Shim Hyun-chul has been a photojournalist for The Korea Times since 2006, covering news events throughout the country. He is committed to strict journalism ethics, and it has never changed since his first day in the newsroom. He has covered four presidential elections, two Olympic Games and countless daily assignments around the world. When he is not at work, he plays tennis. Shim is also a certified lifeguard by YMCA International, which means he can actually save lives.
Thatched roof of Changdeok Palace
By Shim Hyun-chul
What, a humble grass-roof in the middle of a palace?
Amid the elegant tile-roofed architecture in Changdeok Palace stands Cheonguijeong, a round thatch-roofed structure with a square floor measuring 15 square meters.
Cheonguijeong, the only such edifice within the royal grounds, was built so that the king could empathize with his subjects. During the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), rice was planted in the small batch of farmland (about 20 square meters) in front of Cheonguijeong, as a means of watching prospects for the season’s harvest and the grass from the field was used to thatch the roof.
The roof-thatching ceremony was reenacted on Dec. 7, inviting many tourists and passersby to stop and watch the entire process.
The event was organized by the Rural Development Administration and Changdeok Palace attaches of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea. ``This year the Cheonguijeong farm had a good harvest but all the rice sheaves were destroyed by the typhoon,’’ said a staff member of the palace. ``And so we used grass provided by the Rural Development Administration.’’
Of the five palaces scattered around Seoul, Changdeok Palace is the best preserved and is also known for having a design that achieves a striking harmony with nature. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
By Shim Hyun-chul