Living and Learning in Korea

[Isaiah Joo]

My name is Isaiah Joo and I work in the U.S. Department of State’s Office of eDiplomacy in Washington, D.C. The Office of eDiplomacy works on merging technology, innovation, and diplomacy and applying these to the work of the State Department.   I just returned from Seoul, where I spent two months at the U.S. Embassy Seoul.  My short time in Korea flew by, but was extremely rewarding and enjoyable.

Our U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world are busy places and Seoul is definitely no exception to this rule.  From day one, I was asked to assist with the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section.  and helped support a number of high-level visitors from Washington to Seoul including Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel and Senator Marco Rubio.  One of my passions is running, so I enjoyed showing the movie Prefontaine and leading a discussion with Korean students on overcoming obstacles at the American Center Korea. 

Talking to Koreans about Overcoming Obstacles

Through the United Service Organization, I was able to tour the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the Joint Security Area, and even step foot into North Korea.  I also had the unique privilege of joining others to attend a demonstration of Korea’s Special Warfare Command, which is the country’s elite commando unit. 

U.S. Embassy Seoul at ROK Special Warfare Command

My trip to Korea was also enjoyable on a personal level because I myself am Korean-American and was born in Incheon, South Korea.  Having left Korea when I was four, I only visited once when I was a young child, so this was my first visit as an adult and a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with my Korean family.  I was able to enjoy the holidays with them, including the traditional Korean New Year or Seollal.  Although I celebrated this with my family growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, celebrating Seollal in Korea had much more meaning to me.  My favorite part of the holiday was waking up and eating the traditional rice cake soup or tteokguk in the morning with my aunt’s family

My family lives throughout Korea in Seoul, Ganghwado, Incheon, and Cheongju and I had a chance to visit all these cities.  I particularly enjoyed spending time with my grandparents who live on Ganghwa Island, as they were able to share with me some family history that I never knew and imparted some wisdom in the small time that I had with them.  My grandparents still are farmers on Ganghwa Island.  My grandfather woke me up on Christmas morning and took me for a hike around the island.  During our long hike, he told me various historical stories of the island and emphasized the importance of family and Korean culture.  Our final stop was an open field, where he told me that it was his land and that he wished that I would eventually bring my future son here one day and tell him the same things.

My Grandfather Showing Me His Land

My Korean Family (Mother’s Side) and I in Cheongju

Besides my family and the wonderful staff at U.S. Embassy Seoul, I certainly miss the Korean food.

Overall, my two months in Korea were some of the best months I’ve had in my life. It was motivating and inspiring working alongside our diplomats in Seoul.  I especially enjoyed working for Ambassador Sung Kim and hope that one day I can give back as much as he has to this great country.

Ambassador Kim and I