“Growing up as a first generation Korean-American, my parents would share with me from time to time their memories of the hardships they had to endure during the Korean War — how hungry they were, how cold it was during the winter, and how much they had to move around to find shelter. They were thankful for the assistance from international organizations and for the opportunity to rebuild their lives, and see their nation prosper again. Nowadays, I recall my parents’ reflections, as I work as a Monitoring Officer with the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and in my past work at the United Nations.
During the past three years, I worked close to the Line of Contact, registered numerous ceasefire violations, and reported on the damages to water and electric supply. I empathize with the people I see here, the people who endure hardship as the conflict enters its third year. I am hopeful there will be a peaceful resolution and that the local population will have the chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to building a peaceful, stable and democratic Ukraine.”
Sunni Kim is a monitor with the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine
