A heartfelt wish from Nancy Gonen (68), a Korean-American woman of mixed heritage living in Ra’anana, Israel, is blossoming into hope. Originally from Los Angeles, Gonen is preparing to visit South Korea in September with her two daughters to trace the lost family and roots of her mother, Lee Wol-soon, who came to the U.S. after the Korean War. Her story has garnered warm support from Korean media, government agencies, and the Korean-American community.

Lee Wol-soon, born in 1933 at 52 Sanggeol-ri, Dongmyeon, Chunseong-gun (now Chuncheon-si), Gangwon Province, was separated from her family during the Korean War. In the 1950s, she married U.S. soldier Earl Lewis Sorenson (deceased) and immigrated to the U.S. Lee longed to reunite with her lost family but passed away in 1979 without fulfilling her dream.

In an interview with Korea Times on June 11, Gonen expressed her deep desire to visit Korea with her daughters in September to resolve her mother’s lifelong “han” (unresolved sorrow). After the story gained attention, Yonhap News followed up, and recently, Chosun Ilbo requested an interview, pledging to collaborate with Gangwon Provincial authorities to aid the family search.

The Consulate General of Korea in Los Angeles and the Gangwon Province Association of California have also extended support, creating a wave of solidarity. Gonen’s eldest daughter, Santal, who lives near LA, is scheduled to visit the consulate on June 27 to discuss family search procedures. Consul Park Cheol stated, “We were deeply moved by this story through Korea Daily. The consulate will provide all possible assistance and cooperation.”

Joo Boo-kwon, president of the Gangwon Province Association of California, has also stepped in, requesting cooperation from officials in Chuncheon-si and Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province. During this process, it was discovered that a 1955 English family registry listing Lee’s birthplace as “Sanggyu-ri” was a clerical error for “Sanggeol-ri.” The registry noted the family’s address at the time as 663 Wadong-ri, Hongcheon-myeon (now Hongcheon-eup), Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province. All involved agencies have agreed to assist Gonen in her search during her Korea visit.

Nancy Gonen shared, “I’m deeply touched that my story, shared through Korea Daily, has reached so many people and organizations offering their warm support. I’m filled with hope and excitement for our Korea visit, believing the final piece of our family history can now be completed.” Contact: gonen.nancy@gmail.com

By Sehee Roh