Andrew “Monty” Monteith

Andrew “Monty” Monteith: From Canada to Korea and Imjin Cup

I came to Korea at the invitation of an old high school friend who was here teaching English like so many of us Canadians at the time and still today, I figured I would stay for a year or two. I knew very little about Korea at the time. Staples like kimchi and soju were very foreign to me, now it seems like everyone around the world has discovered the undeniable brilliance of Korean cuisine. It only took me 6 months to really appreciate Korean food, and about 6 years before I could really stomach the soju!

Leaving my friends and family in Mississauga, Ontario was challenging to say the least, but it was made easy by bonding with the many exceptional Canadian Expats whom I met right away. Not only Canadians, but mostly, I was able to acquaint myself with people who were experiencing a new country, and a new way of life, just like me. To say we looked after each other and took care of one another would be an understatement. I can remember many early mornings watching the Stanley Cup playoffs or Olympic gold medal hockey games, just like we would have back home. While we were far from home, it seemed like we were right there, back in Canada, but even better. We were patriots rooting on our country, still connected and even more united.

I came to Korea at the invitation of an old high school friend who was here teaching English like so many of us Canadians at the time and still today, I figured I would stay for a year or two. I knew very little about Korea at the time. Staples like kimchi and soju were very foreign to me, now it seems like everyone around the world has discovered the undeniable brilliance of Korean cuisine. It only took me 6 months to really appreciate Korean food, and about 6 years before I could really stomach the soju!

Our hockey story goes a little further. After stumbling across an old black and white photo of Canadian soldiers playing “Our Game” on the frozen Imjin River back in 1952, I knew I had to do something to honour these remarkable gentlemen who sacrificed their lives, to fight for a country they knew little or nothing about.

I didn’t want to spend too much time talking about hockey but it is unavoidable in my story, because it really does lay the groundwork for many of my more memorable moments which would eventually lead me to the Great and Honourable Senator Martin, whom without, none of this would be possible.

Adapting to the busy pace of life here in Korea was definitely exciting at first but the sheer number of people and lack of open spaces of which I was accustomed to started to weigh heavily on me. I needed to find a hobby! So a few Canadian friends and I decided to start a hockey team with the backing of a local bar named Gecko’s. While startled at first, the Korean’s embraced our endeavour and curiously came to see what we were all about. Within months we were playing against Korean University teams and talented Korean hockey players were joining our team. This is when I really started to feel that coming to Korea was becoming more than just a short stay. Well that was 18 years ago, and I can tell you that I
have been fortunate enough to meet so many great Canadians who have been passing through and played for our team and so many wonderful Koreans that have enjoyed playing with us and against us that it truly exemplifies just one of the many ways that Canadians and Koreans share something beautiful, the game of hockey.

Our hockey story goes a little further. After stumbling across an old black and white photo of Canadian soldiers playing “Our Game” on the frozen Imjin River back in 1952, I knew I had to do something to honour these remarkable gentlemen who sacrificed their lives, to fight for a country they knew little or nothing about.

This is where my life really changed, by creating a hockey tournament to honour our veterans. The “Imjin River Cup” is a tribute to the veterans who served by fighting in one of the most brutal wars you could ever imagine. This is when I met Senator Martin and she introduced me to these wonderful fellows. Their courage, their humble manner has never left me and I can never thank them enough but I try.

I have joined a splendid Korean charity called Pumassi which again Senator Martin is a big part of. We take Korean students from Elementary to High School and we bring them to countries that helped serve in the Korean War and we bring them face to face with the veterans while the students read their “Thank You” letters to the few veterans who remain. Words just can’t explain the love that follows. I can’t tell you how much it means to those heroes to be recognized and especially hearing from the “mouths of babes”. I still don’t know who gets the most out of it, but those kids are just mesmerized by their heroes. You know, the Korean War is always called the “Forgotten War”. But if you ever get the pleasure of meeting a “Korean War” veteran, I’m positive that you will never forget them. They are truly amazing and absolutely unforgettable.

My Korean story is a pretty good one! I’ve been able to experience the ups and downs. I was here when the country went ecstatic during “World Cup 2002”. I also saw thousands of people lined up handing in their gold and silver jewelry to the state during the IMF crisis to try and erase the financial misery. There is a reason that Korea is now the 11th largest economy in the world. From the rubble and desperation came determination and lots and lots of hard work.

Best of all, I am married to an incredible Korean woman named Kyeung Yeon and we just opened up our very own restaurant which gives me the icing on the cake part of my story.

This is a very unique country and a very established culture. It’s very different from Canada and I guess that’s what I’ve always found intriguing. Don’t get me wrong, I feel blessed to have been born in Canada and I’m always proud to tell people that’s where I’m from. But what I like most is how we both get along!

To be able to call both Canada and Korea my home makes my story special, because I love them both with all of my heart! (Kam-sam-ni-da).

I’m sure your story is special too!

Andrew John Monteith aka “Monty”