
EXPLORING KOREA: THE FOREIGNER IS HOME
I recently find myself relating to a quote by Maya Angelou that states “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends”.
I experienced this on an official assignment to South Korea. A country I never thought I would call my second home. It was quite an adventure and I am still astonished to find that I seamlessly fit into the society. From adjusting easily to the time zone, exploring the historical landmarks and trying out the delicious cuisines, I truly felt I was home.
THE INCEPTION
It all began on a late Tuesday afternoon when I received an exciting call from my Country Coordinator, Naana Yaa Boatemaa Asiedu, informing me of a trip to South Korea to cover two significant event: The Cosmo Beauty Seoul Exhibition and the Korea Africa Trade Summit. We secured this opportunity as a result of a shared partnership between the Executive Chairman of the IPMC Group, Mr. Amar Deep Singh Hari and Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency in Ghana (KOTRA).
As a Journalist being selected to represent Vice Versa Media Ghana internationally, I was super excited. Already selecting my outfit and making plans towards my trip, I realized I knew nothing about South Korea except their famous music band BTS and some Korean Drama.
I went down a Social Media Spiral, trying to gather as much information as I can on what I can expect as I make this trip to South Korea. I caught some YouTube Vlogs with people explaining their experience living in South Korea.
But what I discovered when I officially landed at the Incheon International Airport on the 27th of May, left a lasting mark on how I will live in the years to come.
THE ARRIVAL
On Sunday, the 26th of May, I woke up with butterflies in my tummy. This is the first ever trip I will be making outside my country. I finalized on everything I will be putting in my luggage and left for the airport at 8 am to avoid any traffic. At noon I boarded the Ethiopian Airline flight and began an 18 hour Journey from the Kotoka International Airport in Accra to the Incheon International Airport in South Korea.
Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by a Health Practitioner that asked me to fill a yellow form stating any medical condition I have. Afterwards, I visited immigration stand where all my travel documents were verified and with a smile she welcomed me to her country. Taking a deep breathe, I was all set to get my bus ticket and go straight to my hotel. “But hold on, I have dollars on me. Will they accept it like they do in Ghana?” I asked myself while standing in the queue. The answer is No. The sales lady went ahead to tell me “Dollars are not accepted as trade currency in this country.” Just before I could get into the anxiety spiral of what I could do and blame myself for not knowing this, I noticed her call to a young lady and say something in their native language while pointing at me. The young lady went ahead to grab be by my hand and walked me back into the airport. I tried asking what was happening but she could not speak nor understand English. She just smiled and made a hand gesture that indicated that I follow her. So I did.
The young lady led me to a Forex Bureau, waited for me to change my currency, took me back to the bus stand to purchase my ticket, took me to the bus stop where my bus will be picking me up, waved at me and went about with her business. I was taken aback, I have never received such hospitality.
And there was more to come. The more I interacted with the people of South Korea the more warmth I feel. It’s like home yet more than home. From having lengthy conversations with people I just met to taking walks safely at Midnight, South Korea quickly became my second home within these few days.
THE EXPLORATION
Having a brief window of opportunity between both events, I had the opportunity to explore some historical landmarks and understand the true history of South Korea. Knowing the history of South Korea, helped me appreciate how far this country has come in rebuilding their country after countless wars
- THE GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
My first stop was at the Gyeongbokgung Palace which stood as the main palace and was built around the 1395 in the Northern part of Seoul. Given the autonomy to explore the palace, tourists were given an audio guide and a map, available in multiple languages to help them appreciate what each part of the palace represented.
During my exploration, I discovered that this palace was destroyed in fire during a war in 1592 and was abandoned for two centuries. It was later restored in the 19th century, 1867 to be precise, but was destroyed again in the early 20th century due to another outbreak of wars. Understanding the palace’s significance to South Korea, a 20 year restoration plan was enacted and the palace stands today exactly as it did at the time of its initial construction.
Walking through this 415, 800 square meters palace felt like walking through a time capsule where the palace walls looks new and preserved yet, very vintage.
- THE NAMINARA REPUBLIC
The Naminara Republic is an Island located at Chuncheon, north east of Seoul in the middle of the Han River. Waking up on a bright Sunday morning with Mr. Amar and Mr. Bally Singh, our Interpreter, Mr. Jin Park led us to explore the beautiful Island. On arrival, we purchased tickets and took a ferry ride to the Island.
I noticed that around the ferry were mounted flags of different nations across the world. “These flags represents the nations that lent us their helping hand when South Korea was in great crisis. South Koreans will forever want to remember their unwavering service to support our country gain victory from the war and this is how we honor these countries” – Mr. Park explained.
They did not just mount up these flags around the ferry, but walking around the Island, I saw many other ways the South Koreans honors and remembers the countries that helped them during the war.
The Island was indeed beautiful and exciting to explore. Filled with a lot of trees, it provided shade against the sunlight while providing breathable air.
There were also playgrounds for children, concerts, restaurants and vintage landmarks, like the Janggang and Hwangha Statue that represents the maternal nature of the earth. The Breasts on the statue represents China’s major rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow.
- THE WAR MEMORIAL OF KOREA
This was my final yet significant stop. Established in 1989, the War Memorial of Korea stands as a contributing factor to end wars and achieve a reunification of the country by learning from the lessons of the wars in the past.
It is against the War Memorial’s policy to take pictures and videos within the premises but I will provide the narrative of what I got to experience.
Walking into the War Memorial of Korea, I expected to see old relics. True, I got to see these old relics like the documents, the M-72 motorbikes, the rocket launchers, the turtle ship and the M-1 Rifle, but I found that they have incorporated modern technology to visually depict the happenings of the war.
Our guide in addition to giving us the lessons and history of the Korean War, helped us appreciate the vision of the President of the War Memorial of Korea. Mr. Baek Seung-Joo aims at making this significant place a Smart War Memorial ensuring that the lessons and experiences from the war is preserved for the future generations.
The War Memorial contains information and very realistic relics from Wars dating back to the liberation of Korea after Japan’s surrender around World War II. In 1950, the North Koreans invaded South Korea to start a 3 year war which ended in 1953 leaving North and South Korea separated as it is today.
Post Korean War, South Korea struggled to develop their country economically riddled with Pervasive Corruption and Political hindrances. Persevering, South Korea had to undergo a major social change, inculcating education and technical training to bounce into the strong developed economic state it is today.
THE IMPACT
Understanding the history of South Korea help me appreciate the country more as I explored it. Staying in the country, it is hard to comprehend that South Korea, who is making a groundbreaking recognition in the entertainment and cosmetic industry went through series and series of wars.
To me, South Korea stands as monument of perseverance and hard work regardless of the terror experienced in the past.
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