[Interview] "Russia's Unimaginable Barbarism" Olena Sheghel, Interpreter of Zelenskyy's Parliament Speech

Simultaneous Interpreter for President Zelensky's Parliamentary Video Speech... Overwhelmed by Ukraine's Tragedy
"Some Family Members Still in Ukraine... It's Very Hard When Contact Is Lost"
"Did Not Receive President's Speech in Advance, Interpreted on the Spot"
"Felt Sadness and Powerlessness Hearing Ukraine's Tragedy"
"Low Attendance at Parliamentary Speech... Understandable but Regrettable"
"If War Is Not Resolved, It Could Lead to Another War... International Affairs

Professor Olena Shehel said in an interview on the 13th that war is a tragedy and a danger. Photo by Professor Olena Shehel, Department of Ukrainian Language, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] "What is happening in Ukraine is a tragedy itself. And at the same time, it is a danger itself."

Professor Olena Shehel of the Ukrainian Department at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies emphasized this point throughout the interview. Having lived in Korea for 22 years, Professor Shehel spoke in clear Korean, saying that if the international community condones Russia's barbaric acts, another war will break out in the future.

On the 11th, Professor Shehel served as a simultaneous interpreter for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's video speech to the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. At that moment, he showed a choked-up expression while watching a video depicting the chaotic situation in Mariupol caused by Russian military attacks near the end of the speech.

Graduating from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and completing doctoral coursework in Korean literature at Seoul National University, Professor Shehel shared a wide range of stories without pause in an interview with Asia Economy on the 13th, starting from behind-the-scenes of President Zelenskyy's speech to the role of the international community for Ukraine.

At the end of the interview, he said with regret, "My parents have currently escaped from Ukraine and are in Croatia. They are living while working at a small pension there." He added, "I want to bring my parents to Korea, but they want to return to Ukraine as soon as the war ends, so I cannot bring them here. I will try to spend this summer first, and if the war does not end by autumn, I want to bring my parents to Korea." The following is a Q&A with Professor Shehel.

A pro-Russian rebel soldier is passing in front of an apartment building reduced to its skeleton by indiscriminate bombing in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

-You were in charge of simultaneous interpretation for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech to the National Assembly. How did you come to take on this role?

▲There are several Ukrainians in Korea who speak Korean, but since I have been in Korea for a very long time and have a lot of experience, tasks related to Ukraine usually come to me. I also interpreted when Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko, the President of Ukraine, visited Korea in 2006, and I usually interpret when delegations of National Assembly members come. This time, I was requested to interpret through the Embassy of Ukraine in Korea, so I took on the role.

-I heard you did not receive the president's speech text in advance.

▲That's right. I did not receive any materials at all. I repeatedly asked for materials related to the speech, but since Ukraine is in a wartime situation, preparation was delayed. So I listened and interpreted on the spot. Normally, I at least understand the content and order beforehand to interpret, but this was the first time I received no materials at all, making it the most difficult interpretation I have ever done. Also, the president spoke very fast (laughs). I really did my best.

-You appeared choked up when a video showing the devastation in Mariupol was played near the end of the speech.

▲My feelings were complicated. First of all, Ukrainians face such suffering every day, but people from other countries tend to feel sad and choked up when watching such videos, but then forget after it ends. Even I, when watching war news from places like Afghanistan or Syria in the past, feel pity and sadness, but once I turn off the news, it disappears from my mind?an unavoidable situation. Thinking about this, I felt powerless, wondering if I could demand or expect unconditional support and appeals from Korean people. I think tears came from that helplessness.

Another feeling was purely as a mother. Since I am also a mother raising children, seeing children being abused and dying in Ukraine reminded me of my own children, and it was truly heartbreaking. The feelings of parents are universal emotions that anyone can empathize with. My heart was very heavy.

-I understand your family is still in Ukraine. How is the situation?

▲Currently, my parents have escaped from Ukraine and are in Croatia. However, my maternal uncle's family is still in Ukraine. We keep in touch, but when there are bombings, they have to go down to the basement, so sometimes we cannot contact them. When contact is lost for a while... I just think they must be in the basement and hope they are okay, but honestly, it is very difficult.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is delivering a video speech on the afternoon of the 11th at the National Assembly Library Auditorium in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

-President Zelenskyy requested weapons support from Korea in his speech. On the 8th, Ukraine also requested weapons support, but the Korean government politely declined, saying only humanitarian aid is possible. What is your view on this?

▲President Zelenskyy's request for weapons support is because that is what Ukraine needs most right now. Fierce battles are taking place in southern Ukraine, and Russia is concentrating troops on the eastern border. This is a sign that new attacks will begin in the east. The war will likely become much more brutal. Ukraine currently lacks weapons and ammunition, so it cannot avoid talking about weapons support.

Of course, I am not saying the Korean government must unconditionally provide weapons support. Whether to provide support or not is a decision the Korean government must make. But personally, Korea introduced Russian-made weapons when the Soviet Union collapsed. I think those weapons could be provided to Ukraine. Those weapons are different from current Korean weapons and systems and are old, so they would not significantly affect Korea's defense capabilities. Ukraine is much more familiar with Russian-made weapons than American ones, so it could be very helpful. Of course, I am not a military expert, so I cannot say 'it must be done.' This is just my personal opinion.

-The attendance rate of National Assembly members was low compared to other countries during the speech on the 11th.

▲Honestly, I felt a bit sorry seeing that only a few National Assembly members attended in person. I was disappointed about why more could not come, but on the other hand, since the speech was pushed through urgently, it was probably difficult for members to adjust their schedules. I understand that.

-Did you have any separate discussions with National Assembly members about Ukraine issues after the speech?

▲I did not. Because I did not receive the speech text in advance, I was busy translating it immediately after the speech. The media and the National Assembly requested quick translation, so I had no time.

-The war seems to be turning into a prolonged conflict. What should be the role of the international community?

▲NATO, the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), and other international communities must play an appropriate role. However, the world order established after World War II with the founding of the UN seems to have been in crisis for about 15 years. Promises are not being properly kept. Amid this, the outbreak of the Ukraine war highlights this crisis in the world order. For example, when the UN Security Council tries to make a decision, Russia vetoes it. Therefore, the war continues and the number of victims increases. Experts including myself say that a new world order is needed. But the international community is showing a very conservative attitude. It is possible to handle things according to precedent, but introducing something new is very cautious. If this continues, the current crisis in the international order will only worsen.

-There are many activities related to Ukraine in Korea. I understand you are quite involved. How are these activities going?

▲Actually, I cannot actively participate now because it is the school semester. Since school is my main job and I have many tasks, I am currently unable to participate much. But one thing I want to say is that recently, some groups claiming to be Ukrainian organizations in Korea have been speaking out. Some people are abusing these groups for political or private purposes. For example, some say, 'We want change but oppose checks on Russia,' but this is absolutely not the position of the Ukrainian community in Korea. This is regrettable and unfortunate.

Also, there is currently no organization or group made up solely of 'Ukrainians in Korea.' Among Ukrainians in Korea, 60-70% are students. Actually, if you create an organization or group, it needs to be long-term, but students stay in Korea short-term, so there are many limitations. Also, since everyone has their own main job, it is not easy to form organizations or groups. The existing organizations or groups were formed by Korean organizations taking the lead in solidarity.

-The Ukraine issue is hot in Korea as well. What is needed for peace? And what can individuals do?

▲This war situation is so barbaric that it is hard to believe it is happening in the 21st century. But about 200 countries worldwide cannot control Russia's incomprehensible barbaric acts. The international community must unite and say, 'War is not acceptable.' But due to each country's momentary and short-term interests, the world cannot align its stance. This is the most regrettable and infuriating thing. At the same time, I think it is very dangerous. Surely, many countries are watching this situation closely. Then in the future, the whole world could be drawn into war. Russia fought a war, so why can't we? Wars could continue like this. To prevent such a catastrophe, the world must unite and send a single message: Russia must stop the war. Russia must change. By sending this message, we must overcome the current situation.