Thread by @koryodynasty

Hankyoreh interviews one of the Afghan interpreters who recently arrived in South Korea. Extracts:

"Many Afghans believe that, unlike Westerners, Koreans are polite and trustworthy, and genuinely helped without hidden political or military intentions."

hani.co.kr/arti/internati…

"In particular, there was a lot of progress in education, health, rural development, and vocational training in Parwan Province, where Korea was in charge of reconstruction. Koreans helped in a way that ‘taught them how to fish instead of giving them fish’."

"As rumours spread that the medical treatment at Korean-run hospitals was excellent, patients came from all over Parwan, Kabul, as well as from the border areas between Pakistan and Iran."

"While working with Koreans, I never felt like an outsider. We sat side by side at restaurants, ate, and played badminton with the head of the Korea PRT [Provincial Reconstruction Team]. They treated local Afghan employees like family members without discriminating."

"I have studied in Korea before, but my family is still unfamiliar with Korea and has to adapt to things like weather, food, and language. First, I want to learn Korean, settle down, and work [...] to overcome financial difficulties and help my children get a better education."