By Mike McRitchie
Contributing Writer
Invasions are part of Ganghwa Island's history. From the Manchurian army advance in 1636 and French naval attack in 1866 to incursions by the the Americans and Japanese in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this small scenic island north west of Seoul has experienced many unwelcome visitors throughout its history. Human visitors, that is.
However, if you take a trip to Ganghwa Island today, besides the numerous temples, fortifications and historical treasures on offer, you might just spot some unusual guests of a very different kind.
Amidst the winding roads and rice fields of this picturesque rural retreat, a giant robot towers 40 meters high and is surrounded by other droids, space craft, moon buggies, a space shuttle and a time machine.
It's an impressive sight within natural surroundings and forms just one part of the many attractions at the Ganghwa Oktokki Space and Aircraft Center, Korea's first dedicated Space Theme Park.
The center opened this week in Bulen-myon and its mission is to educate and inspire children and adults about outer space.
Besides the robots and spacecraft on display in the gardens outside the space center, a look inside the futuristic looking steel and concrete structure reveals a zero gravity simulator, a planetarium, 3-D media displays and over 500 models and statues relating to outer space and space travel. The emphasis has been placed on creating a realistic and exciting science experience.
Head engineer of the project, Yang Tae-hyuck, says it is distinct from other science centers because of its focus on ``experiencing the cosmos.'' He said, ``Familes can come here and learn about moon-walking, black holes and the planets in our solar system.''
Construction began on the project in November 2005 and is the brainchild of An Kyung-hui, president of Seoul Modern, the company responsible for designing the center. It has been seven years in the making from the design phase through to completion.
The name Oktokki comes from the Korean myth of a jade-colored rabbit (tokki) that is said to live within the moon and in our souls. Head engineer Yang believes that the tokki is central to the aims of the Oktokki Space Center. He said, ``this idea reflects the importance of the power of imagination and dreams.''
Indeed, Yang compares designer An to Walt Disney in his vision and motivations. Yang said, ``An wants to help children have good dreams and here at the Space Center, we can help them do that.''
Yang himself previously worked at Everland, Korea's biggest theme park and is very proud of what has been achieved with the Ganghwa Oktokki project. ``When we finished building the space center, I felt very tired and emotional but at the opening I felt very happy and my heart was lifted.''
And what do local people think? ``They are very happy about it,'' said Yang. ``It is bringing lots of business to the island.''
A few hundred elementary school children from Ganghwa Island were among the first visitors at opening earlier in the week.
Roaming in and around the center enthusiastically, they were clearly excited to be surrounded by such an array of technology and gadgetry. Some even managed to hold their lunch down for a ride on the zero gravity simulator.
As two South Korean astronauts undergo training thousands of miles away in Russia before one of them embarks on a journey to the International Space Station in 2008, perhaps the space center may play a role in inspiring the next generation of space explorers.