Photos - The Korea Times

Muan, Home of Buncheong

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter For 36 years, artisan Kim Ok-soo has carried on his family's tradition of making ``buncheong" ware. The Kim family has been creating the pottery for four generations. As the only ceramics artisan in the southwestern Jeolla provinces, Kim said that the ware was important in past trade with China and Japan. "I try to express beauty that closely resembles nature, through natural lines and designs in harmony with nature," he said. Korea's ceramics have evolved to represent different eras. Various regional expressions and methods have risen and fallen with the passing of time. Through the process, Korean ceramics have evolved, capturing a unique quality of their own. In that vein, the ``buncheong'' ware represents the earlier part of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Buncheong ware is made by coating white earth over gray dirt, and then glossing it with enamel (a glassy varnish) before placing it in the kiln. With the demise of the Goryeo Kingdom (10th to 14th century), state-control over pottery loosened, allowing Korea's ceramics to take o

Aug 27, 2009

Indongcho, His Name Will Endure

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The "indongcho," or Japanese honeysuckle, is a small flower that endures the severe winds and frost of winter to bloom in spring, and the vulnerable yet strong-willed flower is synonymous with the late former President. Kim was a fighter for peace and democracy and his journey was not an easy one. However, just like the vulnerable plant, Kim endured torrential winds to become one of the most respected and influential Asian leaders in the world. The greater the mountain, the larger and darker the shadow, and this was true of Kim's life. When he was elected to the presidency in February of 1998, Korea was in the middle of the ``IMF crisis,'' which pushed millions of Koreans below the poverty line. But Kim and his fellow nationals rolled up their sleeves to fight for survival, paying back the IMF loan three years ahead of schedule. His ongoing efforts to reconcile with North Korea, i.e., the Sunshine Policy, bore the fruit of the historic summit with Kim Jong-il in 2000. The same year, he became the first Korean to win the Nobel Peace Pr

Aug 23, 2009

Democracy Is Not Free

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter For the late former President Kim Dae-jung (1924-2009), democracy could not be achieved without sacrifice and conviction. He survived five death threats, six years in prison, prolonged house arrest and decade-long exile for his pro-democracy struggle. The Nobel Peace laureate never compromised for the cause of democracy throughout his political career. Kim had a firm conviction that his dedication to the pro-democracy struggle and inter-Korean reconciliation was worth risking his life for. With his recent passing, he leaves behind a legacy as South Korea's champion of equality and human rights. Throughout Korea's tumultuous modern history, especially during the military regimes of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan in the 1970s and '80s, respectively, Kim's campaign against dictatorship resulted in a death sentence, abduction and imprisonment. But he never stopped fighting for the cause and while in exile in the United States he established the Korean Institute for Human Rights in Washington D.C. In recognition of his achievement, he

Aug 20, 2009

Panoramic Seoul

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Seoul has become smaller ― like the miniature land in ``Gulliver's Travels.'' The expansive Han River can be crossed in a single stride, and the towering mountain peaks and skyscrapers now look up from below. The Seoul Museum of History opened Tuesday a new wing showcasing a model of the capital scaled down to 1/1500 of its original size. The 605.25 square kilometer metropolis has shrunk into a 317.29 square meter model. The multimedia installation features finely crafted details and the latest IT technology. Visitors can stand over a transparent deck overlooking southern, eastern and western Seoul while an elevated bridge provides a panoramic view of the entire city. The installation provides an accurate depiction of Seoul and its urban jungle of some 700,000 buildings, surrounding mountains and forests and clutters of houses. The latest aerial photographs of the city as well as scaled graphs complete the urban portrait. State of the art technology heightens the dimensionality and realism of the model and enables visitors to locate t

Aug 13, 2009

Gwanghwamun Plaza

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin is still there, standing tall in the heart of Sejongno, Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul. Surrounding him, however, are not the multiple lanes of cars that used to drive past, but a carpet of flowers, a "Stream of History," a Haechi madang and an impressive fountain. Together they form a new landmark in Seoul ― Gwanghwamun Plaza. The plaza was the widest swath of road in Seoul during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). It was where all the royal offices were located, and a place where the king, his vassals and his people mingled. The carpet of flowers is located at the northern part of the plaza. Measuring 17.5 meters wide and 162 meters long, it presents 220,000 flowers symbolizing the 220,000 days from when Seoul became the capital of the Joseon Kingdom up to the opening of the plaza. The waterway, 2 centimeters deep and about 1 meter across, runs for 365 meters along the plaza's east side. On its floor lie 617 stones recording with major events from the beginning of Joseon in 1392 through 20

Aug 6, 2009

Water Rescue Unit

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter When the bell rings, the water rescue unit's world briefly comes to a halt. As the loudspeaker relays the site of the accident, rescuers prepare for action. They arrive at the scene quickly, speeding at nearly 60 kilometers per hour along the Han River. Already wearing diving suits and bearing equipment, the rescuers jump in without hesitation ― even the smallest amount of time is essential because water disasters can come to an end within five minutes. In the heart of Seoul, Gwangjin and Yeongdeungpo district emergency stations stand prepared to answer calls for help. Formed in 1997, the 13-man squad at Yeongdeungpo Station includes two sailors and two engineers. Most of the members have experience in the military's special forces. The squad is renowned for tough, physical stamina and is ready to face various water-related emergencies. Yeongdeungpo is responsible for the 21.1 kilometer-wide distance between Banpo and Sinhaengju bridges, which is watched in two shifts over a 24-hour period. Yeongdeungpo's longest dispatch to the farthes

Jul 30, 2009

Hoesan White Lotus Habitat

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Wet fog seeps through the lotus leaves, and a drop of rain glides down the green surface. Rain drops speed up their rhythm and break the silence shrouding the white lotus habitat. Hoesan White Lotus Habitat in Ilro-eup, Muan-gun, South Jeolla Province, is the largest of its kind in Asia, stretching over an area of 330,000 square meters and a circumference of 3 kilometers. The habitat was originally a reservoir for farming water during the Japanese colonial era (1910-45). It became home to white lotuses in 1997 following a lotus festival. The blossoms began to grow here in the 1950s, after a neighboring villager planted a dozen or so seeds. That night, the villager is said to have dreamt of 12 white cranes resembling the fair lotuses and took great care of them. The habitat features walkways that enable visitors to stroll through the flowers, and a 280-meter-long bridge provides a view of the place. In addition to white lotuses, the habitat houses some 30 kinds of lotuses and 50-odd types of flora, and is often visited for biological studi

Jul 23, 2009

Mounted Policemen

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The unison of the man and the horse is perfect. They strut in perfect formation, and, with the snap of a rein, they quickly change direction, surprising spectators with their graceful and majestic movement. The local mounted police, founded in 1946, are currently located at Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, and comprised of a total of 16 horses and 15 officers. Their main activities include appearing at various ceremonial events and promoting the local police force. The officers are also in charge of patrolling areas like Olympic Park, the Cheonggye Stream area and Seoul Forest at Ttukseom. Now people can watch the officers every Tuesday at the Royal Guards Changing Ceremony held in front of the Daehan Gate of Deoksu Palace, in downtown Seoul. Starting from August, the officers will patrol the area around Cheonggye Stream and Bosingak directly after the ceremony. ``We aim to get closer to the public through the changing-of-guards ceremony by taking photos with tourists and also lift our officers' spirits by carrying out actual duti

Jul 16, 2009

Mangsang Auto Camping Resort

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The sky is peppered with a myriad of diamond stars, and the pearly moon shines down upon the sleeping sea. Sweet potatoes roast upon the crackling campfire, and the chirping of crickets counterpoints the rollicking rhythm of the waves, adding a sweet sonority to nature's lullaby. The whispering tides wake you from slumber, and the white sand beaches and cobalt-blue waters reveal themselves beneath the rising morning sun. The Mangsang Auto Camping Resort by the East Sea is the first of its kind in Korea, and is known for its splendid environs of a rich pine forest and the East Sea. In 2002, it hosted the 64th International Camping & Caravanning Rally, and continues to attract many visitors. Located about two-and-a-half hours from Seoul in Yeongdong, Gangwon Province, it is a popular destination for summertime vacationers in July. Visitors can park their cars at the auto campsite or settle down in a caravan, tent, cabin or American cottage. Caravans, equipped with the basic conveniences of a small home, is the most popular choice because

Jul 9, 2009

Healthy Maesil

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The fruit of the maesil tree that have long been a symbol of spring, turn the taste buds to delight when summer comes. These small, dainty fruits are born a light green color, then transform into a brilliant yellow when ripening. The fruit's maturation is accompanied by an aromatic fragrance and a hint of a shy, red blush. The maesil fruit has a history of medicinal uses dating back to the Three Kingdoms Era. The ``Dongeuibogam,'' an ancient Korean medicine text, notes the maesil's uses among its pages. From adjusting blood alkalinity to preventing simple dehydration, physicians and commoners alike found a multitude of uses for the fruit. It is also known to help create stronger digestive systems, promote heart regularity and serve as an antibacterial agent. Today, the maesil fruit is still consumed for these purposes. Preparation of the fruit as food varies from the sweet to the sour. Maesil can be squeezed and strained into juice, pickled in salt or preserved. It can also be made into liquor, called maesil-ju, which has a sweet and smoot

Jul 2, 2009

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