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Tour of Yeongdong South Chungcheong Province

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Some Koreans say April is the cruelest month, but in Yeongdong, North Chungcheong Province, it's a month where fruit trees start to bear fruit. Simple white pears, beautiful pink-hued apricots, apples that smell so sweet as to invite a bite ― these products blanket the Yeondong area this time of the year alongside grapes and plums. Because of the huge temperature difference between day and night, the region is ideal for growing fruit. Naturally, it hosts fruit-themed festivals throughout the year. From Aug. 22-26, Yeongdong holds a grape festival during which visitors can pick grapes and participate in winemaking ― the area produced the wine that was served at the inter-Korean summit held in Pyongyang in October 2007. Yeongdong also boasts of being the homeland of Korean classical music. It was home to one of Korea's three best traditional music composers, Nangye Park Yeon (1378-1458). The other two are Wang Sanak (Goguryeo period) and U-Reuk (Silla period). Park Yeon, a musician during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) created the measure of

Hyangiram Hermitage

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter After passing narrow paths between rocks and climbing the narrow stairs for 30 minutes, the South Sea appears, spread right before your eyes. This is Hyangiram Hermitage, located at Dolsan-eup, Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. It is a place where one can find peace while watching the deep blue horizon, listening to the gentle striking of the wooden gong by a monk and breathing in the scent of candles. Hyangiram Hermitage was designated as cultural asset No. 40 of South Jeolla Province. It was originally called ``Wontongam'' when it was built by renowned Buddhist monk Wonhyo in 644, the fourth year of King Uija of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.-660 A.D). Its name was later changed to Hyangiram Hermitage. Hyangiram, which literally means ``watching the sun,'' is not a very big temple. The front yard of Daewoongjeon, or the main building of the temple, seems small because it is located near a narrow mountain trail. However, the South Sea that spreads out in front of the temple makes for a decent front yard. If you follow the rock trail behi

Jinhae Cherry blossomed Festival

Silk Mountain, King Mountain

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The endless horizon stretches out before your eyes and the strange looking rocks surrounding the area come in various shapes and sizes. It almost looks like the little rocks will trickle down to the sea any time soon. Mt. Geum, or Geumsan, stands 701 meters above sea level and is located in Sangju-myeon, Namhae County in South Gyeongsang Province. It is the only mountain range in the Hanlyeosudo National Park and is covered with peculiar looking rocks. Visitors can view the ocean and also many small islands from the top of Mt. Geum, which is connected to Mt. Jiri. The mountain was designated as monument No.18 of South Gyeongsang Province in December 1974. Mt. Geum was once called Mt. Bogwang because on it the Buddhist monk Wonhyo built a temple called Bogwang in A.D. 686, in the third year of the reign of King Sinmun during the Silla Kingdom. The name was changed to Mt. Geum, which literally means ``silk mountain'' in Chinese characters, when Yi Seong-gye ― or King Taejo of the Joseon Dynasty, granted the name after praying for 100 days and

Welcome to Yeongam, South Jeolla Province

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The pure white of the cherry blossoms often plays tricks on our eyes, giving the flowers a snow-like appearance. But the warm spring sun, the breeze and the fragrance gives the illusion away. The 38-kilometer stretch of road from Yeongam to Yongdang transforms into a magnificent tunnel of cherry blossoms. Yeongam, situated in the southwestern part of South Jeolla Province, is known for its superb natural scenery, rich history and culture. It is hailed the hub of cultural tourism for the region. In 2006, National Trust of Korea designated Gurim Village in Yeongam as a cultural heritage. Based on findings from a pre-historic site in nearby Jangcheon-ri, it is estimated that the Gurim Village has been inhabited for 2,200 years. Prominent figures such as Wangin, who took Korean culture to Japan, were from the village. The village has programs for visitors the whole year through such as a Home-Stay in a traditional house and the History Walk Tour. Also, from April 5-8, the village hosts the Yeongam Wangin Cultural Festival, near the re

Castle Walls of Seoul

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Seoul in the past was a huge walled city. In the 5th year (1936) of King Taejo of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), the kingdom moved the capital to Seoul. To prepare for war, control the in inflow of people and to prevent theft, a wall with Mt. Bukak as its main anchor was built along the lines of Mt. Nak, Mt. Nam and Mt. Inwang to surround the Gyeongbok Palace. The wall ran for 18.127 kilometers. To the south of the wall was the Sungnyemun, to the east, Heunginjimun, to the west, Doneuimun and to the North, Sukjeongmun. The years under Japanese colonialism and the Korean War devastated much of the wall, leaving about 10 kilometers of it remaining today. The remainders of the wall can be found throughout Seoul. There is the so-called Namsan Course where the wall trails from Dongguk Station on subway line No.3 to Jangchung Stadium to Namsan. The Naksan Course shows the wall standing from Marronier Park near Hyehwa Station on Subway line No.4 to Naksan Park; the Inwangsan Course shows the wall from near Gyeongbokgung Station toward Sajin

Green Tea, Nature and Market at Hadong

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Spring is a time when everything awakens from hibernation. Nature freshens up with the sound of spring. Where would be the best place to listen to spring approaching, the mountains, the sea or a river? When you are in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, there are no worries, as you can hear the sounds of spring from the mountain, sea and rivers. The cool streams that follow Mount Jiri signal spring in the forests, and the crystal clear Seomjin River runs into the Korea Strait. Hadong, located in the western part of Gyeongsang Province, is famous for wild green tea. According to historical records, in 828 during the reign of King Heungdeok of the Silla Dynasty (BC 57-AD 935), Silla envoy Kim Dae-Ryeom brought green tea seeds from the Tang Dynasty, China and planted them on Hadong soil on the King's orders. Thanks to the weather and rich soil, the wild tealeaves are still being grown and sold at the 1,000-year old plantation. Hadong County will open its annual ``Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival'' on May 21 for 25 days and will offer vi

First Day of School A New Beginning

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter School entrance ceremonies are being held nationwide in March. In elementary schools, there are little newcomers are all over the place. Some look tired, some wear their nametags proudly, while others play pranks on each other during the headmaster's welcoming speech. From simple tributes to the nation and the school, more surprising events await the freshmen. They give students an idea of what school life would be like. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies conducted its the ceremony in English, where all parents and students enjoyed a foreign language-friendly atmosphere. Duksung Women's University president gave hugs to the freshmen to welcome the young students. The freshmen then wrote letters about their goals and put it in a time capsule, which will be opened four years later at their graduation ceremony. Hanyang University provided a lighter atmosphere to the entrance ceremony. Light upbeat music filled the hall where not only the new comers but also all students and parents enjoyed the party mood. shim@koreatim

Happy the Dog and Syngman Rhee

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter During Syngman Rhee's stay in Hawaii (1960-1965), observers say he rarely appeared in public. But he did make some visits to an animal quarantine center though. It was Happy, an English toy spaniel that was born at the Korean presidential office, that drew him out of the house. According to Pyeon Jeong-hee, a mutual friend of the couple, Happy was the ``apple of the couple's eye,'' since the former President had no biological child. It captured the hearts of Rhee and his wife. Rhee reportedly missed his pet and asked his friends to arrange for the dog to be sent to him secretly, when his ``visit'' to Hawaii got much longer than expected. Happy was delivered to Hawaii from Korea, but had to undergo a 120-day-quarantine. Rhee was more than glad to visit Happy, his friends recalled. ``He looked cheerful and really happy,'' they said. Happy only understood the English language as the Rhees communicated in that language and Pyeon recalled that her English wasn't good enough to communicate with the dog. She told Chosun Ilbo that it was hard

Behind-the-Scenes Images of Late President Rhee

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Looking at old yearbooks or photo albums is always fun. Looking behind the scenes of historical moments or figures adds a little excitement. Some pictures of Syngman Rhee (1875-1965), the first President of the Republic of Korea, and his wife Francesca as well as his friends and loved ones have come to light, thanks to a private collector who has been following his life. He dedicated his life to see his country liberated. After he became president, many of his friends testified that he focused on unifying Korea and protecting it. Many people recalled the couple as humble and warmhearted. Whether Rhee was indeed a good President is still a controversial issue, but the pictures of Rhee smiling with his wife or lying on a sickbed shows that he was a human just like anybody else. The pictures will be auctioned on March 26 at K Auction in downtown Seoul. The Korea Times had a chance to take a look at some of them. bjs@koreatimes.co.kr → Happy the Dog and Syngman Rhee