Together in Time

Kyoto Japan 1940

It’s not uncommon for Korean’s to be seen in the streets of Japan. Many have migrated either by force or by own will to save their families.

There are many talks of Korean liberation from the Imperial Army of Japan but the road to freedom is still a blur. Korean men are supposedly asked to volunteer in the Japanese army. Sadly they were volunteers only in paper most were coerced to sign up in exchange for a better life for their families, an offer lucrative for one who wants to survive in the tumultuous era.

February 14, 1940.

Sandara Park was a Korean born in Japan. She was from a well off family who helped Korean refugees who enters Japan. Their home in Kyoto serves as a shelter for most families who just arrived from their homeland and they are allowed to stay until they are finally settled in and found a means living in the foreign land.

Dara waited patiently for the new arrivals. She has been volunteering during her free time to help take care of young Korean children who have just arrived from their long voyage.

She was eager to see them, the children who were born and raised in Korea. Finally the new settlers arrived, they were more in number than the previous batches. Most of them Women and Children and there were a few young man. This worried her. She heard her father talking to some Korean leaders about young Korean men being recruited in the imperial army in exchange of safe passage to Japan.

She knew it must be them.

She helped in serving them food. She knew how to speak both Japanese and Korean. Her father was a Korean patriot after all.

“Excuse me can I ask for more food? My mother and sister have not eaten in almost a week,” It was a tall boy probably her age or older. Her heart easily went out to him. She asked for him to follow. They went to the kitchen and she filled 4 bowls of rice and soup which they brought back to his family.

“I’m Choi Seung Hyun,” he introduced himself as he ate his food with gusto.

“I’m Park Sandara but you can call me Dara,” she said.

“I would like to ask a favor if you don’t mind. My mom and my sister are sick and I will be leaving with the rest of the men off to the military camp for the imperial army. I do now know anyone here but since we have formally introduced ourselves I guess I have you. Please continue