Michael T.

Everyone, I have one prayer request to ask of you. 🙏 This is a baby boy from Korea named Kim Israel. His father has a deep love for Israel and the Jewish people, which is why he chose the name Israel for his son. Sadly, this precious baby has had a serious heart condition since birth and has already undergone several heart surgeries. He had another heart surgery just a few days ago. Today, his heart function and breathing worsened, and we were told that he may need to be transferred back to the intensive care unit. Please pray for this precious baby—that his heart will grow stronger, that his breathing will stabilize, and that he will be able to grow up healthy and strong. Please keep baby Israel and his family in your prayers. 🙏🇮🇱🇰🇷

🇮🇱🇰🇷Thousands of South Koreans marched through the heart of Seoul at a pro-Israel rally, condemning Hamas for the October 7 attacks and calling for the immediate release of the hostages. Chanting “We love Israel!”, they proudly marched with large South Korean and Israeli flags. 🇰🇷🇮🇱💙

I was told who Jewish people were. Then I got to know them. And what I discovered was nothing like the caricature antisemitism creates. Before starting this account, I had almost no personal experience with Jewish people. Growing up in Korea, I had very little personal exposure to antisemitism, and I had never really had the chance to meet Jewish people. The only interaction I can remember was one brief encounter in Hongdae, Seoul, when I helped a Jewish person find their way while I was at a sandwich shop. That was pretty much the extent of my experience. So when I started this account, I wasn’t coming from years of personal relationships or experiences with Jewish people. I was simply a Korean who had become deeply disturbed by the hatred and hostility I saw Jewish people facing around the world. Coming from a place where antisemitism was not something I had personally encountered very much, I found it profoundly inhumane to see people being targeted simply for being Jewish. That was one of the reasons I wanted to learn more, listen, and show my support for Israel. Then, over the past two and a half weeks, I started getting to know many of you here on X. And what I discovered was very different from the hateful caricature created by antisemitism. I’ve encountered kindness, curiosity, generosity, warmth, courage, loyalty, and a deep respect for history and memory. So rather than talking about antisemitism today, I simply want to share what I have personally experienced. 10 things I’ve come to appreciate about Jewish people since starting this account: 1. You encouraged me when my voice was still small. When my account had very few followers, many of you still took the time to tell me that my voice mattered and encouraged me to keep speaking up. I’ll never forget that. 2. You made an effort to connect with me as a Korean. 🇰🇷 When you found out I was Korean, you shared your experiences in Korea, Korean-related photos, Korean translations, and even Korean expressions with me. Those small gestures meant a lot to me. 3. You deeply value history and memory. When I posted about Jewish veterans who served in the Korean War, many of you told me that your family members, relatives, or neighbors had served. It showed me how meaningful history and collective memory are to many of you. 4. You are genuinely curious and open-minded. When I share something from a Korean perspective, many of you tell me that it’s a fresh or interesting perspective and that you want to learn more. You ask questions. You listen. You look for more information. That willingness to keep learning is something I deeply respect. 5. You are incredibly generous with knowledge. When I mentioned that I’m learning Hebrew, you immediately offered to help and told me to ask you anything. At one point, I mentioned that I couldn’t understand why antisemitism exists when there doesn’t seem to be an equivalent concept targeting other peoples in the same way. Many of you patiently explained where the term “antisemitism” came from, how the concept developed, and how it has appeared throughout history. Some of you also brought me carefully researched material about the relationship between Jews and Asia. Others even took the time to find articles related to my own posts and sent them to me personally, saying they thought the information might be helpful. What impressed me was that you didn’t simply answer my questions—you looked things up, explained them, and shared resources so that I could learn more. You don’t just tell me what you think. You teach me. 6. You know how to express friendship and solidarity. 🇰🇷🇮🇱 Some of you have tagged me in posts about Korea and Israel, shared words of encouragement, and expressed genuine warmth toward me simply because I am a Korean who stands with Israel. One person even told me: “Both our countries overcame obstacles others can’t grasp, which made us stronger and more resolved to make the world a better place.” Reading things like that made me realize how meaningful it can be when people from two different countries recognize something they share. You made me feel that I wasn’t standing alone. 7. You are thoughtful and remarkably attentive. You often respond to very specific points in my posts, remember words or expressions I’ve used, and bring them up again in your replies. Those details make me feel that you’re not simply reading my posts. You’re actually listening. 8. You have shown me what solidarity can look like. This one touched me deeply. When I first started posting about my support for Israel, I received some hateful comments. But Jewish people I had never even spoken to before stepped in and defended me—sometimes more fiercely than I defended myself. I had only just created this account. We didn’t even know each other. That kind of solidarity meant more to me than I can express. 9. You are warm, sincere, and emotionally honest. Many of you openly explain what you feel and why you feel it. Because you express yourselves so sincerely, genuine connections can form—even between people who live thousands of miles apart. 10. You have shown me people, not caricatures. This may be the most important thing I’ve learned. Before starting this account, my understanding of Jewish people was mostly shaped by what I had heard or learned from a distance. Now I have actual conversations, interactions, and friendships to draw from. And what I’ve experienced has been much more human and much more personal than any stereotype could ever capture. I cannot speak for every Jewish person in the world. But I can speak about what I have personally experienced. And what I have experienced is this: The hateful caricature of Jewish people promoted by antisemitism does not resemble the Jewish people I have come to know here. I started this account to tell the world: "Koreans stand with Israel. 🇰🇷🇮🇱" But in these two and a half weeks, I’ve also discovered something I didn’t expect: So many Jewish people have stood with me. To my Jewish friends: Thank you ❤️ And I hope you know that I genuinely appreciate the people I have come to know here. Especially at a time when antisemitism can be so loud, I hope this small message from Korea can remind you that there are also people who see you as individuals—not as stereotypes or caricatures. People I’ve talked to. People I’ve learned from. People who have encouraged me. People who have stood beside me. People I now consider friends. You are seen. You are valued. You are not alone. Am Yisrael Chai. 🇮🇱 We stand with you. 🇰🇷🇮🇱