A Morning on the Way Back from Korea
Around 4 a.m., the lights at Daegu Airport were soft and chilly, with the air carrying a unique morning stillness. After dragging my luggage and completing the check-in procedures, I sat in a chair in the waiting area, staring at the still-closed departure inspection gate. Time seemed to slow down in this moment. The terminal was sparsely populated, with only a few travelers and cleaning staff occasionally passing by. Perhaps because it was too early, the gate remained shut, and I could only sit quietly and wait.
My tired body reminded me how full the past few days had been. Reflecting on this trip to Daegu, the rewards far exceeded expectations. I had the opportunity to participate in an international conference, serve as a plenary session chair, and also share my views as a speaker in another plenary. These experiences left me fulfilled and satisfied. During the closing ceremony, I once again took the stage to host the proceedings and witnessed the signing of several important MoUs, laying the foundation for future collaborations.
These work accomplishments were undoubtedly valuable, but what truly made this trip unforgettable was the reunion with old friends—especially witnessing a significant leadership transition in the Eurasia Forum.
Both the outgoing and incoming presidents are longtime friends of mine. One is humble and steadfast, who has stood beside me through countless international events and reforms; the other is passionate and decisive, having already demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities. At the moment of the handover ceremony, I stood on stage watching one step down and the other step up, and a flood of indescribable emotions surged in my heart. It was a complex feeling—both joyful and anxious. I felt reluctant to see one leave, yet reassured to see the other take the reins.
As a mutual friend of both, I perhaps understood the weight of this transition better than anyone. We had fought alongside one another in many contexts, encouraging each other through difficult times. Now, one lets go while the other steps forward. I saw the determination and complexity in their eyes, the intertwining of past efforts and future responsibilities at that very moment. I smiled and applauded for them, silently sending them my blessings—may they both shine in their respective roles and continue to support each other.
Every reunion with old friends feels like a journey through time, filled with small surprises and joy. During the breaks at the conference, we caught up on each other’s lives, shared old anecdotes, and talked about future plans. The familiar laughter and tones seemed to erase all sense of time and distance, bringing warmth and reassurance. Yet happy moments are always brief, and farewells arrive quietly. As we waved goodbye at the venue, behind our smiles was a touch of sadness—like morning mist lingering in the heart.
Sitting in the departure lounge, I gazed at the gradually brightening sky outside, and my thoughts drifted far. The rising light over the mountains felt like a symbol and a blessing—an expression of gratitude for the outgoing president, and illumination for the path ahead of the new one. This journey wasn’t just a professional milestone but also a soulful one. The companionship of friends, the exchange of ideas, and the scenery of Daegu intertwined into a rich tapestry, leaving me deeply content despite the fatigue.
The departure gate finally opened. I stood up, pulled my luggage, and walked toward the gate. The journey home was about to begin, but I knew that the memories of this trip to Daegu would remain etched in my heart. Especially that moment of leadership transition—it would shine in my memory like the quiet light of dawn.
Wooden Lam
(Dr. Benny Lam)
一個韓國回程的早晨
凌晨四點多，大邱機場的燈光柔和而清冷，空氣中帶著清晨特有的靜謐。我拖著行李，辦妥登機手續後，坐在候機區的椅子上，望著尚未開放的出境檢查區。時間在這一刻彷彿變得緩慢，機場內人流稀疏，只有幾位旅客和清潔人員偶爾走過。或許因為太早，檢查區的大門依然緊閉，我只能靜靜地坐著，等著。
疲憊的身體提醒著這幾天的行程有多充實。回想這次大邱之行，收穫遠超預期。能夠參與國際會議，擔任 plenary session 的主持人，又在另一場 plenary 中作為講者分享觀點，這些經歷讓我感到滿足而充實。在閉幕式上，我再次站上講台，主持儀式，並見證了幾份重要 MoU 的簽署，為未來合作奠定基礎。
這些工作上的成就固然可貴，但真正讓這趟旅程難忘的，是與老朋友的相聚，尤其是見證了一場意義非凡的交接——新舊主席，在此刻完成了轉變。
這兩位主席，都是我多年的摯友。一位謙遜堅毅，陪伴我走過無數場國際會議與改革歷程；另一位熱情果斷，早已展現出非凡的領袖氣質。交接儀式的那一刻，我站在台上，看著一人緩步退下、一人昂然上前，心裡湧上一股難以言喻的情緒。那是一種既驚且喜的矛盾心情——我為卸任者的離開感到不捨，卻也為新任者的接棒感到欣慰。
作為他們共同的老朋友，我心中其實比任何人都更清楚這一份交接的重量。我們曾在無數場合中並肩努力，也曾在困境中互相打氣。如今，一人放下，一人接過，我看見他們眼中的堅定與複雜，看見過往的努力與未來的承擔在這一刻交會。我笑著為他們鼓掌，心裡卻在無聲地為他們祝福——願他們在不同的位置上，繼續發光，也彼此成全。
每一次與老友的重逢，都像一場時光之旅，帶來點滴驚喜與欣悅。我們在大邱的會場間隙分享彼此的近況，笑談往日趣事，也聊起未來打算。那些熟悉的笑聲與語調，彷彿能瞬間抹去時間的距離，讓人感到溫暖而安心。然而，歡聚的時光總是短暫，離別的時刻悄然而至。在會場揮手告別時，笑容背後藏著一絲離愁，那淡淡的惆悵，如晨霧般縈繞心頭。
坐在候機區，我望著窗外逐漸亮起的天色，思緒不由得飄遠。那日初升的光線從山巒間透出，像是一種象徵，也是一種祝福——為卸任者送上慰勞，也為新任者照亮前方。這次旅程，不僅是工作上的突破，更是心靈的一次充實。朋友的陪伴、會議的交流、大邱的風景，交織成一幅豐富的畫卷，讓我在疲憊中依然感到滿足。
出境檢查區終於開放，我起身，拖著行李走向閘口。回程的路途即將開始，但這一刻，我知道，這次大邱之旅的記憶，將長久留在我心裡。尤其是那一幕交接的畫面，將會在我記憶中，如今晨的曙光般，安靜卻深刻地，閃閃發亮。
林木人 (林偉倫博士. Dr. Benny Lam. Psy.D.）
回程，期待。
