LWer celebrates publication of two books

KOREAN LITERARY CLUB

The Korean Literary Club held a small book publication ceremony party honoring Dr. Yoon Soo Park. He has recently published two books: “Seaside Literature” and “A Future with Blessings and Grace.” “Seaside Literature” is the annual publication of the Korean Literary Club’s “Stories of Retired People.” Park, retired physics professor, moved to Mutual 14 in June 2014 from Washington, D.C. He is currently serving as visiting professor of Rensselaer Institute of Technology. He taught at Seoul National University and Johns Hopkins University, and served as program director of the Office of Naval Research. He served as chair of the National Board of Directors of Korean American Scholarship Foundation, chair of the Korea-US Science Corporation Center, the first chair of Seoul National University Alumni Association, USA, and chair of the Centennial Committee of Korean Immigration to the United States— DC Chapter. At Leisure World he actively participates in the Korean-American Classical Musical Academy, the Korean American Chorale and Korean Literary Club. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors of Korean American Association.

For the past two years, because of the threat and plight of the coronavirus, activities of cultural and social gatherings, including church worship in Leisure World, were suspended. With the benefits of Zoom, residents were delighted to see their family members for two years.

The Korean Literary Club (KLC) also stopped publishing the literary book “Story of Retired People,” which was published every year, contrary to the general atmosphere, Park believed he had a lot of leisure time and we could concentrate on reading and writing. He published his third collection of poetry, “In Pursuit of Joy and Hope,” and his memoir, “Gazing at the Ever-Blue Sky.”

Now that he is 92 years old, he feels that he is in the last stage of his life. He has started thinking about the kind of world he will be in when he dies. He is filled with the desire to paint the “future world” that he likes. The future world he wants is full of joy and hope. He thinks a pain free future is a peaceful place without conflict.

Until he runs out of breath to realize this future place, he thinks that he should serve and show love for his neighbors. While he still has his breath, he wants to reminisce about the hometown, friends, and nature that he knew well.

These poems may be the last collection of poems prior to the “World of the Future” he will form. However, he wrote it for the family and friends he loves. He divided the poems into four parts: “The future I am aiming for,” “Festivals in the midst of Corona,” “Hometown of memories and natures,” and “Practice of service and love”.

Before the final curtain on the stage of his life draws down, his feelings are complex— life’s most dramatic moment. He welcomes readers to take a closer look once more at his life.

—Yoon So Park