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Sat, December 9, 2023 | 07:28

Walking in the footsteps of the past: Tooth and stone

Walking in the footsteps of the past: Tooth and stone

Even within the bustling confines of Seoul, history and natural beauty are easily accessible to those who are willing to go off the beaten path. One such place is Suseongdong Valley - to the west of Gyeongbok Palace. This region has long been a favorite hiking spot for foreign visitors to Seoul such as Arnold Henry Savage Landor, an English artist and writer who visited the v...

2023-04-30 09:59

Choheon - The Wheel of Class

Choheon - The Wheel of Class

Spring is in the air and the bike lanes along the Han River are filled with enthusiastic riders (many of them - judging from their behavior - are still learning to ride), wandering pedestrians who are more concerned with taking a selfie than staying in their designated lanes and electric scooters whose daredevil drivers seem to have watched too many action movies. Bicycle rid...

2023-04-29 13:20

The writing on the wall

The writing on the wall

In the past (late 19th and early 20th centuries), Western visitors often described the homes of average Korean citizens as dingy, rough and unappealing. They were devoid of gardens, decorations and even paint.

2023-04-23 15:23

Yongsan History Museum - A Window into the Past

Yongsan History Museum - A Window into the Past

It is no secret that Seoul is filled with coffee shops; they are everywhere and often right next to one another. They are so common that one barely notices them. Surprisingly, Seoul also has a large number of museums, which - like the coffee shop - are often passed by unnoticed.

2023-04-22 10:00

Dark denizens of the river

Dark denizens of the river

The Han River is the soul of Seoul. Its majestically divides the city into two parts - the north side of the city, grittier but rich with history; and the south side, flashier, newer and wealthier. It was the highway through which goods - rice and fuel - were supplied to the city, and a line of defense during times of war.

2023-04-16 10:36

Rogues of the Han River

Rogues of the Han River

Winter arrived early in 1891. Perhaps the temperature did not drop as low as it had in other years but this time it was colder than usual. The threatening weather caused the Korean boats that usually plied the Han River to be stored earlier than normal, which had an immense impact on trade between the port of Jemulpo (modern Incheon) and the capital.

2023-04-15 13:09

Justice at the British Legation in 1898: Constable James Stewart O'Neil: Part 2

Justice at the British Legation in 1898: Constable James Stewart O'Neil: Part 2

On July 7, 1898, James Stewart O'Neil, the constable at the English legation Seoul, went on trial for the death of Lee Gyeong-pil - a Korean employee of the same legation. It was alleged that O'Neil became infuriated with Lee's lackadaisical performance of his duties and beat the young man so severely that he died a few days later. O'Neil denied ever striking the man and, aft...

2023-04-10 13:26

Justice at the British Legation in 1898: Constable James Stewart O'Neil: Part 1

Justice at the British Legation in 1898: Constable James Stewart O'Neil: Part 1

Justice at the British Legation in 1898: Constable James Stewart O'Neil: Part 1

In the late 19th century, many Koreans sought employment with foreign business firms, missionaries or various legations. Not only were the salaries better than those offered by Korean employers, but there were also a number of fringe benefits such as medical care, the opportunity to learn foreign languages and cultures, and, at times, elevated social status - which could ofte...

2023-04-09 13:52

Justice at the British Legation in 1898: Constable James Stewart O'Neil: Part 2

Treasures along the River: Anyang's Manan Bridge

Treasures along the River: Anyang's Manan Bridge

In the late 19th century, there were not that many permanent bridges outside of Seoul and its immediate vicinity. Most of the larger rivers and streams were either crossed by small ferries or by temporary bridges - the smaller bridges were made from pine branches and earth while the larger bridges were made from timber, trunks and branches from fir trees.

2023-04-02 10:23

Treasures along the River: Guardian trees of Anyang

Treasures along the River: Guardian trees of Anyang

On July 8, 1977, Mother Nature unleashed her fury upon the Anyang region with more than 46 centimeters of rain within a short period of time - most of the rain fell in only five hours. The devastation was overwhelming as mudslides and floods destroyed villages, wiped away over a hundred bridges, and killed and injured hundreds of people.

2023-04-01 10:46

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