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I shouldíve been sent to a POW camp.
But I wasnít.
I was sent to an army prison instead,
and served 35 years there.
Itís a violation of international law.
Itís against article 118 of the Geneva Conventions.
I want to go immediately,
to my beloved home
Iím sure, by returning,
I can contribute to peaceful reunification.
Signature-collecting campaign
Look at them, all commies.
They couldnít do that before.
Back in the old days, people gave their lives for democracy,
so we can finally speak out now.
Itís conservatives like you who delay reunification!
*** you.
What did you say?
Watch your mouth!
How old are you?
You ***, what did you say to me?
*** like you stand in the way of reunification!
At your age? Shame on you!
The ex-prisoners met more often
to plan for repatriation.
They had to confirm how many wanted to return home.
In the process, those who were from the South
suffered an emotional conflict.
Having families both in the North and South,
Shin was particularly troubled.
- Are you going or not? - Iím not going.
- So youíre not going? - Wait, Iím going.
Then you must write your name here.
We need a confirmed list!
Donít sign if you wonít go.
I canít write my name on either list.
I canít say Iím going, or Iím not,
since thereís no in-between list.
Please donít write either way whether Iím going or not.
After much thought, Shin decided to stay.
He was prompted by something
more important than family.
My family in the North lead a stable life.
If I go, thereíll be fresh separation here in the South.
Iíve thought about that, too.
But what matters here is... of course, itís good to go back.
This way we can reassure
many people in the North?
that we upheld the cause,
even here in the South.
It will make a statement
to people abroad.
And we must show the reactionaries in the South
the superiority of Socialism.
In that sense, itís better to go.
But thatís not for me.
Iím too old to do anything myself,
but I can still work with others here in the South,
raising my voice, no matter how small, in shouting for justice.
and thatís the real reason Iím staying.
I took a trip with Cho and the other grandpas.
Going home was no longer a distant dream.
They now seemed to collect some good memories of the South.
Seeing another side of the grandpas was also fun.
Please let Kim find someone whoíll accept him as her husband.
There are scenes weíve seen very often, which still thrill us.
But if asked to choose just one,
Iíd choose this one anytime.
The leaders of two enemy states
meeting to shake hands
was a dream that seemed even more unattainable
than Korea making the World Cup semi-finals.
Actually, this handshake touched not only Korea
but also the whole world.
Foreign correspondents rejoicing together is a rare sight to see.
Some say it was a handshake bought with money.
Even if thatís true,
it doesnít make the handshake any less valuable.
It is far less expensive than weapons in creating peace.
As for the ex-prisoners, repatriation had become a reality,
just a matter of time.
But they took this historical event more calmly than expected.
That day, Cho quietly watched TV,
and went about working as usual.
Yes, I watched the news, but I wasnít really overwhelmed.
Why not?
I donít know.
Maybe Iíve been waiting too long.
Also, I tell myself to stay cool.
- Youíre worn out by waiting. - I guess so.
Iíd waited every moment to go back.
But today when I saw the two leaders meet,
and the welcome in Pyongyang,
I felt I could go back.
I hope it is soon.
South and North Korea
on this coming August 15,
shall exchange visits of separated families
and try to solve such humanitarian issues as
repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners.
South and North Korea shall develop
their national economies through economic cooperation...
Itís 12: 20.
They signed the declaration at 11: 20.
In terms of economic cooperation,
each side will carry out exchanges...
Hello?
Yes.
What congratulations?
Really?
Yes, August 15.
I was sleeping.
I was asleep,
but thereís a cameraman here.
And he woke me.
Theyíre dealing with it now.
So Iím watching the news.
Yes, what matters is not just going back...
but being free to come and go
in order to promote reunification.
Thatís the real challenge.
Chairman Kim Jong-il finished his champagne in one shot.
- White shirt? - No, one shot.
...in 52 years... - Wait.
Itís 55 years.
Please do it again.
From when they come in?
Stand up again. Just a moment.
Congratulations, sirs.
Itís the most wonderful news in 55 years of division...
Youíve suffered so much all these years.
The conservative press whoíd ignored or criticized the ex-prisoners
were forced to act friendly for once.
During the summit,
Chairman Kim Jong-il
called our country South Korea instead of ëthe enemyí
and addressed our leader as President Kim.
Weíre still young cub reporters.
I donít know about my paperís official position,
but personally I believe we should open our hearts.
What is the Chosun Daily?
Conservative papers can only exist with the support if its members.
To be honest,
itís high time for all you employees...
to repent and make amends? for what youíve done.
Itís a time of reconciliation,
so the Chosun Daily should also answer the call of the times
and contribute to reunification
and the advancement of the people.
Iím sure you mean well,
but your methods were wrong.
From our point of view,
the Chosun Daily
was forever picking on us.
Back in college,
we had our share of suffering, and studied all the ideologies.
Thatís how we mature, right?
They say youíre a fool not to be a communist when young,
but equally a fool to remain one till youíre old, right?
All young people want reform.
You said youíre from the southern part?
So am I.
Say hello to Mr. Lee for me,
your paperís columnist.
He was my senior in elementary school.
I used to call him Big Brother,
but now I donít.
While in prison, I sent him
New Yearís cards several times.
But he never replied
even if I heard heíd asked about me.
I was hurt by his refusal to acknowledge me.
So youíre an oriental physician?
Nah, just a quack.
The inter-Korean declaration of June 15
thawed the 50-year Cold War.
Authorities overlooked universities that hung out the North Korean flag.
Knickknacks that wouldíve once been banned by the National Security Act
were openly marketed.
Even the conservative press refrained from articles slandering the North,
Unconverted and no longer used the term ëconverts-to-be. ë
With repatriation now at hand,
the Repatriation Committee was happy but a bit deflated.
Everything was now
in the governmentís hands.
The signature-collecting drive was now unnecessary.
My film also lost its original purpose,
and I had to reorient myself.
I had a feeling
I could now make a more frank, controversial film.
There was some trouble at the Herbal Center.
Ahn had suddenly announced that he was getting married.
It was happy news,
but with repatriation so close,
some were against his plans.
- Whoís officiating? - No one.
Proclaiming our marriage is more important.
But everything needs to have certain formalities.
I was shocked yesterday.
Theyíre your comrades, thatís why they talked like that.
All the more they shouldnít.
I didnít ask for their help.
But they said first ëWe wonít help you at all. ë
Weíre not all against it.
Come on, listen to me.
One comrade insisted that repatriation is a summons,
so his implication was,
that I mustnít marry.
But Iíd already made up my mind.
Iíll take responsibility.
Iíve always made my own decisions and I can take care of myself.
It was a splendid wedding.
But there was no one officiating.
One, two, three!
Iím happy for him, finally getting married
after living so long as a bachelor.
Are you jealous?
Of course! Some people have all the luck.
Then why donít you get married, too?
When I get back home,
then I will.
Hurry up and go.
All dressed up like this.
No matter how desperate, wait until you go home.
If I were free to go back and forth,
Iíd want to get married here.
Anyone in mind?
Actually, yes.
More than one. Itís hard to choose!
Now youíre getting married.
Both of you swear
to love each other forever?
Yes.
Answer, bridegroom!
Yes!
Before repatriation, Kim Sun-myong wanted to pay respects
at his motherís grave.
But his family wouldnít tell him where it was.
He visited his hometown,
but he couldnít find the grave.
But at least
his younger sister contacted him.
She called me.
It seems she had a hard time because of me.
Even now, I guess.
She said she wasnít sure how things would turn out.
So she doesnít dare to meet me.
She implied Momís grave is quite near where she lives.
- In Yangpyong? - No, not there.
Itís in Paju. But she wonít say exactly where.
She said if she tells me,
and I visit the grave,
people will start asking questions.
Sheís afraid of that.
She doesnít hate me, sheís just scared.
Did she wish you well?
Yes. She said, ëTake care of yourself. ë
ëLetís meet after reunification. ë
Kim and his family may never meet again.
The division left a deep rift between them.
Even the celebratory mood of the upcoming repatriation
couldnít heal the rift.
While filming ex-prisoners
who were born in the South,
I saw how victimized their families felt.
Thank you for coming.
Fill up your cups.
Here, Uncle.
To your health,
and the health of the whole family!
Cheers!
Take care of yourself when you are in the North.
I hope weíll meet again.
To that hope,
lets toast again!
Kim Yong soo (served 27 years) I know youíve had hard times because of me.
There may be some hard feelings,
but please forget everything.
I wish that you all may live in harmony,
treasuring friendship and love.
Then Iíll be able to live
the rest of my life in peace in the North.
In our current situation, the keyword is...
reunification.
Social ism, democracy, or liberalism...
From a Cold-War perspective,
weíre divided by ideas.
But now we should transcend ideology and reunite as a people.
The federal state that the North advocates means that
the South can keep its democracy
while the North maintains social ism,
and the two Koreas can co-exist,
living this way in peace...
At his drawn-out speech,
the festive mood turned tense.
Suddenly, one of the relatives
took issue with my camera.
Iím glad to have you here on this happy occasion.
But you are making me uneasy,
with your camera and filming.
And whatís with that speech?
Send the kids to bed.
They shouldnít be hearing this.
Youíve lived for so long
as captives of anti-North sentiments,
tied down by Cold War rationale.
You were its biggest victims.
You still are.
And now you canít shake off your victim mentality.
No, you listen!
I know your situation.
Thatís why I planned this get-together, to set you free.
To show that you are no longer victims,
to talk to you about the significance
of my going back to the North,
about what the future holds,
thatís what I wanted.
Presidents donít stay in office forever.
When a new administration comes around, whatíll happen?
Itís all rosy now, but who knows whatíll happen?
I couldnít stand the awkwardness, so I left early.
After a while, one of the relatives
came to my inn and asked me to sign a pledge.
- Why do I have to sign? - I told you.
Just in case.
Weíve had enough bad things happen to us.
Weíre afraid that it might happen again...
We want to know the purpose
and contents of your film.
The film must be shown to the family for permission prior to completion.
Iím sorry. I hope you understand.
Do you have any fruit?
Yes...
Captain Jinís grave
Hey, can you hear me?
This is frustrating as hell.
Your dying away like that.
Youíre dead, and itís all over!
If you want to say something, come out and say it!
If Captain Jin was alive,
heíd be so happy and things would be all right.
He died so suddenly.
Pouring wine over his grave just makes me mad.
No reply, not a word of welcome...
Bowing to the ground, the pines...
saying useless things...
It was so heart-breaking.
Farewell dinner with Bongcheon residents Cho presents necklaces and rings to some neighbors
I told my husband,
Mr. Cho gave me a necklace.
But he didnít believe me.
Finally, I showed it to him, and he was speechless.
Heís better than a husband, I said.
When Mr. Cho gave me this ring,
it really made me cry to think we might never meet again.
How many did you buy?
Six necklaces...
- And the rings? - Two rings.
Take care till reunification.
Thank you.
At first,
I wasnít excited
Then when I learned I was really going home,
it made me somewhat nervous.
When you return to North Korea,
who is the first person
you want to meet?
I have a son,
and a daughter, so Iíll meet my children first.
Then Iíll meet my wife.
Donít let him see you cry.
Iím fighting back my tears, too.
You donít have to break the dam...
Heís not going tomorrow, you know.
Thereís still time.
Stop it,
youíre breaking the mood.
When I was ill,
she brought me food and everything.
At times, she even gave me pocket money.
Sheís been so good to me.
Dear Chairman Kim of North Korea,
Mr. Cho and the others suffered a lot while in the South.
Still there are people here who love them.
Weíre afraid that once theyíre in the North,
weíll lose contact and never meet again.
We couldnít bear that.
Please give us hope for a happy reunion.
Mr. Cho had such a hard time here.
I hope heíll have the best of everything
including good medical care.
I also hope Iíll see him again.
Please at least allow us to write to each other.
Of course.
There was another place Cho wanted to visit.
The shore on the east coast where 38 years ago,
he landed, lost his comrade, and was arrested.
WARNING No Photography or Entry Permitted
This is where I landed.
Over there...
See that round rock there.
We anchored behind it.
Heís telling us to stop and get out.
We were boating here, when a friend fell overboard and drowned.
I came here to remember him.
Filming is not allowed. Turn it off, please.
Whereís your platoon leader from?
The ROTC.
Iím from the 16th class.
Really? Iím from the 38th, sir.
Iím a documentary filmmaker...
Luckily, the officer was my junior in rank.
Stretching the truth a bit,
I managed to continue to shoot.
Itís me, old friend,
Cho Chang-son.
There were times I envied you for being dead.
But I came through, and have survived to this day.
Now Iím going home soon.
Iíll make sure to report
how bravely you fought.
Comrade...!
If only you could come with me...
Are you taking it with you?
Of course.
It may be only a bit of soil, but I want to give it to his family.
Peopleís Farewell Ceremony for Unconverted Prisoners
Those leaving for the North
spent a total of 2, 045 years in prison.
Add the years served by those staying here,
and the total is 2, 875 years.
Add the years served by the dead, and it exceeds 10, 000.
This most horrible
and cruel record
remains a fact in our midst.
And this most proud and sacred history
lives on in our brothers.
One church held a farewell service for the grandpas.
There, families of people
abducted by the North turned up.
As the ex-prisoners didnít acknowledge the abductions,
they were clearly offended.
Towards the end of their service,
they tried to introduce families of the so-called abducted.
I raised my hand,
got permission to speak,
and said, ëLetís finish the service first. ë
But they insisted...
To ease their suffering,
we wish to support the families of the abducted,
and help them to achieve reunion.
I immediately walked out.
I donít know what happened afterwards.
But later I heard
that a few others as well
stood up and walked out.
The abducted?
Thereís no such thing!
I didnít intend to cause any trouble
by coming here.
More than anything else,
we wanted to congratulate
these long term prisoners
before they return home on September 2.
There are no abducted prisoners,
youíre making a political issue out of nothing!
In South Korea, we use the expression ëabducted. ë
Iím sure some of the unconverted ex-prisoners
would rather not meet us.
I understand itís a wound
afflicted on us all by the Cold War.
The commotion ended with the ex-prisoners accepting
the familiesí letters to the North.
However, when the press reported the incident,
they were accused of having flatly refused
to meet the families.
I myself felt the ex-prisoners had been too rigid,
and asked why he couldnít
hear them out for a while.
Have you thought it over?
My mind hasnít changed.
A few days before repatriation,
Cho was hospitalized with a mild case of pneumonia.
The almost daily celebrations
must have taken their toll.
Yet more people visited him.
The hospitalization and the many visitors
ended up ruining my plans,
for I needed a long interview
for my film before his repatriation.
I gave him copies of the tapes I had shot so far.
I hoped theyíd be mementos of his life here and me.
Letís do a rehearsal.
Imagine Iím your wife.
- Darling, welcome home. - Who Are you?
I donít know you.
Come on, sheíll think youíve gone cuckoo.
Tell her ëMy wife as I know was very young. ë
ëI donít have an old wife. ë
Your wife also may say ëWhoís this old man? ë
May you live another 15 years,
and not a day more.
Thanks a lot. Thereís no friend like you.
Telling you to live longer than that would be a curse.
So live just 15 more years.
Promise me to live.
The day before the departure, the ex-prisoners
were to meet at a hotel with their luggage.
There was a rigorous luggage inspection.
Notebooks, photos, even letters were confiscated.
Finally, it caused trouble.
Why canít we take addresses? Are they military secrets?
Am I supposed to memorize all these addresses?
I just want to show those nice letters to my folks.
Confiscating them runs counter
to the mood of reconciliation between North and South.
They donít do that to tourists or foreigners.
Why canít Koreans bring home addresses to promote reunification?
Itís ridiculous!
Letís walk out!
Weíll boycott!
You ***!
Unconditional repatriation my foot!
They refused the baggage inspection and left.
The government was embarrassed.
The Repatriation Committee stepped in to mediate,
and the men held a press conference condemning the government.
What could have been
a beautiful gesture of reconciliation
turned into an inhumane process unheard of even in prison.
So the ex-prisoners unfortunately chose to walk out.
The inspection which could have taken all day
ended up taking just an hour.
Full of emotions, I call out to you.
Letís meet again.
Parents and brothers
call each otherís names.
Let reunification come soon,
How many years has it been?
Take care, letís meet again.
Have a safe trip, letís meet again.
Full of emotions I call out to you.
Farewell.
Please take care.
Please take care.
Letís meet again within a year.
Goodbye!
They were to be handed over at the Joint Security Area.
But families of the abducted and right-wing groups
blocked the way, demonstrating against repatriation.
Who says non-converts are patriots?
Are the police servants of commies?
Which side are you on?
How come we send spies? What about Korean war captives?
Letís go to North Korea!
Iíd rather go to the North myself!
Youíre dirty commies, right?
I saw a group seeing off their ëcomradesí.
Did you see?
With farewell banners and all.
Itís so absurd!
ëComrades, ëreally...
Gate of Reunification
In the year following the inter-Korean summit,
The North-South relationship went through many changes.
Soon after the repatriation,
the reconstruction of the old inter-Korean railway began.
At the Sydney Olympics,
athletes from the two Koreas marched hand in hand.
Over 3, 500 separated family members were reunited.
North Korean products began to be sold,
and we had commercials featuring North Korean soldiers.
TV stations competed to cover scenes from the North.
The image of the North was friendlier than ever.
Full of emotions I call out to you.
Farewell, Letís meet again.
Letís meet again and rejoice over reunification!
I heard news of the grandpas from Pyongyang once in a while.
I got hold of leaf lets and
videotapes from the North.
As expected, they received
a grand heroís welcome.
They went through hell, but now theyíre back
in the arms of our Great General and songs of praise ring out.
ëGLORY TO THE UNCONVERTED! ë
They spent their darkest hour in tiny murderous cells.
But now they live in mansions a hundred times larger,
thanks to our sun,
General Kim Jong-il.
Each and every room,
the front room and the kitchen,
are filled with the rays of the benevolent sun.
I was glad to see them even if it was on video.
But all sleeked up with medals,
they looked like strangers.
It was sad to think I might feel awkward if I met them again.
The unconverted prisoners are children of the Sun,
Loyal warriors of our Great Leader and General.
The North used them to beef up its propaganda.
The dear men must have been embarrassed
to pose for this photo.
But theyíd have obliged willingly.
From the darkest hell,
up they rose towards the sun.
Eternal soldiers of the Great General, children of the Sun.
I found a photo of Mr. Cho with his family.
His wife looked nice.
His son looked younger than me.
Surrounded by grandchildren my own kidsí age,
they seemed to be celebrating something.
I wanted to go to the North.
I wanted to visit Mr. Cho and his family
and experience the North,
and finally complete this film.
But it was still a difficult path,
and I could do nothing but wait.
Then an opportunity came.
I was granted permission to go
to a festival in Pyongyang.
I couldnít have been more excited.
But the day before departure, I was told I couldnít go.
I was still under investigation for violating the National Security Act.
Iíd forgotten all about it.
I protested and appealed in vain.
Anyway, I went to the airport to see the others off.
When I was handed my plane ticket,
I almost cried at the unfairness of it all.
NAM Gyu-seon
Can you do me a favor?
I asked a friend who had a camera
to do some shooting for me.
Please give my regards to Mr. Cho.
Why donít you film your greeting?
- No, thatís okay. - Iíll show him the video.
Mr. Cho, I would have loved to see you.
But I canít go this time.
I miss you.
I promise to visit very soon.
How do you feel?
This is the biggest milestone
in the history of Korea.
Iím the happiest man on earth.
Seoul to Pyongyang...
What do you want to do?
Iíll drink with North Korean writers.
Have a nice trip.
The road leading into the city
was lined with white birches.
It was unlike Seoul or any other city.
I felt I was really in the North.
In Pyongyang,
billboards are really hard to find.
The city is a little different from what we see on TV.
When the ceremony was over,
on my way back to the hotel
in the parking lot
I saw some old men.
I wondered if it could be them,
so I ran over, and it really did seem like them.
And so it was.
They looked so stylish and radiant.
They looked healthier and younger.
They looked so good that they seemed like different people.
I would like to thank all those who helped me in many ways.
In particular Mr. Cho, compared with last time,
appeared in much better health,
although he was still pale.
He asked me to give his regards
to so many people in Seoul.
He listed them all by name, so as not to forget anyone.
He went on and on, asking
ëHowís so-and-so doing? ë
I heard Kim ***-won was coming
but couldnít at the last minute.
I miss him very much.
I never told him while I was over there.
But to me, he was like a son.
He was really good to me.
I really wish I could have seen him.
Tell him for me,
if thereís an opportunity we must meet next time.
Tell him to take good care of his children,
and that I wish his family all the best.
Itís been almost a year.
In a nutshell,
every day has been a happy dream.
All of us,
weíll never forget
the support group ladies.
Weíve left behind some comrades,
but weíre well-treated
and truly happy.
Sorry my friend, for having such a good time without you.
In Seoul, they didnít even have their own rooms.
They had to do menial labor,
and endure poverty.
Naturally, they live a better life here.
But, perhaps, more than anything,
they looked so happy...
Because they were back home,
reunited with their families,
reacquainted with old friends.
After all, coming home is like...
the ultimate completion
in a personís life.
They were singing in a restaurant.
It sounded like a war tune from their youth.
Theyíd overcome total failure and prolonged suffering,
and were now singing, with strength and dignity.
Their lives have yet to reach a happy ending.
Still the endless road of revolution
and struggle lies before them.
The road they must travel on might be even rougher.
They no longer have visible enemies.
And itís time for their soul-searching to begin.
I was still curious about how they lived.
Yet I gave up my trip to Pyongyang and started editing.
It was so hard to get there,
and Iíd heard that even if I made it to Pyongyang,
I might not be allowed to film them.
ëI already know them well enough, ë
I told myself.
Mr. Cho said I was like a son to him.
I was ashamed for not being much of a son.
That shame spurred me on to complete this film.
I really miss him.
Kim Sun-myong and 7 other bachelors got married.
2001-Apr LEE Jong-hwan passed away
2001-June YOON Yong-gi passed away
Late 2001 SHIN In-young died in Pyongyang
Early 2002 SHIN In-youngís mother died in Seoul
Kim Young-sik and 30 converted ex-prisoners
declared their conversion null and void, and are campaigning for a second round of repatriation.