A movement to save Sae-Joon Park, a 55-year-old Korean American permanent resident and former US Army soldier, from deportation is gaining traction.
![Sae Joon Park, a Purple Heart recipient and U.S. Army veteran, was forced to self-deport to South Korea on June 23 after nearly 50 years in the United States. (Top right) Park during his time as an active-duty soldier. (Bottom right) His Purple Heart award, issued for wounds sustained in combat. [Screen capture from Hawaii News Now]](https://www.koreadailyus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/0630-SaejoonPark.jpg)
On June 26, a petition was posted on Change.org requesting the Queens County District Attorney’s Office in New York to reopen his criminal case and cancel his convictions for drug possession and failure to appear in court. The petition was filed by his lawyer, Danicole Ramos, and had gathered 6,768 signatures as of 4 p.m. on July 9.
The petition featured various voices supporting Park. Zak said, “It’s horrific to deport a soldier who was shot and awarded medals,” adding, “He fought for this country and should receive treatment here.” Jess also criticized the deportation, saying, “Regardless of citizenship, it’s shameful to expel someone who sacrificed like this for the country.”
Currently, Park is staying at a hotel in Seoul, keeping in touch with his children and mother, but is reportedly struggling to adjust due to his limited Korean language skills. In an interview with NBC, he said, “I don’t regret being shot or going to the Army. It was part of what made my life.” He added, “I still suffer from PTSD. Tears come out for no reason.”
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
