SND 02

펜팔001.pdf

1 June, 2025

Dear Dieter Molzahn

Hello!

I'm sorry it took me so long to write to you, although I had been planning to do so immediately after receiving your address.
Thank you for giving me an address in such a short period of time.

When I plan to write a letter, I find that there is no letter paper or envelope in my desk drawer. So I urgently ordered some. I feel that things have changed over the last 15 years. I heard that the amount of postage had gradually decreased, prompting the post office to focus more on logistics than postage delivery. I feel my desk has undergone a similar transformation.

Now, I would like to introduce myself formally.
My name is Kyung-Tak Yoo. 'Kyung-tak' is my first name and 'Yoo' is my surname. 'Kyung-tak' is pronounced 'kyʌŋ tak'.
I was born in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, and have lived in this city for most of my life, except during my time at university and while I was doing my military service. I lived in the suburbs for about ten years and, when I finished my military service, I settled in this city and got married.

I now work in a hospital and practise surgery. I have worked at this hospital for 16 years. The job of a medical doctor is the same everywhere in the world, and people can easily imagine what they do, so it's quite easy to explain my work. :)

I have a wife and a daughter who turned 15 this year. Although time goes very slowly, I feel it has gone so fast, and she will be a university student in 4 or 5 years.

I am not an extroverted person. I don't usually say anything unless I need to, and I don't often go outside to see people. When I was a university student, I exercised a lot, but now I rarely go outside except to help my wife with her hobbies or for a constitutional. I know it's not good for my health, but I prefer being at home.
A few years ago, I practised the Western bow. I found it very interesting and it suited me, but the teacher strongly urged me to buy a personal bow, so I quit. The problem is that there is only one place to learn archery in Seoul, so I gave up completely. I still regret this decision to this day.

After giving up archery, I started taking up astrophotography. I did this for about four years, but then I quit for several reasons and started collecting coins and making investments.

Of course, although I say I collect coins, I don't have the same passion for it as others. I just buy a mint set and some commemorative silver coins every year. I didn't recognise this when the coin was so common, but I think it's like a small work of art when I see it. The only thing I regret is that I cannot touch and feel it with my own hands because I heard that it rusts easily. As you know, silver coins rust quickly in the air, and general coins also rust little by little. So I think I will buy a magnifying glass in the near future.

I started investing because I want to retire five years earlier than others. I decided to do this because I feel severe stress at work, but I realised that investing is more fun than I expected, so it became a kind of hobby for me.
I mainly invest in bonds or stocks, but I don't feel stressed when I do this because, to me, the money is like digital money in a game, not real money. It is also joyful when I make predictions about the future — to me, it's like a prediction game.

Come to think of it, a journey is the best thing for a hobby because it leaves a lasting impression and we experience various things along the way. Meeting new environments and cultures is always a joyful experience, I think.
Personally, I would like to go to the Caucasus or Central Asia, but there is not enough time. I've become busier lately, and taking a break from work for over 10 days is impossible in Korea.
For this reason, I think I want to retire a little earlier than others. :)

I will end this letter here. It seems to have become longer than I expected as I was writing it.

I wish you good health and a pleasant day.

Sincerely

Kyung-tak, Yoo