Last week, my youngest son told me he had a school assignment: he needed to interview someone about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Among his questions was, “Why is it important to remember his birthday?” That simple question made me pause and reflect on the impact Dr. King’s life had on human history. It also led me to think about what a true leader is, and how history ultimately recognizes such a person.

People often say that our modern world is like a ship wrecked on stormy waves, drifting without a leader. Many claim they want to lead well, yet nationalism that prioritizes one’s own nation and selfish ambition that seeks personal gain make it difficult to find leaders who genuinely serve the common good.

In Korea today, as the nation attempts to “set history right,” former leaders imprisoned for their actions will also be remembered. Their influence—both the good and the painful—will remain as lessons for future generations.

A person loses the qualification to be a leader the moment they desire the position for themselves. Such ambition rarely comes from a pure desire to serve; rather, it is often driven by the pursuit of personal gain, wealth, influence, and power. Some may seize leadership temporarily through coups, bribery, or political maneuvering. People may offer shallow applause or feigned respect for a time. But when the layers of embellishment are stripped away and they stand before the judgment of history, the truth becomes clear. Their legacy as leaders—or their failure as such—will be revealed without mercy.

Under such forced or corrupt leadership, the people suffer: human rights are violated, society becomes unstable, and creativity and productivity wither. It is a tragedy.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the leaders our family deeply respects. Every year, we attend services and events honoring him, and each time we are reminded anew that he was a true leader.

He did not become a world leader—honored with the Nobel Peace Prize—because he sought it. He never once considered himself qualified or gifted enough to be a leader. He was simply a young Black Baptist pastor in Montgomery, Alabama, with little recognition or influence. He was a friend to the poor, the elderly, troubled youth, and the forgotten. He never used political schemes or manipulation to gain leadership. He simply stood with the weak and the suffering, sharing their burdens.

One day, when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus, Dr. King stepped forward to defend her dignity. He led the bus boycott and won. His goal was singular: to break the chains of racial discrimination and injustice that oppressed Black Americans. He reaffirmed that the American ideals of liberty, justice, and equality were meant for all people. His flame for freedom and equality spread across the nation.

At some point, the Black community began to look to him as their leader. They placed their hopes for future generations on his pure dream—a dream that could see, speak, and confront the darkness of their time.

On August 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C., he rearticulated the American dream. He brought the confused dreams of the oppressed and the oppressors alike before the prophecy of Isaiah:

“Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.” (Isaiah 40:3–4)

He believed in God’s justice. He believed that even if they had to pray together, suffer together, or go to jail together, the day of freedom would surely come.

I am proud that such a leader emerged—and could emerge—here in the United States, our second homeland.

Even within the Korean American community, many are called “leaders.” Some may be preparing to return to Korea to enter politics. Others may seek leadership for the sake of honor. But true leadership requires something different: not personal ambition, but the willingness to bear the pain of our immigrant community and to serve the common good with humility.

Ultimately, our model of leadership must come from Jesus, who washed the dirty feet of His disciples in the storm of history and showed us the way of service.

— Yoon Wan‑Hee, January 15, 1996