Unifier: that is who I am (acceptance speech on behalf of the Simsan Award)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Paik Ki-wan was a leading activist of the Korean unification movement and the labor movement. He passed away on 15 February due to chronic disease. During his grave illness, Shim San Prize was awarded to him on 10 November 2020, three months before his death. Therefore, the author, his eldest daughter, gave an award acceptance speech on his behalf. This essay was written for the speech. Paik Ki-wan has various names in South Korea, such as unifier, storyteller, street fighter, poet, white-haired warrior, Bulssam-ggun (revolutionist) grandfather. Whenever he was inquired to identify himself by the dictatorship and division ideology, he claimed to be a unifier. What he meant by unifier is a person who takes the lead in resolving the contradiction of division, which not only refers to the peaceful unification of the two Koreas, but also addresses the global division system that the US and the Soviet Union imposed on the globe during the Cold War era creating an all-around subordination structure in South Korea. Paik had dedicated his life to national unification and social liberation in the Korean Peninsula and Asia by people's power. This essay attempts to shed light on Paik Ki-wan's unique role and status in the Korean social movement. The concept of Nonamegi, the essence of his thought, means a plural-equal civilization world where every people has an equal right to work and live well materially and ethically, including practice to achieve it. He refused to retreat from the front line and become “historicized” by making age an excuse. Although he has already gone a long way and can no longer resonate with the world with his resounding voice, his spirit always will be the first to run into the place of tears and blood in the Korean Peninsula and Asia. Paik's poem, “Heaven Lake,” (Baekdusan cheonji), depicting his desire for unification, is added at the end of the essay.