Purple Heart Army Veteran Forced to Self-Deport After Decades in U.S.

An Army veteran, awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat, has voluntarily returned to South Korea amid the looming threat of detention by federal immigration authorities. 

Sae Joon Park, 55, immigrated legally to the U.S. at the age of 7 and was raised in Koreatown and Van Nuys. However, decades-old drug convictions linked to PTSD from his military service have made him susceptible to deportation.

Park participated in the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, sustaining two gunshot wounds during a firefight and receiving the Purple Heart at his hospital bedside. Upon returning home, he faced significant challenges with severe PTSD, initially turning to marijuana for self-medication before succumbing to an addiction to crack cocaine. His addiction intensified during relocations to Hawaii and New York, leading to arrests for drug possession and jumping bail—charges that initiated deportation proceedings.

Although Park served honorably in the military, his efforts to obtain U.S. citizenship were hindered by his criminal record. Despite having maintained sobriety for years and taking care of his elderly mother and two U.S.-born children, federal authorities informed him during a recent check-in that he had three weeks to leave the country.

“I acknowledge that I have made errors,” Park stated from South Korea. “However, I was not a violent criminal.”

His deportation has left his family in deep distress. Park is anxious about potentially missing his mother’s last days and his daughter’s wedding. Close friend Josh Belson portrayed Park as a compassionate and strong individual who was let down by a system that did not adequately address his mental health challenges stemming from combat.

Since 2002, over 158,000 immigrant service members have attained U.S. citizenship, yet Park’s situation underscores the vulnerability of many others who face the threat of deportation despite their dedication and sacrifice. Park now confronts an unpredictable future in South Korea, distanced from his family and support network in the United States.

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