Chairperson of the Day, Dr. Sonny Lee hosted the Rotary Club of New York's Koreaday celebration at the Princeton Club, October 24, 2000. After accepting an award for his efforts on behalf of the organization and the Korean community, Dr. Lee introduced his guest speaker for the afternoon, South Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations, Joun-Yung Sun.

Ambassador Joun-Yung Sun addressed some of the issues that were uppermost on people's minds when Kim De Jong, President of South Korea, met with North Korea's Kim Jung Il for a summit in South Korea. It was the first time since the beginning of the Korean War, 50 years ago this past June, that leaders of the two Koreas sat down for any kind of discussion of the issues between them.

Questions as to eventual reunification of the two Koreas were on Rotarians' minds as they asked Ambassador Sun whether the two Koreas would ever again unite. The Ambassador's response was direct. It would be far too expensive to reunite the two countries, but there are other steps, apart from this final last step, that can be taken. Economic ties were mentioned, along with human ties.

The Ambassador cited the fact that over 100 families who had been unable to see or be with their family and loved ones for the past 50 years were given permission to reunite. Regardless of the fact that these reunions lasted only a very limited amount of time, the fact that they took place at all was something that would have been unthinkable only a short time ago. Plans for other such reunions are in the works. However, no one could dispute the fact that many families have suffered the loss not only of family members, but also the feeling of family that once united them.

With plans for the two countries to meet again, hopes remain high that the two Koreas can make their way back from the brutal war that has divided them for so long.