By Gregory Curley
Contributing Writer
For such a small country, its people sure have a surprisingly firm grapple on the pulse of the international community. As to what shuffles them out in droves to every corner of the globe is no small wonder in itself. The reality still stands that tourists don’t trudge off to Holland for the tropical weather. Gloomy spells ridden with drizzle are common sight and can weigh pretty heavy on the senses if one stays cooped up too long.
Furthermore, the tiny country gives new meaning to the term ``overpopulation’’. Perhaps those two single factors alone would account for the Diaspora of exceedingly tall, blond haired, blue-eyed fleets of Dutch citizens chartering foreign soils at alarming rates. Tie that in with a reclusive kingdom with a richly documented history, whose hardened hermit shell has over recent years been showing increasing markings of acceptance, and you quite nearly have a perfect match made in expansionary heaven.
Korea and Holland share a history that goes back more than 500 years. In fact, the image the western world has had of Korea as being a ``reclusive hermit kingdom’’ was actually drawn from a mid-17th century Dutch explorer’s account of his captivity soon after setting foot upon Korean soil. Hendrik Hamel was shipwrecked and detained for 13 years after his merchant vessel ran aground on the southern coast of Jeju in 1653. He is still regarded as the first to have kept a written account of his experiences.
However, he wasn’t the first to march upon its shores. That memorable figure was Jan Weltevree, who awoke to find himself on the southern coast near Busan in 1627, after roaring seas flung his crew onto land. Unlike Hendrik, Jan lived out the remainder of his 40 years integrating himself into the culture by taking on a Korean name, Bak Yeon, marrying a Korean woman and raising two sons on the peninsula.
Interestingly enough, the presence of both these men, along with their crew, left their mark on the local culture. Their stay in Jeolla province proved productive, as Dutch influence can be seen to this day in Gangjin Village on the island from its unique irrigation and sewage systems to its fortresses, all built in the old, fortified Dutch tradition. Even Gangjin’s wooden shoes differ greatly in style to those produced in the rest of the country and bear a striking resemblance to traditional Dutch clogs. Referring to Hamel’s journals, the Dutch captives made the wooden shoes for a living in Jeolla province.
Naturally, if one were to reflect for a moment as to who remains the strongest link binding the two countries together, Guus Hiddink would come to mind. Though tantamount in appeal, the roots stem a little ways deeper into the soils of history. Given their nature, the Dutch are adventuristic, they long for travel to shake off the wanderlust. Their talents have paved the way in chartering the high seas in the very sturdy ships they themselves crafted to withstand the toils of seaward journey. And thanks in large part to two lesser known sailors, Korea was fortunately another country along the way with whom the Dutch have had the good fortune of sharing memorable and long lasting ties with.