Photo News

Sinhwa mural painting village

By Shim Hyun-chul Especially noticeable for those who are used to the monotonous scenery of gray concrete in the city, colorful paintings on houses clustered together lead down to the whole town as if they were the local guides. The paintings include a puppy smiling between window frames, laughing children riding horses and a gray whale wandering in the sky. These murals covering every nook and cranny of the wall express the joy of the residents and vitalize the village at the same time. Other well-known areas like Sinhwa Village include Dongpirang Village in Tongyeong of South Gyeongsang Province and Gaemi Maeul (Ant Village) in Seoul. Located in the southeastern city of Ulsan, Sinhwa Village was formed in 1960s for emigrants. The name “Sinhwa” reflects the sentiments of the original inhabitants to signify their will to harmonize to live well. People who made a living by whaling in nearby areas like Maeamdong and Jangsaengpo had to move here due to the construction of an industrial complex. In the 1980s a majority of the residents left the village after the implementa

Quarantine fumigating season

By Shim Hyun-chul A vehicle drives slowly through an alley while leaving billowing clouds of foggy insecticide from behind. One is reminded of running and following the dense yet airy smoke as a child with friends in the neighborhood maze of alleys. As the weather gets warmer, more bugs are out and sanitation officials become busier. The Yangcheon District Office launched the Government-Private Joint Disinfection Squad 2012 to protect the health of residents. Composed of 141 officials ― 13 from public health centers and 129 from Saemaul Undong (New Movement) branches, they will work together on pest control to prevent possible epidemics. At the launch ceremony, various methods of extermination such as eco-friendly ways using a natural enemy of mosquitoes were demonstrated. “We try to keep our district clean and hygienic by disinfecting garbage containers and installing traps for harmful insects at local parks,” a district official said. For more information, call (02) 2620-3883.

A memorial service for Confucius

By Shim Hyun-chul “Seokjeon Daeje” meaning grand Confucian ceremony is a traditional rite that pays tribute to Confucius and other ancient sages and scholars. The event is held every year on Confucius’ birthday on Sept. 28 and the day of his death, May 11, at 234 Confucian temples nationwide to commemorate him and other historical figures from both Korea and China. Confucian philosophy and lessons are thought to be one of the foundations of Korean society over thousands of years. Cohosted by Sungkyunkwan University and the Cultural Heritage Administration, the ceremony was held at the school’s Seoul campus on May 11. Culture Minister Choe Kwang-sik took part in the event, along with some 200,000 worshipers. The ceremony is characterized by observances of ritual etiquette and order with performances of traditional music and dance such as “Palilmu” based on Confucian ideals. The ceremony, designated as the nation’s 85th important intangible cultural heritage, is passed down through apprenticeships, lectures and courses given at two institutions. For the music, traditiona

Campus festival

By Shim Hyun-chul Who can forget the energetic feeling, the vibrant scent and the exuberance of youth? Especially during one’s college days in spring when the verdure shows off different shades of green. For the month of May, college campuses are brimming with the excitement of festivals. On the campuses around the nation, “jeon” or Korean pancakes are fried on makeshift grills and such fun activities as throwing water balloons at volunteer targets crack up the participants — caught between youth and adulthood. Hanyang University in Seoul will hold its festival from May 22-25. In addition to the usual repertoire, the varsity clubs have prepared a singing contest, flea market and other enjoyable events. For Korea University, which will hold its festival from May 21-25, the highlight will be its cheering squad. Many students may want to flock to Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul as it has invited none other than Girls’ Generation and the band, Ulala Session to perform at its campus.

Celebrating King Sejong

By Shim Hyun-chul King Sejong was the fourth king of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) and is well-known for many impressive things such as having created "Hangeul," or the Korean alphabet but did you know that he was also a lover of music? The king researched and modified the contemporary music and dance of that period. He also urged court musicians to develop new musical instruments such as the "pyeonjong" (a set of 16 bronze bells) and "pyeongyeong" (a set of 16 stone chimes). His affection for music peaked at a "hoeryeyeon," which is similar to a modern day kick-off meeting. In 1433 the king gathered civil and military officials to boost harmony and morale. Last week at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul the National Gukak Center presented an "Oyangseon," a type of court dance. The dance was originally performed as a part of a hoeryeyeon. For those interested there will be a reprise. A full hoeryeyeon ceremony will be held in Gyeongbok Palace at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. More than 400 performers, including actor Kang Shin-il as King Sejong, will reenact the fes

Taewha River Bamboo grove

By Shim Hyun-chul Sunlight flows into a bamboo grove that seems to extend endlessly. The bamboo leaves rustle and make fresh sounds as the wind blows in from the river. A four-kilometer bamboo grove stretches out along the Taehwa River in the southeastern city of Ulsan. The 20-meter-wide bamboo forest is about 290,000 square meters in area, providing lush greenness to the otherwise largely industrial city. It was first afforested in the 1920s for flood protection and later reborn as an ecological park with walking trails. The Taehwa once was a symbol of a damaged environment, sacrificed for industrial development. Fish died en masse and people could not even approach the river because of the terrible smell. The city of Ulsan enforced strong ecofriendly policies to revive the river and the efforts paid off as the beautiful bamboo grove came into being. Combined with waterfront, the bamboo forest has become a resting place for local residents. The Taehwa River Observatory is the best place to view the bamboo grove.

2012 Beijing Auto Show

Jangsaengpo Whale Museum

By Shim Hyun-chul The sun shines on the sea of Jangsaengpo in southeastern city of Ulsan. The water reminds one of the lyrics of Bobby Kim’s song “A Whale’s Dream,” with lines like “I’m a big whale of the ocean that starts on a journey standing on its white tail.” Jangsaengpo, once the base of whaling in Korea, has the nation’s only museum dedicated to whales, the Jangsaengpo Whale Museum. Opened in 2005, the museumhas received a facelift for the Ulsan Whale Festival 2012, which will be held from April 26 to 29. The museum extensively covers the history of the city and whaling industry. The first exhibition hall features skeletons and bones of a Bryde’s whale and the second hall offers a life-size model and information on the gray whale. Visitors can also experience live animals at its dolphin aquarium and costal aquarium. A 4D theater presents an animated film of a sperm whale and giant squid. For more information, visit www.whalemuseum.go.kr or call (052) 256-6301.

Jangsaengpo Memory of Whale

A gray whale is drawn on a fishery inspection boat at Jangsaengpo port in southeastern city of Ulsan. Gray whales are on the wanted list — 5 million won reward for a photo of a gray whale and 10 million won for incidental catch or report of stranded whales. / Korea Times photos by Shim Hyun-chul By Shim Hyun-chul “You don’t see any whales because we don’t go whale hunting anymore. It’s been more than 30 years since a harpooner has caught a whale. There used to be some star harpooners here,” said Kim Young-hak, 63, recalling the heyday on board the Myeongsin-ho. He was a first seaman on the whaler when whale hunting was in season in Jangsaengpo, off the coast of Ulsan in southeastern Korea. Whale hunting was banned in 1986, so where did all whales of Jangsaengpo go? To revive the memory of whales in Jangsaengpo in an ecological way, Ulsan City is hosting the "2012 Ulsan Whale Festival," the only whale-themed festival in Korea, from April 26 to 29. The history of whale hunting in Jangsaengpo dates back to p

Ganghwa History Museum

By Shim Hyun-chul Ganghwa Island packs a whole lot of Korea’s history into a relatively small area. Consequently it is nicknamed a “roofless museum.” With military stations and dolmens registered in December 2000 as a UNESCO World Heritage, the island showcases relics of the past. In particular Ganghwa History Museum is an important stop on a visit to the island west of Seoul. The history of the entire peninsula can be witnessed inside. Cross Ganghwa Bridge and take Route 48 toward Ganghwa County Office and the Ganghwa Dolmen Park will gradually come into view. The museum is located in the park. Established in October 2010 the museum’s purpose is to preserve and study the cultural heritages of Ganghwa and exhibit them. One will be able to view the history and culture of Ganghwa through the cultural properties dating back to the prehistoric age through to the modern and present age. With a total floor area of 4,223 square meters composed of two ground floors and one underground, the museum has a number of subsidiary facilities such as the permanent and special exhibition ha