Refuge at Yeoseo Island: A Wartime Recollection
A Story of Courage, Survival, and Hope Amid the Korean War / 한국전쟁 속 용기와 생존, 그리고 희망의 이야기
+ On this Memorial Day, I offer a moment of silent tribute to the brave men and women who sacrificed their precious lives in service to their country. +
This essay recounts the experiences of Wando residents during the Korean War as they escaped by refugee boat to the remote island of Yeoseo-Do. It tells of a childbirth aboard the crowded vessel, the terror of friendly-fire attacks, and the miracle of life that endured amid despair and uncertainty. The dramatic heart of the story centers on my father, a police officer, who helped rescue villagers, and my mother, who remained aboard the bullet-riddled boat while holding her newborn baby in her arms. Their courage, sacrifice, and determination embody the resilience of ordinary people who faced extraordinary circumstances during one of the darkest chapters in Korean history. +++
Refuge at Yeoseo Island: A Wartime Recollection
Essay URL: https://gwangjunewsgic.com/history-tradition/refuge-at-yeoseo-island-a-wartime-recollection/
If history is not diligently recorded, it is forgotten and eventually disappears.
(역사는 열심히 기록하지 않으면 잊혀지고 결국에는 사라진다. )
{Solti}
May 25, 2026
Young Choi, PhD is a Professor at Regent University bringing a rare combination of technical expertise and creative spirit to everything he does. A scholar in AI, cybersecurity, and network & telecommunications service management, he has published 38 books including AI and cybersecurity area books, over 200 refereed articles, and over 20 book chapters. Beyond the academy, Dr. Choi is a passionate poet, essayist, and wooden block laser engraving artist whose reflective writing invites readers to rediscover life’s beauty in quiet contemplation(靜觀). He lives under the motto: “Study hard and give generously without holding back! (열심히 공부해서 아낌없이 남주자 !: 열공아남!)”
Published books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Young-Choi/author/B0DMZ5S6R7?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true