Korean War Legacy Project

Gay Garland Reed

Bio

Gay Garland Reed was born in Oceanside, California, on January 10, 1947. Growing up, she shared her home with a younger brother and parents who published a local newspaper, the Carlsbad Journal. Upon graduating from Carlsbad High School in 1964, she went to CalWestern University and studied English Literature. When contemplating graduate school, she was overcome with a desire to do something more, so she joined the Peace Corps which led her to Korea. Having always been drawn to Asian culture, she settled in for what would become a five-year stay and worked at Sogang University teaching English. After completing her time with the Peace Corps, she stayed in Korea and continued to teach and was asked to assist Kim Dae Jung, future president and Nobel Prize winner, with his English. A lifelong friendship ensued. She eventually made her way back to the United States and found the transition home to be unexpectedly difficult, due to commercialization. She has revisited Korea many times and is grateful for what she experienced and learned from the Korean people.

Video Clips

My Time with Kim Dae Jung

Gay Garland Reed shares a special memory of a time in Korea when her obligations to the Peace Corps were complete and she chose to stay on to continue teaching English. She explains how she was asked to assist Kim Dae Jung, future president and Nobel prize winner, with perfecting his English. Though he was on house arrest due to his political opposition, she would visit his home weekly to give the lessons. A lifelong friendship evolved, and she was forever grateful for it.

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Choosing the Peace Corps

Gay Garland Reed discusses why she chose to join the Peace Corps and how it led her to Korea. She recalls being inspired by John F. Kennedy to do more, thus being the impetus to take action. Having a personal affinity for Asia, she shares she was able to choose Korea as her destination and would spend the next five years living there, teaching English and absorbing all she could of Korean culture.

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Share YouTube:
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gay-garland-reed#clip-2

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