NYT 요약
He Had a Purple Heart, PTSD and a Rap Sheet. He Had to Leave the U.S.
March 6, 2026
박세준씨는 미국에서 50년 가까이 거주하며 미군으로 참전해 훈장까지 받았으나, 치료받지 못한 PTSD(외상 후 스트레스 장애)로 인한 범죄 이력으로 한국으로 추방당했음
1989년 파나마 침공 작전에 투입되어 총상을 입고 퍼플하트 훈장(Purple Heart)을 받았음
전투 중 입은 총상과 PTSD로 인해 힘든 시간을 보냈으며, 당시 제대로 된 치료를 받지 못하고 마약에 손을 대 마약 소지 및 법정 불출석 혐의로 유죄 판결을 받았음
이후 강화된 이민법과 과거 범죄 이력으로 인해 자진 출국(추방) 형식을 통해 한국으로 왔으며 치매 걸린 노모가 있는 하와이로 다시 가고자 함
Sae Joon Park lived in the United States for nearly 50 years, served in the U.S. military, and was even awarded a medal. However, he was deported to South Korea due to a criminal record stemming from untreated PTSD.
He was deployed to the 1989 invasion of Panama, where he sustained a gunshot wound and received the Purple Heart Medal.
He endured a difficult period due to the combat injury and PTSD. Without proper treatment at the time, he turned to drugs and was convicted of drug possession and failure to appear in court.
Subsequently, due to strengthened immigration laws and his prior criminal record, he returned to Korea through voluntary departure (deportation). He wishes to return to Hawaii, where his elderly mother, who has dementia, resides.