The Han River flows in quiet dignity,

Renewing the heart of this nation.

It is not water alone that flows,

But the everlasting tide of hope.

Lee Young-ha

Poet and former Ambassador Mr. Lee Young-ha is a literary figure who made his literary debut in 2010 through Literary Spring and Autumn (Munye Chunchu) and currently serves as an editor of the same magazine. He has been actively dedicated to promoting peace and reunification through literature, as well as fostering international literary exchange, serving as Vice President of the Korean Association of Unification Writers, a member of PEN Korea, a member of the Gyeonggi Poets’ Association, and an executive committee member of the Gyeonggi PEN Regional Committee.

A graduate of the Air Force Academy, he is a former combat pilot and a retired Lieutenant General of the Republic of Korea Air Force, with approximately 2,300 flight hours. He served as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, contributing to the advancement of air force strategy and policy, and played a significant role in strengthening national defense and developing the Air Force through distinguished leadership in airspace defense and command positions.

After retiring from military service, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Lebanon, representing his country on the international diplomatic stage. In recognition of his distinguished service and contributions, he was awarded the Lebanese National Order of Merit by the Lebanese government. Drawing upon profound reflections accumulated through decades of military and diplomatic experience, he has continuously explored in his literary works such themes as human dignity, humanitarian values, division, reconciliation, and peace.

In recognition of his literary achievements, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including the First Unification Aspiration Literary Award, the Hwang Hui Prime Minister Literary and Arts Award, the Grand Prize of the Goryeo Literary Award along with an Honorary Doctorate of Literature, the Gyeonggi PEN Literary Award (Work Award), the Special Creative Award of the Korean Literature Award, the Special Work Award of the Han Yong-un Literary Award, the Yun Dong-ju Star Literary Award, and the Literary Award commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Singapore.

He currently serves as the 10th President of the Korean Association of World Literature, where he is dedicated to promoting exchange, cooperation, and mutual understanding between Korean literature and world literature.

A Letter Written on the Han River

The river carries within its currents

The sorrow of a divided land, the endless nights of war, and the dawn of peace.

As the South Han River longs for the North,

The North Han River inclines its body toward the South.

 

Though they flow as separate streams,

They are destined, in the end, to meet within a single river.

Whenever the lights of Seoul shimmer,

The river asks:

“Have you still not lost your dream?”

 

Today, once again, I stand by the river,

Rewriting the ideals that were once lost.

A single word entrusted to the current—

That is my prayer.

 

The Han River flows in quiet dignity,

Renewing the heart of this nation.

It is not water alone that flows,

But the everlasting tide of hope.

한강에서 쓰는 편지

강물은 기억한다.

분단의 상처, 전쟁의 밤, 그리고 평화의 새벽을.

남한강이 북녘을 그리워하듯

북한강은 남쪽으로 몸을 기울인다.

 

서로 다른 길을 흘러도

결국은 하나의 강으로 만나는 법.

서울의 불빛이 반짝일 때마다

강물은 묻는다.

“너희는 아직 꿈을 잃지 않았는가?”

 

나는 오늘도 그 강가에서

잃어버린 이상을 다시 적는다.

물결에 실려 가는 글자 하나,

그것이 나의 기도다.

 

한강은 오늘도 조용히 흐르며

이 나라의 심장을 씻는다.

흐르는 것은 물이 아니라

끊임없는 희망의 세월이다.

____________________

Read: Who Passes By – Poetry from Korea