Photo News

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 Develo

Cheonggyecheon Berlin Square

By Shim Hyun-chul With the winter chill in full swing, and the relations between North and South Korea entering a cold spell much like the frozen waters of Cheonggye Stream due to recent cross-border shelling, the Korean Peninsula is experiencing some of the highest tensions since the 1953 armistice. Being one of the world’s only divided countries, Korea knows firsthand the pain of war and separation, and so the times call for peaceful, prudent solutions. It might help to search for possible solutions outside the peninsula. Germany was able to stand back up on its own after a devastating world war, and South Korea was able to realize ``the miracle on the Han River,’’ becoming the only country in the world to become an aid-giving nation from an aid recipient. In terms of reunification, unlike the fall of the Berlin Wall, the elimination of the demarcation line here seems an increasingly elusive one. A part of the Berlin Wall can be found at the southern end of Cheonggye Stream’s Jangtong Bridge. These were installed in 2005 as a symbolic gesture wishing peace and reunif

South Korea under attack

Sillas glory in gold

By Shim Hyun-chul A rare exhibition featuring one of Korea’s priceless treasures, the Silla Gold Crown (National Treasure No. 188), is attracting visitors at the National Museum of Korea, Yongsan. It is on loan from the Gyeongju National Museum through Feb. 13, 2011. This is the crown’s second trip to Seoul, which comes 36 years after its first showing in 1974, right after it was discovered. The crown, officially known as “Cheonmachong Geumgwan,” was unearthed at Cheonmachong, Gyeongju in 1973 and is estimated to date back to the late 5th or early 6th century. Unlike other ancient golden crowns, the Silla crown is made with pure gold and has 58 jade ornaments, and boasts the most immaculate craftsmanship among its contemporaries. It stands 32.5 centimeters tall and measures 20 centimeters in diameter. In fact, what makes this artifact so unusual is that it was still resting upon the head of the king when it was discovered. The crown’s graceful tree branch and deer antler motifs are thought to symbolize a connection between heaven and earth, while the comma-shaped jade cha

D-day: College Scholastic Ability Test

By Shim Hyun-chul Some 712,000 applicants took the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) Thursday at 1,206 examination sites nationwide. The state-run exam is critical for the future academic career of the college hopefuls. Hundreds of police cars offered emergency transportation services to students wanting to arrive at test centers on time. Families and school friends of test takers gathered around the test venues, cheering and wishing all the best for the college applicants. Some students brought food and a big urn to serve hot tea to test-takers from their school. Some parents accompanied test takers and tried to encourage and relax their children. As usual, the government imposed various measures to maintain order and increased the frequency of subway and bus operations. All airplane flights, military and civilian, were put on hold during the listening parts of the Korean and English tests so students didn’t have any noise distractions. Government offices and enterprises near test centers delayed their opening by one hour to 10 a.m. The day-long test takes alm

Fall: foliage in full bloom

By Shim Hyun-chul Treetops are crowned with splashes of autumnal reds and yellows, while masses of brown fallen leaves are piling high below. Every nook and cranny of Seoul shows that fall is at the peak of its glory, and one can have a feast for the eyes by just strolling down the street. To enjoy the season’s treats in full, head to Mt. Nam, the trendy Samcheong-dong area or one of the city’s scenic palaces.

Bulguk Temple

Trove of historical and natural beauty By Shim Hyun-chul Colorful leaves and fresh air blowing off Mt. Toham beckon travelers to Bulguk Temple in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. -935 A.D.), in North Gyeongsang Province. Designated as Historical Site No. 502, the temple nestles in the middle of Mt. Toham, which literally means “swallowing fog and clouds and emitting them.” The temple, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, along with the Seokguram Grotto, belongs to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The construction of Bulguk, which means the “land of Buddha,” was initiated by Kim Dae-seong, prime minister during the reign of King Gyeongdeok and completed in 774 during the reign of King Hyegong. However, the wooden buildings of the temple were burned down during Japanese invasions between 1592 and 1598. After that, the main hall Daewungjeon (Hall of Great Enlightenment) was rebuilt but the major restoration project was done between 1969 and 1973 through extensive archeological investigation. The temple is marked

Anti-terror G20 exercises

By Shim Hyun-chul The South Korean military is stepping up its efforts to defend against any possible terror activity intended to hinder the hosting of the G20 Summit slated for Nov. 11-12 in Seoul. As part of the efforts, Special Forces of the Army demonstrated their training exercises at a base in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 16, under the direction of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hwang Eui-don. The exercise included several terrorism scenarios, such as the removal of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rescue of a bus and an aircraft hijacked by terrorists, and attacking snipers. Earlier this month, the Ministry of National Defense said in a parliamentary report that it was preparing against nine types of possible military provocation during the global economic forum, in areas including the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea, and the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas. The ministry plans to dispatch troops around the summit venue, accommodation facilities and airport. At sea, the maritime police and the military plan to jointly search and block

classical concerts

Classical Concerts Lucerne Festival Strings Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center* (See venues for more information) Oct. 25 Lucerne Festival Strings, an esteemed chamber orchestra from Switzerland, will hold its first concert in Korea with pianist Cho Seong-jin and conductor Achim Fiedler. The program features “Malediction for Piano and String Orchestra, S. 121” by Liszt, “Serenade for Strings, Op. 48” by Tchaikovsky and “Four Seasons” by Vivaldi. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-2743. Matinee Concert Concert Hall, Seongnam Arts Center* Nov. 18 Top local orchestras including Ensemble TIMF and KBS Symphony Orchestra will give a matinee concert. They will perform “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Copland, “Adagio for Strings, Op. 11” by Barber, “All I Ask of You” from the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” and more. Popular baritone Kim Dong-gyu will narrate. All seats cost 24,000 won. For more information, call (031) 783-8000. Opera ‘Mefistofele’ Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center* Through Oct. 23 Korea National Opera will stage

Amsadong : Prehistoric Settlement Site

By Shim Hyun-chul The beginning of civilization meant many things. Our ancestors would create fire with wood and flint, while they fed themselves on fish caught from streams and lakes nearby. Sometimes, plants and wild animals also made a good meal. Eventually, these primitive humans would create a culture of their own, building huts and making small pots and earthenware. In 1925, remains of earthenware that date back 3,000 to 4,000 years were discovered after a flood washed away the area of Amsa-dong, Gangdong-gu, southeastern Seoul. The Amsadong Prehistoric Site was excavated from 1967 and was later designated as National Historic Site No. 267 in 1979. Opened to the public in 1988, some 190,000 people have paid visits to the historical site. In 2002, the area went through a facelift and finally reopened as the Amsadong Prehistoric Settlement Site on Oct. 5. At the village, which has been recreated on a 102,001 square foot area in Amsa-dong, visitors can experience various activities. It offers a special time for everyone who seeks to experience the primitive ages of our a