Charles Rangel, a Korean War veteran and a prominent pro-Korea politician in the United States, passed away on the 26th (local time), Memorial Day. He was 94 years old.
According to Hannah Kim, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Rangel's former chief of staff, he died in New York on the morning of that day.
Born in Harlem, Manhattan, Rangel was elected as a federal representative (Democrat) in New York in 1970 and served for 46 years until his retirement in January 2017, becoming one of the dominant African American politicians in the Democratic Party.
His political career spanned 23 terms, including serving as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means (2007-2010), intertwined with his connection to South Korea, forged in the heat of war, and his love for the country.
As a member of the 503rd Regiment of the 2nd U.S. Infantry Division, Rangel fought in the early days of the Korean War and was wounded in the attacks from Chinese forces. He received a Purple Heart and a commendation medal for his heroism during the Korean War and was awarded the Diplomatic Service Medal (Gwanghwa) by the South Korean government in 2007.
He continuously made efforts to revive the significance of the Korean War, often referred to as 'the forgotten war' in the United States. He vehemently opposed the troop withdrawal plan of then-President Jimmy Carter, who was also a Democrat, in 1977.
He introduced resolutions in the U.S. Congress, including the 'Joint Resolution on Peace and Unification on the Korean Peninsula' (2013), 'Resolution Urging Reunification of Divided Families' (2014), and 'Resolution to End the Korean War' (2015). Despite being generally critical of free trade agreements (FTAs) as a member of the Democratic Party, he played a key role in supporting and facilitating the Korea-U.S. FTA.
In 2003, he led the establishment of the Korea Caucus, a pro-Korea congressional group, and served as its first chairperson.
He also actively voiced his opinions on the historical issues between Korea and Japan.
In June 2014, when then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration began verifying the Kono Statement, which contained reflections on the comfort women issue, Rangel joined in sending a letter to the Japanese government pointing out the inappropriateness of this action.
The following year, when then-Prime Minister Abe visited the United States, he participated in issuing a letter during a congressional speech that called for an apology regarding historical issues.
In 2010, he faced political difficulties, including the adoption of a resolution for punishment in the House due to violations of political fundraising regulations and ethics rules. However, he overcame the crisis by successfully seeking reelection that fall.
In 2021, he received the Baek Seon-yup Korea-U.S. Alliance Award and remarked, 'When I left the Korean Peninsula after being injured during the Korean War, it was like a nightmare, and I thought I would never want to go back. It makes me incredibly proud that Korea has risen from the wreckage of war to become the seventh largest trading partner of the U.S. and an international giant.'
He continued, 'Korea will always hold a special place in my heart,' expressing his hope that 'while promoting peace between the North and the South, our two countries (South Korea and the U.S.) grow closer and that the division of the Korean Peninsula is unified within my lifetime,' but he passed away without witnessing the unification.
Hannah Kim, who served as Rangel's chief of staff in the later years of his political career, reminisced, 'He was a hero who risked his life during the Korean War and a true warrior who dedicated himself to strengthening the Korea-U.S. relationship in Congress.'
Kim, who is of Korean descent, said, 'It was an honor to witness Rangel's genuine love for Korea and the Korean people,' adding, 'Personally, he was like a father to me and a father figure to many Koreans.'