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The story of 'that day' in history that we should not forget is told by 'Jang Trio' Jang Hyun-sung, Jang Sung-kyu and Jang Do-yeon on SBS' 'The Story of the Day with the Tail on the Tail' (hereinafter referred to as 'Kokomoo'). For those who missed the main broadcast, or for those who have watched the broadcast but want to reflect on it again, SBS Entertainment News will summarize it in one room.

The story of "that day" that I would like to tell "you" this time is the "We Must Meet" episode that was broadcast on the 8th. The story friends included group ENHYPEN member Jungwon, actors Cho Cho Ha and Yui. (The review will be conducted in half-horse mode, in keeping with the nature of "Kokomu".)

▲ Han Pil-hwa is

my brother in Sapporo, Japan, in February 1971. A lot of people gathered in this city, which is called Snow Country. There's going to be a Pre-Olympic. The Pre-Olympics are an informal competition to test facilities and operations one year before the Games. Of all the players who have participated in this tournament, we have the youngest players. Her name is Kim Young-hee, she is 2 years old, and she is in her second year of junior high school. The sport I compete in is speed skating.



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But everyone is very interested in Kim Young-hee's every move. Chomi's concern is whether Young-hee will be able to meet her aunt. Meet your aunt, your mom's sister, at the Olympics? What's the situation here?



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Young-hee's aunt is also a speed skater. The name is Hanpilhwa. He is the oldest of the participants. But he's a huge sports star. He was a silver medalist at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. This silver medal means a lot. It was the first medal in the history of speed skating by an Asian. But why does Young-hee meet her aunt for the first time in Japan?



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Can you see the national flag on Han Pil-hwa's chest? In fact, Han Pil-hwa was a North Korean player. North Korea has won two medals so far at the Winter Olympics, one silver and one bronze. In North Korea, Han Pil-hwa was called the "People's Sports Hero." Kim Young-hee was going to compete in the same sport as her aunt. Nephew vs. Aunt, Youngest vs. Oldest, South Korea vs. North Korea. It's the match of the century.



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To understand the background of this fateful match, we have to start with the story of Kim Young-hee's mother. My mother's name is Lee Jung-hwa. Enlightenment and handwriting. Names are similar, aren't they?



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Mr. Jeonghwa's hometown is Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province. Hamhung is famous for its "ice bow competition". It's a skating competition. Gyeonghwa was also a skater when he was in Hamhung, and he rode so well that he even represented South Hamgyong as well.



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But on June 1950, 6, war broke out, and in December of that year, 25-year-old Kye-hwa sailed down from Piran. That's what Heungnam Cheol-so is. After that, there was a 12.18 line, and that's how Kye-hwa was separated from his family.

As time went by, my longing grew. Then, one day in 3, Mr. Kye-hwa was reading a newspaper when his hands suddenly shook. I saw an article about North Korea's Han Pil-hwa becoming Asia's first speed skating medalist. Gye-hwa's brother's name was also Pil-hwa. So I thought, 'Maybe it's my brother Phil painting?'



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In addition, an acquaintance who participated in this competition as an official even told me, "Han Pil-hwa's skating posture is the same as yours." It was Mr. Gyehwa who taught his brother to skate. Hearing this, Kye-hwa felt like he was dreaming. Since then, Kye-hwa has raised her daughter to be a skater as well. That's Kim Young-hee. Gye-hwa was excited that her daughter Young-hee and her younger brother Pil-hwa might meet.

Back to Sapporo, Japan. Everyone is looking forward to the meeting between Kim Young-hee and Han Pil-hwa. We even had the same accommodation, the same floor, and practiced on the same ice rink. But even though they were so close, they never met. We didn't even exchange glances, let alone say hello. North Korean officials were always around. I couldn't even greet him.

By the way, after a while, a new scoop popped up. There really is some surprising news coming in that no one expected. An article like this came out.



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"Han Pil-hwa is my brother, this time a new brother appears"

Instead of Kye-hwa, a man who claimed to be his brother appeared. This man's name is Han Pil-sung. Pil Sung and Pil Hwa, the names are similar here as well.



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Mr. Pil-sung, who works as a preacher in Seoul, is from Jinnampo, South Pyongan Province. The eldest of six siblings, Pil Sung has a date he will never forget. At dawn on December 6, 1950, I heard an unusual noise in the distance from Pyongyang. The Allied forces were pushed back by the Chinese army and descended on Pyongyang. Mr. Pil-sung's mother gave him a bag of rice powder and said, "Pil-sung, run away, you are the eldest son, so you must live." So Mr. Pilsung left his family and boarded a refugee ship heading south. I thought I'd be back home in about three days, but it's been well over 12 years.

Then, in 5, I saw Pil Sung in a newspaper article in which the name Han Pil-hwa appeared. With the name Han Pil-hwa, who has the same name as his youngest brother, Pil-sung also thought, "Is this my brother Pil-hwa?" As it turned out, Phil Sung was also a skater in his hometown. I remembered my 20-year-old youngest brother, Pilhwa, who was following behind my brother. However, Pil-sung quickly becomes desperate. The article first appeared that it was Kye-hwa and her sister, and when Pil-sung saw the news, he thought he was mistaken.



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But after a while, a friend from my hometown who had come down Piran with me came to me with a newspaper and said, "This is your brother's painting, isn't it?" I asked. Mr. Pil-sung took a closer look at the photo of Han Pil-hwa in the newspaper, but the image quality was so bad that it was a gingaming. Mr. Pil-sung immediately rushed to the newspaper office and asked him to look at another photo of Han Pil-hwa, and the newspaper showed him a clear picture of Han Pil-hwa that he had taken in Japan. At that moment, Mr. Pilsung shuddered and said, "It must be my brother." He looked exactly like the mother he had left behind in his hometown.

▲ Whose brother
is Han Pil-sung and Mr. Han Pil-hwa, both of them are convinced that Han Pil-hwa is their brother
. When the news broke, the whole country was in an uproar. At the time, there was a lot of interest in this case, and this happened.

"With Han Pil-hwa's real flesh and blood being Pil-sung or Gye-hwa, Mr. Lee Mo and Mr. Hwang Mo, who work at Daesung Electronics Street on Jongno 3 Street in Seoul, made a bet with each other, and Mr. Lee went to Mr. Pil-sung and Mr. Hwang went to Mr. Gye-hwa and agreed that 10,70 won each would be deposited into the bank account, and the winner would take all the accounts."

Back in the 70s, a bowl of jazz was 4 won. The average monthly salary of a worker is 2,10 won. But if it's <>,<> won, you'll bet more than two months' salary.



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First of all, if you look at the "hometown", Gye-hwa's hometown is Hamhung, and Pil-sung's is Jin Nampo. Han Pil-hwa described his hometown as Jinnampo, but said, "During the June 6 war, my father fled to Pyongyang and Jinnampo. I think he lived after the war." I can't tell for sure from my hometown.

Second, if you look at Han Pil-hwa's age that the two of them remember, Kye-hwa said that his brother is now 25 years old. He said he was 27 years old. 31 years old. Then What is the actual age of Han Pil-hwa? The entry document said I was 4 years old. Kye-hwa is right. But Mr. Pilsung had a different idea. Han Pil-hwa competed in the Winter Universiade a year ago, when there was an age limit for participation. That's why he deliberately lowered his age to qualify for the tournament.

Next, if you look at the name "Dollimja", Mr. Gyehwa is "Hwa" and Mr. Pilsung is "Phil" Dollim. Han Pil-hwa remembers that the person in the house is called 'Phil'. However, in the last "sibling relationship", Gye-hwa claimed that Pil-hwa was the fifth of six siblings, and Pil-sung was the youngest of six siblings. So what's Han Pil-hwa's answer? She was the youngest of four sisters. It was an answer that confused everyone. With that being said, it's neither.

Hearing this, Mr. Pilsheng hesitated. In the meantime, Kye-hwa left for Japan. I'm going to meet you in person to check it out. There was an unprecedented battle for my brother. There was also a lot of interest in this case in Japan. Now everyone is just staring at Han Pil-hwa's mouth. Finally, Han Pil-hwa came out and volunteered to hold a press conference. A lot of Korean and Japanese reporters gathered at the scene.



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"Apparently that... I feel like Han Pil-sung is my brother. Please help the journalists to work together so that I can meet my brother."
-Han Pil-hwa As it turned out, Han Pil-hwa

had always thought that her brother had died in the war. Hearing this news, Mr. Pil-sung must have been happy and excited, but on the contrary, Mr. Gye-hwa must have been very sad. But soon, he was as happy as he was. I understand your desire to see your family more than anyone else. Kye-hwa cried, "People who have not missed their parents and siblings for a long time will not be able to understand this feeling."



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▲ 만나지 못한 남매

그날 밤 필성 씨는 이상한 꿈을 꿔. 전깃줄 두 가닥을 잡고 있는데, 갑자기 팡 터져서 손끝에서 불이 타오르는 꿈이었어. 이 꿈은, 길몽일까 흉몽일까.

일본 신문사가 주선해서, 필성 씨는 한필화 선수와 전화통화를 하게 됐어. 무려 헤어진 지 21년 만이었어. 신문에서 작은 사진 하나 보는 거랑, 실제로 전화 통화를 한다는 건 차원이 달라. 필성 씨가 고향을 떠나던 그때 동생 필화는 8살이었어. 동네를 누비며 비둘기를 쫓아다니고, 주인 몰래 사과를 따먹기도 하는, 소문난 개구쟁이였대. 오빠를 무척이나 따랐던 막내 필화와 21년 만의 통화. 어떤 이야기가 오갔을까.



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"20년 동안 오빠가 죽은 줄 알았는데, 오빠가 살았다니까 저는 말할 수 없이 기쁩니다. 오빠, 얼마나 고생 많았어요. 오빠 내가 사진을 보니까 오빠가 고생을 해서 많이 늙으셨더군요. 내 말 좀 들으라우. 죽은 줄 알았던 오빠가 살았다는 걸 알고 나서 나는 오빠가 올 줄 알았어요. 오빠, 어머니 아버지가 오빠를 꼭 보고 싶다고 나한테 얘기하라고 했어요."
-한필화

피는 물보다 진하다고. 두 사람은 목소리만 듣고도 단번에 서로가 남매인 걸 바로 알았대. 21년 만에 불러보는, 21년 만에 들어보는 '오빠'라는 소리. 그 한 맺힌 절규는 모두를 울렸어.



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"여기(남한)에 와서 '오빠'라는 말은 제가 들어볼 수가 없어요. 여기에 여동생이 없으니까. (통화할 때) 오빠라고 그럴 때마다 가슴이 덜컥하는 거예요. 그때는 '정말 내 동생인가 보다' 느껴지더라고요."
-한필성, 1999년 인터뷰 중

21년 만의 전화 상봉은 고작 35분 만에 끝났어. 막상 통화를 하니, 더욱 보고 싶은 마음이 깊어져. 북한으로 가는 건 불가능해도, 일본은 갈 수 있잖아. 하지만 이땐 1971년이야. 불과 3년 전에 김신조와 북한 특수부대 31명이 청와대 습격을 위해 침투한 '1.21 무장공비 침투사건'이 일어났어. 그해 11월에도, 울진 삼척에 무장공비가 출현했어. "북한 괴뢰군은 물러가라"며 반공의 기운이 전국을 뒤덮었던 때야. 조심스럽고 냉랭한 남북관계, 이런 상황에서 필성 씨는 동생을 만나러 갈 수 있을까?



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1971년, 일본 삿포로. 그래도 오빠는 동생을 만나러 일본으로 향했어. 각국 정부에서도, 남매의 상봉을 막지 않았어. 비행기에 오르기 전에 필성 씨는 "전날 밤 꿈이 길몽인 줄은 몰랐습니다"라고 말했대. 불꽃이 튀던 그 꿈을 길몽이라 생각했어. 곧 꿈에도 잊지 못하던 동생을 만날 수 있어. 그야말로 만감이 교차했어.



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이게, 피란을 가기 전 필성 씨의 모습이야. 당시 나이 겨우 16살. 필성 씨는 고향과 가족을 떠나서 홀로 피란선에 올랐어. 미숫가루 담긴 주머니 하나 들고 부산에 도착한 필성 씨는 피란민 수용소를 거쳐, 중앙부두 노동자로, 미군부대 잡역부, 국제시장 점원으로 일했어. 생계를 위해 힘겹게 살아온 필성 씨. 혼자 그렇게 살려니, 얼마나 힘들고 외로웠겠어. 그런데 이제 곧 동생을 만나게 돼. 얼마나 큰 기쁨이었을까.

필성 씨는 만날 장소와 시간을 북한 선수단에게 알렸어. 동생이 묵고 있는 호텔에서 불과 5분 거리야. 드디어 만나기로 한 1971년 3월 21일 오전 9시. 필성 씨는 10분 먼저 약속 장소에 도착해. 현장은 취재 열기로 뜨거워. 마침내 9시가 됐어. 고개를 돌려 출입구 쪽을 보는데, 동생이 안 나타나. 10분이 지나고 20분이 지나고, 1시간이 지났는데도 안 와. 바로 그때, 문이 벌컥 열려. 동생이 아니라 다른 사람이었어.

"북한 선수단이 공항으로 떠났답니다."

청천벽력 같은 소식이 들렸어. 동생 필화 씨는 왜 약속 장소에 오지 않았을까? 사실 필화 씨는, 자기가 머물던 호텔에서 오빠를 기다렸어. 서로가 서로를 다른 장소에서 기다린 거야. 양 쪽이 "동생을 만나려면 오빠가 이쪽으로 와야지", "무슨 소리, 동생이 와야지"라며 서로 약속 장소를 통보만 한 거야. 북한 쪽에선 인민의 체육 영웅이 혹시라도 강제 망명을 당할까 봐, 남한에서는 필성 씨가 납북이라도 될 까봐, 그런 걱정 속에서 남매의 의사를 전혀 고려하지 않고, 서로 각자가 정한 장소로 오라고 통보만 하고 기다린 거야. 이렇게 남북이 정치적 입장만 내세우다가 남매의 재회는 불발됐어.



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한국으로 돌아온 필성 씨는 눈물을 펑펑 쏟았어. 슬픔과 분노가 터져 나왔어. 비행기에 오르던 필화 씨도 참았던 눈물을 터뜨렸어. 그래서 옆에 있던 수행원이 급하게 필화 씨를 비행기 안으로 밀어 넣었대. 21년의 세월을 넘어, 5분 거리까지 왔는데, 결국 그 분단의 벽을 넘지 못했어.

"서둘러서 갔는데, 북한에서는 만나게 해주지 않았어요. 만나지 못하니까 분하더라고요. 정말로 그랬어요. 그래서 사실 돌아올 때는 눈물도 흘리고 그랬어요."
-한필성, 1999년 인터뷰 중

▲ 희망과 절망의 반복

이 일은, 대한민국의 역사를 바꾸는 작은 불씨를 일으켜. 수많은 이산가족들한테 고향과 가족에 대한 그리움을 일깨웠거든. 얼마 후에 한반도 전체를 뒤흔든 놀라운 일이 벌어져.



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"실은 제가, 지난 5월 초. 박 대통령 각하의 뜻을 받들어 평양에 갔다 왔습니다."
-이후락 중앙정보부장

중앙정보부는 국가안전보장과 관련된 정보를 수집 및 수사 활동을 감독하는 특수 기관이야. 당시엔 너도나도 반공을 외칠 때인데, 간첩 잡으러 다니는 중정부장이 평양에 다녀왔다는 거야. 이후락 부장은 북한 김일성과 직접 만나 "남북이 함께, 평화 통일을 이루기 위해 노력합시다"라며 분단 이후 최초로 남북이 평화통일에 합의했어. 바로, '7.4남북공동성명'이야.



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필성 씨는 다시 동생을, 북의 가족들을 만날 수 있다는 희망을 품었어. 한 달 후, 필성 씨는 양복을 쫙 빼 입고 아침 일찍 거리로 나갔어. 이 거리엔 필성 씨만 나온 게 아니야. 너도나도 나와서 태극기를 막 흔들어. 제1차 남북적십자본회담이 평양에서 개최되거든. 그때만 해도, 휴전선을 넘어 북으로 간다는 건 상상도 못 할 일이야. 북으로 가는 차량들을 보며 필성 씨는 누구보다 간절한 마음으로 '부디 회담이 잘 성사되길, 가족들을 만날 수 있길' 희망했어. 대한민국 역사상 통일이 가장 가깝게 느껴졌던 때야.



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이런 평화의 분위기는 오래가지 못했어. 정확히 1년 만에 북한이 일방적으로 대화 종료를 선언해. 희망의 불씨가 다시 꺼졌어.

다시 10년이 흘러 1983년. 필성 씨의 나이도 어느새 오십이 넘었어. 그런데 어느 날, 필성 씨가 TV 앞을 떠나지 못해. 눈에선 눈물이 흘러내려. 1983년, 여의도. 특별 생방송 '이산가족을 찾습니다'가 방송된 거야. 6.25 전쟁 등으로 남한 내에서 헤어진 이산가족을 찾는 생방송 프로그램이야.



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원래는 세 시간만 방송할 계획이었는데, 전국의 이산가족들이 너도나도 방송국 앞으로 몰렸어. 결국엔 138일, 무려 453시간 45분 동안 방송이 됐어. 전국에서 10만 건이 넘는 이산가족 사연이 접수됐어. 전 국민이 TV만 틀면 울던 시절이야.



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이산가족이 만나는 걸 보고, 북에 가족을 두고 내려온 분들은 얼마나 더 마음이 아팠을까. 필성 씨도 마찬가지였어. 어느새 머리는 희끗해지고, 얼굴엔 주름이 생겼어. 헤어질 당시 어머니보다도 지금 필성 씨 나이가 더 들었어.

그러던 어느 날, 필성 씨는 우연히 기사 하나를 보게 돼.

"지난 71년 삿포로 동계 프레올림픽 대회 때, 북한 스케이트 선수로 출전. 한국에 사는 오빠와 상봉을 하는 듯했으나, 남북의 두터운 벽에 막혀 눈물을 삼키고 돌아서야 했던 한필화 씨가 오는 3월 9일부터 열리는 삿포로 동계아시안 게임에 북한 측 임원으로 방일할 것으로 알려져 화제를 모으고 있다"

1990년 삿포로 동계아시안게임에 동생 필화가, 이번엔 임원으로 참가한다는 거야. 무조건 가야지 필성 씨도. 19년 만에 다시 기회가 온 거야. 필성 씨 눈이 다시 반짝여. 이번에는 동생을 만날 수 있을까.

▲ 드디어 만난 남매

1990년 3월 2일. 북한 선수단이 삿포로에 도착해. 필화 씨도 남편이랑 같이 왔어. 이번엔 오빠를 만나겠냐고 기자들이 물어. 필화 씨는 말했어. "혈육의 정을 누가 막을 수 있겠습니까. 이번에야말로 꼭 오빠를 만날 것입니다"라고.

국내외 언론도 남매의 만남에 주목해. 한 방송사의 주선으로, 두 사람의 전화통화가 다시 성사됐어. 19년 만에 이뤄진 두 번째 통화야.



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"나 한필화입니다"
"나 석선(아명)이야"
"진짜 오빠 맞아요? 아버지는 세상 떠났지만 어머니가 정정히 계십니다. 어머니가 오빠를 꼭 만나고 오라고 했어요. 어머니가 세상 떠날 때 오빠 다시 못 오죠? 어머니께 선물을 드리고 싶으면, 어머니 죽은 다음에 입을 수의 있잖아요. 그걸 준비해 주세요. 어머니가 오빠의 수의를 입고 관에라도 들어가게끔…"
"그런 소리 하지마. 나 지금 보고 싶어 죽겠는데."
"이번에는 누구의 간섭 없이 우리끼리 만나죠."
"그러자. 우리 꼭 만나자."

필성 씨는 매일 밤잠을 설쳐. 전화통화를 하고 나서도 만남이 불발된 경험이 있으니. 불안한 마음이 가시질 않는 거지. 게다가 그때쯤 비무장지대 지하 145m 아래서 북한의 남침용 땅굴이 발견됐어. 남북관계가 경직될수록 만나는 건 어려워져. 사소한 일로도 남북 창구가 닫히는데, 이번에도 상봉이 무산될까 봐 필성 씨 마음은 불안하고 초조해. 필성 씨는 동생을 만나게 해달라고 상봉 허가를 정부에 요청했어. 다행히 허가가 났어. 북한 쪽도 허가가 났어. 심지어 이번엔 남북 모두 "정치적 개입을 하지 않겠다"고 했어.



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"한필화 한필성 남매의 상봉은, 혈육이 만나는 것에 대해서 당국의 개입 없이 당사자 의지로 자유롭게 만나게 해 주자. 오히려 이 사건이 상징적 의미가 있을 거라고 생각한 거죠."
-정의길 기자, 1990년 당시 취재

그래도 필성 씨는 불안해. 19년 전, 눈앞에 두고도 돌아서야 했잖아. 필성 씨는 아내와 함께 마음을 졸이며 일본행 비행기에 올랐어. 3월 8일 저녁 8시 삿포로에 도착했어. 시간이 늦어 일단 호텔로 가려하는데, 갑자기 뜻밖의 소식이 들려. 필화가 오빠를 만나려고 공항에 도착했다는 거야. 그때부터 가슴이 쿵쾅대. 필성 씨는 떨리는 마음으로, 한 걸음 한 걸음 입국장을 나섰어. 입국장을 나서자, 카메라 플래시가 막 터졌어. 남매의 상봉을 취재하러 대규모 인파가 몰렸어. 당황한 필성 씨가 어쩔 줄 몰라하던 그때, 신기하게도 "오빠! 오빠!" 하는 목소리 하나만 아주 또렷이 들렸어.



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"오빠 왜 이제 왔어요."
"아버지와 어머니는 오빠를 못 보고는 눈을 못 감는다고 했어요."



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40년 만의 만남에 남매는 단 한순 간도 서로에게 눈을 떼지 못했어. 분단의 장벽에 가로막혔던 지난날. 자그마한 희망에 울고 웃던 세월 속 애써 참을 수밖에 없었던 그리움. 남매는 다시 만났고, 그동안의 회한을 쏟아내듯 한참을 서로 끌어안았어. 남매는 똑같이 나이를 먹었어. 그래도 이 순간만큼은 16살 오빠와 8살 동생으로 돌아간 거 같았어.



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Pil Sung spent a week with his younger brother. During the day, I would visit the stadium to cheer for my brother, and at night, I would talk about the backlog at the hostel. My sister-in-law who must have missed one minute and one second. I also gave gifts to my family. I have prepared a gold ring, a wristwatch, cosmetics, and aphrodisiacs. And there's something special prepared by Mr. Pilsung for his mother. It was my mother's shroud.

When we talked on the phone, I was angry about my brother's shroud, but people around me said, 'If you prepare a shroud, you will live a long life.' Mr. Pilsung had prepared the shroud in the hope that his mother would be healthy for a long time. And my brother also prepared a surprise for him. I had arranged a phone call with my mother in the north.



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"Mother, mother! Mummy! I'm going to Pyongyang, so stay healthy."
"I eat well and live without a single bake. It's just that I'm hung up on you. I'm hoping for that one right now because it was torn down and unified. You have to come back. I just don't have any worries here. Don't worry about me."

A mother who put the rice powder in her hand and sent it away. For the first time in 40 years, I heard my mother's voice and burst into tears. It was a short phone call, but she promised to see each other again.

A week is too short for the years that have fallen. Time flies so fast, and the time to say goodbye is getting closer. The day before they broke up, siblings Han Pil-sung and Han Pil-hwa talked all night and shed tears.



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Chitose Airport, Japan. Before the breakup, the siblings took their last photo. The brother and sister waved their hands pretending to be dumbfounded, and they parted ways, not knowing when they would meet. Pilsung is back to his normal life.

▲ A brief encounter, and afterwards...

After meeting his brother, he felt like he had a bigger hole in his heart. If there was reunification, I would be able to see my mother's face, but I spent time with that feeling. But it wasn't long before he saw his mother's face. Through TV.



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"I saw it so much, I even dreamed about it. Can't you come? I can't go. My son has to come, but I can't go."
-Choi Won-hwa, siblings' mother
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inter-Korean reunification soccer tournament was held in Pyongyang, and the team went to visit his brother Pil-hwa's house. After seeing her mother on video, Pil-sung had a goal: "I must meet my mother before she dies." Since then, Mr. Pilsung has been working hard in a hundred ways, but the barrier to division was high. I couldn't get over it on my own.

Time passed, April 1998, 4. The mother I wanted to see so much appeared in front of Mr. Pil-sung. The mother, dressed in a white cow suit, turned around and was silent. No matter how much I call my mother, there is no answer. When I opened my eyes, it was a dream. The dream was weird, so I remembered this date.



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"In my dream, I see my mother strangely dressed in white and turning around without saying a word. My mother died the day before I dreamed of it. So I wondered how my mother would have wanted to see her son in the south when she died like this. So how heartbroken I was. I just grunted inwardly..."
-Han Pil-sung, a mother I never met during

an interview in 1999. The day after she died, she came to visit her son in a dream. I really missed my son, so I guess he stopped by briefly on the way out. That's how Pil Sung couldn't keep his mother on her deathbed.

He missed his hometown for the rest of his life and died in 2013 at the age of 80. And Han Pil-hwa still lives in Pyongyang.



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"Because even though we are divided into North and South, flesh and blood are flesh and blood, and flesh and blood cannot live apart. Because we must be united and live together. I can't forget the impression I left on you. If I told you how I felt at that time, I wish I could have been unified and met my brother together. Now, even if we are reunified, I won't be able to see my brother and I will only have my nieces and nephews..."
In 2015, Mr. Pil-hwa was interviewed by a Japanese news agency.

I was swept away by military conflicts, but I was also filled with hope when the wind blew. The people who are most disturbed by this tragic tug-of-war are the separated families by our side. Family reunion is not a matter of politics and ideology. Even if they have different systems, their longing for their family is the same.

It is said that there are less than 1,3 people left in the first generation of separated families, and those who remain are in their 80~90s. The clock on family reunions has stopped since August 2018.



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"I came out when I was 18 and now I'm 91. I think about that a lot. I won't be able to make it in my lifetime... She may be over 100 years old in my mind, but I think she's still alive. I think that's the kind of parent-child relationship. I'm over a hundred years old, how can I still be alive? Still, I can't help but think that if I go to the north, my mother will hold my hand."
-Kim Byung-sam, 1st generation of separated families



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"Hasn't it been half a century already? It keeps getting fading. The distance is increasing... That hometown road I used to go to until the fourth grade. I just want to walk on the way to school once."
-Kim Jin-seop, 4st generation of separated families



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What are your thoughts on "today" when you heard the story of "that day"?

(SBS Entertainment News reporter Kang Seon-ae)