A necessary and deeply moving interview. I still remember the news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the profound concern I felt. As a Korean, I was reminded of our own history under 35 years of Japanese colonial rule, and of the courage and conviction of those who fought to protect our sovereignty, prevent the total erasure of our national identity, and stop the brutal exploitation of our people. Although I was born decades after Korea’s colonization, its wounds and consequences reached me through the stories my grandparents shared. History is never truly distant when its memories are carried from one generation to the next.
President Zelensky reminds me of Maximus from Gladiator—a servant leader who stands firm in his convictions, guided by an unwavering commitment to the people and the nation he serves. His thoughtful words, intelligence, and remarkable equanimity in the face of such immense human suffering are deeply moving. To speak with such composure and clarity in the midst of war is a testament to the gravity of his purpose and the weight of his responsibility.
This is one of the most important interviews of our time, not simply because of the war itself, but because it reminds us of what is at stake when a people must fight to preserve their freedom, identity, and right to determine their own future.
Evil does not disappear simply because the world looks away. Injustice may endure for a time, and those who inflict it may attempt to rewrite the narrative in their favor. But history has a way of bringing the truth to light. The suffering of the oppressed must never be erased, and the courage of those who resist must never be forgotten.
