As we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States and reflect on the sacrifices made by men and women in the name of freedom and values, it’s hard not to think about what is going on in the world today and the continuing sacrifices made by our citizens in uniform. 

This Memorial Day is even more poignant for me as the tension on the Korean Peninsula reach levels not felt since the Korean War.  As immigrants from South Korea to the United States, my family and I are the direct result of the courage and sacrifice the U.S. made in the name of freedom half way around the world. Prior to the war my father grew up in a little coastal town that was in what would become North Korea.  If it were not for the brave men and women who fought and served in South Korea, there’s a pretty good chance I would not be here today.

I am proud that the sacrifices made by US and UN troops in South Korea were not made in vain.  Going back to South Korea now for business and seeing the modern and developed country it has become is a source of great pride. 

Today South Korea is a true functioning democracy, a contributing member of the international community and a model of what a war torn country can become; it was the first country in Asia to codify their labor laws, protect intellectual property rights and enforce international standards of human rights. 

So when RuMe decided to manufacturer our bags in South Korea we knew that human rights and inhumane labor practices would not be an issue.  We chose not only to produce our bags in South Korea, but also to source our fabric there giving us 100% traceability on our all of our products. 

The labor laws of South Korea are on par with the United States, Germany and Australia, so our decision was very simple. We decided that the pros of working in South Korea far outweighed the pros of working in other Asian countries, as the majority of our competitors do. The questionable labor and human rights practices of the communist countries in Asia simply made the risk too high for us.  We just couldn’t go there.

So this Memorial Day weekend we raise our glass to our men and women in uniform, hoping and praying they return home safely.  We thank them for their service and in their honor RuMe Bags will donate 10% of all sales on our website made from Memorial Day through Labor Day to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that supports the men and women who have, and continue to, serve in South Korea and around the world.