March 17, 1951

While this day is remembered by Koreans with the thrill of the 'Recapture of Seoul,' for Canadians, it was a day of confronting the devastating reality of an unfamiliar city. With the success of 'Operation Ripper' to reclaim Seoul, which had been lost to the Chinese Communist forces, the UN forces re-entered the city. At this time, the Canadian troops (including the 2nd Battalion, PPCLI) did not simply march in as victors. Walking through the streets of Seoul in the cold March rain, amidst buildings reduced to mere shells, they witnessed the bitter horrors of war. The diaries of Canadian soldiers from that time still hold entries such as, "The city is dead. But the eyes of the children are alive."

The blood shed by young Canadians on the other side of the globe became the foundation of the freedom we enjoy today. We owe them a debt. It is a debt of 'companionship,' having endured the most difficult moments together. March 17 should be remembered not merely as a day of victory, but as a day when Canada and Korea affirmed that they were bound by a shared destiny amidst the ruins.

March 18, 2018

This is the day the Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, came to a close. The reason this date shines in the history of Korea-Canada relations is because of a single 'hero.' That hero is Canadian cross-country skier Brian McKeever. Visually impaired, he raced across the snowfields of PyeongChang alongside his guide runner. Winning three gold medals at the PyeongChang Games alone, he cemented his legacy as the most decorated athlete in Winter Paralympic history. Regardless of nationality, the Korean spectators gave a rousing applause to his indomitable will, and the Canadian delegation gave a thumbs-up to Korea's successful hosting of the Games. This is a symbolic scene demonstrating how military support has evolved into cultural and athletic exchange. Korea has now become a nation capable of hosting a global festival and inviting a Canadian hero to share in the cheers. The sweat shed by Brian McKeever in PyeongChang was the most beautiful proof that the blood shed by his forebears on Korean soil 67 years ago was not in vain, allowing both nations to shine on each other's stages.

March 21

This day is the UN's 'International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.' Until the 1960s, the remnants of the 'White Canada' policy still lingered in Canada. However, through the declaration of multiculturalism in 1971, Canada opened its doors. March 21 is a day for Korean Canadians—who are now members of mainstream society—to reflect on whether they themselves might be discriminating against other minority groups. If we are to claim the right not to be discriminated against in this land, we must also possess the 'dignity' not to discriminate against people of other ethnicities.