tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266719694232057462024-03-13T14:37:17.614-07:00Seoul VillageSeoul as it was, Seoul as it "is being", ever-changing. Welcome to my <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Get your free copy of my '<a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Seoul_Villages.html?id=LwHeDwAAQBAJ">Seoul VillageS</a>' (12 fictions) - Join Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seoul-Village/128135973930557">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/theseoulvillage">Twitter</a>.Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.comBlogger856125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-67335516489431854402024-01-12T00:27:00.000-08:002024-01-12T00:45:43.038-08:00Seoul Smart Life Week - What happens in Vegas stays in Seoul?<p><span style="font-family: arial;">So taking more space at CES was not enough: Seoul wants to be a match with the World's leading consumer electronics show and launch 'Seoul Smart Life Week' later this year (Oct 7-9 in COEX).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mayor OH Se-hoon announced the event at the 640 sqm Seoul Pavilion in Tech West Eureka Park, where 81 companies exhibited their solutions and gizmos (very strong biotech and A.I. verticals behind Seoul Biohub and Seoul AI Hub). 18 of them claimed a CES Award, but the prize OH and Seoul Business Agency are after means even bigger bucks.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Well the first edition 'only' aims at 100 cities and 200,000 visitors, but it takes time to install a big show in a crowded calendar, and COEX can't host a Barnum the size of CES. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">KINTEX would gladly oblige, but Korea's biggest exhibition venue is in Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, with limited hospitality capacity nearby. Seoul wants to become a global or at least an Asian leader, to put for good Tokyo, Hong Kong (and its half-yearly Electronics Fair), or Singapore (COMEX- ITSHOW-The Tech Show-Consumer Electronics Exhibition) behind. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Seoul plans to change venues after the Jamsil Sports Complex is fully transformed into the Jamsil Sports MICE Complex, with a business hub connecting the COEX, SETEC, Hyundai Motors Global Business Center, Dominique Perrault's new Yeongdong-daero, and of course the Han River in this very vegassy vision mentioned in my recent focus (see '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2023/08/seoul-waterways-and-urbanism-full-story.html">Seoul waterways and urbanism - the full story</a>'):</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsryj1GnCFQzz2_6a3CasDxG8vL17kqDtolW5DSIj8f3F2SR7k2kNbwMR5WOM1gPdnGvPOFdXhRXxgCgbHceq4mtnj8TSodVTVpRm0MqP48qQd0xhvidzxZg_M-6hU6SqGU8a3N340IvyaZU_ZUeJUTYiWgb6l2HPWk4KqbeHPEFRsQAw88fDzvRBNeM/s660/seoulvillageJamsilSportsMICEComplex.png" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="660" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsryj1GnCFQzz2_6a3CasDxG8vL17kqDtolW5DSIj8f3F2SR7k2kNbwMR5WOM1gPdnGvPOFdXhRXxgCgbHceq4mtnj8TSodVTVpRm0MqP48qQd0xhvidzxZg_M-6hU6SqGU8a3N340IvyaZU_ZUeJUTYiWgb6l2HPWk4KqbeHPEFRsQAw88fDzvRBNeM/s320/seoulvillageJamsilSportsMICEComplex.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Seoul already hosts many tech-related events, but no top-of-mind brand emerges. At least, if it may not seem very original, 'smart life' sounds definitely more human-oriented than the old-tech-y 'electronics' or 'IT'. Unlike CES with the CTA, this new SSLW will not be led by an industry
but by a local authority, with city pavilions rather than national
spaces. To compete with Vegas, Seoul will not only need new hardware and software, but also the power hitters Korea Inc. sends to the national pavilion. And ultimately, Samsung LG, and Co. will have to be convinced to release buzzworthy novelties 3 months earlier than usual.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2024</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook (12 short stories now adapted into movies).<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-9504880970262427152024-01-01T19:03:00.000-08:002024-02-22T19:26:12.420-08:00Seoul Village Season XVIII<p><i style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">(*NB I was finishing this post when I learned about the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2024/01/assassination-attempt-against-lee-jae.html">Assassination attempt on LEE Jae-myung in Busan</a> - I decided not to alter what I wrote below)
</i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Even if it will only start on February 10 with the lunar new year, happy Year of the Blue Dragon.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb4fFhPeIHKjCmtrvyfhSP8ZRK3YAavCt6afCJ_gGH1SEbwmAkHNd-lRLV6vWo91vxVxZQ9qRFk0BL-9qsrWDUvkWlpsz8pfCIzXdro7KajQhLp13lWco9fSkjO9cE0HM40wxRj7Z9p43IzrkmBbXDSnhmu14b8B-bpMDUD-JQkeGhNkXuci0FaCPRT4/s638/GIFdragonflame.gif" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="638" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb4fFhPeIHKjCmtrvyfhSP8ZRK3YAavCt6afCJ_gGH1SEbwmAkHNd-lRLV6vWo91vxVxZQ9qRFk0BL-9qsrWDUvkWlpsz8pfCIzXdro7KajQhLp13lWco9fSkjO9cE0HM40wxRj7Z9p43IzrkmBbXDSnhmu14b8B-bpMDUD-JQkeGhNkXuci0FaCPRT4/s320/GIFdragonflame.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We can't tell which flames 2024 will throw at us, but let's wish we won't get too much sabre-rattling from the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/North%20Korea">North</a> (3G <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/KIM%20Jong-un">KIM Jong-un</a>? 4G <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/KIM%20Ju-ae">KIM Ju-ae</a> a.k.a. Joseon's Morning Star General?), the South (<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Taiwan">Taiwan</a> strait, East China Sea?). the West (a third front after Eastern Europe and the Middle East?). or even the East (so far, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Fumio%20Kishida">Fumio KISHIDA</a> plays it much smarter and more efficiently than fellow Nippon Kaigi predecessor <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Shinzo%20Abe">Shinzo ABE</a> to restore the lobby's Imperial <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan">Japan</a> revival dreams).<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We know for sure that the new year will bring us critical elections in <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Korea">Korea</a> (April 10) and the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/USA">US</a> (November 5), and that in both cases, the key issue remains 'will moderate at last manage to get rid of controversial figures that have been undermining democracy and their own parties for years?'</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A return of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Donald%20Trump">Donald TRUMP</a> would undoubtedly weaken US presence in the region and jeopardize South Korea's security. The lack of courage of moderates within GOP ranks leaves the job of removing this cancer to judges, and should TRUMP make it all the way to the RNC, he would face a struggling <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Joe%20Biden">Joe BIDEN</a> and get the support of a third candidate likely to siphon a lot of ballots off the incumbent (the inept Robert F. KENNEDY Jr only runs on his name and Republican funds).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea can't seem to remove its own destructive cells from both ends of the spectrum, but at least there are signs that moderates are starting to realize that their parties have no future with people like <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/LEE%20Jun-seok">LEE Jun-seok</a> on the right and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/LEE%20Jae-myung">LEE Jae-myung</a> on the left*. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Toxic anti-feminist LEE Jun-seok is threatening to found his own party ahead of the elections, and contributed to discourage <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/IHN%20Yohan">IHN Yohan</a>/ John LINTON and his short-lived innovation committee supposed to reform an irrelevant PPP.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea's own TRUMP, LEE Jae-myung, resists all demands to quit as DP head - like the 45th US president, he only cares about himself and eluding jail. His party courageously accepted to end his impunity but justice, crippled as much as the police by the controversial reforms of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/YOON%20Suk-yeol">YOON Suk-yeol</a>'s predecessor, can't reach him, even as deaths linked to the scandals surrounding him keep piling up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At least, moderates seem to have been gaining some momentum lately. <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/LEE%20Nak-yon">LEE Nak-yon</a> to the left and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/HAN%20Dong-hoon">HAN Dong-hoon</a> to the right, far from being the divisive figures painted as devils by radical media from the opposite sides, are taking the right steps for the future; LEE by taking a moral stand against the DP's controversial leader (at last some hope to restore the values of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/KIM%20Dae-jung">KIM Dae-jung</a> and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/ROH%20Moo-hyun">ROH Moo-hyun</a>s within the party), HAN by forming a dream team of advisors ticking at least on paper all the relevant boxes to fix the nation's structural divides.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But even before considering any potential presidential face-off for 2017, the unproductive stalemate between an often self-destructive executive power and an assembly controlled by an almost always obstructive opposition must end this coming April. Of course, that may not happen...<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Another thing we already know about 2024: Korea will smash its own infamous record low fertility rate, now expected to nosedive down to .62. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A toxic global and local political climate, a toxic climate, period, and toxic tensions at all levels certainly don't help young Koreans (who already struggle to purchase a home) prioritize babies. For the first time this year, more strollers were sold for pets than for kids... <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mainstream media start paying attention to the not so long term consequences for the nation at the economic, social, but also political level - even a stronger than ever K9 unit won't stop tanks at the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/DMZ">DMZ</a>.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On one hand, ever more pressure on young Koreans, on the other, already less competition for decent universities... If that could mean down the road less hagwon - budongsan rat race insanity...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Let's talk about mental health, precisely. And not just because the suicide of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2019/06/gisaengchung-bong-joon-hos-existenchal.html">Parasite</a> actor LEE Sun-kyun ended an already far too tragic year 2023. 'It's okay not to be okay', and to talk about it. So reach out, don't let yourself and others slip down any kind of rabbit hole. And don't judge yourself or them if you or they do. It's a beautiful sign of strength to make a call that can save a life (Korea Suicide Prevention Center: 1393 - Life Line Korea: 1588.9191); it's a sign of great character to keep reading opinions you disagree with. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We all know peace and love are hard to find, but we all can start by stopping making war at ourselves and each other. And yes, even in the darkest times, we must never forget to laugh. Because humor is all about facing tragedy. And yes again, we must never lose our sense of wonder, because for better or for worse, life is full of wonder.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Have, literally, a wonderful new year.</span></p><p><i style="color: #800180;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">UPDATE 202402</span></b></i></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Scratch part of that. Days after I wrote these lines, LEE Nak-yon disgraced himself by palling around with the very noxious LEE Jun-seok. A short-lived but damning bromance...<br /></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2024</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a></span><br />
<!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--> <script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-35229102643357044652024-01-01T18:48:00.000-08:002024-01-05T19:45:35.378-08:00Assassination attempt on LEE Jae-myung in Busan<p><span style="font-family: arial;">LEE Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck this morning in Busan on the campaign trail. The 50-year-old culprit was arrested on the spot and LEE rushed to the hospital in critical condition. I wish Korea's opposition leader the soonest recovery.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohvmIx6QQahU2cXQ2CSMU1QlDE-TXFtbTY6anXSRljFkNUaUjevmyqw5cF-_IuU-szIaVob7_iZAZcgcQlF_c0Zsv24UgCr5uiasw0yN6H2XpUElulcvAVhyuH80A2Sb0YqM8xvzhNA9YXetgKR9MM0_XqRHG4AGVEpnhrrdbk5qTNHbq7XPgdw3aJ4A/s1200/yonhap20240102leejaemyung.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohvmIx6QQahU2cXQ2CSMU1QlDE-TXFtbTY6anXSRljFkNUaUjevmyqw5cF-_IuU-szIaVob7_iZAZcgcQlF_c0Zsv24UgCr5uiasw0yN6H2XpUElulcvAVhyuH80A2Sb0YqM8xvzhNA9YXetgKR9MM0_XqRHG4AGVEpnhrrdbk5qTNHbq7XPgdw3aJ4A/s320/yonhap20240102leejaemyung.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As much as I dislike the character and the threat he poses to justice and democracy, this is the very negation of democracy and justice, and a very somber day for Korea.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This tragic event echoes the 2006 stabbing of another controversial figure, PARK Geun-hye, also in the neck. PARK went on to become president 6 years later. I wish LEE well, but not that well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2024</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-17515809559698919822023-12-12T21:17:00.000-08:002023-12-12T21:31:37.781-08:00Can Korea sustain its cultural leadership?<p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span class="x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xjohtrz xo1l8bm xp07o12 xat24cr x14beivq" dir="auto" style="--base-line-clamp-line-height: calc(1.4 * 1em); color: #800180; line-height: var(--base-line-clamp-line-height);">Has Korea become a cultural leader and if so, what kind of leadership are we talking about, what drove this change, and can this momentum last? <br /></span></i></span></p><p><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #800180;">In '<a href="https://www.key-society.com/koreas-cultural-leadership" target="_blank">Can Korea sustain its cultural leadership?</a>', an article published by the think tank 'Korea Europe & You' (20231111), I suggest a few threads.</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">---</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Can Korea Sustain its Cultural Leadership?</span><br /><i>Beyond the Korean waves, a vast ocean and growing expectations</i></b></span></p><div data-mesh-id="comp-lpccpc9l7inlineContent" data-testid="inline-content"><div data-mesh-id="comp-lpccpc9l7inlineContent-gridContainer" data-testid="mesh-container-content"><div class="KcpHeO tz5f0K comp-lpccpc9n3 wixui-rich-text" data-testid="richTextElement" id="comp-lpccpc9n3"><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span class="wixui-rich-text__text" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">At
this moment in time, Korea can be considered as if not the, at least a
cultural leader. But what kind of leadership are we talking about, and
can this momentum last?</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">For now, Korea’s cultural leadership is recognized by the masses as well as by experts and elites:</span></p>
<ul class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><li class="wixui-rich-text__text">
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Popular leadership? A legitimate claim when you produce such global phenomena as (yes, them again) PSY, Squid Game, or BTS.</span></p>
</li><li class="wixui-rich-text__text">
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Cutting
edge leadership? Impossible to top the technical and visual perfection
of K-pop groups developed like high tech products over years of intense
training by ultra-pro entertainment companies; hard to rival with a
creative ecosystem that churns out every year scores of One Source Multi
Use or transmedia hits (webnovel-webtoon-seriesgames-OST…).</span></p>
</li><li class="wixui-rich-text__text">
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Avant-garde
leadership? Elites consider the nation as a whole as the ultimate
influencer and trendsetter. This is where you post your observers and
researchers if you want to detect the next big thing; this is where you
scout your curator if you want your art institution to shine; this is
where you let your kid study for one semester even if you know they just
come to live the Hallyu life – who knows, some of that magic could rub
off on them...</span></p>
</li></ul>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="wixGuard wixui-rich-text__text"></span>If
Korea’s cultural leadership translates into considerable economic
impacts, and not just for Korea Inc, the nation as a whole is not
perceived as an overpowering or threatening leader. Unlike the United
States, China, or Japan in the late 80s, Korea has never been a
contender for the World’s biggest economy. This tiny peninsula (de facto
an island) </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">surrounded by bullies and </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">hosting only 0.6% of mankind is more a
David than a Goliath. Korea didn’t force respect by the scale of its
market; rather through repeated over-performances. Even Korea’s soft
power heroes look pretty soft: a buffoon performing a silly horse dance,
losers trapped in a survival game, cute youngsters heralding love and
compassion… not really Rambo material.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Without
dictating anything, Korea somehow manages to set the tone, the pace, the
rhythm. This strange leader is more inspirational than visionary, more
praised for its way of sorting things out than for its charisma or
authority. Clearly, this is not the kind of leader you fear, rather the
kind you enjoy being around, the kind you like to follow.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Quite a
quantum leap from Korea the ultimate best follower, the ‘we try harder’
Korea, the benchmark fanatic always eager to close the gap with
unattainable role models. Yes, Korea has long been a role model for
developing countries, but being looked up to by cultural superpowers,
that’s a completely different game.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Korea
couldn’t have reached the top by just following others. It took a
cultural change to become a cultural leader. In turn, this leadership is
now changing the very way Koreans see themselves.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">‘<i>Good
artists copy, great artists steal</i>’, and Korea didn’t hesitate to source
creative talents overseas, particularly from Europe. For instance, many
K-pop hits were made with the help of Swedish music producers, and
Hyundai Motor Group owes in part its cultural revolution to Peter
Schreyer, the German designer recruited in 2006 (a model recently
followed by Korea’s fashion industry with Belgian designers). Yet
opening up the creative pool or attracting the best talents shouldn’t be
seen as a sign of weakness, rather as smart decisions to lead a group
to the next level.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Protecting
the local creative ecosystem when it was too weak was also good
leadership because it was designed to help it grow stronger, not just
curl up defensively. A few decades after Hollywood threatened to
overwhelm Korea’s movie industry, a subtitled Korean movie triumphed at
the Oscars, and Busan International Film Festival has become a
locomotive for all Asian cinemas. If France inspired Korea to take
action (screen quotas in 1995, BIFF in 1996), now the former is more
trying to learn from the latter, and the recently created Academie
France Coree du Cinema puts both nations on the same footing.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Korea’s
startup scene wasn’t weak to start with, but it became even more
competitive after Google, Facebook, or big international VCs barged in,
offering new alternatives and global perspectives: local players upped
their game, and young talents became less reluctant to start their own
business or to join a startup instead of aiming for the usual
conglomerate. A lot of them fail, but the local ecosystem needed talents
who accept failure and risks as part of the creative process and their
own training. Even beyond tech sectors, the lack of perspectives in the
job market also forced many to try and create their own niches, to seek
different approaches. Now Korea’s young leaders in tech are not chaebol
heirs anymore, but successful entrepreneurs – a genuine cultural
revolution.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">If
external influences did contribute to Korea’s cultural change, that’s
only in supporting roles, as accelerators or catalysts for a country
that still depends a lot on others for its survival (food, energy, raw
materials, exports, security…). The nation’s fabled resilience became
universally acknowledged during the pandemic: when other nations were at
a standstill, Korea kept producing series and movies or holding art
exhibitions, catching all the spotlight and drawing all media attention
(coincidentally, the New York Times chose Seoul to move its Hong Kong
hub in 2020). More eyes on the nation, more stories exposing all sides,
even the dark ones (after all, isn’t that what many ‘k-contents’ are
about?)... for better or worse, Korea was in the news, Korea became the
news.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Now it’s
not just the core K-drama fans that are familiar with how Koreans live,
eat, love, work, or struggle; everybody knows what’s happening here,
and many have realized that beyond Hallyu and K-pop, beyond these
repeated Korean waves, a vast and diverse cultural ocean waited to be
discovered.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Of
course, Korea has brilliant creators, top notch players, and a
(sometimes too) proactive government, but as always, its most precious
natural resource remains its people. Many have in mind the usual cliché
of the ever resilient, hard-working Korean that helped the nation become
the best follower of the pack, but the shift to leadership was made
possible by the growing influence of different profiles: not just these
elites of young risk takers with innovative mindsets, but also masses of
merciless ubersumers.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
Korean ubersumers want everything now and exactly as they want it. They
may not have much money or power as individuals, but collectively their
reviews can make or break everything they touch. They’re the ones who
force webtoonists and webnovelists to fine tune their series in real
time and improve their stories after each episode, they’re the ones who
make Korean cosmetics so competitive (and they already have to be to
resit such extreme winters and summers), they’re the ones who push
customer and after sales services to their extreme limits, demanding
absurd delivery delays or return rates.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Of
course, companies have learned how to tame, cajole, or manipulate macro
and even micro influencers, but netizens have also learned how to cut
through corporate storytelling and to expose any weakness or wrongdoing.
From product quality to food safety to abuses in the workplace, once
something pops up somewhere, the culprits have no choice but to fix
things or to go bust.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">In a
nation where one-term presidents become lame ducks as soon as they’re
elected and where chaebols are losing some their overpowering grip,
netizens have also become the only unchecked political power. This
formidable force showed its most positive side during the unprecedented
democratic movement that united the nation towards Park Geun-hye’s
impeachment in 2017. But these crowd dynamics also have less positive
effects: disinformation can spread like wildfire on both sides of the
aisle, and ever-growing consumer demands can lead to non-sustainable
standards (Korea’s excellence in last mile economics does have a social
cost).</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">For
better or worse, internet and mobility were from the beginning meant for
such a reactive, swift, and (literally) interactive people. Here, User
Generated Contents were harnessed much earlier than anywhere else in the
World: the first social network service, Cyworld (1999), was launched
long before MySpace (2003), and OhMyNews (2000) predated all other
citizen journalism platforms. At the turn of the millennium, when all
eyes were on Scandinavia or Japan, SK Telecom was the World’s most
innovative operator but back then, only experts knew about what was
going on in Korea, and language barriers prevented a global success,
delaying at the same time the emergence of truly open and competitive
models. Now Korea’s webtoon and webnovel platforms aim at global
domination.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The key
factors of success had been there for a long while, but the mirror
effect from the rest of the World proved crucial for cultural changes to
overcome certain inertia, for a people of great achievers to get used
to being on top, to gain the confidence of leaders. Accolades for Bong
Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ were less perceived as a surprise than as a long
overdue recognition for Korean cinema. Cannes and Hollywood knew this
movie was not a flash in the pan because they had already been impacted
before by movies like Park Chan-wook’s ‘Old Boy’. And now even subtitles
aren’t an obstacle for generations used to surfing videos full of
captions and comments.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Can this
momentum last? Momentum means mass in motion, and Korea’s challenge is
getting at the same time tougher and easier: on one hand, this mass is
growing and requires less effort to move, on the other, it’s getting
harder to surprise audiences expecting more, to make a bigger splash
than past giga-hits. Yet even if Korea can’t pull out another tsunami, a
great part of the public is now aware of its ocean, its smaller waves
get easily noticed, and even its wavelets enjoy a greater visibility and
impact than before.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The
pedagogy is done. A lot more dimensions of Korean culture have been
exposed than the usual suspects (K-pop and Korean drama), and the
classic pushing forces (Korean companies and authorities promoting
k-content from home, ecstatic fans from overseas) have been joined by
millions of people boasting a more direct contact to Korean culture
after visiting the country and/or learning the language in record
numbers. Foreign companies and institutions follow the demand and add
their own pulling forces when they opt for Korean brand ambassadors,
when they seek Korean contents for their cultural events.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The risk
of K-fatigue remains, of course, particularly with that pervasive,
heavy ‘K’ branding. But now that the World’s cultural taste buds have
been trained to Korean contents, more people know about Korean music
beyond K-pop, Korean series beyond K-drama, Korean food beyond K-food.
More people appreciate good music, good series, good food that happen to
be Korean or to have some Korean touch; and they don’t need all that
branding anymore. Inviting top European chefs to Korea to discover,
taste, and test Korean dishes and ingredients over a decade ago had
probably much deeper and longer lasting effects than all these costly
advertising campaigns for ‘K-food’.</span></p><p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">One can
also wonder if the recent boom in tourism can last, but even now that
top destinations have reopened in the region following the pandemic, and
even after such dramatic failures as the tragic Halloween 2022 Itaewon
stampede or the embarrassing Jamboree 2023 meltdown, tourists keep
coming in record numbers. And in spite of a tendency to disgrace each
new popular spot with architecturally debatable landmarks, Korea has
become an expert at turning its assets into sustainable magnets,
proposing such unique experiences as hanok stay or temple stay, and
boasting 16 sites and 22 intangible assets on the UNESCO World Heritage
list today compared to zero until 1995.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Is there
a risk of hubris, then, with Koreans basking in global recognition, and
younger generations far less prone than their elders to an inferiority
complex towards Foreigners? Well to start with, Koreans never had doubts
about a culture they struggled to defend when it was under existential
threat during the Japanese occupation. And their new confidence makes
them more daring than arrogant: after overprotecting their traditional
arts, they are now much more open to mix them with modern influences.
Pansori became a rock opera at the Jeonju Sori Festival with Miyeon and
Park Jechun, or a madcap pop performance with Leenalchi and Ambiguous
Dance Company.</span></p>
<p class="font_8 wixui-rich-text__text"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Korean
culture is here to stay, but in order to maintain global relevance,
embracing cultural diversity and crossfertilization will be key. Korea’s
main cultural challenge will be to overcome persisting discrimination
towards certain minorities, to remain a leader who opens doors for
others as well, to succeed its evolution into a more multicultural
society. This aging nation will lose 40% of its population by the end of
the century, and can’t afford to waste the endless potential of future
growth drivers: Korean diasporas, Foreign Koreanophiles, and most
existentially multicultural nationals.</span></p></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br /></span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-85279612051504716572023-12-03T20:02:00.000-08:002023-12-06T01:47:07.233-08:00Seoul Twin Eye - A Ferris Wheel With A Twist<p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Remember 'Seoul Ring', the tolkienesque totem that was supposed to overlook the Han River from the top of Haneul Park? Well it's back, but with a couple of twists.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0HURWc9oRZjA7mzacBBp_2yMnCKSoNngBtG4e8XEnP_09chQGVWsa845p88Oe9g6A_d51N0BkHyZB9NxQ1MdQjyFJCyrhREzYX4YDO1cxfPvd6a4ABxv8YLG5e-LtUzXxsOS5jDvI72KpTAlGqjU2SbCN8krCuEu06YUecNmvA03gD0DpEAGmI1ThfA/s705/seoulvillage202312seoultwineye3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="705" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0HURWc9oRZjA7mzacBBp_2yMnCKSoNngBtG4e8XEnP_09chQGVWsa845p88Oe9g6A_d51N0BkHyZB9NxQ1MdQjyFJCyrhREzYX4YDO1cxfPvd6a4ABxv8YLG5e-LtUzXxsOS5jDvI72KpTAlGqjU2SbCN8krCuEu06YUecNmvA03gD0DpEAGmI1ThfA/s320/seoulvillage202312seoultwineye3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial;">'Seoul Twin Eye'</i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRu5HxKozWOwQr_vzSD5jrduKByFmKfvaaTNyEHvp-z8al8eeTuMAZtZYAYrYM2jrG8a7KGfAv5rvmz_o2g_BO2NPnuzZabFNPnClCzZNVURL7Vqlr3OKSO-eA-6Vu9V_JEz_JeCYTTkaC8JXVbboreYYW5gFjkmO7h08vGWn5qTXbiJsJTJaevDXjHQ/s750/seoulvillageseoulring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRu5HxKozWOwQr_vzSD5jrduKByFmKfvaaTNyEHvp-z8al8eeTuMAZtZYAYrYM2jrG8a7KGfAv5rvmz_o2g_BO2NPnuzZabFNPnClCzZNVURL7Vqlr3OKSO-eA-6Vu9V_JEz_JeCYTTkaC8JXVbboreYYW5gFjkmO7h08vGWn5qTXbiJsJTJaevDXjHQ/s320/seoulvillageseoulring.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial;">'Seoul Ring'</i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">First, the wheel is not on top of the hill, but at its feet, in the World Cup Park, by the Nanji Lake and Peace Park, mounted on a 40 m pedestal to compensate for the altitude loss. Still, we're talking about something gigantic: 180 m wheels, 64 capsules, 1,440 people at a time...<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK3Q4hKpP7C8KrmDcXNdHGAOhp47r-t_ZelEyvi13ebdO792jTY1FDpICstWQwS3CLp3lbD3jmdt6iAdo_lQCXA-gipOo0y_58WvRKvl4TeHMSSzZMdNrcWAaEmxyHgRXSiKQVe7SWR5ShQ1vO-hGLQBiJRCRQZ16UHP5MIe-Pf70iTbt0zu4cZINN1s/s1138/seoulvillage202312seoultwineye1.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1138" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK3Q4hKpP7C8KrmDcXNdHGAOhp47r-t_ZelEyvi13ebdO792jTY1FDpICstWQwS3CLp3lbD3jmdt6iAdo_lQCXA-gipOo0y_58WvRKvl4TeHMSSzZMdNrcWAaEmxyHgRXSiKQVe7SWR5ShQ1vO-hGLQBiJRCRQZ16UHP5MIe-Pf70iTbt0zu4cZINN1s/s320/seoulvillage202312seoultwineye1.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Second, that's a double wheel, with intertwined rings. So you will move sideways as well as vertically, which can be a bit disturbing if not for sensitive stomachs, at least for your sense of balance. A bit like the Las Vegas Luxor's 'inclinator', but in a loop. Thankfully, the pace is slow, so that you can enjoy the view instead.<br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI9M4fy-Jkfli6UmwxkubOEqbbJpG_f6FaL86LAfSXW1gSIwS2TlNSbbXmmLSNQf1No02vFhyq3UHCIodCmxWO68wuRixhbgyHadY6v6DWB6-oJ8tbQWbNXMpCj70oUNCHQ_RDEgcitXVmlsJBT1BeLwCNfc2qO8mUqgutYXPP5hovfqPDa-6RptjRaM/s720/seoulvillage202312seoultwineye5.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="720" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI9M4fy-Jkfli6UmwxkubOEqbbJpG_f6FaL86LAfSXW1gSIwS2TlNSbbXmmLSNQf1No02vFhyq3UHCIodCmxWO68wuRixhbgyHadY6v6DWB6-oJ8tbQWbNXMpCj70oUNCHQ_RDEgcitXVmlsJBT1BeLwCNfc2qO8mUqgutYXPP5hovfqPDa-6RptjRaM/s320/seoulvillage202312seoultwineye5.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Third, there's a whole Barnum around it, with a zip line, performance and exhibition halls, a fountain show on the lake, and many other facilities, almost Lotte World style. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j4hk5XZo7MQCQ-8q7dOxj53iIzc5jK5qb2zg66BH3qZIyM5AWjDo2wj2OH3FUV1i-4atPZ2DAfnwfuodOKyd5nXGCHTKNRmcjskNwyOtcKsL8hMUxOPDLLpJF7q17U6pBCK3EC7nLksYTD4aUDj4_ovrShQmPawKGNjCBNmapXq0VSAwBQCGiIYMznk/s652/seoulvillage202312seoultwineye4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="652" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j4hk5XZo7MQCQ-8q7dOxj53iIzc5jK5qb2zg66BH3qZIyM5AWjDo2wj2OH3FUV1i-4atPZ2DAfnwfuodOKyd5nXGCHTKNRmcjskNwyOtcKsL8hMUxOPDLLpJF7q17U6pBCK3EC7nLksYTD4aUDj4_ovrShQmPawKGNjCBNmapXq0VSAwBQCGiIYMznk/s320/seoulvillage202312seoultwineye4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A monorail to the subway (World Cup Stadium Station Line 6) will add more infrastructure to what was supposed to be a park, but also draw much more visitors on very cold or very hot days.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This KRW 910 bn extravaganza may not be the final concept. At this stage, Seoul city
just gave the best score to the Seoul Twin Eye Consortium featuring SH
Corporation, with SK Ecoplant leading the construction. Should its preferred bidder position be confirmed, this consortium will enjoy a 30-year concession.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Note that the company in charge of guaranteeing the structure, ARUP, already worked on the giant ferris wheel by the Thames, but at least Seoul decided to do something different from London. So as the name (which may not be final) suggests: 'Seoul Twin Eye' vs 'London Eye', rather a me-two than a me-too project? <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br /></span> </p><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-50738564850517052192023-11-05T00:42:00.004-07:002024-02-10T23:52:22.523-08:00'Seoul Urban Legends' - 'Seoul Villages' adapted into movies<p><span style="font-family: arial;">In case you missed the VIP Presentation of '<b>SEOUL URBAN LEGEND</b>S' ('<b>서울 도시 전설들</b>') in CGV Apgujeong on October 31, here's what you need to know about the first adaptation of my short stories into movies. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZAXzt5bLLRH9pFLjSPj8ubP7ZCi329J0L-c-DVSSm2J7QGiJpsR1ml-B0cctHDIsDAP0RKZ5bGoAvIGewgdhYNLamkm58ed36teACY4-pdFVg5f3ervTcCRdO_L8GLibXNi810g2_llyod-eeATfihiBoZ3MQZ-moCFIpCz7QJcBylOi8t1e9fgwpVk/s1202/StephaneMOT202310SeoulUrbanLegendsWall.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="875" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZAXzt5bLLRH9pFLjSPj8ubP7ZCi329J0L-c-DVSSm2J7QGiJpsR1ml-B0cctHDIsDAP0RKZ5bGoAvIGewgdhYNLamkm58ed36teACY4-pdFVg5f3ervTcCRdO_L8GLibXNi810g2_llyod-eeATfihiBoZ3MQZ-moCFIpCz7QJcBylOi8t1e9fgwpVk/s320/StephaneMOT202310SeoulUrbanLegendsWall.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXs5UH0qbEhlgarMv1WWpQUJk2hGBkUy_8Z0hLI_K-LT4Q4z_iIi28P58kkZtlCrEn6i68gzzGu15eg3W8iW6VhOfXBzupw7jlC0ZPBgSB50Mx2clx6xYTBOnTGLcISsQ-bl-7KuNL3_bqp7AyHYtqBQKPTEL3uv63bHyYwVp3rC3hawVdIcJV0BzdEI/s1244/sulpress20231031pulse9stage.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1244" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXs5UH0qbEhlgarMv1WWpQUJk2hGBkUy_8Z0hLI_K-LT4Q4z_iIi28P58kkZtlCrEn6i68gzzGu15eg3W8iW6VhOfXBzupw7jlC0ZPBgSB50Mx2clx6xYTBOnTGLcISsQ-bl-7KuNL3_bqp7AyHYtqBQKPTEL3uv63bHyYwVp3rC3hawVdIcJV0BzdEI/s320/sulpress20231031pulse9stage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial;">(Answering
the question 'Some films are very close to your original stories,
others build upon them. Any remarks?': 'Books are triggers. Authors
and readers create their own images in their own heads. It's very
stimulating to see each and every one of these very diverse and gifted
creators add their own creative layers of fiction and reality'. With CHE
Heesuk, YOU On, and KIM Yong-ho during the VIP presentation in CGV
Apgujeong (photos Pulse9)</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ3LWUYh2GOopzxU0LGd7IN2tHATKL53Jmv2VUVnqQsfUfGgirvWxm6mpTPMR3uBrF1rvj8TySrMa2oVchFDFeZ2ZYZCJtQIsGEjZ3JicFa-047CfouOrSm8yOb4epTdfE-VBLCy-IRZ-ebUXuTLRsZNu4_EOU4ZoGr6sqArE0yn2lNw7m8HiaZD-ftk/s1240/sulpress20231031pulse9audience.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1240" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ3LWUYh2GOopzxU0LGd7IN2tHATKL53Jmv2VUVnqQsfUfGgirvWxm6mpTPMR3uBrF1rvj8TySrMa2oVchFDFeZ2ZYZCJtQIsGEjZ3JicFa-047CfouOrSm8yOb4epTdfE-VBLCy-IRZ-ebUXuTLRsZNu4_EOU4ZoGr6sqArE0yn2lNw7m8HiaZD-ftk/s320/sulpress20231031pulse9audience.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><b style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">ABOUT 'SEOUL URBAN LEGENDS':</b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'Get out of your comfort zone, and dive into a fictional Seoul '<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">an omnibus movie featuring 4 short films by 6 Korean filmmakers:</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'Sweat Dream' (directed by CHE Heesuk)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'Black Snow' (directed by YOU On)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'Guisin-dong' (directed by CHOI Jong Wook, KIM Ye Jin, WON Chang Sung)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'de Vermis Seoulis' (directed by KIM Yong-ho) <br /></span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">adapted from Stephane MOT's 'Seoul Villages', a collection of short stories about a fictional Seoul</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">produced by Pulse9, sponsored by Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">independent cinema with a touch of A.I.<br /></span></li></ul><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">ABOUT THE SHORT FILMS AND THEIR DIRECTORS:</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>'SWEAT DREAM' <br />(DIRECTED BY CHE HEESUK): <br /><br /></b></span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'Yes, this heat is inhumane, but is there even any humanity left in a world controlled by A.I.?'</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">From experimental film to music videos, CHE keeps exploring humanity and technology<br /></span></li></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>'BLACK SNOW' <br />(DIRECTED BY YOU ON):<br /><br /></b></span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Mi-hyun finds a boy lying on the street; her city and her life itself start feeling more intense.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">An expert in short format contents, 'On Oppa' is also a TikTok phenomenon with over 21M followers.</span></li></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>'GUISIN-DONG' <br />(DIRECTED BY CHOI JONG WOOK, KIM YE JIN, WON CHANG SUNG):<br /><br /></b></span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">If Seoul's most mysterious neighborhood claims you, don't even think about escaping it'</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Glamour or underground? CHOI, KIM,, and WON track all vibes across Seoul and beyond.</span></li></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>'DE VERMIS SEOULIS' <br />(DIRECTED BY KIM YONG-HO):<br /><br /></b></span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Life is a masquerade, worms roam Seoul, and acclaimed photographer KIM Yong-ho invites you to a surreal experience.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Iconic fashion photographer turned artist, KIM Yong-ho brings a new light to the fabric of reality. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></li></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="font-family: arial;">FOUR VERY DIFFERENT CREATIVE APPROACHES:</b></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">They're all visual creators expert in their field, they're all making their first movie</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Four radically different creations (around 20 mn each):<br /></span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">CHE
Heesuk added new dimensions to the protagonist's struggles by
transposing the original short story, set in early 90s Seoul, into a
dystopian future.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">YOU On opted for a vertical format to focus on the characters. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">CHOI, KIM, and WON built a ghost story on top of the original one, with a resolutely indie / underground touch.</span> </li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">KIM Yong-ho created a highly artistic experimental film based on still pictures and quotes from the book</span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Like the book combines multiple fictions about a shapeshifting city, the film combines multiple approaches of these fictions. <i>'This might be the very definition of a city: a work of fiction, utterly real, but always eluding its authors'</i>.</span></li></ul></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qOTVlBPz1_UhvjH_zPTuTWDxoRQb2se23mochbCtZ1Iac0pL3lRWAZFa-AhDtWfbb9tE75VwKMIuxatQYAKlPJQGF1KOK23_KTp-gLOtEh9_Rtx2x2I4Kizi5eBCLHijOA2rqgZdW4Opmu3dzxkK6bVO1OT-LlOBW38LrwbqYxnMpyzhbxPpWyywzg0/s1446/sul20231031yr.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1156" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qOTVlBPz1_UhvjH_zPTuTWDxoRQb2se23mochbCtZ1Iac0pL3lRWAZFa-AhDtWfbb9tE75VwKMIuxatQYAKlPJQGF1KOK23_KTp-gLOtEh9_Rtx2x2I4Kizi5eBCLHijOA2rqgZdW4Opmu3dzxkK6bVO1OT-LlOBW38LrwbqYxnMpyzhbxPpWyywzg0/s320/sul20231031yr.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial;">(Answering
the question 'Your fiction is timeless, but your background also
includes startups. What did you think when you learned that A.I. virtual
characters would appear in the adaptations?') 'These virtual characters
belong to what's known as the 'uncanny valley', and 'Uncanny Valley
could be the name of one of my fictional Seoul villages. This particular
technology opens new possibilities for all kind of visual creators,
actors, and performers, and it's significant to see Korea's independent
cinema explore it."</i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We'll keep you posted about the distribution of the movie and the next steps. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The
happy few (well actually enough to fill twice the theater) who attended
the VIP presentation of Seoul Urban Legends could watch the teasers and
the filmmakers' interviews before a Q and A session. KIM Yong-ho's 'de
Vermis Seoulis' was then screened twice so that everyone who came could
watch. The whole team thanks those who could make it that day as well as
everyone who supported this project that only started a few months ago.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif1zl3sgprZiTAOX7JB3lzVl_JGIrATzeqFVJ2xE4_Qi38jB7H1et7oyQX7E84zOwH99Mi1ZUhq0N2fk6Qex1Db1XncAxymKL6OuZeCqel323yMj-BGpldcmOzgPo7ampYM9gsCrmZE7gPT6gubdGjJ3fdo3xFC70WWNdKALmgMwxDWGX-KDYl2m933g/s670/StephaneMOT20231029SeoulUrbanLegendsTIFFCOM.png" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="609" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif1zl3sgprZiTAOX7JB3lzVl_JGIrATzeqFVJ2xE4_Qi38jB7H1et7oyQX7E84zOwH99Mi1ZUhq0N2fk6Qex1Db1XncAxymKL6OuZeCqel323yMj-BGpldcmOzgPo7ampYM9gsCrmZE7gPT6gubdGjJ3fdo3xFC70WWNdKALmgMwxDWGX-KDYl2m933g/s320/StephaneMOT20231029SeoulUrbanLegendsTIFFCOM.png" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial;">'Seoul Urban Legends' in Tokyo for TIFFCOM 2023 (with YOU On, CHOI Jong Wook, CHE Heesuk)</i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4BBnRp9dtJiRK5va-YdfLZ2FVyvhyNelxhejYTI0dIl413047wun-z15ukGQpuKV4ypVNH1N2RH1xG9ioIlDtvFaHDtz7Lyx7tI09pHmeE_s8rJ3mkQbKYptBy3DDIMQGn1XjR4VVgYSSAoGSV9qTRJcpXK22ijV1IAndSjvWw1Di-DB5i7xL1CZrmc/s598/SeoulVillageS2023054covers2.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="442" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4BBnRp9dtJiRK5va-YdfLZ2FVyvhyNelxhejYTI0dIl413047wun-z15ukGQpuKV4ypVNH1N2RH1xG9ioIlDtvFaHDtz7Lyx7tI09pHmeE_s8rJ3mkQbKYptBy3DDIMQGn1XjR4VVgYSSAoGSV9qTRJcpXK22ijV1IAndSjvWw1Di-DB5i7xL1CZrmc/w148-h200/SeoulVillageS2023054covers2.gif" width="148" /></a></div><b style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">ABOUT THE BOOK:</b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you haven't read 'Seoul Villages' yet, download the free ebook:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=LwHeDwAAQBAJ">Seoul Villages</a>' (EN)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=tke-EAAAQBAJ">서울 마을들</a>' (KR)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=dV6-EAAAQBAJ">서울 마을들</a>' (EN/KR)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">'</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=Gc9qEAAAQBAJ">Séoul Villages</a>' (FR)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
</p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* Among many others:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">소설 '서울 도시 전설' 옴니버스 영화로…"깊고 놀라운 표현"(종합) [N현장] - 뉴스1 - <a href="https://www.news1.kr/amp/articles/?5216311">https://www.news1.kr/amp/articles/?5216311</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"> [[영화] 31일 사진작가 김용호의 실험영화 <데 베르미스 서울리스> 시사회 -<a href="https://m.monthly.chosun.com/client/mdaily/daily_view.asp?idx=18655&Newsnumb=20231018655">https://m.monthly.chosun.com/client/mdaily/daily_view.asp?idx=18655&Newsnumb=20231018655</a> </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"> 영화·AI의 접목…예술 분야 신인 감독이 AI와 만났을 때[SS현장] - <a href="https://m.sportsseoul.com/news/read/1364905">https://m.sportsseoul.com/news/read/1364905</a> <br /></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br />
<!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--> <script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-86738410708277534612023-09-14T20:59:00.000-07:002023-09-14T20:59:16.975-07:00Seoul center stage<p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier this month, Seoul became the world capital of art for a week with the conjunction of Seoul Art Week, KIAF + Frieze Seoul, Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, Seoul Fashion Week, Crypto Art Seoul / Korea Blockchain Week, and a myriad of events, shows, and gallery openings.<br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwIJuLmIsTktw9Yty3n9ZOH_k-YU-BBPfsiRthn6uEdFyyD7XYijFpvyHX_EXlXkFZD5e7tDACVoOQilNkjv-P0FyaJQ2RjZeLZASQRZb4FA_I8eFgN_WAyCLE4cXYF7kvD3t_entxp4FZ1RpyPVVlucOCFDbZlWTU0W7cnYCdxky4qD0sZKaVaOWc8o/s562/StephaneMOT202309instafriezesbau.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwIJuLmIsTktw9Yty3n9ZOH_k-YU-BBPfsiRthn6uEdFyyD7XYijFpvyHX_EXlXkFZD5e7tDACVoOQilNkjv-P0FyaJQ2RjZeLZASQRZb4FA_I8eFgN_WAyCLE4cXYF7kvD3t_entxp4FZ1RpyPVVlucOCFDbZlWTU0W7cnYCdxky4qD0sZKaVaOWc8o/s320/StephaneMOT202309instafriezesbau.png" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><i>(If you wonder what Mitch McConnell was doing on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephanemot/" target="_blank">Instagram </a>timeline during Frieze Seoul 2023, I found this very realistic statue of him on sale at a discount price at Freeze D.C. 2023) Hopping from Hyoja-dong (Arumjigi) to Samseong-dong (Frieze-KIAF @ COEX) via Huam-dong (M+ and Doryun CHONG's homecoming, Whitestone's opening), Sinsa-dong (White Cube and LEE Jinju), Euljiro (Dan Archer and LG OLED at the DDP, Seongsu-dong (Beeple at The Gateway in S Factory), Songhyeon-dong (Kimchi and Chips' RE:WORLD), Taepyeongno (SBAU in Seoul HOUR)...</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A lot of hype of course (boy did that crypto party remind me of internet extravaganza circa 2000), but also genuine gems and emotions. Good to see KIAF alive and kicking, many galleries coming from new horizons (even Accra), Doryun CHONG's emotional return to Seoul, or of course the themes of the (already!) fourth <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Seoul%20Biennale">Seoul Biennale</a> (<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/waterways">waterways</a> and mountains*, 2123 Seoul).<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The return of visitors from China fueled the coopetition between Seoul and Hong Kong, and September here can counterbalance March madness there beyond the Frieze-Art Basel war. Interesting to see how Art Busan, now backed by web3 players, will fare / fair in early November with DEFINE (for DEsign and FINE arts in Seongsu-dong).</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* ICYMI: "<span class="item-title"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2023/08/seoul-waterways-and-urbanism-full-story.html" target="_self">Seoul waterways and urbanism - the full story</a></span>"</span><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-1459568803301725852023-08-24T01:46:00.007-07:002023-12-28T17:24:56.871-08:00Tear down that Seoullo?<p><span style="font-family: arial;">On Tuesday, Seoul announced that a MOU shall be signed on September 11 (!) between the city, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and the National Architecture Policy Committee to elevate certain areas as 'national symbolic spaces'*. Among them, Seoul Station area. The Seoul Institute will complete a master plan for this problematic hub by October, and the removal of the highly controversial Seoullo 7017 is officially on the table.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope that will be the outcome, but more fundamentally, I hope that this time, the underlying problems will not be eluded but tackled, and I hope that this time, we will have a proper process with adequate consultation, consensus, and impact surveys (remember how PARK Won-soon rushed ahead of the elections, ignoring all red flags?). <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you follow this excuse for a blog, you already know that I'm not a fan of this urban and environmental nonsense (yes,
environmental too: Seoul needs more natural biomass continuity and rich,
water absorbing soils, not
more thirsty plants isolated in flower pots... and certainly not sorted in alphabetical order, like in MRVDV's winning project). <br /></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You already know that the comparison with NYC's highline (itself inspired by Paris' Promenade Plantee) was a fallacy, that Seoullo should rather be compared to Cheonggye Highway, and that it chose not to solve the key issues (street level, railways...). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You already know that maintenance costs were not sustainable, that visitor numbers started plummeting from the beginning, even before the pandemic, and that they keep decreasing. The expected failure is total.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But you also know that removing Seoullo 7017 will not solve anything by itself, that pedestrians need a safer way of crossing this sea of roads and railways, and that this concrete, steal, and asphalt sea can't remain a sea for much longer:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy9D1Vr7jmboVKSZL0KR-ctk3YpCsOU7kZZBMtlNZYaNP_eS9AgA3b1B4BCljO7QkkjKM6aO65M7KL7wKGTv5ZCoqR9AlfintLiPwCGgoe0w0IBxh7A1E1KcRXBK__T7PyOxw4eHMD54L4k_s6VMgd9a500ydctIPHl1yvqzuTBHlg1vHdHULAkQ0IB0/s961/SeoulVillage202308seoullonaver.png" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="961" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy9D1Vr7jmboVKSZL0KR-ctk3YpCsOU7kZZBMtlNZYaNP_eS9AgA3b1B4BCljO7QkkjKM6aO65M7KL7wKGTv5ZCoqR9AlfintLiPwCGgoe0w0IBxh7A1E1KcRXBK__T7PyOxw4eHMD54L4k_s6VMgd9a500ydctIPHl1yvqzuTBHlg1vHdHULAkQ0IB0/s320/SeoulVillage202308seoullonaver.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial;">Seoul Station area and Seoullo 7017 (Naver Maps)</i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To say the least, Seoul Station's multimodal hub is very dense and messy. Tongil-ro, Sejong-daero, and Toegye-ro merge into Hangang-daero, with the Gyeongui Line and its sisters on one side, Huam-ro, and countless car and bus lanes on the other. Dedicated bus lanes have considerably facilitated pedestrian circulation on street level, and this thick ribbon may be further reduced into narrower, crossable axes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If going above ground failed and if the underground is saturated, there are possibilities.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Covering the railways remains high on the city's wish list, but this takes a lot of time and money. Seoul is considering moving bus transfers to the back of the station (which will have big impacts as well), and to extend walkways to prolong Sejong-daero's green promenade - I suppose with the necessary bicycle lanes - ultimately all the way from Gwanghwamun to the Han River (7 km).</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Improving alternatives may reduce the flow of cars, and not just alternative routes beyond this area; alternatives that reduce the <i>use </i>of cars altogether. Quite a challenge in a multimodal hub already subject to bottlenecks at many levels...</span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What a fascinating urban challenge! One that calls for innovation instead of band-aids.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In any case, expect more Monday quarterbacking from yours truly.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* I won't elaborate on this 'national symbolic space' concept, but Seoul
Station clearly remains a cultural icon for the nation (entry point for
many to the capital city, Gyeongui Line between Seoul and Sinuiju,
Tongil-ro, KTX, Culture Station Seoul 284...). </span></p><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-57819961160515470732023-08-09T19:58:00.005-07:002023-08-23T22:29:54.236-07:00Seoul waterways and urbanism - the full story<p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As Typhoon Khanun slashes through Korea, please all be safe.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The other day in KOTE, during my lecture "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2023/07/flow-and-order-seoul-waterways-and.html">Flow and order - Seoul waterways and other urban stitches</a>", we've seen among other things how Seoul has been struggling from day one with floods, how its waterways play a vital role in managing them, and how this role is bound to become even more critical with climate change, even if the city keeps increasing its natural defenses. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Again, I thank the Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch for inviting me, Julie AHN for making the event possible in our beloved KOTE*, and every single member of the audience for coming. Again, sorry to have drowned you all under my overworded slides. RASKB will shortly put the video of the disaster on its YouTube channel**, and I'll add the link here as soon as it is available. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you really want to take your time and read every line of every slide, the full presentation is here: <a href="http://academia.edu/105436714/Flow_and_Order_Seoul_Waterways_and_other_Urban_Stitches" target="_blank">academia.edu/105436714/Flow_and_Order_Seoul_Waterways_and_other_Urban_Stitches</a>. </span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><i>Shaped by its considerable natural assets, Seoul turned into a
major city by negating them in a constant fight to tame a nature capable
of major destruction but unable to cope with urban expansion. In this
young millennium, this war has evolved into a love story, and Seoulites
are reopening an intimate dialog with waterways that even under their
concrete prisons kept drawing Seoul's maps, telling the city's history
and their own stories. Yet urban planners must avoid overflowing it with
storytelling. If Seoul has no future without curated natural spaces,
this shapeshifter of a city will always require unscripted parts.</i></span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><i>Introduction: The city's lungs and bloodstream<br />1) The Way of Water vs The Highway of 'Progress' <br />2) The Way Forward (?) - 'Recreation', 'Renaissance', 'Emotion'<br />Conclusion: Storytelling vs the Unscripted Seoul <br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I'll drop below </span><span style="font-family: arial;">a few not to wordy samples from </span><span style="font-family: arial;">this 56-slide trainwreck: <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb7Jb_ZS3DSJfVOKZDgiSsSVG8kchiEVb_xxZ5cJMLTDEryx2sa6INtUNd4Bhzd3GVYLt9tqOQQOqOKzJdTDCG1mBvWnnNzltHahq009Tn92D3hlQELCxLHvcgGycmr5BcfWMFLKdZisZBirN_Dfjc3iQeOOWUcEGaJrkOY5_qxwJWryXd7IhPDK6xl4/s1303/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysDong.png" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1303" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb7Jb_ZS3DSJfVOKZDgiSsSVG8kchiEVb_xxZ5cJMLTDEryx2sa6INtUNd4Bhzd3GVYLt9tqOQQOqOKzJdTDCG1mBvWnnNzltHahq009Tn92D3hlQELCxLHvcgGycmr5BcfWMFLKdZisZBirN_Dfjc3iQeOOWUcEGaJrkOY5_qxwJWryXd7IhPDK6xl4/s320/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysDong.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial;">On Seoul's 'dong' / neighborhoods / villages, shared water, time capsules...</i><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxom4wzUb04RDympzyGdh_jr-6qXdbKNhaCRN0iw2YKLwt0bp23rRmrkYkFfypeFeEVM36fvTa3XPUa8WpS1wqecc8OJ-uSLbE3EHZVGUswR0JUjcXcCDBI2fxx_Tws9ZSVNu6v4sU9FtJlmi2EzL_DBLNmFFpD6MpcwA11hKUDwUlIsjFPNMO8xrNevA/s1299/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysKOTE.png" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1299" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxom4wzUb04RDympzyGdh_jr-6qXdbKNhaCRN0iw2YKLwt0bp23rRmrkYkFfypeFeEVM36fvTa3XPUa8WpS1wqecc8OJ-uSLbE3EHZVGUswR0JUjcXcCDBI2fxx_Tws9ZSVNu6v4sU9FtJlmi2EzL_DBLNmFFpD6MpcwA11hKUDwUlIsjFPNMO8xrNevA/s320/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysKOTE.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Angukdongcheon, the visitor that stopped at KOTE's door the other night <br /></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm0qMPdc4SG-If8jHtOWSnZC_6OIWi_JpJwOKz3vgdzj3Hf-l0134u8u_o9pl6IsO6PCJ-rN_eZhlKQJl3KqiAs6csoDYXAsq-FJbqeeD7S_HtacUbjyKXGLUP6hz9WTFY8dZDODxNzi7oE7vYzlgVMZOuAZGjEU9Pr_rVsNQmZCra1mT-RjfuCsPONQ/s1293/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysFloodLandUse.png" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1293" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm0qMPdc4SG-If8jHtOWSnZC_6OIWi_JpJwOKz3vgdzj3Hf-l0134u8u_o9pl6IsO6PCJ-rN_eZhlKQJl3KqiAs6csoDYXAsq-FJbqeeD7S_HtacUbjyKXGLUP6hz9WTFY8dZDODxNzi7oE7vYzlgVMZOuAZGjEU9Pr_rVsNQmZCra1mT-RjfuCsPONQ/s320/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysFloodLandUse.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Seoul choked by concrete (things have improved since, looking forward to fresh data from the Seoul Institute<br /></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lsslpWB7Gy5EvK3FlRaYt_RhrFrEnvm587SKuEI6AoYsqj0Y4cLCuhMPiqQH1CP6r1BzziYvhrubSTkzdKgsbWFCq_zrHBKxGmtVnJY1tvLjL8FoxDhHjvDP8Ytg7sSmajziEa4gl9u0pY0kbk8l4QHleIli9ebFoNP5l0Xy02fhkiyv9fKTuS4ZmwI/s1294/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysClimateChange.png" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1294" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lsslpWB7Gy5EvK3FlRaYt_RhrFrEnvm587SKuEI6AoYsqj0Y4cLCuhMPiqQH1CP6r1BzziYvhrubSTkzdKgsbWFCq_zrHBKxGmtVnJY1tvLjL8FoxDhHjvDP8Ytg7sSmajziEa4gl9u0pY0kbk8l4QHleIli9ebFoNP5l0Xy02fhkiyv9fKTuS4ZmwI/s320/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysClimateChange.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>An extreme climate, major changes and challenges<br /></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZNurBy5B5b9qx1v3EnjGOSFsDDcKwaU3e-My3WaWIAg4UQRiORazxIct0SUHAAkqBf9X0qlpjVZesAznerizt4wg_5U_y512vWO5cyU3FPvfVmCn659RnNSQyICvNSp8Y5Jy6-9CTlRVVlFm9hw8d_tBTWGkvR5JstWhua3plzpa9gIybPTYbvRTUq0/s1288/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysPlan.png" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1288" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZNurBy5B5b9qx1v3EnjGOSFsDDcKwaU3e-My3WaWIAg4UQRiORazxIct0SUHAAkqBf9X0qlpjVZesAznerizt4wg_5U_y512vWO5cyU3FPvfVmCn659RnNSQyICvNSp8Y5Jy6-9CTlRVVlFm9hw8d_tBTWGkvR5JstWhua3plzpa9gIybPTYbvRTUq0/s320/StephaneMOT202307seoulwaterwaysPlan.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>On the menu: The city's lungs and bloodstream / The Way of Water vs The Highway of 'Progress' / The Way Forward (?) - 'Recreation', 'Renaissance', 'Emotion' / Storytelling vs the Unscripted Seoul</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* always heartwrenching to see KOTE's old odong namu / princess tree down following that recent storm, but its baby is doing well, and that's a reminder that water brings life, destruction, and communities closer together.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">** RASKB YouTube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@raskb1/about" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@raskb1/about<br /></a> Video of the disaster: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YMti3ieiHQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YMti3ieiHQ</a> </span><br /> </p><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-35543391349784811872023-07-01T02:14:00.004-07:002023-08-10T18:27:12.669-07:00'Flow and order - Seoul waterways and other urban stitches'<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNPeNmPUYRSiQozs-PWHtIs__tJ8pb8n8gsUbtImnkpTwhtyhg9scDGqhpAlJzAqIMJybr-PWuVFnPDHorfHOLiDaIK2gtBneckn2WIb79SSpNHmgMmOkvDUerdhfZ6jkoZwLbwAAny2Cn0eTLAZ6iLehOYKcWyCD-Dxep8UAIVAXeLs4WGxbtwK0Zoi8" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNPeNmPUYRSiQozs-PWHtIs__tJ8pb8n8gsUbtImnkpTwhtyhg9scDGqhpAlJzAqIMJybr-PWuVFnPDHorfHOLiDaIK2gtBneckn2WIb79SSpNHmgMmOkvDUerdhfZ6jkoZwLbwAAny2Cn0eTLAZ6iLehOYKcWyCD-Dxep8UAIVAXeLs4WGxbtwK0Zoi8" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Very pleased to announce that on August 8 I'll be giving a lecture to Royal Asiatic Society Korea on Seoul waterways and other 'urban stitches', as I like to call elements that make our city more wholesome and awesome. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Looking forward to seeing you in KOTE next month (see details below)!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">----<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">TITLE:</span></b> '<a href="https://www.meetup.com/royal-asiatic-society-korea-branch/events/294515170/" target="_blank">Flow and order - Seoul waterways and other urban stitches</a>'<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>DATE:</b></span> Tuesday. August 8, 2023. 7:30PM (Seoul)<br /><b><span style="color: #800180;">VENUE:</span></b> KOTE in Insa-dong (Insadong-gil 7, Jongno-gu, Seoul)</span></p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><b>SUMMARY:</b></span><p class="mb-4" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
If humans have tamed Seoul’s mountains and streams, these natural assets
keep acting as great dividers and connectors, at the same time
hindering and enabling this shapeshifter of a city. Urban planners have
realized how key they are for Seoul’s competitiveness, but each time
they decide to put a spotlight on them, whole neighborhoods can be
revived or destroyed. As Seoul grows more ambitious visions and
narratives around these urban stitches, unscripted parts must be left
for the city to breathe and evolve, for new stories to emerge.</span></p>
<p class="mb-4"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">BIO:</span></b><br /></span></p><p class="mb-4" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
A French author and conceptor born in Paris in 1967, Stephane Mot first
met Seoul in 1991, as a young ESSEC alumn at the French Embassy’s
economy section. Without ever disowning fiction, satire, and nonsense,
this expert in strategy and innovation (serial startup survivor,
strategic advisor…) is naturally drawn to what comes next and often
writes about innovation, urbanism, politics, culture, or societal
trends.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
His fictions include ‘dragedies’ (bittersweet-going-on-pungent fictions)
and ‘La Ligue des Oublies’ (The League of The Forgotten, a tribute to
soccer legends who never existed). ‘Seoul Villages’, his first
collection of short stories in English, is now available in Korean and
will be adapted into short films; these Seoul urban legends are also a
form of revenge on SeoulVillage.com, his non-fiction blog devoted to a
city of which he’s walked through every single neighborhood.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
Stephane and Seoul have been haunting each other for over three decades.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To register to the event: '<a href="https://www.meetup.com/royal-asiatic-society-korea-branch/events/294515170/" target="_blank">Flow and order - Seoul waterways and other urban stitches</a>'</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>' (12 fictions, free ebook).<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-76037947203594997952023-05-12T18:46:00.007-07:002023-05-14T23:54:33.222-07:00Korean edition of the short story collection 'Seoul VillageS' ('서울 마을들')<p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After the English and French editions, you can (re)discover my collection of short stories '<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/chiefatozofficer/Home/books/seoul-villages">Seoul Villages</a>'
in Korean (Korean only and bilingual English-Korean editions).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">links to read / download the 4 free ebooks on Google Play Books (also on </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Neovel for the English and French editions) - y</span><span style="font-family: arial;">our reviews and feedback are welcomed</span><span style="font-family: arial;">:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Korean Edition:<br /> "서울 마을들: 귀신동 그리고 다른 서울 도시 전설들" <br />"서울과 서울의 수많은 골목길들을 향한 일련의 연애편지" (코리아 타임즈)<br />"열렬한 도시주의자가 지은 초현실의 세계 속으로의 다이브" (KBS 월드 라디오)<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">귀신
든 이 동네를 벗어나려고 들지 말고, 저기 초목을 뽑아내겠다고 괜한 헛수고도 하지 말 것이다. 그리고 한국 무당들 중 가장
포착하기 어렵다는 이 무당을 한 번 잡아보려는 가당치 않은 생각은 아예 접기 바란다: 죽음이란 그렇게 뿌리칠 수 있는 것이
아니다. 그러니 이 소설적 서울에 당신의 영혼을 순순히 맡기도록.<br /><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=tke-EAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=tke-EAAAQBAJ</a> (KR)</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKyL8PMyHIGUibvrUXaDMXU2SdIT-LUsM7sFION6zPluI0BX3yIS5EgqkKBMboFuvEI3fjLWyTL54eMCSUhNn9-8FjWzDU7nnOwgY8YjvalY51Q3ZRT3XSoyAiKjsxqQiudn1bNJBwhEJ0Ff02sqAjTAHzlWU-EILVajCDaYqV-uJjt9hExa3ay3z/s690/SeoulVillagesKRs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="460" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKyL8PMyHIGUibvrUXaDMXU2SdIT-LUsM7sFION6zPluI0BX3yIS5EgqkKBMboFuvEI3fjLWyTL54eMCSUhNn9-8FjWzDU7nnOwgY8YjvalY51Q3ZRT3XSoyAiKjsxqQiudn1bNJBwhEJ0Ff02sqAjTAHzlWU-EILVajCDaYqV-uJjt9hExa3ay3z/w133-h200/SeoulVillagesKRs.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div><br /><br /></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">English Edition:<br /> 'Seoul Villages: Guisin-dong and other Seoul villages'</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />"A series of love letters to Seoul and its many alleyways" (The Korea Times)<br />'Let's dive into the surreal world built by this urbanism enthusiast" (KBS World Radio)<br />Don't
try to escape this ghost neighborhood, don't waste your energy tearing
off that plant, and don't even think about catching Korea's most elusive
shaman: you just can't shake off death. So let this fictional Seoul
claim your soul.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=LwHeDwAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=LwHeDwAAQBAJ</a> (EN)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpZ-zMLU7r_T0Fb2n2j4dIlaUexF-XdW4JdB7S9Jfzbz96PbeXT1nq5yThrG2-vOM930XXs9HLNHCP4k6m9kriCdvvs_3hHgAFqUgPJTbD4Cd25pkFrYZ2rUYkfGj6nsVDltnT7PyEZuTOFzgT5D-OYgVtiujZUrQyZW6AHYHP64BFTyl3QGxVlsz/s690/SeoulVillagesENs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="460" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpZ-zMLU7r_T0Fb2n2j4dIlaUexF-XdW4JdB7S9Jfzbz96PbeXT1nq5yThrG2-vOM930XXs9HLNHCP4k6m9kriCdvvs_3hHgAFqUgPJTbD4Cd25pkFrYZ2rUYkfGj6nsVDltnT7PyEZuTOFzgT5D-OYgVtiujZUrQyZW6AHYHP64BFTyl3QGxVlsz/w133-h200/SeoulVillagesENs.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">French Edition:<br />"Seoul Villages : Guisin-dong et autres villages de Séoul"<br />"Une série de lettres d'amour à Séoul et ses nombreuses ruelles" (The Korea Times)<br />"Plongeons-nous dans le monde surréaliste bâti par ce passionné d'urbanisme" (KBS World Radio)<br />"Rarement
je me suis plongée avec autant de bonheur dans un livre écrit par un
Occidental sur la Corée! Stéphane Mot voit la Corée de derrière, la
Corée des invisibles. La Corée des esprits et des chamanes, Séoul, ses
rues, son âme et ses âmes qui me touchent tant. Bravo !" (Juliette
Morillot)<br /><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=Gc9qEAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=Gc9qEAAAQBAJ</a> (FR)<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu66XceoPXe-FEjVNlmBUdQCfnAULx9nPORkAi0Y4d9-sO9dEUNjg_XmDX7qGOE7Es_jAP_O5JZrlqzfqNDoeQrWLNEr9XxNydsaf3505uKw7qpHrnfYQCAkRCyym48GgXP2XvNPkTdtSqZ9g3F2Gir59lgCKshCgbtygOTfP0pNVARsJO6f5WzNcX/s690/SeoulVillagesFRs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="460" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu66XceoPXe-FEjVNlmBUdQCfnAULx9nPORkAi0Y4d9-sO9dEUNjg_XmDX7qGOE7Es_jAP_O5JZrlqzfqNDoeQrWLNEr9XxNydsaf3505uKw7qpHrnfYQCAkRCyym48GgXP2XvNPkTdtSqZ9g3F2Gir59lgCKshCgbtygOTfP0pNVARsJO6f5WzNcX/w133-h200/SeoulVillagesFRs.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div></li></ul><p> </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Bilingual English-Korean Edition (left
page in English, right one in Korean, read in double page display mode for more comfort):<br />"<span>서울 마을들 (Seoul Villages - Bilingual Edition): 귀신동 그리고 다른 서울 도시 전설들"<br /></span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=dV6-EAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=dV6-EAAAQBAJ</a> (EN/KR) <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv9oQze0UEDA5XOM-becL9ipoNzwJnzHIyE6X1nvPm3vNGhLS9n2mEE74H2UD65l13KuQ2NtkM92nKvrIBt8wUvG33HNJqETVyChyzPWyqo_FOcGqZ_3CZmnQueyCA5l5BLqHak8RA55FmoVj9c1A8X5zBVnjFllqTr6hLzEDXbamQ-5nBdYV2mLQ/s690/SeoulVillagesENKRs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="460" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv9oQze0UEDA5XOM-becL9ipoNzwJnzHIyE6X1nvPm3vNGhLS9n2mEE74H2UD65l13KuQ2NtkM92nKvrIBt8wUvG33HNJqETVyChyzPWyqo_FOcGqZ_3CZmnQueyCA5l5BLqHak8RA55FmoVj9c1A8X5zBVnjFllqTr6hLzEDXbamQ-5nBdYV2mLQ/w133-h200/SeoulVillagesENKRs.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div> </li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;">Read 'Seoul Villages' online on Neovel: </span><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">in English: </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://neovel.io/book/15577/EN/seoul-villages-guisin-dong-and-other-seoul-villages" target="_blank">https://neovel.io/book/15577/EN/seoul-villages-guisin-dong-and-other-seoul-villages</a> (EN)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">in French: </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://neovel.io/book/12934/FR/seoul-villages-guisin-dong-et-autres-villages-de-seoul" target="_blank">https://neovel.io/book/12934/FR/seoul-villages-guisin-dong-et-autres-villages-de-seoul</a> (FR)</span></li></ul><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">S.</span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook (12 fictions).<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-60014445747061570332023-03-08T18:29:00.006-08:002023-04-16T19:16:36.712-07:00Justice under the rug<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Unsurprisingly disappointed by politicians of both sides who decided to sweep justice under the rug: the Democratic Party by failing to deliver <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/LEE%20Jae-myung">LEE Jae-myung</a> to justice, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/YOON%20Suk-yeol">YOON Suk-yeol</a> by chosing closer ties with Tokyo over justice for the victims of Imperial Japan's forced labor.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At least, a higher proportion of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Korea">Korea</a>'s Democratic lawmakers chose the high road than their American Republican counterparts: whereas the GOP overwhelmingly supported <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Donald%20Trump">Trump</a> when he faced a well deserved impeachment. only a tiny majority helped the Korean Trump preserve his immunity. Across the country, a vast majority was in favor of LEE's arrest, but the party made the wrong decision, and had the gall to pretend that democracy was under attack because for the first time, an opposition leader was investigated and issued an arrest warrant, whilst LEE precisely seeked party leadership for the sole purpose of eluding justice one more time! LEE even selfishly stole the safest seat of an incumbent in <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Incheon">Incheon</a> to guarantee his personal survival, letting the rest of the ship sink during the elections... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As we've already seen, this is clearly not the party of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/KIM%20Dae-jung">KIM Dae-jung</a> and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/ROH%20Moo-hyun">ROH Moo-hyun</a> anymore, but a group controlled by a clique that betrayed their ideals of justice and democracy, and only care about their own interests. I wish the party had seized the opportunity to cleanse their ranks from these thugs. Now lets hope the truly progressive side, that proved it still existed during this vote, will gain enough momentum to reform the party, restore decency, and build a more sustainable, inclusive platform. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, Korea's right remains another kind of mess, but internal debates are a bit more public, even if YOON Suk-yeol managed to get his guy on top for next year's election (not sure <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/KIM%20Gi-hyeon">KIM Gi-hyeon</a> is a future-proof leader, but the selection of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/THAE%20Yong-ho">THAE Yong-ho</a> in the Supreme Council sends an interesting message to Pyongyang elites: you can make it in the South if you reject the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/North%20Korea">North Korean</a> regime). If YOON decided to make the most of his lameduckhood to push for reforms that are not necessarily popular, he just played a very risky and unpopular card on the forced labor issue: the victims will receive a financial compensation, but paid by Korean companies that benefited from the controversial 1965 treaty, and without any apology from <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan">Japan</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">From the start, YOON's eagerness to appease Tokyo seemed heading in this kind of direction. I'm all for diplomacy and warming ties with our neighbors, but I'm not okay with eluding key issues. Again, the victims of Imperial Japan's institutional Forced labor and sexual slavery never received any official apologies from any Japanese government (non binding declarations by individuals? yes, but that's not the same, and I'm not even talking about <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Shinzo%20Abe">Shinzo Abe</a>'s anti-apologies - see <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">"<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2015/08/decoding-abe-statement-whyapologize-for.html" target="_blank">Decoding the Abe Statement: "why apologize for crimes Japan never committed?</a>"). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">YOON Suk-yeol was not elected for his obsolete Miltonfriedmanian program but to restore some sense of justice, particularly following the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/PARK%20Geun-hye">PARK Geun-hye</a> scandals and the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/MOON%20Jae-in">MOON Jae-in</a> betrayals. Eluding resolution can't be the solution.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-24805716862006272432023-02-23T19:29:00.005-08:002023-12-28T17:25:16.661-08:00KOTE Potluck Art Festival 2023<p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7pq0Bpf_S2vVZn9WxbX8ECncnOOb96CLibWKB46GWX8rUo1JwNFNN44O-Asl4SzaNtu4noUC_RfoDAkYQyPSEU7h_X_RJ1ntx2pDDcSPNH3-WJVwifBHTbMZCclkr1MYAr4VrJH6BeboIjSfCauey_jdDtMBU7s4rweDGkhXxG47CvRPk3b839mZ/s732/KoteOdongNamu.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="574" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7pq0Bpf_S2vVZn9WxbX8ECncnOOb96CLibWKB46GWX8rUo1JwNFNN44O-Asl4SzaNtu4noUC_RfoDAkYQyPSEU7h_X_RJ1ntx2pDDcSPNH3-WJVwifBHTbMZCclkr1MYAr4VrJH6BeboIjSfCauey_jdDtMBU7s4rweDGkhXxG47CvRPk3b839mZ/w157-h200/KoteOdongNamu.jpg" width="157" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Between March 1 and 5, Insadong’s cultural complex KOTE proposes an art festival rich in exhibitions, events, and performances featuring major as well as emerging artists. <br /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #800180;">About KOTE </span></b><br /><br />Over the past few years, KOTE has become a vibrant symbol of Seoul’s creativity, resilience, and inclusiveness. At the crossroads of Insadong, Pimatgol, and contemporary art, a retro yet modern space to explore, connect, and inspire; a salon where, every day, cultures and citizens dialog and meet, where thinkers and creators from all horizons share and challenge each other; a unique ecosystem where visionary companies and embassies host meaningful events; a village where, in all seasons, new ideas and friendships bloom across generations, around its charming courtyard and iconic paulownia (the very name KOTE rings like both ‘court’ and ‘flower’). <br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #800180;"><b>About KOTE POTLUCK ART FESTIVAL: </b></span><br /><br />For five days (March 1st to 5th), the KOTE Potluck Art Festival will fill the whole complex from its courtyard to its rooftop with a rich program featuring over 150 artists from 12 countries: contemporary art, new media, installations, photography, films, music or dance performances… a wide diversity to stimulate all senses. <br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlcWpNDhSJRGuSNZirEGQ9fh0Wdr4DsK92BIxgNgZS6aAxz1G2KTgmoBheq5Ec-PRRvSB12uTHlSTFnfFGyazol_n3ztG9Ui9rZrEck1ZkhK451tAwsqTGcFhslQEL-at4MuIfXlNDRDlSJ59eknCRJIUqbd2--wXeHUHYkvtB3pwCJG9h6cFH5kN/s1466/SeoulVillage202302KotePotluckArtFestival.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="1009" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlcWpNDhSJRGuSNZirEGQ9fh0Wdr4DsK92BIxgNgZS6aAxz1G2KTgmoBheq5Ec-PRRvSB12uTHlSTFnfFGyazol_n3ztG9Ui9rZrEck1ZkhK451tAwsqTGcFhslQEL-at4MuIfXlNDRDlSJ59eknCRJIUqbd2--wXeHUHYkvtB3pwCJG9h6cFH5kN/s320/SeoulVillage202302KotePotluckArtFestival.jpg" width="220" /></a></b></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /><span style="color: #800180;">Kote Potluck Art Festival 2023 (March 1-5)</span></b><br />Opening Ceremony: March 1st, 5 pm<br />Kote: Insadong-gil 7, Jongno-gu, Seoul<br />Tel: 02) 737-7977<br />email: artspacekote@gmail.com<br />website: <a href="http://kote.kr" target="_blank">kote.kr</a><br />Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kote.kr" target="_blank">@kote.kr</a></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">---</span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><b>ADDENDUM 20230226</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A few shots from my series '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-people-of-seoul.html">The People of Seoul</a>' will be exhibited at KOTE's Joseon Salon during the festival:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifEPdnQ4ScsFlsmqIesxieQuY8fuMf-PvXuodlSnEgbm0T3N7HsdU8bG2q9eaNWG0-EGZL-XE1Mpj2X_ISJiDBq48Z4Sw5OTGstAAApFOnb-8S5GqJ_44LC25SXYJ92QAwmknS5RBB6mdNThrNw9HLk9TJ3zcVD_PJQAMojuN2vmBLbb5884k_Yan/s1440/stephanemot202302kotethepeopleofseoul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifEPdnQ4ScsFlsmqIesxieQuY8fuMf-PvXuodlSnEgbm0T3N7HsdU8bG2q9eaNWG0-EGZL-XE1Mpj2X_ISJiDBq48Z4Sw5OTGstAAApFOnb-8S5GqJ_44LC25SXYJ92QAwmknS5RBB6mdNThrNw9HLk9TJ3zcVD_PJQAMojuN2vmBLbb5884k_Yan/s320/stephanemot202302kotethepeopleofseoul.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-91905214990545780582023-01-02T19:48:00.005-08:002023-01-02T22:14:16.415-08:00Seoul Village Season XVII<p><span style="font-family: arial;">And so 2003 begins, the Year of the Rabbit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfxe3F6BEhwidysc9mpiSBwB8lIJ4MF3U1H3fMupeNp5L5unQGymjGIduw2RvIjB64UJxOn4bp3kUgVE9mqLOvSpPGXM5PLz3WpGyhCdLnvxoezXYO2m0gsly6PJIJ6m_qaqZVYXMCfm1jE5Z76bbww_61ZqMg5Ojm9km9XcO-PoLfki9ID0zv9OJ/s498/GIFbugsstart.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="498" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfxe3F6BEhwidysc9mpiSBwB8lIJ4MF3U1H3fMupeNp5L5unQGymjGIduw2RvIjB64UJxOn4bp3kUgVE9mqLOvSpPGXM5PLz3WpGyhCdLnvxoezXYO2m0gsly6PJIJ6m_qaqZVYXMCfm1jE5Z76bbww_61ZqMg5Ojm9km9XcO-PoLfki9ID0zv9OJ/s320/GIFbugsstart.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Actually, the Year of the Water Rabbit, which should bring us extra inspiration.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRehf9g7hZMPeFsAUiMTdm__SoBGJd1KLYSg2fu2e_6zXav11M20QEnK2a_wDuWWo3QU2imHaa6PfIsqQ2MQO2q1DkkG7vd4LPsgexFLPFpm4juBqeFeX_7Xk44s2QZ5LPX0XK0Co4NoCxUlQBeauUvpnnMr3iCINeqHiFJL0WCRzWP-63Qht-JJ86/s498/GIFbugspiano1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="498" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRehf9g7hZMPeFsAUiMTdm__SoBGJd1KLYSg2fu2e_6zXav11M20QEnK2a_wDuWWo3QU2imHaa6PfIsqQ2MQO2q1DkkG7vd4LPsgexFLPFpm4juBqeFeX_7Xk44s2QZ5LPX0XK0Co4NoCxUlQBeauUvpnnMr3iCINeqHiFJL0WCRzWP-63Qht-JJ86/s320/GIFbugspiano1.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXLhaVnji5IgbR5_UGqNMGwBWVrD2m2kvyOdNgJHln4deEKdDIT1QO3UCrSAyexRbR2zrpL8dzsegrs9YG0QSR78ump75VB3MH_cGnzmblU8iD2CYs5F59HmGoEjV9WOsjKJSDoepATyswBnQfHW30JId7rsfJQKjk4Y9_mS4DApBPSJqpqgm3TnU/s226/GIFbugsballerina.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="220" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXLhaVnji5IgbR5_UGqNMGwBWVrD2m2kvyOdNgJHln4deEKdDIT1QO3UCrSAyexRbR2zrpL8dzsegrs9YG0QSR78ump75VB3MH_cGnzmblU8iD2CYs5F59HmGoEjV9WOsjKJSDoepATyswBnQfHW30JId7rsfJQKjk4Y9_mS4DApBPSJqpqgm3TnU/s1600/GIFbugsballerina.gif" width="220" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A year full of cliffhangers, a year our turbulent neighbor up North will make sure we remember.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgJ6qPw6Z1dyJFw4_VjDSwKK_wdy8Em4Tlk8dX_OJsr7qnI-t8HHyC8ronBtmmopksGRtOsbB0qrOO6-drvJUeI_dTo_z4JqCXSEgGulcsl3MWmnaPBKcrtl-_BeXzM_J3dMRUQlaqH3mrYIYHRXs_ujCPtkfJaG_P4w-LAiHANqMyRnZu7Uq1zui/s640/GIFbugssamline.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgJ6qPw6Z1dyJFw4_VjDSwKK_wdy8Em4Tlk8dX_OJsr7qnI-t8HHyC8ronBtmmopksGRtOsbB0qrOO6-drvJUeI_dTo_z4JqCXSEgGulcsl3MWmnaPBKcrtl-_BeXzM_J3dMRUQlaqH3mrYIYHRXs_ujCPtkfJaG_P4w-LAiHANqMyRnZu7Uq1zui/s320/GIFbugssamline.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_Cc_pRGykqAkxUPobwUMZ_0DEmLdw8DnMgTK3lzABr-hchQhlAHIR-jJUrK5wm4WcLGqCJXiipudJ2gB1hImbWH6l8FbSjacC5JBbiWkW2QhlyWPGrAjrEew_RX3Z4NWnwZDkVBIYfrf_IxgsSekok7zI5Ao0718op7QczOXxnMSiHNuvQMlwZ-x/s498/GIFbugsbull.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="498" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_Cc_pRGykqAkxUPobwUMZ_0DEmLdw8DnMgTK3lzABr-hchQhlAHIR-jJUrK5wm4WcLGqCJXiipudJ2gB1hImbWH6l8FbSjacC5JBbiWkW2QhlyWPGrAjrEew_RX3Z4NWnwZDkVBIYfrf_IxgsSekok7zI5Ao0718op7QczOXxnMSiHNuvQMlwZ-x/s320/GIFbugsbull.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1y6JcVRaUECjAnLI_4cbiPHpiUr45-1oKpaMFIT2nxT1MjnEQ9rAWBlYDdZZnOM7fnYUoRpKN1MxDI-6ORqo1LAut7Hbkz4XTxk8CWiWPx7hN1NXRlTp3HqfZDtOGrHoBXfugvrjRgzg0OeSRcAKYai0vwc6H6l5evpJVir7HH_TX3x-Sjv9qoso/s220/GIFbugsbull2.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="220" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1y6JcVRaUECjAnLI_4cbiPHpiUr45-1oKpaMFIT2nxT1MjnEQ9rAWBlYDdZZnOM7fnYUoRpKN1MxDI-6ORqo1LAut7Hbkz4XTxk8CWiWPx7hN1NXRlTp3HqfZDtOGrHoBXfugvrjRgzg0OeSRcAKYai0vwc6H6l5evpJVir7HH_TX3x-Sjv9qoso/s1600/GIFbugsbull2.gif" width="220" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A year where we may not even need KIM Jong-un, a new pandemic, or a new war to be upset.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIJuPrM6ypXTqBWtPmtRrNBCkKfs9rLGWWf_ps5UIMDcO5vLDmZFuRX9o74fgcCfneHjPusuAOD9yOEiUD-yRDkBHgNczaZl3rdaXoeEw9V_ZNL9TlSj4AvSdOUh3oReIafJoB5cNkfyuB_gtD86nCu9kxchWBaQQdGM4bqZkHaby4Fzqs-Wq2DgG/s220/GIFbugscream.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="220" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIJuPrM6ypXTqBWtPmtRrNBCkKfs9rLGWWf_ps5UIMDcO5vLDmZFuRX9o74fgcCfneHjPusuAOD9yOEiUD-yRDkBHgNczaZl3rdaXoeEw9V_ZNL9TlSj4AvSdOUh3oReIafJoB5cNkfyuB_gtD86nCu9kxchWBaQQdGM4bqZkHaby4Fzqs-Wq2DgG/s1600/GIFbugscream.gif" width="220" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3JgXmt2eyPZ6gqUDTFsvyCp5eC66D3q0_aQFMGqsR1Rta337_ySVUYxwKze0AT0ROLs6ezkPFp8qS9kQ0G4kZAj-IyLW4w5vfExM5uNbbAdDq7OhpY8KtMtLr6n5Y6MIKfm04pPxW8ZNnA-lnMTenw-crqgWvyFmIyRaXpOMhDQAHX2b8mctnrXF/s320/GIFbugsnuts.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="320" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3JgXmt2eyPZ6gqUDTFsvyCp5eC66D3q0_aQFMGqsR1Rta337_ySVUYxwKze0AT0ROLs6ezkPFp8qS9kQ0G4kZAj-IyLW4w5vfExM5uNbbAdDq7OhpY8KtMtLr6n5Y6MIKfm04pPxW8ZNnA-lnMTenw-crqgWvyFmIyRaXpOMhDQAHX2b8mctnrXF/s1600/GIFbugsnuts.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A year where Korea's unpopular, lame duck president YOON Suk-yeol, in spite of his lack of majority in the assembly, intends to push for even more unpopular reforms (welfare, pensions...).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBVfafn4vKurfFHqKwcfmI3AY_5-r4z4IzIvuFVqxZ_qlEXRQHAJAH8UwbDmuwrsiNALkJK5EB-YGl-CRgj2tQJI7Px6wpuGI14Zj-PseYOs9CPRBrSx3klxvecNbwXbBEv10PRq7FaDa9L-zQ6Am4cxv4XnuQTxQZgQmP-a49rCL260OMSZs4cAE/s498/GIFbugsduck.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="498" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBVfafn4vKurfFHqKwcfmI3AY_5-r4z4IzIvuFVqxZ_qlEXRQHAJAH8UwbDmuwrsiNALkJK5EB-YGl-CRgj2tQJI7Px6wpuGI14Zj-PseYOs9CPRBrSx3klxvecNbwXbBEv10PRq7FaDa9L-zQ6Am4cxv4XnuQTxQZgQmP-a49rCL260OMSZs4cAE/s320/GIFbugsduck.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A year of trials, errors, and successes.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoeNrMHu079bWQwQvpkXF4l3ofHW-YOvFZRBBQRJHuzeQcACytyQcW-KSjwNKzpnUfL1zsbN64GPQHNzxDJV9mDzT0GJKvluqH_0qLyP9qwX9XcVfpozz_Ls08fCu2D5zxPKZdPyyk-nMprXIh4Tp2hdjLTDgCcGqk82oQzWPKICFFyP7WSJtRNy6/s220/GIFbugshottub.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="220" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoeNrMHu079bWQwQvpkXF4l3ofHW-YOvFZRBBQRJHuzeQcACytyQcW-KSjwNKzpnUfL1zsbN64GPQHNzxDJV9mDzT0GJKvluqH_0qLyP9qwX9XcVfpozz_Ls08fCu2D5zxPKZdPyyk-nMprXIh4Tp2hdjLTDgCcGqk82oQzWPKICFFyP7WSJtRNy6/s1600/GIFbugshottub.gif" width="220" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBRrCtgwFmuPQZcVqcJXiStqsfArtsP0Q6mKNb7wS21-65h6p3BZz-RBrSasN_xVqQ61nm_Vt-AkiTFxVNu7SCeGwts0-OkW9D2ULD3WjQoGbptfUaXxhXkS3Tj1rjLue-XZvSmQPjf_gAdTlTtDysgRvmrvpbx63VNamLGjEtJljF-TjJpHL2dLr/s498/GIFbugsjail.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="498" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBRrCtgwFmuPQZcVqcJXiStqsfArtsP0Q6mKNb7wS21-65h6p3BZz-RBrSasN_xVqQ61nm_Vt-AkiTFxVNu7SCeGwts0-OkW9D2ULD3WjQoGbptfUaXxhXkS3Tj1rjLue-XZvSmQPjf_gAdTlTtDysgRvmrvpbx63VNamLGjEtJljF-TjJpHL2dLr/s320/GIFbugsjail.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCd0kV5Gug9vRe1SrdX1ura3__5qLlbOeOSBya1Ub0IF8Slw0xEI-Pc3FuvBU8-GNZx1hIZg1DBAtAd8DZV6VEsNkQKYILe6ZDwQc2BPrPHtqXEZUj1to6taUuD8YYHfZ876uxoj96y8-IRu88qvigMrJui98CodWnErsH7cjrsj9uwbKgBspFXYe/s474/GIFbugshit.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="474" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCd0kV5Gug9vRe1SrdX1ura3__5qLlbOeOSBya1Ub0IF8Slw0xEI-Pc3FuvBU8-GNZx1hIZg1DBAtAd8DZV6VEsNkQKYILe6ZDwQc2BPrPHtqXEZUj1to6taUuD8YYHfZ876uxoj96y8-IRu88qvigMrJui98CodWnErsH7cjrsj9uwbKgBspFXYe/s320/GIFbugshit.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hopefully, a very happy new year to you, to the ones you care for, and to the ones no one care about.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHUcb39l-I85bG3xgBjRWqzMU99dPSy8IC1XeJbX01TYA6S_gXht28Ru-1npJflgx32L4HG667rcqjr2xELEbCn2KolKzkr2ddJh1_oB6q90H_ynK9ysRZ2EI7h_8A4y_rBeQLnNdNbImaBOBKyT8hC3Scyg0Ya4a0EhTYa3pe5dqDa52ZKZMomMc/s498/GIFbugslove.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="498" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHUcb39l-I85bG3xgBjRWqzMU99dPSy8IC1XeJbX01TYA6S_gXht28Ru-1npJflgx32L4HG667rcqjr2xELEbCn2KolKzkr2ddJh1_oB6q90H_ynK9ysRZ2EI7h_8A4y_rBeQLnNdNbImaBOBKyT8hC3Scyg0Ya4a0EhTYa3pe5dqDa52ZKZMomMc/s320/GIFbugslove.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2023</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br /></span> </p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-65721728086360547502022-12-25T19:53:00.002-08:002022-12-25T20:09:08.169-08:00Seoul Innovation Park on steroids<p><span style="font-family: arial;">We've already seen Eunpyeong-gu's former KCDC site mutate into a makers' hub*, a vibrant Nokbeon-dong neighborhood park, and a cultural crossroads** in an underprivileged part of Seoul. Now the city wants to turn this low rise oasis into its gazillionth high rise utopia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Meet the new and improved Seoul Innovation Park:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft_mmTkwpdesEg3PE8mtBV3D-P7jwzD8CwIVBOQbozFn8wN739J3ExFS4IIAXU4Zf8-O0VNSuZJ0hBpYAagmKUSj7igZ5fHfVNQODMvy-jGHQFb_do4OuLVgF1LdzKpBx5yy6NDhrU1MolVDlZ195K0DqghH8RzLc_UerfCg2xPL3qMmHVr2Yzzh2/s734/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="734" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft_mmTkwpdesEg3PE8mtBV3D-P7jwzD8CwIVBOQbozFn8wN739J3ExFS4IIAXU4Zf8-O0VNSuZJ0hBpYAagmKUSj7igZ5fHfVNQODMvy-jGHQFb_do4OuLVgF1LdzKpBx5yy6NDhrU1MolVDlZ195K0DqghH8RzLc_UerfCg2xPL3qMmHVr2Yzzh2/s320/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIY-KseTXNx64cRj4Gz_HGrrxuU6mWipJIqBy0WJ2PLrmiUEAhISLHa86_N4q0yl-YpHFkIqoQwPSxEePzChLhOH9sxFy_892UPMGKPw9zWesQkj1XE83NtRjp6WtcAbFvSCKLRga1Ki88oHf3bOSUdpOzxRxil3wqzd7hgRKZJ4AGAt97iAorZLu/s680/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark1above.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="680" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIY-KseTXNx64cRj4Gz_HGrrxuU6mWipJIqBy0WJ2PLrmiUEAhISLHa86_N4q0yl-YpHFkIqoQwPSxEePzChLhOH9sxFy_892UPMGKPw9zWesQkj1XE83NtRjp6WtcAbFvSCKLRga1Ki88oHf3bOSUdpOzxRxil3wqzd7hgRKZJ4AGAt97iAorZLu/s320/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark1above.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Quite a change from nowadays:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgccSwm5KQWgQcTLfbdbEAvgRLbRu7KZIhjGyesHAB7cd-3Qi3AxR-TZfG34IZvPKJEOVwZWlrwyJft5lbvmPKOPcObMZ6fsa15hASTaGd9n7Q4TfM4DROdh38eqGDNcaDKFIMu8Eas2BgxLos1adwTb2Qj7uPjIwEarG1V2Dq3PRlnavR_ub7ggP/s715/SeoulVillage20170521twSeoulInnovationParkVeganFestival.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="715" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgccSwm5KQWgQcTLfbdbEAvgRLbRu7KZIhjGyesHAB7cd-3Qi3AxR-TZfG34IZvPKJEOVwZWlrwyJft5lbvmPKOPcObMZ6fsa15hASTaGd9n7Q4TfM4DROdh38eqGDNcaDKFIMu8Eas2BgxLos1adwTb2Qj7uPjIwEarG1V2Dq3PRlnavR_ub7ggP/s320/SeoulVillage20170521twSeoulInnovationParkVeganFestival.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span>"Vegan Festival in Seoul Innovation Park, Eunpyeong-gu." (</span></i><a href="http://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/866195549707358208" target="_blank"><i><span>@</span></i></a><i><span><a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage" target="_blank">theSeoulVillage</a> 20170511- </span></i><i><span><a href="http://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/866195549707358208" target="_blank">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/866195549707358208</a>)</span></i><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Okay, all cars shall be parked underground instead of these traditional outdoor sprawls, plus there's also going to be this manicured 'Seoul UIC Campus' (University of Seoul Industry Cooperation), but that's not the same as a laid-back park full of happy families:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwrC_Kzy1U48vd8qTf70fggB3NGa3u2l0AKtL67JueWVzJwi9Sj7Xbq6eMBzxiA7H-fCuKoXKfrlFUVtltMS26LFfkTd0IpT1SVYF3SnIo3FmO_dNvIDNIju0fFBgC4gxav-MSStlYCMvJ28lIUIxeBuI0nedhpsfhOQepPIkn44SdcR2Q7lf5efB/s760/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark4campus.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="760" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwrC_Kzy1U48vd8qTf70fggB3NGa3u2l0AKtL67JueWVzJwi9Sj7Xbq6eMBzxiA7H-fCuKoXKfrlFUVtltMS26LFfkTd0IpT1SVYF3SnIo3FmO_dNvIDNIju0fFBgC4gxav-MSStlYCMvJ28lIUIxeBuI0nedhpsfhOQepPIkn44SdcR2Q7lf5efB/s320/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark4campus.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As you well know, I'm all for fixing the capital city's unbalances, and Northeast Seoul clearly deserves a boost. Besides, the city already owns this 110,000 sqm site, and it's next to a subway station (Bulgwang Station), close to the Yeonsinnae transport hub (Subway Lines 3 and 6, GTX-A - see "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2014/12/gtx-meet-sinbundang-line.html">GTX, meet Sinbundang Line</a>"). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But not exactly there. And we've already seen this not so disruptive concept of futuristic, buzzword-friendly city within the city, with its iconic landmark tower - here, 60 more floors to be filled in a market already suffering from oversupply. Yet another empty alibi for yet another real estate nonsense (many 'apateu' have already risen nearby)? And of all models, why pick the COEX as a symbol of success? </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCeSl87WH7-vmuCjV5kCfB96C0-zJT-t5xvFJTses3JbHSFGfhUBBSDzrzUn6RLgkquDEttxJvTb0WB9Bw0fKndJHYO19B8zRy6s-TK4VFF-HSGV2NGlqgUp2OY4GE_o_K6kmZH6QSe6SkfY0gi6ncSOvkcDSMREEBY5XczHqwY1-5_-xDqxQDGNM/s680/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark2map2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="680" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCeSl87WH7-vmuCjV5kCfB96C0-zJT-t5xvFJTses3JbHSFGfhUBBSDzrzUn6RLgkquDEttxJvTb0WB9Bw0fKndJHYO19B8zRy6s-TK4VFF-HSGV2NGlqgUp2OY4GE_o_K6kmZH6QSe6SkfY0gi6ncSOvkcDSMREEBY5XczHqwY1-5_-xDqxQDGNM/s320/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark2map2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Needless to say, the grove with its old trees at the entrance, under which kids would
play and seek fresh shelter in the Summer, is gone. From the outside,
this could be any mall:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip2yRE7v7cnPfWbM6YWD8fuFbdp8IhNFhheYw0nsl7KvdN7PJy57CUmCT6-qiknN_9caGT7jkHNAnT9fLZ5DRG-ZERf3zIjz_XakCpViX9UMNjCrXvMhMyfF1QHlm6RgnLUW7anFTj4O3GRlAaDgAmuO7DqRkf3uimT4qHjqWgHfZUQQUMQEriVvB/s736/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark3tower.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="736" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip2yRE7v7cnPfWbM6YWD8fuFbdp8IhNFhheYw0nsl7KvdN7PJy57CUmCT6-qiknN_9caGT7jkHNAnT9fLZ5DRG-ZERf3zIjz_XakCpViX9UMNjCrXvMhMyfF1QHlm6RgnLUW7anFTj4O3GRlAaDgAmuO7DqRkf3uimT4qHjqWgHfZUQQUMQEriVvB/s320/seoulvillage20221220seoulinnovationpark3tower.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This time, it's different, they say. We go 'beyond zoning', we're truly mixing commercial, residential, and business. And this time, promise, we'll build and startups will come. SH Corporation will make sure a diversity of people build a genuine community, a 'Golden Village' where elderlies, newlyweds, single households share the same spaces with all facilities required in changing times.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sincerely hope that flies but frankly, Seoul, you can do better. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5EFkTMcDOE21aCtluu_fFmzIt2RuRdjOoiF2GFCf9eLvAtTpFJVZpLL2hR2CGNTREV6gfKY0ZX5sgddqQaD3AYtH2WDcaqUWrO8AFY9IdgkKGTFZm0rmf3s5IP6UELR81lJfb17jD_U0rb4ML8RXzL0yMaqG6DiIXiHKf1tw51d3XHedxdvNs0Jy/s715/SeoulVillage20221220twSeoulInnovationParkNew.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="715" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5EFkTMcDOE21aCtluu_fFmzIt2RuRdjOoiF2GFCf9eLvAtTpFJVZpLL2hR2CGNTREV6gfKY0ZX5sgddqQaD3AYtH2WDcaqUWrO8AFY9IdgkKGTFZm0rmf3s5IP6UELR81lJfb17jD_U0rb4ML8RXzL0yMaqG6DiIXiHKf1tw51d3XHedxdvNs0Jy/s320/SeoulVillage20221220twSeoulInnovationParkNew.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i>"Seoul's project for Seoul Innovation Park (Nokbeon-dong, Eunpyeong-gu)? A coex-ish hub, very Oh Sehoon-ish urbanism:" (@<a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage" target="_blank">theSeoulVillage</a> 20221220 - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1605025577102032896" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1605025577102032896</a>)</i></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* starting with Seoul Creative Lab and Hyebin's FabLab: <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpLbX3_AzkiTys_3eJoP5f8rTwxQ0xIx-oVaiEeNkrSXj1H8RdCg9PmYL3BxVUsat3WcCau9BpQztheZF8R4Tad1-jJZbabGJDnU3U8O4j6BCOBYlaiRQhg8XIWjId4tt-Eua8oQrIjkp7ZjubbuAi977WLhgFFrEVW8UcVcUZpkk61uzqYPnNSll/s711/SeoulVillage20161207twSeoulInnovationParkFabLab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpLbX3_AzkiTys_3eJoP5f8rTwxQ0xIx-oVaiEeNkrSXj1H8RdCg9PmYL3BxVUsat3WcCau9BpQztheZF8R4Tad1-jJZbabGJDnU3U8O4j6BCOBYlaiRQhg8XIWjId4tt-Eua8oQrIjkp7ZjubbuAi977WLhgFFrEVW8UcVcUZpkk61uzqYPnNSll/s320/SeoulVillage20161207twSeoulInnovationParkFabLab.jpg" width="203" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"Always nice to visit Seoul Innovation Park's FabLab! Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul." (<span>@<a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage" target="_blank">theSeoulVillage</a> </span>20161207 <span>- </span><a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/806453941252673536" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/806453941252673536</a>)</i><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">** including, most recently, SEMA Storage in a former KCDC warehouse (see "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/06/nine-new-museums-in-seoul-by-2023.html">Nine new museums in Seoul by 2023</a>")</span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-52665169993895735442022-12-05T22:06:00.002-08:002022-12-05T22:06:43.554-08:00Promising<p><span style="font-family: arial;">No regrets whatsoever for Korea following its most predictable defeat to uber favorite Brazil in the round of 16: the team held their ground with a very decent possession time and spectacular opportunities, even during that merciless jogo bonito / realism lesson of the first half, and made almost the best of their World Cup.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After an uninspiring draw against a very weak Uruguay, the Taeguk Warriors lost what was supposed to be their easiest game (allowing far too many goals from Ghana) before slaying Portugal's B team at the buzzer. If they came back twice from behind to survive their first round, they didn't collapse following Neymar Jr and friends' festival, which no team could have recovered from anyway. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Except for the first game, Paolo Bento's side built its opportunities and goals in a much more diverse and entertaining (not to mention less controversial) way than Guus Hiddink's commando*. For the first time in the ten World Cups I've been following Korea, I saw more style and confidence than resilience, the promises of an ambitious, sustainable playing identity. And I loved the way Bento, even as he knew he wouldn't stay, provided priceless experience to young talents in the second half. PAIK Seung-ho's awesome goal crowned perfectly Korea's 2022 World Cup, and if SON Heung-min may not join the party in 2026, KIM Kang-in, HWANG Hee-chan, CHO Gyu-sung, and others already proved they could be leaders on the pitch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, this World Cup remains a total nonsense, an insult to sports, environment, human rights, you name it. And like every World Cup, this one remains opium for the people. But Korea badly needed this chase of the 2002 dragon right now. And it felt good to see its struggling youth party joyfully outdoor just weeks after the abominable tragedy in Itaewon. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq58UkmTvOFDzulgA9sYY3UWiTvukhLyRz_VEYJkmXJx1sqX5M4ltQTye3ZFbUn66E6Tdj010taHwmtoOpxYhkWfuBnoBwPqw6TIqNSzBPHs6t82mDXF5SFEdNWek5tpXNOWbJKxJgFy8Nj8RGTh1YFSpyWB-py-iOog0_VlN_upXqE9vQiVxjNMT/s666/seoulvillage20221203twSupersonnyc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq58UkmTvOFDzulgA9sYY3UWiTvukhLyRz_VEYJkmXJx1sqX5M4ltQTye3ZFbUn66E6Tdj010taHwmtoOpxYhkWfuBnoBwPqw6TIqNSzBPHs6t82mDXF5SFEdNWek5tpXNOWbJKxJgFy8Nj8RGTh1YFSpyWB-py-iOog0_VlN_upXqE9vQiVxjNMT/s320/seoulvillage20221203twSupersonnyc.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="css-1dbjc4n"><div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1s2bzr4"><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" id="id__955le9yufh4" lang="en"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"A SuperSonnyc </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SonHeungmin?src=hashtag_click" role="link">#SonHeungmin</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> (a </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBC?src=hashtag_click" role="link">#BBC</a></span></i><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><i> meme)" (<a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/" target="_blank">@theSeoulVillage</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1598992987618684928" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1598992987618684928</a>)</i><br /></span></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br />
<a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br />
<!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--> <script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br />* which I absolutely adored, don't get me wrong!</span><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0Qatar25.354826 51.183884-2.9554078361788463 16.027634 53.665059836178841 86.340134tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-49992354198544092202022-07-11T20:06:00.006-07:002022-07-11T20:07:54.614-07:00Two Murders and a Funeral - The Abe Legacy<p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, private funerals will be held for Shinzo Abe, whose assassination shocked Japan and the whole world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In Zojo-ji. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So
the man who so heavily promoted the restoration of State Shinto will be
honored in a Buddhist temple. The man who campaigned so hard for the
return of Imperial Japan's militarism was murdered by a former member of
the navy. And the man whom Korea loved to hate for his negation of war
crimes died because that madman believed the former PM's family
supported Reverend Moon's cult.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ultimate
paradox? This tragedy may help Abe fulfill his lifelong dream of
destroying Japan's peaceful postwar constitution: his LDP won in the
landslide he always needed but never quite achieved. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Now
the murder of peaceful, postwar Japan shall be quietly performed by
lawmakers following his brainchild Nippon Kaigi. Let's see if Fumio
Kishida will forever taint his name by pulling the trigger.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiR9etfALLbO5hwjeVc4o2Zne9oBkUJVEY5FoTk54OQ5eJg1Bs9KZ3HmZiMT8LfyKfKz4OVuf6to7MIUDT33t9rIRzwscBM6-2etIJkx_Ffw2Kc_AnnGmkBJdti54CuVtRoP_UDVG9c_4RthZtWwqhrLbamkB99Y7MFFTuW018WHaovMb2lY1CgOa/s811/seoulvillage20220708twAbeDies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="811" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiR9etfALLbO5hwjeVc4o2Zne9oBkUJVEY5FoTk54OQ5eJg1Bs9KZ3HmZiMT8LfyKfKz4OVuf6to7MIUDT33t9rIRzwscBM6-2etIJkx_Ffw2Kc_AnnGmkBJdti54CuVtRoP_UDVG9c_4RthZtWwqhrLbamkB99Y7MFFTuW018WHaovMb2lY1CgOa/s320/seoulvillage20220708twAbeDies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1545335167350255617" target="_blank">20220708</a> thread <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/" target="_blank">@theSeoulVillage</a>:<br /></i></span><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-rjixqe r-14gqq1x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" lang="en"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"1) Fmr </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr">Japan</span></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> PM in cardiac arrest, suspect arrested. </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr">Shinzo Abe</span></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> was shot during speech (</span><span class="r-18u37iz"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr">Reuters</span></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">).
Lunatic? Political? His </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr">Yakuza</span></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> pals? As much as I hate his </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr">Nippon Kaigi</span></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr">AbeIGNomics</span></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">, I wish him well.<br />2)</span><span class="r-18u37iz"> <a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShinzoAbe?src=hashtag_click" role="link">Shinzo Abe</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> died. Killer a former member of the </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SDF?src=hashtag_click" role="link">SDF</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">.</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"></span><br />3)<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> This is clearly a tragedy, but </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShinzoAbe?src=hashtag_click" role="link">Shinzo Abe</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> was neither a </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MuhammadAnwarelSadat?src=hashtag_click" role="link">Muhammad Anwar el Sadat</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> nor a </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YitzhakRabin?src=hashtag_click" role="link">Yitzhak Rabin</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">.
</span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbeIGNomics?src=hashtag_click" role="link">#AbeIGNomics</a>"</span></i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">=> My 2019 fake interview of Abe Shinzo: "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2019/11/make-imperial-japan-great-again.html">Make Imperial Japan Great Again - an exclusive (fake) tell-all interview with Shinzo ABE</a>"</span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br />
<a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a></span><br />
<!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--> <script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-71595266976718675042022-07-04T03:08:00.006-07:002022-07-04T18:37:53.003-07:00Fire, fury, and de-escalation<p><span style="font-family: arial;">As Seoul experiences its first tropical nights of the year, we're all wondering even more acutely how climate change will affect our daily lives in the peninsula.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">First, climate change is already happening, and we already know for sure that global temperatures will rise higher than targeted during the Paris Agreement. Key tipping points have already been passed, from the ever-shrinking Amazon rain forest, now emitting more CO2 than it absorbs, to the vanishing glaciers and polar caps, to the geographically closer permafrost collapse.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Permafrost covers a quarter of exposed land surfaces on the Northern Hemisphere, releasing as it melts frightening volumes of methane in our atmosphere already saturated with greenhouse gases. If scientists have already estimated the ginormous volumes to come, it's very hard to predict how, at the local level, they will directly and indirectly disrupt currents that structurally impact (e.g. North Korea's colder seas, the Siberian air masses...). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After a 20th century where Korea already underwent a rise of +1.8 Celsius in average temperature (more than the rest of the World), this one promises to go medieval: the 2020 South Korea Climate Change Assessment Report (Ministry of Environment and Korea Meteorological Administration) announced that by 2100, the number of heatwave days (over 33 celsius) would more than triple from 10.1 to 35.5 per year. Winters will be shortened by one whole month, and we'll experience more precipitations and extreme episodes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnLlZ9a6EAIKYo_cbhQt_89MaGXGoBLBZ7Lcr08ADfqxgzlvqvXB9zery_a1ifHFnGSA2xP2-v_-QtfJDo3bK7WlGAXPiT7KYqKdXn9zhYTX-lCMbWLzdvHZf5gpuOjt3WZGej9NIP5ltewOp06INaC0T2rYq_JHPKufDlFjKr3UJBN0mUNmKeCvV/s700/seoulvillage2022khan2020temps.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="700" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnLlZ9a6EAIKYo_cbhQt_89MaGXGoBLBZ7Lcr08ADfqxgzlvqvXB9zery_a1ifHFnGSA2xP2-v_-QtfJDo3bK7WlGAXPiT7KYqKdXn9zhYTX-lCMbWLzdvHZf5gpuOjt3WZGej9NIP5ltewOp06INaC0T2rYq_JHPKufDlFjKr3UJBN0mUNmKeCvV/s320/seoulvillage2022khan2020temps.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Rise in numbers of heatwave days (business as usual scenario)</span></i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Over the past 30 years, I've seen Winters become not only less cold (e.g. the Han River seldom freezes beyond smaller patches), but also much drier, which probably contributes to wildfires that are more violent and difficult to tame (58% of them happen during the Spring, when the nation is at its driest). Mountain soils get washed away at the first rain, landslides and floods multiply, and as seas rise, whole ecosystems are bound to disappear (tidal flats, wetlands)...<br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkw8o3lHO-fm6XHAsL4DSRJKHFoJySHs-bCyLYp_kqRIyiJdvD3JrgwSVByO8ZpRjAGru5srLl4qwzbQch9ZwCLuUPjkxamkpvWjluBQcFsoAoHKT_nPJ8a4HgSWO7HU3k54g1HrfBQkUOpe508Xf-GJBCF1mFS_GlBOZds7M8Ud-UQmMpTDwpgHM/s720/seoulvillage20220305NASAkoreawildfires.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkw8o3lHO-fm6XHAsL4DSRJKHFoJySHs-bCyLYp_kqRIyiJdvD3JrgwSVByO8ZpRjAGru5srLl4qwzbQch9ZwCLuUPjkxamkpvWjluBQcFsoAoHKT_nPJ8a4HgSWO7HU3k54g1HrfBQkUOpe508Xf-GJBCF1mFS_GlBOZds7M8Ud-UQmMpTDwpgHM/s320/seoulvillage20220305NASAkoreawildfires.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span>Korea wildfires on March 5, 2022 (NASA)</span></i><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The social, economic, political impacts of climate change can't be underestimated. Beyond competitiveness, that's a matter of survival, sometimes literally: the number of heat-related fatalities is expected to more than double by the end of the century, and diseases or pests that used to be contained to
warmer climates are becoming endemic*. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Food security, highlighted by the war in Ukraine that exposed Korea's over-dependence on China for its sustenance, will become even more critical: by 2100, the production of rice will have dwindled by 25%. The stakes are even higher in North Korea, which relies much more on its own, ailing agricultural sector. In the region, logistics and geopolitics are already impacted by warmer seas (East Russia enjoys its own sea ports that don't freeze during the winters, new arctic routes emerge...). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea destroyed its greenbelts, boosted its coal power, and crippled its nuclear power at the worst moment. In spite of a few significant projects, it's nowhere near it should be in renewables. Logically, the country scores very poorly when it should be setting the example:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncdq_3GO3m7eER9lrRWvjYfe2t5-2lhk-o7zgyTUJVlh6gbT1kIZw7e8MPsOQLodEIyj1DUuzW3AehWEWo2LbSkAcuqEUALxS5JSvJE4nxPSY9sDBEjtv6WWmymJ9ZOc3WqfSc88pJfAwbVpd60k1qI-WKrlJMcQkUuoHTGHA4i6C6Gg41RGO24vb/s1791/seoulvillage2022koreaClimateActionTrackerSum.png.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1791" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncdq_3GO3m7eER9lrRWvjYfe2t5-2lhk-o7zgyTUJVlh6gbT1kIZw7e8MPsOQLodEIyj1DUuzW3AehWEWo2LbSkAcuqEUALxS5JSvJE4nxPSY9sDBEjtv6WWmymJ9ZOc3WqfSc88pJfAwbVpd60k1qI-WKrlJMcQkUuoHTGHA4i6C6Gg41RGO24vb/s320/seoulvillage2022koreaClimateActionTrackerSum.png.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV45ddAGdtE76Ubu3C1ikDUPJQD9Z9cs4DLk77V7vVkooK6PrQJdDAFVGsM8sq4UPuDiqi2T2bYOd6GMgqUxr-1ZGJc0hDzqIM1aKqX1EpwiB_l4Cx15u00-escKIGrRMZ-9_yzzwm39NOMiJzk_x3p-wmdrwTJSgWXj3AlG9oeslrAhKu4lOuIW37/s1110/seoulvillage2022koreaClimateActionTracker.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1110" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV45ddAGdtE76Ubu3C1ikDUPJQD9Z9cs4DLk77V7vVkooK6PrQJdDAFVGsM8sq4UPuDiqi2T2bYOd6GMgqUxr-1ZGJc0hDzqIM1aKqX1EpwiB_l4Cx15u00-escKIGrRMZ-9_yzzwm39NOMiJzk_x3p-wmdrwTJSgWXj3AlG9oeslrAhKu4lOuIW37/s320/seoulvillage2022koreaClimateActionTracker.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Climate Action Tracker, Mars 2022</span></i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Water, biomass, and forest management is already a strategic challenge,
particularly in a country where a lot of the trees share the same age
thanks to the massive tree-planting campaign of the 60s. It would be
nice to involve, once again, all the population in a collective effort that
would benefit generations to come. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Big cities, starting with Seoul, are already experimenting and
benchmarking best practices, because everybody knows that when cities
become the solution, differences can be made much faster. Obviously, a lot remains to be done. Making sure every new project should contribute to improving natural temperature control or water collection / management could help.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea tends to forget that its landscapes have been degraded far beyond urban environments, and again (see "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2021/04/from-zombie-maeul-to-seed-village-from.html">From zombie maeul to seed village - from fake startup communities to real Communities-as-a-Startup</a>"), the country must start reconsidering and rethinking its rural world as a key asset for the future.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>' (12 fictions, free ebook).<br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* BTW bad news on the pandemic front: experts expect a second massive wave of coronavirus cases from August as people will gather in confined, air conditioned area, and most of them will have lost a lot of resistance to the virus (most received their last dose of vaccine last year). </span></p><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-34494189838800249372022-04-29T00:23:00.001-07:002023-08-10T18:27:21.859-07:00Seoul's Waterfront Renaissance<p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Seoul">Seoul</a> has always been defined by its most valuable environmental assets: its countless <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/stream">waterways</a>, and the mountains that feed them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">From the start, the capital revolved around <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheonggyecheon">Cheonggyecheon</a> and its network of streamlets: <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgNnzYpK3jUWdSqBzDkzgel3IDL63abQyTsOuBaSql5oa_7chvCFWpWObuNys7Dwftkfa8ZHPGoeg4Ui19wNGR2lwPnDHZmpsmEpNT5C6JNA0hITdmvob3a97XaHQ8eFD8QNUzNlvk-YoTNZMjDOCv6Co8ys-lVsO47rMn76fe37glHPdBCc0RaTt/s612/SeoulVillageCheonggyecheonNetwork.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="612" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgNnzYpK3jUWdSqBzDkzgel3IDL63abQyTsOuBaSql5oa_7chvCFWpWObuNys7Dwftkfa8ZHPGoeg4Ui19wNGR2lwPnDHZmpsmEpNT5C6JNA0hITdmvob3a97XaHQ8eFD8QNUzNlvk-YoTNZMjDOCv6Co8ys-lVsO47rMn76fe37glHPdBCc0RaTt/s320/SeoulVillageCheonggyecheonNetwork.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nowadays, </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Hangang">Han River</a> tells what's </span>North and what's South, but waterways still account for 8.1% of Seoul's land (below in 2010):<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdql5jgJWxjKXfXulNEZ3HYmSZTd7teIeTu-HoasX_vHX3ycvkc0PxD4Djei5yiesi54SnYYKpjfyjVatFl2yOmuf7Za4GO8HEHNJCYu3IMn_kxEVo3E_TULiSIwoNPD3BCuAElRp7a2L7HA6JUSAlPMBwUoz52BHvIuPJY_sBOwINpM9tzL6ZDcsx/s2598/SeoulVillage2013SeoulLandUse2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2126" data-original-width="2598" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdql5jgJWxjKXfXulNEZ3HYmSZTd7teIeTu-HoasX_vHX3ycvkc0PxD4Djei5yiesi54SnYYKpjfyjVatFl2yOmuf7Za4GO8HEHNJCYu3IMn_kxEVo3E_TULiSIwoNPD3BCuAElRp7a2L7HA6JUSAlPMBwUoz52BHvIuPJY_sBOwINpM9tzL6ZDcsx/s320/SeoulVillage2013SeoulLandUse2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After pouring concrete all over the place to tame the powerful Hangang and its tributaries, to stabilize unstable riverbanks, and to prevent recurring floods, the city has reopened its heart to its waterways, rediscovered them as leisure paths and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/environment">environmental</a> treasures. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Following the restoration of Cheonggyecheon, the Hangang Renaissance, and the restoration of neighborhood streamlets, m</span>asses of humans, birds, and even fishes have flocked back to Seoul's watersides. Yes, more concrete was often poured in the process, but biomass keeps growing, embankments are often doubled with natural fish nurseries, and significant wetlands have been created. </span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbMd9nEJKvY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbMd9nEJKvY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> </div></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> </div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> </div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> </div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> </div></a></span><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbMd9nEJKvY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Stephane MOT (@stephanemot)</a></span></p></div></blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;"> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /></span><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbECBcbJOV_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbECBcbJOV_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> </div></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> </div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> </div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> </div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> </div></a></span><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbECBcbJOV_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Stephane MOT (@stephanemot)</a></span></p></div></blockquote><p> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Citizens are already very active along these waterways, thanks to all the infrastructure needed by strollers, cyclists, or workout maniacs: <br /></span></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CayzKeXJ-AJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CayzKeXJ-AJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> </div></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> </div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> </div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> </div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> </div></a></span><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CayzKeXJ-AJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Stephane MOT (@stephanemot)</a></span></p></div></blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;"> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But water level and street level are seldom seamlessly connected, and for good reasons: flash floods remain a constant threat, and these waterways help the city cope with extreme downpour. On such occasions, riversides must be evacuated immediately. Still, more citizens could spend more leisure time there, particularly when they crave for more free and cool open spaces.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">More than a decade after his Hangang Renaissance project, Mayor <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/OH%20Se-hoon">OH Se-hoon</a> aims at a 'Jicheon Renaissance' leveraging Seoul's 332 km of waterways. Not just with more hardware, but with more content and culture, a better connection to local neighborhoods and markets, More 'emotion', as part of an 'Emotional City' of the future vision.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Starting with 4 pilot projects along three streamlets (<span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc">Dorimcheon, Jeongneungcheon, and Hongjecheon), with 2 more sites by 2030 (<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Anyangcheon">Anyangcheon</a> and </span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Jungnangcheon">Jungnangcheon</a>):</span></span></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Hongjecheon">Hongjecheon</a> will never fulfill its great potential as long as the Naebu Expressway disgraces it (see "</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/11/along-hongjecheon-my-way-or-highway.html">Along Hongjecheon, my way or the highway</a><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc">"), and the pilot will focus on two spots: upstream at Hongjimun and </span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc">Tangchundaeseong, midway at the artificial waterfall near <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Seodaemun">Seodaemun</a> District Office, with a place to have a drink. <br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrQbeZbDCwylJYwBkkddaFXDv97O9gynV9YRb7-_05cQET7f0U3YQEdw6tiXrOFUafTVabHYR2RwkKkmHLiIUzxPQR_e-4uwswBrc3zfLh2akOM9Xc1pKEPkecyilkSeSRoO5aqdYGp4eq-rATtT-qDemuNXKmIeLRlPgIU9ItnuZ0VIq1ipvJm6C/s760/SeoulVillage202204hongjecheon1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="760" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrQbeZbDCwylJYwBkkddaFXDv97O9gynV9YRb7-_05cQET7f0U3YQEdw6tiXrOFUafTVabHYR2RwkKkmHLiIUzxPQR_e-4uwswBrc3zfLh2akOM9Xc1pKEPkecyilkSeSRoO5aqdYGp4eq-rATtT-qDemuNXKmIeLRlPgIU9ItnuZ0VIq1ipvJm6C/s320/SeoulVillage202204hongjecheon1.png" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh05zHQfp2RjtK-B6Jvp3PTn0jqZneKiPMvdvC1vCk-daGd7o7Uac1Orp2vXOPYE1Av5nA0FTsseKeWtDZ_MnzH84hD6RMixquCi5_IcYfAsicIz7nDmETDIxNnUq0XXC18U5oEExSatuWW-9VLUg3TZ5XBPJTHqyJdYXwPXG_xaYSKh-8gR1XHGZt/s760/SeoulVillage202204hongjecheon2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="760" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh05zHQfp2RjtK-B6Jvp3PTn0jqZneKiPMvdvC1vCk-daGd7o7Uac1Orp2vXOPYE1Av5nA0FTsseKeWtDZ_MnzH84hD6RMixquCi5_IcYfAsicIz7nDmETDIxNnUq0XXC18U5oEExSatuWW-9VLUg3TZ5XBPJTHqyJdYXwPXG_xaYSKh-8gR1XHGZt/s320/SeoulVillage202204hongjecheon2.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDkUVDeLViBR5x20awRkTAWTko0MYtkQxaNcVGlw0sa-os2TSCNt2svY06qhAQUGGKxyjEnAeIQRtYHkbFWFmOLb0tSzrZXhe7wGZfjvIcyyw8kwniIe2P3W40zAmXhXiOsUiEXsNwQj_QYYIpVUjwBhNxASGkO4LTdetiacOZbge7Yz1I54Kg8-6/s760/SeoulVillage202204hongjecheon3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="760" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDkUVDeLViBR5x20awRkTAWTko0MYtkQxaNcVGlw0sa-os2TSCNt2svY06qhAQUGGKxyjEnAeIQRtYHkbFWFmOLb0tSzrZXhe7wGZfjvIcyyw8kwniIe2P3W40zAmXhXiOsUiEXsNwQj_QYYIpVUjwBhNxASGkO4LTdetiacOZbge7Yz1I54Kg8-6/s320/SeoulVillage202204hongjecheon3.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Dorimcheon">Dorimcheon</a> is more about the connection to the neighborhood and its businesses, with decks to make the transition and chill out:<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGW53ydWzfEkObVuTt9dduJnIiW9H_2bOxNChL-IFz42G3zvlQvXDv9Hv9Qmbj7AFDgmsZXypwjtRMmpxm1kdVOSCl4hcTJI7sOdj4b5k_rz-S0oaNn79XMYHFPIDysM3fNpBAJ873dXGi4HgQ7SXalvknhx-H4oyICicsdwX32JqKl_Vceiw20z0R/s760/SeoulVillage202204dorimcheon2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="760" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGW53ydWzfEkObVuTt9dduJnIiW9H_2bOxNChL-IFz42G3zvlQvXDv9Hv9Qmbj7AFDgmsZXypwjtRMmpxm1kdVOSCl4hcTJI7sOdj4b5k_rz-S0oaNn79XMYHFPIDysM3fNpBAJ873dXGi4HgQ7SXalvknhx-H4oyICicsdwX32JqKl_Vceiw20z0R/s320/SeoulVillage202204dorimcheon2.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgmQXJ3_vJCz1Ai7Sx-jdpotOSUA5OJHE7ZpjkIjmPBvM4B-5oguqH_Xc0NhMU0b3R8JhrQCw-F_--NktJ3lMoNy7-E-css0s8MQjJgGkiDbyVVPSo4b_YFn_LKh7nSEoGFjDCTcHufjiwESdt62HXHzDDVme28yi0zejPc5GhAuAvKj_fdEpy7k7/s760/SeoulVillage202204dorimcheon1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="760" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgmQXJ3_vJCz1Ai7Sx-jdpotOSUA5OJHE7ZpjkIjmPBvM4B-5oguqH_Xc0NhMU0b3R8JhrQCw-F_--NktJ3lMoNy7-E-css0s8MQjJgGkiDbyVVPSo4b_YFn_LKh7nSEoGFjDCTcHufjiwESdt62HXHzDDVme28yi0zejPc5GhAuAvKj_fdEpy7k7/s320/SeoulVillage202204dorimcheon1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"> <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Jongneungcheon">Jeongneungcheon</a> will add a cultural layer through a new media art space: <br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_EufqtX2KE2seO8vpbwizKMQBECyQEbLJ6Qt3kb0_Eg1hrsSqmRGaHmMfsQqFYBNhwHRsI7UBdHY7tnksed6NjuBNeWLr3tIAeoTC4rU641TQ1SqsNQsY206c164dWj567CUKWPUP2bTUrXKsFAcsDMlLSP2Ao9J3RUlm2msBIrceubFvVjx88OZ/s760/SeoulVillage202204jeongneungcheon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="760" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_EufqtX2KE2seO8vpbwizKMQBECyQEbLJ6Qt3kb0_Eg1hrsSqmRGaHmMfsQqFYBNhwHRsI7UBdHY7tnksed6NjuBNeWLr3tIAeoTC4rU641TQ1SqsNQsY206c164dWj567CUKWPUP2bTUrXKsFAcsDMlLSP2Ao9J3RUlm2msBIrceubFvVjx88OZ/s320/SeoulVillage202204jeongneungcheon.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QSpRbRc95YTByRgBr88Cs45g9yzk5vKqNp3W4lMYbN9vUAcChju6CKLN_DIQZTXY9FpinedN0A3RGxjD8-1z-CYFhEgecFaJt1YzWkcIv1kHvJWEOZaYbG-WC00CaVAQaKFlYlXTydQvQ1oJ9hIVF5oOLZgZhtZjwB0acMF7VgLKBZACdBOUmTB9/s760/SeoulVillage202204jeongneungcheon2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="760" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QSpRbRc95YTByRgBr88Cs45g9yzk5vKqNp3W4lMYbN9vUAcChju6CKLN_DIQZTXY9FpinedN0A3RGxjD8-1z-CYFhEgecFaJt1YzWkcIv1kHvJWEOZaYbG-WC00CaVAQaKFlYlXTydQvQ1oJ9hIVF5oOLZgZhtZjwB0acMF7VgLKBZACdBOUmTB9/s320/SeoulVillage202204jeongneungcheon2.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc">Of course, all this requires water, particularly since the city intends to make these shallow streamlets a bit deeper (</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc">from a very thin 10 cm to a more significant</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> 30 cm). So backstage, there's a lot of work to improve water and waste management. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc">Today, 18 streamlets including Cheonggyecheon are actually fed with water recycled from the Han River, and climate change has spectacularly dried up the whole nation. Even if I knew Seoul experienced very few precipitations last Winter, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc">I was stunned to see </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> in a recent treck up <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Bukhansan">Bukhansan</a>, how parched soils were. But the only time water streamed by was magical:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcsFePTpMgi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcsFePTpMgi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> </div></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> </div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> </div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> </div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> </div></a></span><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcsFePTpMgi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Stephane MOT (@stephanemot)</a></span></p></div></blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;"> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span class="Q4iAWc"> </span></span></span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As usual, I guess we'll have more imperfect, odd spaces requiring some improvement in further iterations. But overall, Seoul keeps democratizing access to quality time and nature, even if that's in not so natural spaces.<br /><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br />
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<!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--> <script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-33628058384678368002022-03-10T21:27:00.005-08:002023-04-11T00:44:43.371-07:00YSY does it?<p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Every five year, </span>I have the same dream: that Korea switches to a two-round system for its presidential elections, which would not only reflect more accurately the diversity of opinions, but also result in mergers much more transparent, fair, and based on policies. But no. As usual, we witnessed last minute, winner-takes-all mergers between individuals. And as usual, the dozen-plus roster boiled down to two heavyweights snatching 95% of the cake. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I wish SIM Sang-jun had raised the issue during her otherwise perfect concession speech. She did claim 800k votes and AHN Cheol-soo at least one third of that even without running (judging by the 300k invalid votes due to last minute withdrawals), but both would have scored much much higher otherwise, forcing main candidates to move closer to the center before the second round.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If none of the polls that followed the YOON-AHN alliance* were made public because they were too close to the elections, they all put the opposition candidate ahead by two to seven points. Yet YOON eventually finished only less than 250k votes ahead of LEE - less than what he gained in Seoul alone:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb1IAzDEMYi-MHzzWlwDEHC6l6uCLZzOGW6EOn5oQFzEIZDvCAnrnpgXXyIl-3PKE3s1QFRBlItRLhhBi5u5h85Ic-14u9RXnkByyH11sRathPA_8_Bfd0VuRwIg951E4PICZ4-txaUKJ-6DlqgJy8DD9XWd6OxvpSF4AVd8tW40AjZqs368UQMXaq=s1716" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1716" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb1IAzDEMYi-MHzzWlwDEHC6l6uCLZzOGW6EOn5oQFzEIZDvCAnrnpgXXyIl-3PKE3s1QFRBlItRLhhBi5u5h85Ic-14u9RXnkByyH11sRathPA_8_Bfd0VuRwIg951E4PICZ4-txaUKJ-6DlqgJy8DD9XWd6OxvpSF4AVd8tW40AjZqs368UQMXaq=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJIrYv7Jra_t59wJuJSZ6p3UDqG0L4ufIsmlvjOYA_gJJ5gODrf_VHrEwj7osql3SrYKqBWeDkAfRleWyJolr8m5LrsXH6EOVNH52ZlggbfZ-CmyJvyy0XFx1L87p8t6B7rn3bv-UzikTkCKPFNAttTCITp-UNA49qKBhja9QSwbHGFKuarQVfiLBj=s1702" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1702" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJIrYv7Jra_t59wJuJSZ6p3UDqG0L4ufIsmlvjOYA_gJJ5gODrf_VHrEwj7osql3SrYKqBWeDkAfRleWyJolr8m5LrsXH6EOVNH52ZlggbfZ-CmyJvyy0XFx1L87p8t6B7rn3bv-UzikTkCKPFNAttTCITp-UNA49qKBhja9QSwbHGFKuarQVfiLBj=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The capital city confirmed its 2021 rejection of a ruling party that
lost not only key strongholds there, but also 4 of the 5 assembly seats
in play nationwide on the same election night (by a much wider margin than for the
presidential election).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Absolutely not Trumpian on that one, LEE Jae-myung conceded very gracefully. He would have had a difficult time trying to contest the score after the troubling incidents in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, or Jeju-do that cast serious doubts about electoral integrity. The nation could even have faced a major crisis if LEE had won very narrowly. MOON Jae-in and the controversial head of the National Election Commission NOH Jeong-hee did apologize for the 'incidents', but they involved officials who had to be more than aware of the existential threat their behavior represented for democracy, and they looked disturbingly consistent with the extreme episodes witnessed during the administration's attacks on justice.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hopefully, this closer than expected final gap was mainly due to the ruling party's last ditch mobilization of its formidable turnout machine combined with a weakened motivation on the other side: AHN guaranteed YOON's win, why vote for such an uninspiring candidate?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">By all means, YOON Seok-youl, a reluctant politician, was not a good candidate. And he was far from always a candidate for good. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Ch1pfOBadaxNrV-N34hpcikzRrzgmOsMGtOS0d4xlCFNUS0WvFbOfOdHJvIhgQS96_E7h3PKWl-3zTuUg99YtzJRnKtID8e0fhFjeLwGHf0pu1B0IMxoBUlg-VbZVSshx0tFSJRP9rbaUhinZaNW3o_EuIsYkpDuVaiDVf7HjuIPefE588Itpx3H=s570" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Ch1pfOBadaxNrV-N34hpcikzRrzgmOsMGtOS0d4xlCFNUS0WvFbOfOdHJvIhgQS96_E7h3PKWl-3zTuUg99YtzJRnKtID8e0fhFjeLwGHf0pu1B0IMxoBUlg-VbZVSshx0tFSJRP9rbaUhinZaNW3o_EuIsYkpDuVaiDVf7HjuIPefE588Itpx3H=s320" width="295" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I disagree with many elements of the candidate's program, but I want him to deliver the goods on one key front: democracy, justice, the constitution. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea needs the YOON who, as a student under the dictatorship, led a trial of CHUN Doo-hwan.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea needs the YOON who, in 2013, was suspended for refusing to stop investigating the meddling of LEE Myung-bak's secret services into the 2012 presidential elections.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea needs the YOON who joined the team that prosecuted PARK Geun-hye. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea needs the YOON MOON Jae-in handpicked as his Eliot Ness to lead the nation prosecutors and justice reform, and who said no when MOON told him to stop investigating Cho Kuk or Cheong Wa Dae corruption. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Korea needs the YOON whom both the extreme left and the extreme right hate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And that YOON would better show up. Five years ago**, Korea needed the MOON who stood for democracy, and ended up with another one who undermined it. This divided nation can't afford another betrayal.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">YOON's one mission as a candidate was to kick the ruling party out of
Cheong Wa Dae, and that will be done when the transition is over. As a
president-elect, his mission will be to gather a team that can inspire
voters for the upcoming legislative elections, but also reach across the
aisle, to moderates among a hostile assembly. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Very transparent about his lack of experience as a politician, the man has a reputation to delegate a lot, to let pros do their job, and to take full responsibility. YSY does it. So casting will be key.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Candidate YOON needed the
People Power Party to run and AHN Cheol-soo to win, President YOON simply can't succeed with the PPP platform. And clearly, there's no way he can unite the nation if he keeps including LEE Jun-seok's anti-feminist agenda. Ideally, that young lad should be the first one to be shown the door, and AHN Cheol-soo should lead the transition team.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm not forgetting another essential role of the President: representing and defending the nation in these very troubled times. And Russia's invasion of Ukraine already impacted the campaign and the region:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">not very good news for a nuclear-free peninsula: another motive for North Korea to keep its weaponry, another motive for South Korea to revive its civil program (MOON Jae-in even had the gall to say the nuclear energy he's been dismantling for years was strategic for the nation's future....)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">not very good news for Yankees-Go-Home cheerleaders: while LEE Jae-myung struggled with his base, YOON Seok-youl could herald the alliance full throttle. Joe Biden didn't even wait for concession or acceptance speeches to congratulate his preferred (and fellow gaffe-a-day) candidate.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">not very good news for XI Jinping's plans to invade Taiwan. And now he knows bullies can be bullied. XI has yet to congratulate a man who made no mystery about where he stands between the US and China.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">good news for the Korea-Japan dialog: YOON sent clear, positive signals. Let's hope his sense of justice will make him nonetheless stand for the last survivors of Imperial Japan's sexual slavery system, who can't wait for another term.<br /></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;">T</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ensions are likely to exacerbate in the region because of Putin's war, but much of the
ambiguity will be gone, which may paradoxically be helpful for some
meaningful diplomacy (including why not with North Korea). Interesting to see how existing and new alliances evolve or take shape.<br /></span><br />On all fronts, please, more pragmatism and common sense, less ideology (yes, </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> that includes you, Milton Friedman).</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Please, more transparency, more accountability.<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As usual, I'll be keeping a critical eye on the rulers. With cautious hope.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* see "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2022/03/ahn-cheol-soo-joins-yoon-seok-youl.html">AHN Cheol-soo joins YOON Seok-youl</a>"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">** see "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2017/05/a-new-moon-jae-in.html">A new MOON Jae-in?</a>" </span> </p><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-70064805894903214472022-03-02T19:39:00.002-08:002022-07-05T23:20:43.036-07:00AHN Cheol-soo joins YOON Seok-youl<p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Last night, following the last presidential debate, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Ahn%20Cheol-Soo">AHN Cheol-soo</a> decided to stop his campaign and give his full support to <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/YOON%20Seok-youl">YOON Seok-youl</a>. Expected almost from the start*, this move was postponed until the last possible moment to mark AHN's ballot papers, even if voting has already started overseas.<br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD9n6k2sMvhuG3LHNwjJOSHPWMcGbA19oaaUG3lhVJIJWtEAyG6zTfU4Lb8i8MEDUwtC38dKysiOQtzjjkkQ0q5NjmoXwl6ZbqxwWqsWISfD16joZY99mpwJlTYRwJRS5Tdk7Xpe2N3RDFB2Me2KL2R1Gckvy4xHhJzy3-WXJR1JojvDk8Y3Kfmty0=s801" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="801" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD9n6k2sMvhuG3LHNwjJOSHPWMcGbA19oaaUG3lhVJIJWtEAyG6zTfU4Lb8i8MEDUwtC38dKysiOQtzjjkkQ0q5NjmoXwl6ZbqxwWqsWISfD16joZY99mpwJlTYRwJRS5Tdk7Xpe2N3RDFB2Me2KL2R1Gckvy4xHhJzy3-WXJR1JojvDk8Y3Kfmty0=s320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"Ahn Cheol-soo and Yoon Seok-youl in joint presser to announce campaign merger" (20220303 - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1499159949062017025">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1499159949062017025</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage" target="_blank">theSeoulVillage</a>)</i><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/AhnLab">AhnLab</a> founder lifts YOON's candidacy on such key issues as innovation, economy, education, or health. Mostly, he brings guarantees about his capacity to unite around the center, and to mobilize younger generations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A reluctant candidate and a mediocre campaigner, YOON hesitated a long time before joining the PPP, an irrelevant opposition party where he had to compose with obsolete paleo-conservatives on one extreme and aggressive young anti-feminists on the other: <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/PARK%20Geun-hye">PARK Geun-hye</a> supporters never forgave him his role in her imprisonment, and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/LEE%20Jun-seok">LEE Jun-seok</a> excels at dragging his candidacy down. Today, YOON was obviously relieved to see AHN unlock the shackles and help him focus on what matters most to him: healing Korean democracy, starting with justice.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first mission of the united ticket is to prevent <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/LEE%20Jae-myung">LEE Jae-myung</a> from reaching power. Protected by the government, the controversial populist was able to cruise during the campaign without fear of being investigated in the Daejang-dong scandal. And if the family of the women murdered by his nephew (whom he defended
during the trial) sued him for dismissing the double murder as 'dating
violence', this most <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Donald%20Trump">Trumpian</a> character played the clock by delaying his answers to the judge beyond the legal limits, pushing the next steps until after the elections. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Imagine what this man could do if he reached presidency and enjoyed the total impunity created by the ruling party's most outrageous reform: the de facto end of oversight of the executive power and the creation of the highly controversial Corruption Investigation Office, which was instantly weaponized to harass YOON and to protect <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Cheong%20Wa%20Dae">Cheong Wa Dae</a> from embarrassing scandals.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On that one, MOON clearly insulted <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/ROH%20Moo-hyun">ROH Moo-hyun</a>'s memory: the late president, a man who genuinely cared for democracy and justice, would have been appalled by a move that also betrayed the spirit of 2016, when the population overwhelmingly called for a defense of both, and the respect of separation of powers. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Beyond LEE and Trump, I often make a parallel between <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Korea">Korea</a>'s ruling party and the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/USA">US</a> Republican party. Both have lost their way on what used to make them most respectable. Both need to lose in 2022 if they don't want to lose their souls. And both need to humbly return to the drawing board (preferably not to push for more gerrymandering or deceitful schemes).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It may sound indecent to talk about existential threat when thousands die in Ukraine under <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Russia">Russian</a> aggression, but this time, Korea must get it right, and heal from its core. And its center.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br />* and not even one year after AHN's merger with <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/OH%20Se-hoon">OH Se-hoon</a> ("<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2021/04/after-oh-se-hoons-hangang-renaissance.html">After OH Se-hoon's Hangang Renaissance, Who In 2022?</a>")</span></p><p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-27544578990651654192022-01-26T00:31:00.006-08:002022-01-26T21:32:58.666-08:00More Gwanghwamun Square previews<p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Seoul revealed new visuals of Gwanghwamun Square 3.0, which shall be inaugurated in July.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoF4aICUrvufU85PG8_8_MCPm1jLIqIfpw3DofW5hl0_bgtkgQ3nes4TzhBuwrRU7mYshgg09J9dbQkyRIQNAPgJe7b16N0mlMi84dMAD0nqD-h9t3KNOhOI4tJiOiJwJ99gdSsfUOudHUuqMENVoXsL8plSo1XizU1fbHChYDgv3nVZreu8DluJEA=s760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="760" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoF4aICUrvufU85PG8_8_MCPm1jLIqIfpw3DofW5hl0_bgtkgQ3nes4TzhBuwrRU7mYshgg09J9dbQkyRIQNAPgJe7b16N0mlMi84dMAD0nqD-h9t3KNOhOI4tJiOiJwJ99gdSsfUOudHUuqMENVoXsL8plSo1XizU1fbHChYDgv3nVZreu8DluJEA=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They prolong the last major iteration presented in 2019 ("<a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2019/01/gwanghwamun-square-30-re-deep-surfaces.html">Gwanghwamun Square 3.0 re-Deep-Surfaces</a>"), which corrected one of the worst urbanistic blunders of the initial version ("<a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2018/04/gwanghwamun-square-enters-third.html">Gwanghwamun Square Enters Third Dimension</a>"). PARK Won-soon's team rushed the construction a few months before the elections without conducting any decent impact survey, and work started late 2020. As soon as OH Se-hoon returned as mayor, he paused the site to assess the situation, but the changes could only be cosmetic.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihtebWAZg9MBbd0-HWVMYtHgX15hp8D3HBoSSQGKUXpYM71famsUXGY_4oaeXF1G5Fl653JXSNZe12mclHmv5LOGdJ7JDSQBBxIjq3ycQypFqjqKON0qis52crX4bEMI5iAQZB9OYsaJB4stumPiDM67Kgd6vTmzfcFBCUv6retH0tVAmRImChS8VT=s988" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihtebWAZg9MBbd0-HWVMYtHgX15hp8D3HBoSSQGKUXpYM71famsUXGY_4oaeXF1G5Fl653JXSNZe12mclHmv5LOGdJ7JDSQBBxIjq3ycQypFqjqKON0qis52crX4bEMI5iAQZB9OYsaJB4stumPiDM67Kgd6vTmzfcFBCUv6retH0tVAmRImChS8VT=s320" width="246" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Woldae extension in front of the palace gate will only be created next year, so we have yet to see how vehicles flow around <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Yulgok-ro">Yulgok-ro</a>'s future curve. Adjusting to the modifications already in place is not always easy. As </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">expected, the intersection in front of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Sajik-dan">Sajik-dan</a> helps reconnect both sides of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Sajik-dong">Sajik-dong</a>, but </span>the impossible new U-turn just North of the Government building stops functioning as soon as traffic slows down (</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">too close before a major traffic light, </span>unlike the old one heading for Sajik tunnel).<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Most important, Seoul's defining axis is preserved, with its iconic <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gwanghwamun">Gwanghwamun</a>-<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gyeongbokgung">Gyeongbokgung</a>-<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Bugaksan">Bugaksan</a>
perspective, and pedestrians will enjoy a 20 m-wide park with a vast selection of tree species, guaranteeing natural shade and oxygen as they grow. That's where most of the extension (from 18 to 40,000 square meters) comes from. People will be able to sit on benches and along the Haechi Madang ramp, where street animations may bloom next to the new media wall.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju9gNOnaJx7jywJcETYzQKq4CTVnXHFEz6L83Ab_ikIFGgqJRG8ivBLNiJvYUbF28whZng53hY74sqkOVVXSlc0-ElhiRBH9zntNA4B4yU4kNB5pUH6x_LJO9THVmMVwfxKg5IyoTjQGYUQ_ePTCTm1ChsRuTP1gO8dGJ9qNBYjSfD-TzKUnW-KAZn=s760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="760" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju9gNOnaJx7jywJcETYzQKq4CTVnXHFEz6L83Ab_ikIFGgqJRG8ivBLNiJvYUbF28whZng53hY74sqkOVVXSlc0-ElhiRBH9zntNA4B4yU4kNB5pUH6x_LJO9THVmMVwfxKg5IyoTjQGYUQ_ePTCTm1ChsRuTP1gO8dGJ9qNBYjSfD-TzKUnW-KAZn=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Sejongdaero">Sejong-daero</a>'s
pedestrian and cycling experience has already been improved with the new
green walks and bike lanes added on the way to Namdaemun (see "<a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/lower-sejongdaeros-turn.html">Lower Sejongdaero's turn</a>"). With its fountain tunnel and pavement fountain, the 'Gwanghwamun' Lounge section is likely to welcome kids and keep them fresh during the Summer. If some artifacts found during the renovation shall be on display in the cultural section, most of the Joseon era infrastructures (see timeline*) shall be covered again. I hope the tribute to Yukjo street will not look to corny. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg02mktai5NH4A2PUAIVjpYqEuFKdQPGrqke7jByLP0bB97Of6xuQlt4p_8p5zWWdsCZ8rd0KvjbHG-uDQrDWR6TYByvNiIXUqy-MhnzaeXAG_U0apPm0c-nDdVmR8ydgAOW2ORsWj5L5Sr-hQ_5fep4nwuppH-RSNI3Qg6Rbs4z4reEKtl5xQvyIVw=s760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="760" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg02mktai5NH4A2PUAIVjpYqEuFKdQPGrqke7jByLP0bB97Of6xuQlt4p_8p5zWWdsCZ8rd0KvjbHG-uDQrDWR6TYByvNiIXUqy-MhnzaeXAG_U0apPm0c-nDdVmR8ydgAOW2ORsWj5L5Sr-hQ_5fep4nwuppH-RSNI3Qg6Rbs4z4reEKtl5xQvyIVw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGcM7NSo794cg3df7CPwdAiJuYJyczK5D8SlWwmrJFJfDuQCZLy2B6aopjyd9MsyFDyTUDgWnmF4gx60GUzV3cl-G-eHTsHiAJDkhdWtRHNnika1zmy3KOoWtGbS-J4qE4T664iht5E75m2lKV3mnx3tebD47FL0L-x_fhvhv4scXwnCzR-OZ7U9nX=s760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="760" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGcM7NSo794cg3df7CPwdAiJuYJyczK5D8SlWwmrJFJfDuQCZLy2B6aopjyd9MsyFDyTUDgWnmF4gx60GUzV3cl-G-eHTsHiAJDkhdWtRHNnika1zmy3KOoWtGbS-J4qE4T664iht5E75m2lKV3mnx3tebD47FL0L-x_fhvhv4scXwnCzR-OZ7U9nX=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5dTzc3NEXYzDtPKa0PtiFAZ7aUROTRm1an2ySIK45f1l9XX6PH5okgn4B28OIplK3zAZjySh7k7XappihkQG-9-1VC5ma29AEHDhbgQ4QLx-HGMjEdEBZU16oteOYkmU-fbuvi_gnZIHns7uybQUEU58MXZhEa4iAiqBXTQfHYLZ2l-zGe1SdrB4P=s760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="760" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5dTzc3NEXYzDtPKa0PtiFAZ7aUROTRm1an2ySIK45f1l9XX6PH5okgn4B28OIplK3zAZjySh7k7XappihkQG-9-1VC5ma29AEHDhbgQ4QLx-HGMjEdEBZU16oteOYkmU-fbuvi_gnZIHns7uybQUEU58MXZhEa4iAiqBXTQfHYLZ2l-zGe1SdrB4P=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtpKofSkKJqYVN4Mk5YbQGkJGrtgaTcVaf42kNw7WB1ls5AD_nuPidww9vUzaQ_K5vxie3lUvGrxwULJm4RvYu--k1634JSLkyHmoEnGNV3Ye49J4yMXMmNft87CIxti_CfV6C0YF72V_11VbeF1ICGajE0X9aOfRKEClQ1UlFQxNapA9E92u3okAg=s760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="760" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtpKofSkKJqYVN4Mk5YbQGkJGrtgaTcVaf42kNw7WB1ls5AD_nuPidww9vUzaQ_K5vxie3lUvGrxwULJm4RvYu--k1634JSLkyHmoEnGNV3Ye49J4yMXMmNft87CIxti_CfV6C0YF72V_11VbeF1ICGajE0X9aOfRKEClQ1UlFQxNapA9E92u3okAg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the Eastern side, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Junghak-dong">Junghak-dong</a> will not host a simple reconstitution of the old Uijeongbu site, but a fusion <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/hanok">hanok</a> exhibition space. I wish there were more trees in that section, but that can (and probably will, if they want the spot to be successful) be fixed later.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This Uijeongbu project was on display at the <a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Seoul%20HOUR">Seoul Hall Of Urbanism</a> (see again timeline below*) during the low key, pandemic-plagued 3rd edition of the <a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Seoul%20Biennale">Seoul Biennale</a> of <a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/architecture">Architecture</a> and <a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/urbanism">Urbanism</a>. <a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Seoul%20Biennale">SBAU</a> will return in September 2023, with CHO Byung-soo (BCHO Architects) as its Director. This architects knows a bit about dao, and Seoul could do with some more harmony...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ganghwamun Square reopening in the heat of the Summer will be a perfect crash test. I'm pretty sure Seoulites will quickly make it their own. At least during the evenings. And as much as that damned <a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> will allow. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* From <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage" target="_blank">@theSeoulVillage</a> timeline: </span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ87IKTW7gKJSjXLzFDz5ungKfbuWr2qDW1D09EnbKtpALYh6bS4nyWJKGonwIZues6Dv7u_q87OVSanZ5Vg5WQSaeqUkjoQ2QirXqguacbaIqA49Uo829gzUQ5CmhlvuVOReWwANS-5Y9pYaJ12_WrExFSUdKkLQDyKcHi6Azwc8wyUMLfIW8WMFd=s645" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="445" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ87IKTW7gKJSjXLzFDz5ungKfbuWr2qDW1D09EnbKtpALYh6bS4nyWJKGonwIZues6Dv7u_q87OVSanZ5Vg5WQSaeqUkjoQ2QirXqguacbaIqA49Uo829gzUQ5CmhlvuVOReWwANS-5Y9pYaJ12_WrExFSUdKkLQDyKcHi6Azwc8wyUMLfIW8WMFd=s320" width="221" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="css-1dbjc4n"><div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1s2bzr4"><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="id__fl3qrr1h2v" lang="en"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i><span class="r-18u37iz">"Gwanghwamun Square</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> last week. </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Seoul</span></i></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span><i> started controversial revamping without a proper impact survey..." (20201220 - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1336888158437265408">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1336888158437265408</a>)</i></span><br /></span></span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXZOW6lm8e7rt5ctF_SqurhR_q8kpi3Dr0Z1z0s6K9kmEaMWbKTVUAOo3wlsgay9OFcaZg5AMzRaEf13ZpoihOLBwuA86j6u8AzfVloa-BwpwkZhGSES8RV1QioQ7A0CKv9KV26IFjdlpL0bjb0XKa0YO75DHelMILrtRdyi2uNc4GDHDVBjNQJgYS=s706" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="706" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXZOW6lm8e7rt5ctF_SqurhR_q8kpi3Dr0Z1z0s6K9kmEaMWbKTVUAOo3wlsgay9OFcaZg5AMzRaEf13ZpoihOLBwuA86j6u8AzfVloa-BwpwkZhGSES8RV1QioQ7A0CKv9KV26IFjdlpL0bjb0XKa0YO75DHelMILrtRdyi2uNc4GDHDVBjNQJgYS=s320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i>"The few changes since the initial plan won't prevent the expected traffic pandemonium. Tragic lack of urban planning, urbanism vision from Seoul... Sejong-daero Gwanghwamun" (20210221 - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1364019424752115720" target="_blank">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1364019424752115720</a>)</i></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijO-fgP4tnEQ7MBvrV-qRuiUu80F5Qs6oP31O5yFOMwhIjfWSgD7u-Yqfpv30RisCAHLi_csI8P2hBi9uOXPM_E_C22KjWd_7k705VBLKL-vUzj5xIHVYM-Y7cigoYUppGikt4L4c-uODgN172WApj8BGrYGNp23RNJgi0TvqqVE-TY7FTCdc3ev7C=s715" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="715" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijO-fgP4tnEQ7MBvrV-qRuiUu80F5Qs6oP31O5yFOMwhIjfWSgD7u-Yqfpv30RisCAHLi_csI8P2hBi9uOXPM_E_C22KjWd_7k705VBLKL-vUzj5xIHVYM-Y7cigoYUppGikt4L4c-uODgN172WApj8BGrYGNp23RNJgi0TvqqVE-TY7FTCdc3ev7C=s320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="css-1dbjc4n"><div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1s2bzr4"><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="id__70j3defqnqs" lang="en"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"Western side of </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Sejong-daero</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> / </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Gwanghwamun Square</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> to close tomorrow for the controversial revamping (future </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Jeokseon-dong</span></i></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span><i> loop in the foreground)" (20210305 - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1367760419218018306" target="_blank">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1367760419218018306</a>)</i></span><br /></span></span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1vDefP7lMkaCL5W2Cc7HE9rzjzTq8Mnk4AwRtQiUdqgpDH0vKtygHYnPVbLN6dYHrfGdIxeBwPtBzDkp4qjUQPDmZ3QH-A20F-1iPfENwsIj3Z3M_PQYiDtJOFAz9DqRj_VcTBlC3HIfIpIJKANBxtKeOd2bWGLKz7WPaivDUOvWOg53EAIKi6EPn=s751" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1vDefP7lMkaCL5W2Cc7HE9rzjzTq8Mnk4AwRtQiUdqgpDH0vKtygHYnPVbLN6dYHrfGdIxeBwPtBzDkp4qjUQPDmZ3QH-A20F-1iPfENwsIj3Z3M_PQYiDtJOFAz9DqRj_VcTBlC3HIfIpIJKANBxtKeOd2bWGLKz7WPaivDUOvWOg53EAIKi6EPn=s320" width="255" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"As expected, works on the Western side of </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Gwanghwamun Square</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> for its extension reveal </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Joseon</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> time artifacts and structures related to former ministries. Here, a waterway in </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Jeokseon-dong</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> (between </span><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Baekundongcheon"><span class="r-18u37iz">Baekundongcheon</span></a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> & </span><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Junghakcheon"><span class="r-18u37iz">Junghakcheon</span></a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> - see </span><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/2ciwG9kQvJ" rel="noopener noreferrer" role="link" target="_blank"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-hiw28u r-qvk6io r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">http://</span>seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2009/08/baekun<span aria-hidden="true" class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-hiw28u r-qvk6io r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">dongcheon-gwanghwamun-gil-river.html</span></a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/urbanism?src=hashtag_click" role="link">#urbanism</a></span></span></i><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><i><span>)." (20210319 - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1372721209939431427" target="_blank">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1372721209939431427</a>)</span></i><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFliqNnr5w2p8QY6SUCPQR6EBJV25DBl8ukgdK2rOW-j5BaOc4J0uCKfdLAYVrBc3cLS9XrlOSnVMjWNvT4ddTqSIVDIzU3_PA6yH3EfkQOeYkgxRBOAWGqP5ti7e9MkIADM5vK72jIWDD5VUvRoGBpZ9tp55wkVf9wY-P6vauwwJnfyYn84vJ0BTc=s757" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="603" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFliqNnr5w2p8QY6SUCPQR6EBJV25DBl8ukgdK2rOW-j5BaOc4J0uCKfdLAYVrBc3cLS9XrlOSnVMjWNvT4ddTqSIVDIzU3_PA6yH3EfkQOeYkgxRBOAWGqP5ti7e9MkIADM5vK72jIWDD5VUvRoGBpZ9tp55wkVf9wY-P6vauwwJnfyYn84vJ0BTc=s320" width="255" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="css-1dbjc4n"><div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1s2bzr4"><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="id__hk31kyvl76q" lang="en"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"I guess mainly to evacuate overflows towards </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Baekundongcheon</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">, to contain water damage in case of heavy rains. </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Gwanghwamun Square</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz">urbanism</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Jeokseon-dong</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">
Photo </span></i></span><span class="r-18u37iz"><span><i>Chosun Ilbo" (20210319 - <a href="http://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1372721211789037583">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1372721211789037583</a>)</i></span><br /></span></span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE31zDxLd50KM-ZUpHihdxpswXpSt5dccvCTc8SM9gyidoEh8lRX_CXZ5aq9YoIDY_Wcscfo_rQd8xrjdHLifDnVhano-emjc1-6Fq0n4nfW_SyzwPcWWIEOePZd_qatpKRRqfW5eAxpIenGvSCjf8eEVC0sqpoF1RzX3xzuFh_T6i5T50Me-rK8AF=s898" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="898" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE31zDxLd50KM-ZUpHihdxpswXpSt5dccvCTc8SM9gyidoEh8lRX_CXZ5aq9YoIDY_Wcscfo_rQd8xrjdHLifDnVhano-emjc1-6Fq0n4nfW_SyzwPcWWIEOePZd_qatpKRRqfW5eAxpIenGvSCjf8eEVC0sqpoF1RzX3xzuFh_T6i5T50Me-rK8AF=s320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span>"OH Se-hoon hits pause button on controversial Gwanghwamun Square revamping. Also asks <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Ahn%20Cheol-Soo">AHN Cheol-soo</a> to suggest talents for Seoul." (20210410 - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1380664510638264322" target="_blank">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1380664510638264322</a>)</span></i><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSO7JilzC3CfYxWE2vqzrZLpt9BCWw4rf6yPcfRkotbgudnWUPPry8pZCr05TtUpwnpAfpLBy8zbyYpCw0ZWs1hogDGQhPeL0RJXVTfLFA6-bgsOFKh4Tor-uxHKZQbIa8Fye2lArJ32fwko_AeYWJ5LLTaFoqFV7g_1ZTZv2v_0XlF7JgvvBsGUUO=s802" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="802" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSO7JilzC3CfYxWE2vqzrZLpt9BCWw4rf6yPcfRkotbgudnWUPPry8pZCr05TtUpwnpAfpLBy8zbyYpCw0ZWs1hogDGQhPeL0RJXVTfLFA6-bgsOFKh4Tor-uxHKZQbIa8Fye2lArJ32fwko_AeYWJ5LLTaFoqFV7g_1ZTZv2v_0XlF7JgvvBsGUUO=s320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="css-1dbjc4n"><div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1s2bzr4"><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="id__j4ao6c9xyn7" lang="en"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i><span class="r-18u37iz">"Seoul</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">'s unearthed </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Yukjogeori</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> during </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Gwanghwamun Square</span></i></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span><i> revamping:" (20210511 - <a href="http://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1391895161337090049">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1391895161337090049</a>)</i></span><br /></span></span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbH3o_FojOpviEnGGGObX03iAl6w3q2gtAxGk-cVdm6dCsQ1jolpgKwMboBFZE2JEVkbILR_sGUyT0Yo9rAWn_F4mfbXTncg-E7WmoJCYiFpQ6b4oiCrIdbeBMbKgxQDD1G4ehy9CammJUjzKB5sz3btNvNAPaEATkupWXee6zMjVSpv254KLy-Z7H=s898" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="898" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbH3o_FojOpviEnGGGObX03iAl6w3q2gtAxGk-cVdm6dCsQ1jolpgKwMboBFZE2JEVkbILR_sGUyT0Yo9rAWn_F4mfbXTncg-E7WmoJCYiFpQ6b4oiCrIdbeBMbKgxQDD1G4ehy9CammJUjzKB5sz3btNvNAPaEATkupWXee6zMjVSpv254KLy-Z7H=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfqi0AIQDhSpoCDgMpgpzIybav1MLzY6yIrmzlneEqXrshroXAEs_a4Tl2lsYH0oizDyoWi7lejLgC2eGDhItmwabFP0DA8BctylV87KRn1EaADP3ICcUKMlDX7UU9X0-yLFJpCQaWNGP-8kpGwbCtgkeqSBvDnC9TfNr3_9B0WOv745rD4TdyALdq=s904" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="904" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfqi0AIQDhSpoCDgMpgpzIybav1MLzY6yIrmzlneEqXrshroXAEs_a4Tl2lsYH0oizDyoWi7lejLgC2eGDhItmwabFP0DA8BctylV87KRn1EaADP3ICcUKMlDX7UU9X0-yLFJpCQaWNGP-8kpGwbCtgkeqSBvDnC9TfNr3_9B0WOv745rD4TdyALdq=s320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="css-1dbjc4n"><div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1s2bzr4"><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="id__n99v820aqe" lang="en"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i><span class="r-18u37iz">"Gwanghwamun</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">'s future </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Uijeongbu</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> site at </span><span class="r-18u37iz">Seoul HOUR</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> (</span><span class="r-18u37iz">Seoul Biennale</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> / </span><span class="r-18u37iz">SBAU</span></i></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span><i>):" (20211028 - <a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1453500318226935809" target="_blank">twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1453500318226935809</a>)</i></span><br /></span></span></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-12999092645774516962022-01-16T19:37:00.003-08:002022-01-16T21:59:06.442-08:00From Human Town to Gather Town<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Interesting to draw a parallel between <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/OH%20Se-hoon">OH Se-hoon</a>'s last two <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/urbanism">urban</a> concepts: 'Human Town', which he didn't have time to fully roll out and scale up before the abrupt end of his previous mandate (see "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2010/04/oh-se-hoon-launches-seoul-human-town.html"> OH Se-hoon launches the "Seoul Human Town" concept</a>"), and 'Gather Town' ('Moa Town'), which has just been announced, less than a year after his return to office.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Both concepts rely on a common goal: revitalizing neighborhoods without destroying them with the usual '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20Town">New Town</a>' model, offering community services usually found in big projects while preserving a nuclear, lower rise structure. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Seoul">Seoul</a> notes that 87% of low-rise neighborhoods don't meet requirements for redevelopment, often because they are not derelict or old enough. Yet many are poorly maintained because they stretch without a common purpose, and their dwellers already struggle to maintain shared spaces within their own buildings. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Where Human Town proposed a smart and light cosmetic revamping, Gather
Town hybrid formula
includes partial redevelopment to replace shared houses and 'villas' with low-to-mid-rise apartments, while preserving the street structure. Key regulations will be eased, for example the threshold for the proportion of deteriorated units, the type of buildings included. Where big projects cover over 100k square meters and take 8 to 10 years to complete, Moa Towns will start from 1,500m2 and only require 2 to 4 years. Seoul aims at 20 projects every year, and 2,404 units by 2025. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So unlike with Human Town, where individual units keep evolving at their own pace, it won't really the same neighborhood. But shared infrastructures can go much further, for instance a big underground parking that will fully liberate street level, and allow the removal of all these ugly ground floors on pilotis in favor of actual life spaces (shops, terraces, plants and parks, community services like libraries or day care centers...). <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Provided the design is up to the ambition, lively pockets can emerge in the middle of forsaken neighborhoods, and radiate across them.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I like the notion that pragmatism allows the combination of several techniques (certain sections can be redeveloped, other maintained, see schema below), but I wouldn't want it to become just a shortcut to build quickly something that lacks consistence and soul. You want a village where citizens breathe and enjoy walking. <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKmB6coPchO-XBFb_3wEGFvWD1WhEkwf_7eFrZlJFpZ_vifuyV2d_W9anKjLqxV4jzWcJQckHwgEOrNQeJHop4_1-IAzi6s2t1hV7iw8ElZbCtqPq3MQiLEUm2A_l9R0FrtUZE35DU87DgnwFVw9LJrjvLCJZ5H0tatMkOGF_eCcM5tDBhvccdo6sg=s760"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="760" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKmB6coPchO-XBFb_3wEGFvWD1WhEkwf_7eFrZlJFpZ_vifuyV2d_W9anKjLqxV4jzWcJQckHwgEOrNQeJHop4_1-IAzi6s2t1hV7iw8ElZbCtqPq3MQiLEUm2A_l9R0FrtUZE35DU87DgnwFVw9LJrjvLCJZ5H0tatMkOGF_eCcM5tDBhvccdo6sg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If this rendering of a street (below) doesn't seem very exotic to Western eyes, 80s zoning sure beats the 50s Grands Ensembles that have kept popping up across Seoul ever since the sixties. And this looks much more welcoming than dense, tree-less 'villa' clusters. Provided of course these mid-rise sections conveniently hidden in the background remain a tiny part of the program. Note the post-<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/coronavirus">covid</a> architecture with individual balconies and on the second floor a shared outdoor space running along what must be community services or shops.<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYDcJ-l-bjaq219oI_A_TRwDF4WjISzMzMrzY3OaJ2k5NUzNDMaEc4f0mSruQ_rtiPhO9Qadj84FF3OmpqWBjudIFvbi7QGMAPpZoTG-qxPawaqNXm9l1HfyMWT4sVusvl0cqzqj7CZMiR04IMndBtHgAmdm9bdApo3T1h4hs5LGCU7zEMApYIjXhn=s760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="760" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYDcJ-l-bjaq219oI_A_TRwDF4WjISzMzMrzY3OaJ2k5NUzNDMaEc4f0mSruQ_rtiPhO9Qadj84FF3OmpqWBjudIFvbi7QGMAPpZoTG-qxPawaqNXm9l1HfyMWT4sVusvl0cqzqj7CZMiR04IMndBtHgAmdm9bdApo3T1h4hs5LGCU7zEMApYIjXhn=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first two projects mentioned on January 13th are <span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Myeonmok-dong">Myeonmok-dong</a>, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Jungnang-gu">Jungnang-gu</a>, a vast low-rise neighborhood at the feet of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Achasan">Achasan</a>, and </span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Beon-dong">Beon-dong</a> in <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gangbuk-gu">Gangbuk-gu</a>, around Dream Forest and Odong Park, between <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Suyu-dong">Suyu-dong</a>, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Mia-dong">Mia-dong</a>, and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Chang-dong">Chang-dong</a>, close to the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Ssangmun-dong">Ssangmun-dong</a> of Seong Gi-hun and Cho Sang-woo (both fictional characters sharing a lot with their author <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/HWANG%20Dong-hyuk">HWANG Dong-hyuk</a>, a true local*). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>The Beon-dong project is not small at all (</span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>50,000 m2), and the one in Myeonmok-dong is almost twice bigger (97,000 m2). Sorry, but to me, this </span></span></span></span></span></span>looks much more like a mini-New Town that to an improved old-town:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjglw-4ukam-ecE4XjhVdyNwkGq5wGX2p5qWh7QkHm8l3uZCKDj6ihjEgGJsBdf5XK1h_qQ-Pu2JEEmXZqKOYKjhuOdSfvtCMg5ODmbAIW2BIoZYk5rOziwV2ysxJKy5U5V3ZoSARcvA6BGTM6ju4AC9bjm4-WdNlr1fPtIeyVSIUHNIqB976rQNf1c=s760" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="760" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjglw-4ukam-ecE4XjhVdyNwkGq5wGX2p5qWh7QkHm8l3uZCKDj6ihjEgGJsBdf5XK1h_qQ-Pu2JEEmXZqKOYKjhuOdSfvtCMg5ODmbAIW2BIoZYk5rOziwV2ysxJKy5U5V3ZoSARcvA6BGTM6ju4AC9bjm4-WdNlr1fPtIeyVSIUHNIqB976rQNf1c=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beon-dong's 'Gather Town'</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Obviously, 'Gather Town'<span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span></span></span></span> is less human centric than 'Human Town'. More top down than bottom up, with a top that rises a bit too high above 'low rise' levels... </span></span></span><br /><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span></span></span></span><br /></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* BTW ICYMI I was mentioned in Charlie Usher's article on not so glamorous Seoul neighborhoods ("<a href="https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/seoul-south-korea-working-class-neighbourhoods-squid-game-netflix-parasite-1280202" target="_blank">The heart of Seoul – the working-class neighbourhoods captured by Squid Game and Parasite</a>"). Of course, less glamorous doesn't mean less valuable, to the contrary. And if you haven't watched it yet, go binge "<span class="item-title"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2021/10/squid-game-addictive-slap-in-face.html" target="_self">Squid Game - an addictive slap in the face</a></span>". </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-57247200148898310792022-01-04T04:06:00.002-08:002022-07-05T23:20:50.641-07:00 Seoul Village Season XVI<p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy New Year of the Tiger! Let's see how this young cub grows and roars.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYZ0BUIPKnUdgt1U18GIyqryG0wDbOVJ3RRS_gaOfR2sDorfRHNhXG9v1c18Q8e9f0YYCdlb2a521-Tw_-9UkVfa53FJvIhIWEEClEIVD2fwjU7LZUOo_f80tZ3gUtO_ugLLqhfUvaulGSLfxHE3QhF2X9cPaekBulTB4e7kqDEy526fQdvJsYpITg=s90" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="90" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYZ0BUIPKnUdgt1U18GIyqryG0wDbOVJ3RRS_gaOfR2sDorfRHNhXG9v1c18Q8e9f0YYCdlb2a521-Tw_-9UkVfa53FJvIhIWEEClEIVD2fwjU7LZUOo_f80tZ3gUtO_ugLLqhfUvaulGSLfxHE3QhF2X9cPaekBulTB4e7kqDEy526fQdvJsYpITg" width="90" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And let's hope the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/coronavirus">pandemic</a> will spare us another scary sequel...<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVI_8dYPwmKQw-701TkvWSu-THcfnZb-JOD-zGEpm_NPjjhngbHmkT7Ss6rteRfIIkvdT6xodPLR_dXIlMjmlit-O9i5DPumQZUux6aDXo453i4cYo_pT2uaPI5P819Pp_AWnimtLW_x--9BuyLM7vbnqPwM_ikxAcHy2fnH4UEuWGgTcCa_hO7AS_=s720" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="720" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVI_8dYPwmKQw-701TkvWSu-THcfnZb-JOD-zGEpm_NPjjhngbHmkT7Ss6rteRfIIkvdT6xodPLR_dXIlMjmlit-O9i5DPumQZUux6aDXo453i4cYo_pT2uaPI5P819Pp_AWnimtLW_x--9BuyLM7vbnqPwM_ikxAcHy2fnH4UEuWGgTcCa_hO7AS_=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As we've known from the start (see "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-4-ts.html">Kudos to Korea's 4 Ts, but please no complacency</a>"), we can never let our guard down while riding such roller coasters. This year, as expected, after failing to secure vaccines as early as other wealthy nations, Korea caught up very quickly once they arrived. But a populist decision to ease restrictions at the worst moment (during a surge and before year end festivities - not to mention an unexpected new variant) led to record cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Fortunately, the population started to react and the government to backpedal, so the last couple of weeks have seen a steady decline in the number of cases. Keep safe and carry on.<br /> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3QEDWjedtdL-BBd2iFPsE_G8Z3eLP0Vbrfe8pHq0acFHyxvYXyaWlB3zj91pNXi8UOO_hrnhtR0hbaF-lCdZC1DjzqSBnoqqzHa-TRtjR0PEqwGLcvlEidWNCnvXQJwf2Cd_UlWr5yZSkBzn4I8FvyCPUIkcEya3b7kgOZdO8DATpO-KlwaRHCzrb=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="2048" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3QEDWjedtdL-BBd2iFPsE_G8Z3eLP0Vbrfe8pHq0acFHyxvYXyaWlB3zj91pNXi8UOO_hrnhtR0hbaF-lCdZC1DjzqSBnoqqzHa-TRtjR0PEqwGLcvlEidWNCnvXQJwf2Cd_UlWr5yZSkBzn4I8FvyCPUIkcEya3b7kgOZdO8DATpO-KlwaRHCzrb=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This year, barring more surprises (and we've had our share of those lately), the presidential election could be the most defining moment for a country where the balance of powers has been dramatically altered over the past few years.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/LEE%20Jae-myung">LEE Jae-myung</a> is now leading in the polls, with the help of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/YOON%20Seok-youl">YOON Seok-youl</a> (definitely not a seasoned politician), and of course <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/MOON%20Jae-in">MOON Jae-in</a>. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Interesting contrast: w</span>hile LEE remains totally protected from any investigation around the Daejang-dong scandal, the controversial CIO has been spying the phones of campaigning opposition members in a local version of the Watergate... <br /><br />In a brilliant lame duck move, MOON pardoned <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/PARK%20Geun-hye">PARK Geun-hye</a>, the equivalent to throwing an elephant into the opposition's already unstable porcelain store before the elections: now YOON, who investigated the scandals surrounding the former president and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/CHOI%20Soon-sil">CHOI Soon-sil</a>, will have an even tougher time getting votes from hardcore PARK supporters... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">That LEE Jae-myung could envision the White House in spite of his sulfurous reputation and the ruling party's unpopularity speaks volumes about the opposition's ineptitude. Character-wise, LEE is clearly closer to <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Donald%20Trump">Donald TRUMP</a> than to <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/KIM%20Dae-jung">KIM Dae-jung</a> - but at least, unlike the former POTUS, he's working very hard to change his image during the campaign.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Beyond securing the elections, MOON is focusing his final months on an intense lobbying to formally end the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Korean%20War">Korean War</a>, which requires an agreement from other stakeholders. But unless Trump returns to power, the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/USA">US</a> will demand significant concessions from <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/KIM%20Jong-un">KIM Jong-un</a>, and that is precisely what MOON wants to avoid.<br /><br />MOON Jae-in's goal is to remove pressure on the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/North%20Korea">North Korean</a> regime and US troops from the Peninsula. South Korea's recent displays of weaponry and hikes in military budgets are supposed to prove that the nation can defend itself (should of course its leaders actually decide to defend it). Needless to say, both <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/China">China</a> and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Russia">Russia</a> would also love to see Yankees go home. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Soft-power-wise, at least, Seoul can count on its Weapons of Mass Distraction, even if topping 2021 will be very hard for 'k-content' providers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We'll need some cheering up to cope with real life drama (and at the macro level household debt, inflation, rising rates, overdue bubble bursts across the globe...).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Maybe we don't want that tiger to roar, after all. A cute yawn could be a welcome break.<br /></span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgehbuCTclSWOBKwMrnrqYCPgS6w1D_41QfT8xwiuDbbEkdFF9PD39W4bp3k5O7MxZ6NXiQZ13zbyi8jFdjrgDCnfbqIw20sNR7fGWoObsD0_emXEtG-8nocZSELAO6cV_iygVLjvUpHETd6165MlYUAfdaBQW1-MRYITFt1E5r1_LKnatpyAWBjMzA=s91" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="91" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgehbuCTclSWOBKwMrnrqYCPgS6w1D_41QfT8xwiuDbbEkdFF9PD39W4bp3k5O7MxZ6NXiQZ13zbyi8jFdjrgDCnfbqIw20sNR7fGWoObsD0_emXEtG-8nocZSELAO6cV_iygVLjvUpHETd6165MlYUAfdaBQW1-MRYITFt1E5r1_LKnatpyAWBjMzA" width="91" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Please be safe, but remain wild and playful. Have a great, full, and happy 2022.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2022</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br />
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<!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--> <script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626671969423205746.post-81995914835916359562021-12-26T17:35:00.001-08:002021-12-27T18:55:10.919-08:007 Seoul subway / railway updates<p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">MK published yesterday an interesting article* on the impact of 7 recent or upcoming <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/subway">subway</a> / railway developments on <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/real%20estate">real estate</a>, which allows us to see of these old friends have fared since their announcements**.<br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTHXNEvWALEDHiYeHoBzNdaedS1tp8jRt4Yv3X35XUTtughZZK_aevGqp8_Rr7cD7pNOohmnyYjo8H0OEll_ZOLi-bGx77CE-itHgzqkY3eCFlXd0nKfhSwNol3zTnMUbIlAtFjxviMCx-em3_v26oi1kwlinV-GLUgefGGP9Mg9oowkfSeO4l17j_=s1000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1000" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTHXNEvWALEDHiYeHoBzNdaedS1tp8jRt4Yv3X35XUTtughZZK_aevGqp8_Rr7cD7pNOohmnyYjo8H0OEll_ZOLi-bGx77CE-itHgzqkY3eCFlXd0nKfhSwNol3zTnMUbIlAtFjxviMCx-em3_v26oi1kwlinV-GLUgefGGP9Mg9oowkfSeO4l17j_=s320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span>The Maeil Kyeongje's 7 projects (NB our focus below doesn't follow these numbers)</span></i></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="color: #800180;"><b> . Line 1 <span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>extension Northwards from Soyosan Station (3 new stations - Choseong-ri, Jeongok, and Yeoncheon): </span></span></span></b></span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>S</span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>ince this extension mostly doubles an existing train, t</span></span></span>he article logically mentions a low impact on real estate. but it does make commuting more seamless for densely inhabited parts of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Yeoncheon-gun">Yeoncheon-gun</a>, and allows Seoulites to venture further up the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Dongducheon">Dongducheon</a> valley (not necessarily closer to </span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/DMZ">DMZ</a></span></span></span>, though: it follows the same axis in this area).</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b> . Line 4 <span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>extension Eastwards from <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Danggogae">Danggogae</a> Station (3 new stations - </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>Byeollae Byeolgaram, Onam, and Jinjeop</span></span></span>): </span></span></span></b></span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>T</span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>o be inaugurated next March, t</span></span></span>his 14.9 km extension is a game changer for this section of <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Namyangju">Namyangju</a> dotted with major new towns (Byeollae and Jinjeop-eup). But as usual, what a shame that such major clusters were not connected </span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span> to the grid </span></span></span>from day one. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>Of course, this means more commuter traffic for a line already supporting older generation bed towns, but it will also help one of them, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Nowon-gu">Nowon</a>, grow as a cultural hub in Northeast Seoul. Furthermore, the article reminds us of two other projects that will help cope with the flow:</span></span></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>Seoul considers doubling Line 4 with an express service for the 31.7 km section within city limits, between Danggogae and </span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>Namtaeryeong, with potentially </span></span></span>12 more stations concerned (all the ones connected to other lines). That would leave 12 stations with only the standard service, along with the ones in Gyeonggi-do.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The extension of Line 8 Northwards from <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Amsa-dong">Amsa</a> Station to Byeollae Station (Gyeongchun Line) by the end of 2023 could later be prolonged to Byeollae Byeolgaram Station via a new station, Byeollae Jungang, further anchoring Byeollae to the South, and making it a transport hub east of Seoul around a decent 'Byeollae Line' backbone.<br /></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b> . Inauguration of Namwirye Station (Line 8)</b></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>: </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Located between Bokjeong and Sanseong Stations in <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Seongnam">Seongnam</a>, Namwirye doesn't really support <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Wirye">Wirye</a> New Town which, as the author mentions, would have much more impact. But he's not taking into account a tramway bound to deliver the goods: the construction of the Wirye Line is just starting these days.<br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9t0AKPpaC1-lgBHzlYJK65-eu81i4QbMkpl0iMVfQzSxOg3Gh_fYfhsNkDxENklPjkd6OYWjEr4pubcW_NtWakh2_O0Ezc_7QpyxbbA1w1666YC3fhSCJQCzcUrYT5bsyx8PmIEVl-cHmJP5eDdmKk8j_YKrt755LenX-B3wp7itOC69ZV6vHLvEE=s736" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="715" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9t0AKPpaC1-lgBHzlYJK65-eu81i4QbMkpl0iMVfQzSxOg3Gh_fYfhsNkDxENklPjkd6OYWjEr4pubcW_NtWakh2_O0Ezc_7QpyxbbA1w1666YC3fhSCJQCzcUrYT5bsyx8PmIEVl-cHmJP5eDdmKk8j_YKrt755LenX-B3wp7itOC69ZV6vHLvEE=s320" width="311" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><i>'#Seoul about to start the construction of its first #tramway in decades (#WiryeLine - 12 stations, 5.4 km - to open i 2025). Line announced 8 years ago (<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2013/08/seoul-lrt-projects-update-part-22.html">http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2013/08/seoul-lrt-projects-update-part-22.html</a>) #transports' (<a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage/status/1472702309335724037" target="_blank">20211220</a> - @<a href="https://twitter.com/theseoulvillage" target="_blank">theseoulvillage</a>)</i></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b> . Gyeongui Jungang Line extension Northeastwards from Imjingang Station to Dorasan Station</b></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>: </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In this part of <span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Paju">Paju</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, as the article confirms, 'nothing to do with real estate'. This line is simply inching further towards <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Kaesong">Kaesong</a>, now a reasonable walk away... p<span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>rovided of course you've got all the papers to enter the DMZ at that most strategic point. </span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>For the moment, you're mostly connecting Seoul to a giant, empty parking lot: d</span></span></span>oesn't look like many workers will commute any time soon to the Kaesong Industrial Complex... </span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>Let's hope that some day, this dead end will be prolonged into a friendlier <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/North%20Korea">North Korea</a>. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b> . Seohae Line extension Northwards from Sosa Station to Wonjong Station (via Bucheon Stadium Station)</b></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>: </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As we've already seen (in "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2019/05/twice-upon-time-in-west.html">Twice upon a time in the West</a>"), there's a lot going on around <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Bucheon">Bucheon</a>. This vertical will split much earlier the traffic to/from Seoul between the North (Line 1) and the South (Line 7). And it will later be prolonged not only to <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gimpo%20Airport">Gimpo Airport</a>, but also across the river, to Line 3 (Daegok Station, after a stop in Neunggok Station). <br /><br />If Daegok seems a bit isolated between Goyang's 'old and new' New Towns (Ilsan to the West, Hwajeong to the East), Line 3 leads to more glamorous sites: downtown Seoul and Gangnam. And I wouldn't be surprised to see this new, vertical airport line that will go from <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Goyang">Goyang</a> to <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Hwaseong">Hwaseong</a> (for now, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gimpo%20Airport">Ansan</a> remains the Southern limit) venture further to the North-Northeast and connect to more New Towns.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b> . Sillim Line inauguration (from Gwanaksan Station to Saetgang Station)</b></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>: </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks to this precious new vertical connected to Line 9 (Saetbang), Line 1 (<a href="https://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Dongjak-gu">Daebang</a>), Line 7 (Boramae), Line 2 (<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Sillim-dong">Sillim</a>), 'I live in <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Bongcheon-dong">Bongcheon-dong</a>' will sound a lot more uplifting. But in parallel to this LRT, Western Seoul needs more verticals (Gangnam-gu already getting it's fourth!), starting with Seobu Line...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b> . Shinbundang Line Northwards extension from <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gangnam%20Station">Gangnam Station</a> to Sinsa Station</b></span></span></span></span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>: </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>The article made its headline on the star extension because it's about real estate and money, and we're talking expensive real estate (<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gangnam-gu">Gangnam</a>-daero), and expensive stations: <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gangnam%20Station">Gangnam</a> on Line 2, Sinnonhyeon on Line 9, <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Nonhyeon-dong">Nonhyeon</a> on Line 7, and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Sinsa-dong">Sinsa-dong</a> on Line 3. No new stations, but hopefully fewer cars on the <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Hannam%20Bridge">Hannam Bridge</a> once Sinbundang's next profitable extension to the North will lead across the river and <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Yongsan-gu">Yongsan</a>, all the way to <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Yongsan%20Station">Yongsan Station</a>. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>Beyond railway and subway projects, Maeil Kyeongje also mentioned work on more sections of the capital region's Second Ring Expressway, which will definitely have some impact. But what the region needs is more public transportation, and a better dialog within <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/Gyeonggi-do">Gyeonggi-do</a>, beyond the usual Seoul-suburbs dialog. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>It's
always good to connect existing dots, and the Ansan-Bucheon-Goyang axis
is very welcome, but no new major urban projects should be allowed without a
direct connection to the network. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span>The problem is that Gyeonggi-do is poorly managed, and this has something to do with the way big cities compete with each other without a real regional authority. Only the State has the potential to force some collaboration, or at least more coopetition and less competition within Gyeonggi-do. The lack of political will and strategic vision </span></span></span>results in the multiplication of projects cannibalizing each other, a suicidal rat race as the population ages and declines. Clearly, there are countless ways of spending less, better, and still generating much more value for everyone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span><span class="VIiyi" lang="en"><span class="JLqJ4b" data-language-for-alternatives="en" data-language-to-translate-into="ko" data-number-of-phrases="1" data-phrase-index="0"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com">Seoul Village</a> 2021</span></b><br />
Welcome to our <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2012/07/korean-errlines.html">Korean Errlines</a>! Follow Seoul Village on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seoulvillage">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/THEseoulvillage">Twitter</a>, follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/stephanemot">Instagram</a>.<br />Download '<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2020/04/seoul-villages-free-ebook.html">Seoul VillageS</a>', the free ebook.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php" onclick="window.open('http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?wt=nw&pub=stephanemot&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'addthis', 'scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,width=620,height=520,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,screenX=200,screenY=100,left=200,top=100'); return false;" target="_blank" title="Bookmark and Share"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" border="0" height="16" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-addthis.gif" width="125" /></a><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><!--Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools--></span> <span style="font-family: arial;"><script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=stephanemot" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">* "<a href="https://www.mk.co.kr/news/realestate/view/2021/12/1206982/" target="_blank">"딱 역 3개인데, 폭발력 엄청나다"…판교 분당 부동산 난리난 이유</a>" (Maeil Business Newspaper 20211226)<br />** see "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2015/06/seoul-subway-to-gain-89-km-by-2025.html">Seoul subway to gain 89 km by 2025</a>" (June 2015), <span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2013/08/seoul-lrt-projects-update-part-12.html" target="_blank">Seoul LRT Projects Update (Part 1/2)</a>" and "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2013/08/seoul-lrt-projects-update-part-22.html" target="_blank">Seoul LRT Projects Update (Part 2/2)</a>" (August 2013, following "<a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/2013/07/if-you-aint-broke-fix-it-seoul-welfare.html" target="_blank">If you ain't broke, fix it: Seoul, Welfare and Railways Deficits</a>" - July 2013)</span>. See also <a href="http://seoulvillage.blogspot.com/search/label/subway">all subway related posts</a>.</span><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright <a href="seoulvillage.blogspot.com">SeoulVillage.com</a></div>Stephane MOThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16814448452457333863noreply@blogger.com0