Thursday, March 10, 2022

Is the Ukraine Tragedy Another's Problem?

 

A journalist emeritus gives the readers of the Eyes of the Believer's column of the Catholic Times his thoughts on the war in Ukraine. 

 

A woman screaming after losing her beloved family; a mother who can't sleep hugging a child surprised by the airstrike all night; and a father who shed tears of parting with his wife and daughter on a rough evacuation path. 

 

Ukraine, a weak country in Eastern Europe, has been the focus of news around the world since last month. Just 15 days ago, Russian President Putin's ordered a special military operation beginning Ukraine's tragedy. Russian troops stationed around the country's border entered with armored vehicles and airstrikes. It goes without saying that peaceful Ukraine, a granary of wheat and corn, quickly is turned into a wasteland.


When the war broke out, people escaped to neighboring Poland and other places. These unfortunate scenes fill the TV screen every day, showing us the horrors of the war. The tragedy does not stop here. How many innocent civilians are injured and killed after homes and major facilities are destroyed? He remembers the trauma of the Korean War more than 70 years ago? Ukrainians more and more are taking up guns to protect their homeland.


Putin, embarrassed by the formidable resistance, is even mentioning a "nuclear weapon card." Initially, there was a strong tendency to blame the war on Ukrainian comedian-turned-President Zelensky. Is it the ignorance of a beginner in politics; rash and thoughtless behavior of a naive leader turning a blind eye to the weak food of the strong logic?...

 

However, what politicians in this country should emulate is Noblesse Oblige (the moral obligation required of high-ranking social workers). "We are all protecting the independence of our country. Glory to my country!" Former and current presidents of Ukraine set an outstanding example. Instead of fleeing the country they are taking weapons and confronting the intruder.


The war, which started the new Cold War, is due to a clash between Ukraine, which is trying to join NATO (Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization) in search of freedom and economic prosperity, and Russia, which is trying to tie neighboring countries into its own sphere of influence. However, aside from this, the idea that one country invades another sovereign state is absurd. This is why we have no choice but to doubt Putin's mental state. War and violence are only cruel and dirty for any reason. The saying that there can never be a righteous and great war is common sense.


In response, anti-war and anti-Putin protests are spreading like wildfires throughout the world. Emergency relief and support activities are also lined up. It is eloquent that there are no borders in the practice of humanity, peace, and love, with each country imposing sanctions on Russia. Above all, he hopes the Ukrainian people, who are in great sadness and pain, will gain comfort and strength with this sense of brotherhood.


Pope Francis' appeal, saying, "Let's pray for Ukraine" 

"Every war leaves our world worse than it was before. War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil. Let us not remain mired in theoretical discussions, but touch the wounded flesh of the victims. Let us look once more at all those civilians whose killing was considered 'collateral damage'. Let us ask the victims themselves. Let us think of the refugees and displaced, those who suffered the effects of atomic radiation or chemical attacks, the mothers who lost their children, and the boys and girls maimed or deprived of their childhood. Let us hear the true stories of these victims of violence, look at reality through their eyes, and listen with an open heart to the stories they tell. In this way, we will be able to grasp the abyss of evil at the heart of war. Nor will it trouble us to be deemed naive for choosing peace."  All Brothers #261

 

The fierce 20s presidential election campaign has ended and we have a new president-elect. Looking at the situation in Ukraine we have a lot to learn. As a divided country, we are caught between great powers, so the prevention of wars and the maintenance of peace among our peoples is always a great concern. 

 

A taut balloon will burst when touched. Meticulous crisis management and expansion of inter-Korean exchanges have become the new president's priority.
The winter is over and spring has come when everything comes alive. Now, let's straighten our shoulders that have shrunk during the winter and run to keep true peace.