Kim Sejin: The Boy Wonder

Meet Kim Sejin. At just 16 years old, he has already accomplished more in his life than many of us will ever dream. At the age of nine, he scaled the Rocky Mountains. He has won several international marathons. An avid swimmer, he has won over 40 gold, silver and bronze medals in swimming events all over the world.

Sejin is also disabled. Due to a birth defect, he was born without his left foot, the bottom part of his right leg and three fingers on his right hand. In spite of his disability, or possibly because of it, he has worked to overcome personal and physical obstacles, while at the same time offering hope to others.

This month, Kim Sejin will be a featured speaker at the EPICS forum alongside distinguished guests like Wilfred Lemke, Park Hwa-yeong and Kim Won-soo. The forum is being held in anticipation of next year’s 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade, an international sporting event open to athletes currently enrolled in universities around the globe.

So how, then, is it possible for Sejin to be part of the EPICS forum? Simple: he is a second-year student at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Two years ago, at barely 15 years old, he was the youngest student ever admitted. His enthusiasm for sports, combined with his hunger for life, make him one of the most anticipated speakers at the forum.

Sejin is no stranger to public speaking. He has been telling his story all over the country and at the international sporting events in which he has participated. I recently had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his life in sports and the public eye. His adoptive mother, Yang Jeong-suk, was willing to speak with me as well.

Sejin, you have done many documentaries, given speeches and appeared on talk shows since that KBS documentary in 2001. Do you enjoy it all?

Sejin: Actually, I don’t like appearing in the media! I want to be like my friends who are ordinary people. But I make all of these appearances because they are rare opportunities and I know my story can help others.

Sejin, you first stepped into the public eye in January 2001 for the KBS documentary show “People Theater”. How did you get started with that?

Sejin: I was just living my life, but then the production team at KBS approached me and wanted to show my story to encourage people.

Have you taken part in other kinds of media?

Sejin: Yes. I have published some children’s books about my disability, I have been featured in textbooks for all age levels throughout school, I have been on the news and I have continued to appear on documentaries. I am more proud of the books, and it makes me happy and thankful to be in them because I feel that children can learn about disability earlier in life.

Jeong-suk, you must be incredibly proud of Sejin. When he was young, did you think he would be so special?

Jeong-suk: I hoped for Sejin to be able to live a normal life, but it is difficult in Korea. We had to make four times the effort compared to others so that Sejin could grow as a special child without realizing it.

Sejin, how did you become interested in sports and exercising?

Sejin: Swimming is the best exercise for rehabilitation without causing injury. I started exercising for remedial exercise, but I soon fell in love with the butterfly, a core swimming style. I wanted to be a swimmer so I continued to improve.

Kate: Do you participate in other sports?

Sejin: Yes. I have challenged myself to marathons, skiing and golf to instill confidence in myself. In 2007, I participated in and won a marathon with a prize of a lift car worth 40 million won. I was motivated to win because I wanted to donate the car. Of course, I am still a swimmer.

Kate: Do you have a favorite swimming event?

Sejin: I like the International German Swimming Championships for the Disabled, or IGSC. I have won three gold medals and four silver medals in that competition over the years. Whenever I participate in it, I meet many friendly people. It is also one of the biggest competitions for the disabled.

Jeong-suk, how do you feel when Sejin competes in sporting events?

Jeong-suk: I believe that sweat and effort don’t betray you. I am glad that he is satisfied with the results.

Sejin, do you think that having won so many international sporting events and appearing in media all over the world has changed you?

Sejin: In some ways I can be childish because I sometimes just want to be a kid and play with my friends. But I think that lots of prayer and support made me go in the right direction. I am very thankful that, through seeing me, other kids have hope and know that their dreams can come true.

How did you become involved in EPICS?

Sejin: I was surprised when I discovered my name was on the list because I am just 16 years old and I don’t think I have enough experience for EPICS. I hope I will learn many things from it.

What do you think your future holds?

Sejin: I want to go to graduate school and work for the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace. I would also like to be a commissioned member of the International Olympic Committee.

Do you have any advice for others who are struggling with their own disabilities?

Sejin: Just like the ugly duckling became a swan, it is possible to be one who can beautifully fly with many people.

Jeong-suk, do you have any advice for mothers of children with disabilities?

Jeong-suk: I think everyone has at least one disability. No one is perfect in this world. I think it is necessary to admit the discomfort rather than thinking you can beat it.

Like your son, do you see yourself as an inspiration to others?

Jeong-suk: All mothers in the world are inspirations to each other. We learn from each other. I believe children are shadows of their parents, and that the shadow won’t wobble if I stand still.

You can see Kim Sejin speak at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju on August 27^th. Jointly hosted by the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade Organizing Committee (GUOC 2015) and the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), the forum aims to promote the four concepts of EPIC, Eco, Peace, IT and Culture, which are outlined and pursued by the GUOC 2015. You can find more information on the forum at www.epicspeaker.org.