The Korean proverb “A neighbour nearby is better than a distant relative” highlights that neighbours can be more reliable and helpful in times of need than distant relatives. It emphasises the importance of having a good relationship with one’s neighbours and suggests that community and neighbourly bonds are valuable and require nurturing. As a missionary living among migrants, I often reflect on what it means to be a true neighbour in the community.
Itaewon, Seoul, a representative multicultural district in Korea, is divided into two parts. One is where many foreign tourists and rich people live a colourful lifestyle, and the other is where poor people and migrants come to make money, live, and support their families back home. I live in the second part. My neighbours are mainly undocumented people, humanitarian sojourners or asylum seekers. Indeed, I can encounter more migrants than Koreans on the streets.
The opportunity to meet people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, learn about their cultures and share my own is a special gift. However, it is important to recognise the challenges migrants face in Korea, including humanitarian sojourners and asylum seekers. The strict screening process and relatively low refugee acceptance rate make it difficult for them to establish a new life here.
While many migrants are grateful for the chance to work, save and send financial support to their families, some struggle with the cultural adaptation required and find it hard to build relationships and integrate with their new neighbours.
When I see people facing various hurdles, it reminds me of the experiences I had while living as a missionary in other cultures. I can easily relate my experience to their lives, and living in the community with them helps me understand more about their situation.
I build friendships with these people through visitation, teaching basic Korean, inviting them to cookery classes, and accompanying them to the hospital and immigration office. I get my reward whenever I see smiles on the faces of those who have lost their smiles.
Take the example of one mother from Bangladesh who is now learning Korean. She used to stay at home, experiencing depression and isolation, never engaging in outside activities. The language and cultural barrier, plus her fearful attitude, were making life harder for both her and her children.
When I visited her for the first time, she was lying down on her bed in a dark room. Through regular visits, encouragement to learn Korean, and invitations to other activities, she gradually emerged from her isolated world into the real world. We still have some difficulties communicating, but - even if it is very seldom - I now see her smiling and listening to others talk. She needs more courage and to be challenged to overcome her obstacles and connect to her new environment, but I am happy to see her smile, and I want to congratulate her and welcome her into the community.
I can say I am still at the stage of learning about the situation of migrants in Korea. I am doing little things with them, but I think these little things and the time I spend with them are valuable, enabling me to become a true neighbour. I will continue to build relationships and friendships with them, welcoming, respecting, understanding, and giving empathy regardless of their background or circumstances.
As a missionary, I hope to offer comfort and courage to those who feel fear in the darkness or cannot see sufficient hope in their lives to emerge into a brighter place.
Columban lay missionary Christina Lee Kyungja lives and works in Seoul, Korea
Listen to "Better than a distant relative"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - September/October 2024
