[Contribution] The Turning Point of My Life: Walking Again and Rising to a New Challenge

On January 23, 2020, while returning home ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, I was involved in a car accident that left me in a life-threatening condition. At the time, I was stationed at a unit in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, away from my family. I was on my way to see them for the holiday when the accident occurred. I lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital. My family received an urgent call in the middle of the night and hurried to a university hospital in Daegu. Due to severe bleeding and fractures, I had to undergo emergency surgery, and that night became the most critical turning point in my life.

Kim Taehun

Fortunately, the surgery was successful, but I still needed a total of 12 surgeries and 10 months of treatment afterward. What was even more difficult was the six months of rehabilitation that followed. I could not walk at all at first, and I had to pour out blood and sweat every day as I progressed from a wheelchair to crutches, then to a cane, and finally, to standing on my own two feet again. Thanks to my family, who believed in me and stayed by my side, I was able to experience the miracle of walking once more.

However, being able to walk again did not mean that all my problems were solved. Faced with the reality that I could no longer continue my military service due to my physical condition, I decided to end my 21-year military career and chose to retire honorably. Afterward, I had to find a new path amid uncertainty about the future and concerns about making a living.

In my first attempt at the Emergency Preparedness Officer selection exam, I unfortunately failed due to a lack of preparation time and not having fully recovered physically. Although I was deeply disappointed, I believe that failure gave me even stronger motivation. Afterward, I completed a government-funded vocational training program, obtained an ISO auditor certification, and began my professional career by joining an auditing organization. Later, I received a job offer and moved to my second workplace, where I was able to settle in as a team leader in charge of a carbon neutrality project for over a year.

Then one day, a longing that had remained deep in my heart resurfaced: the life of serving the nation and its people as an Emergency Preparedness Officer. I decided to challenge myself once again by taking the Emergency Preparedness Officer exam. To secure enough time to prepare, I boldly decided to resign from my job and devoted myself to studying more than 18 hours a day for about two months. I believe this would have been impossible without my family's support and my own faith in myself.

On June 3, 2024, when I received the news that I had passed, my wife and I shed many tears together. Those tears carried memories of pain, traces of effort, the love of my family, and finally, the fruits of my labor. As of August 1, 2024, I have begun a new mission as an Emergency Preparedness Officer.

It took a long time to walk again, and an even longer time to challenge myself again. But I did not give up, and I was able to come this far because my family was there to laugh and cry with me along the way. Going forward, I will do my best for the nation and its people, and I intend to live the second act of my life with sincerity.

I am deeply aware of the sacrifices made by the members of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and their families, who are dedicating themselves to the nation and its people even at this very moment. I am also always grateful for the hard work of officials at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Support Center, who are striving to honor and support such dedication and sacrifice.

I believe that many seniors and juniors who are about to retire from the military may have both high hopes and vague fears about new challenges. However, if you trust yourself and your family, and run diligently toward a turning point in your life, I believe everyone can achieve what they desire.

As a representative of our nation, I wish only the best for the future of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and their families, and I would like to conclude my message here with my heartfelt support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.