Mr. Lee Myoung Soo, 41
Truck Driver in Gwanju
How long have you been driving trucks?
I started when I was 21 and now I’m 42. I’m a professional cargo truck driver.
Do you drive long distances?
Sometimes short and sometimes long. Short is 100 km; long is 400 km. I don’t do overnights. In fact no stopping, not even to pee. No toilet for 8 hours because my family is waiting.
Does it get boring?
Yes, but that’s my job.
Any entertainment in the tv?
I listen to music or sing a song. I deliver milk, cheese and a baby formula for a company.
Do you own your own truck?
No, it belongs to the company.
Are you satisfied with the pay?
No. I want more but it’s impossible to get a raise. I’ve tried. I’ve worked 11 years for this company.
Are you thinking about changing jobs?
Possibly, but changing is a little unstable so I’ll probably stay.
Are Koreans safe drivers?
People need milk in the early morning, so I have to hurry. I drive like a bullet. I can’t be a safe driver. Other drivers drive safely. Some drivers, like myself, can’t. The speed limit is 80km/hour, but I can’t observe that. I used to pay speeding fines 500,000 won (52,000 yen) per month. The company pays the fine, but I get points on my license, making insurance more expensive. And if there’s an accident, and someone gets hurt, it’s my fault.
How many accidents have you been in?
I killed two people in one accident. Another man in an accident of mine became completely paralyzed. Legal action is still being carried out.
Whose fault was it?
I was DWI, driving while intoxicated. I was driving my own car. My license was temporarily suspended. My friends were unemployed. That night, I had a backache and didn’t want to go out. My friends convinced me to go out. I drank a lot of shochu (potato or rice whiskey) and got in an accident. Also, the car heater made me feel more drunk.
How do you feel now about these accidents?
My friend became a vegetable in the collision. He’ll never walk again. I admit I made a mistake. I feel guilty about it. After the accident my friend was diagnosed to stay in the hospital for 82 weeks. He was in critical condition. He can eat, think and move his head; that’s all. He has 10 siblings. The police asked us to compromise, but the injury was too severe. Most of the cost was covered by insurance; I pay most of the rest.
What’s your dream for the future?
I’m married to a Filipino woman. I’d like to emigrate to the Phillipines after I save some money. I want to run my own bus company there.
Are you happy being married to a Filipino?
It’s another long story. I’m happy with my marriage, but it’s my third. The first time I married a Korean, but got divorced because of differences in personality. The second time I married a Chinese woman, but she ran away. It had been arranged by a matchmaking agency. After I married her she asked me to get her Korean citizenship as soon as possible. I had no idea she planned to run away. Then for the third marriage I got involved in Moonism. It’s like a religion. I had never thought about marrying a Filipino; my priority had always been a Korean or a Japanese… Anyway… I have one child; I had no options. I asked the Moonies to find a wife for me. Beggars can’t be choosers, you know. It’s my Filipino wife’s second marriage; she also has one child. So far we’ve had no fights, no quarrels, but the problem is, there is no child between us. Each time I did my best, but it didn’t work out.
Are you a Moonie?
Right now no connection. The only connection was the marriage. I’m Catholic. Personally I don’t like the Moonies because I spent 10,000,000 won (1,000,000 yen) for the marriage. I feel they’re nothing but a pagan cult. I want you to tell people about Moonism so there won’t be any more victims. Rev. Moon, the leader, is just a thief.
the end