Decades later, Korean survivors of WWII atomic bombs still carry the scars, and the silence

AI Summary

85-year-old Bae Kyung-mi, an ethnic Korean, survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing at age five but kept it secret for decades due to stigma and fear. She was buried in rubble but shielded from fatal burns. After returning to Korea, her family remained silent about their experience, fearing social repercussions. Bae's children only learned of her hibakusha status in 1996 when she registered at a support center. She suffered long-term health issues, including cancer risks requiring organ removal.