Hung Kyu Bang

Hung Kyu Bang, a 95-year-old born in 1929 in Bangchon-dong, Pyongyang, carries vivid memories of his childhood and family despite the years. He fondly recalls his older sister, who cared for him during a severe illness at age 14. Although they were separated, with his sister remaining in North Korea, Bang visited Pyongyang in 2014, hoping to reunite. Tragically, he discovered that she had passed away. He reminisces about their walks to school, a one-hour journey during their elementary years. With deep historical awareness of the hardships during the Japanese occupation post-WWI, Bang advocates for the reunification of separated families and yearns for improved relations, including direct flights between the U.S. and Pyongyang, to strengthen family bonds across borders. This interview was filmed on July 14th, 2023 in Millbrae, CA.