipt of a financial donation to help the SfK ministries.

Sungsoo Kim, living in Chungju, came up to Seoul to take part in a few functions we held. We had a separate meeting to catch up. He and his family have discontinued the operation of Viche Coffee due mainly to the unsustainable operation and their children's unwillingness to carry out the operations.

Mr. and Mrs. Jong Sup Yoon made a long trip from Gangnam to have lunch with me. As always, it is a great joy to meet up with them.

One of the special events we had with some of my SfK colleagues was to visit one of Korea's mid-sized company that is successful in exports at the world class level. We visited Shilla Industrial located in Kyongsang Privince in Kyong San. Their operation was indeed a world class with a highly automated production system and a heavy investment in R & D. I thought that Korea's hope is in the mid-sized companies that are operating with high efficiency to be competitive even in the world market.

As always, I carved out a few days to spend time with my high school friends.

One day, I asked my two sisters, Jimin and Minsook, to spend time together exploring the famous Namsan Market. It was great fun and we thoroughly enjoyed the time. We walked around a lot, visiting a few places of interest, including Hyemin Dang, where patients were treated. It is now a cafe.

Because I had several lunch and dinner appointments, I could not cook regularly. But whenever I cooked, I enjoyed cooking and eating food equally.

While I was in Korea, I received a birthday celebration for my birthday (October 16) from my family. It was the first time for the party from my family. I was deeply grateful.

Right before I left Korea, we had another birthday celebration this time for Minsook. (November 26). Since I had to leave on November 25, we had the gathering on November 23. Holding such celebration parties with my siblings and my mom gave me a nostalgic feeling.

In my apartment complex, they hold a small-scale marketplace every Tuesday. Once I took a walk around the market and bought Hoddeok and JJukkumi. They were delicious.

Every time I visit Korea, two families always welcome me: BJ and Wonjin. They are young friends whom I really treasure.

I visited Yonsei University campus to meet up with Professor Myung Jae Moon to discuss SfK Version 2.0. I asked him to lead the research and discussion at the board level. The Yonsei University is my alma mater. There are a lot more buildings on the campus than my time, but I noticed many placards and signs that celebrate one of the alumni who just received the Nobel Prize for Literature for the first time in Asia. Her name is Han, Kang. It made the school alumni proud.