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Kyung In was already four months old when Hakkun and I were finally able to get married in April of 1979.
We were able to get by during her first years. But Hakkun became increasingly engrossed in trying to help Amerasians, the offspring of Korean women and American soldiers go to America. Between his lobbying for Amerasians, including a letter to an American senator, and his drinking, there was no money coming in to support us. Two more daughters arrived and that only made our financial situation more difficult.
Hakkun was very hard on Kyung In. He felt that she needed to study very hard if she was going to be able to overcome her Amerasian heritage. When she made mistakes studying, he often hit her.
At one point, after he had been out of work for five years, I asked him for a divorce. As usual, he promised that things would be better.
And, in the fall of 1986, it seemed that they would. He found a sponsor for us in Arlington, VA and began to make preparations for our new life in America. Eventually, we were granted a visa to the U.S.
But then Hakkun died and all hope was gone.
In the weeks before my daughters were to leave Korea for a new life, Kyung In and I would lie in bed late at night and talk. She begged me to let them stay in Korea. But I knew that for their sake, it couldn't be.
Hakkun's death settlement was running out and my family had no money to lend me. With three young daughters to take care of, there was no way that I could work.
Kyung In promised that she would study hard in American. She said she would become a doctor, make a lot of money, and then bring me to America.
Kyung In is now known as Melissa Ying. |
