In this article, Kim Hee-joo, an official from the Yangyang Urban Regeneration Support Center, discusses her discovery of Yangyang's mining history while working at the center. Five years ago, she learned about the hardships the area faced during the Korean War and that it once housed iron ore mines and railways dating back to the Japanese colonial period. Although Yangyang is not included in the active mining revival projects, recent readings of Lee Ra-young's book 'Iron Stone' have reignited her interest in the town's mining legacy.

Kim reflects on her initial experience with 'Iron Stone', noting its substantial physical weight and the profound themes it presents. The book, which encompasses personal stories and the collective narrative of laborers from the Yangyang iron mine, is a deep exploration of how these experiences have molded the lives of workers and their families. With a desire to move beyond superficial content, Kim found herself absorbed in the book's rich, compelling narrative that resonates with the forgotten voices of past labor struggles.

The author, Lee Ra-young, draws from her experiences as the child of the final union leader of the Yangyang Mining Company, bringing to light the untold stories of laborers from the region. By focusing on the labor migration and challenges faced by those working in the mines, the book highlights the cultural and historical significance of iron mining in Yangyang while prompting readers to consider the broader implications of labor history and its impact on contemporary society.