Around August 15 1945 in one Korean family (8)

I was forced to see again the tragedy that I never wanted to see more.

The boss of the youngmen who succeeded in the escape and had rescued me from captive's body was the eldest son of the cleaning worker in the Hamhung provincial hospital (The name was forgotten). His house was an impecunious family as it was a small hut.

He took me to a large market and said to peoples.
Ladies & Gentlemen, this young man came from the Taegu city and his home is in that city. He was working in Chyeongjin Ironworks co. When the Soviet army landed the Chyeongjin city, military police of Japanese army incorporated him into Japanese army. He became Soviet army's captive for several months but we rescued him on the bridge Manse. Please contribute him for going home to his town.

I got 85 yen and it was enough for my travel.

For going to south I went to the Hamhung station. I found Japanese families of about 80 persons around the corner in front of the station. And there also was a chief clerk of chemical machinery division of Chyeongjin Ironworks co. with his family.

When I was approaching to the chief clerk for greeting, I saw two Soviet soldiers taking out two Japanese women and went into the half broken house. Perhaps they were raped. About 30 minutes later, two women came back to their group with hanging down their heads and powerless expression.

I thought that we had to win on the war, in old days or now.

Suddenly I saw Mr.Todo passing by. He was an apprentice worker of the chmical machinery division as I was. He said You are Hara Keizo aren't you!? We embraced each other. Mr.Todo was surprised to see my sun burned and terribly thinned face, and said What happened!?.

I said I joined the Japanese army on 17th AUG. and escaped from the Soviet army several days ago, I am going to my hometown Taegu by train.

And I said Yah! Mr.Todo! Let's go south together with me. I heard that American soldiers in south are gentlemen. If you will go with me, You will be able to get 38line over although you can not speak Korean. Travelling expenses are enough for two.

We promised to meet here on this time of the day after tomorrow. I had to meet youngmen and say thanks for helping me.

Two days later, I waited for Mr.Todo for 3 housr at the Hamhung station but he did not appear. I could not find Japanese group also. So I decided to have lonely travel, took on train and arrived at the terminal on the north side of 38line, got 38line over by walking, then I took on train at the Tongdoocheon station and took off train at the Seoul station.

I tried to sleep in the garden of the St.French hospital, but it came rain and I got wet and felt very cold. I could take a train bound for Pusan finally about 5p.m. I was surprised to see Japanese soldiers were talking about with putting uniform of army on. And I saw Japannese and Korean talking about with smiling, then I thought difference of south and north is as like as heaven and ground.

At a half past 4 next morning, the train arrived at the Taegu station. Finally I arrived at 2-Meiji town where my mother was waiting. I knocked the gate lightly then I heard my mother saying loudly Who is there!?
The elder sister and younger brother came out through the courtyard and opend the big gate. We embraced each other and threw the tears of feeling.

15 days later, the elder brother who was in Kyeomyipo IronWorks came back home, and A month laterr, another elder brother who was injured at the artificial petroleum factory (It was in a side of toward Uradiostock) came back home, Our home was emcomrassed with thanks and feeling.

Now our families decentrated for four places,
1) Manju Helong pref.,
2) Hamgyeongbukdo Aoji,
3) Pyeongannamudo Chinnampo
and
4) Hangyeongbukdo Cheongjin City,
were all in home of Taegu where our mother was waiting. Most lucky person among them is the elder sister Lee Gyeonghi. She came back a month before the end of the war. She was a princess who was not made dirty by anyone else.

Lee Jongyun

- The end -