Hello, my name is Seonghee Moon, and I am a photography student in South Korea.
I am currently working on a documentary photography project tracing the life and history of my late father.
As far as I know, my father worked as a photographer at a photo studio inside the Yongsan Friendship Arcade at the U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan from 1984 to 1986.
I would like to hear from anyone who knew my father, as well as anyone who worked at the U.S. military base in Yongsan during that time, particularly Korean employees.
Additionally, I am interested in learning about the personal, human stories of the people who worked and lived within the unique environment of a U.S. military base.
I would also like to learn more about the culture, atmosphere, and everyday life around the base during the years when my father worked there.
Even the smallest piece of information could be meaningful to me. If you have any memories, stories, photographs, or information that might help me with this project, I would be truly grateful if you could share them with me.
cokemoon1@gmail.com
Hello SungHee,
I was stationed in Yongsan from late spring 1985 through August 1986. I served with HHC, 8th Army, and was assigned to the 25th Transportation. In 1986, Changwon City, Korea, and Jersey City, New Jersey, USA became sister cities. In March that year, a delegation from Jersey City traveled to Seoul for an official luncheon at the Rose Hotel, and additional guests were needed to fill the tables. Several soldiers from New Jersey in my unit were invited, so a fellow sergeant and I attended. We were seated with the delegation’s leader, Jersey City Councilman Glenn Cunningham, as well as a photographer covering the event, whose name I unfortunately do not remember. We had such an engaging conversation that the photographer invited us on an outing to learn more about Korean history and culture.
That weekend, he picked up my fellow soldier and I, took us to an outdoor museum complex. I believe it had once been a royal palace compound, similar to the Forbidden City in China. Each area depicted life in Korea during a different historical period. We spent a memorable day learning about the country’s history and changing social conditions while sampling traditional foods from various eras. I will never forget the taste of acorn jelly. Although we did not stay in touch afterward, I still remember the experience fondly.
As a related note, the Jersey City councilman later became mayor. After leaving the U.S. Army, I frequently visited Jersey City and encountered Mayor Cunningham several times. We would talk about the day of the ceremony back in Seoul.
Again, I cannot be completely certain that the photographer from 40 years ago was your father. However, the person in the first photograph strongly resembles the photographer I met—the one who took us on that memorable outing. I hope this information is helpful and able to research if he was at this event.
I arrived at Yongsan in June of 1986 and I am sorry but I don't remember your father. Back at that time before mobile phones photography and photo developing were more important. Other differences in Seoul between then and now were in 1986 coffee could be found only in 5 star hotels and served in tiny cups, wine was similarly scarce. The only pet dogs were those brought by DOD members. There were no motorcycles and very few automobiles. But rapid change began over the next few years.