I tell the Indian people that half of my heart belongs in their country...

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 10:13:57 +0000

India was my first diplomatic posting, and Soon-taek and I arrived in Delhi in October 1972. I served there for almost three years, first as vice consul of the Korean Consulate General, and once a full diplomatic relationship was established between Korea and India in December 1973, I served as second secretary of the Korean Embassy. It was such an exciting time in my life! I was twenty-eight years old, newly married, and on a diplomatic trajectory. My daughter Seon-yong was just eight months old and my only son, Woohyun, was born in India on October 30, 1974. I used to joke with Indian people that my balance sheet with India is perfect because my son was born in India and my youngest daughter, Hyun-hee, is married to an Indian man.