Who is Father from Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood and what is their importance?

Father is the name that refers to the father of the boy. He was released recently from parole after being jailed for resistance movement activities. Father and his wife, mother of the boy, were offered teaching jobs with Christian missionaries across the Korean border in Manchuria. The train was stopped at the last border town just before crossing the Tuman River into Manchuria. He was questioned by the Japanese Thought Police detective and Military Policeman and, despite his papers being in order, they detained him anyway. Father dutifully returned to Korea after several years teaching with the Christian missionaries in Manchuria.