INVISIBLE  KOREANS

Felipe Hahn Lee, son of José María Hahn  한종원, was born in Mexico City in 1932.  His great-grandfather  Alfonso Lee  이전세 was designated a Patriot by the Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for his work towards the Korean Independence Movement during the Japanese occupation.

Growing up Korean in Mexico posed a serious handicap at a time when racism was the norm.  However, our father fought his way through school and the military and managed to make a career for himself as a professional wrestler in Mexico and internationally.  

It was always a great disappointment not to have had the support of Korea, the only nation reflected in his eyes, in his facial features.  If he wasn't Korean, then what was he?

Mexico did not consider him Mexican.  he didn't have a sense of belonging to the country where he was born.  He belonged nowhere.

He wanted his family and the country they had to leave behind to be proud of what he had achieved and how he represented Korea, his motherland. 

His eldest daughter was born in Mexico. Yesterday, she got into a taxi and the driver immediately asked: "Where are you from?" (Despite her having greeted him in perfect Spanish).  Korea is reflected in her eyes, in her facial features.  If she isn't Korean, then what is she?

His youngest daughter was born in Mexico. In school, growing up, as a adult, these terms were thrown at her every day: chinita (little chinese) , ching-chong, where are you from?  (Despite her perfect Spanish).  Korea is reflected in her eyes, in her facial features.  If she isn't Korean, then what is she?

This is a shared experience among many Korean descendants in Mexico.   We would like to BELONG and we hope our motherland embraces us as Korean one day soon.