SOUTH KOREA (2005)

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

18 MARCH 2024

Together with the staff of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, I had the opportunity to visit South Korea in December 2005. This was the second time I set foot in South Korea; the first time was in 1990 when I served with the Royal Malaysian Navy, sailing with RMN ships, KD Lekir and KD Mahawangsa for an operational visit to Hong Kong and South Korea.

TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE: 1990 > SOUTH KOREA

SOUTH KOREA

South Korea is located in the northeast of the Asian continent, bordered by the Amnok River (Yalu River) in the northwest that separates Korea and China, and the Duman River (Tumen River) in the northeast that separates Korea from China and Russia.

The Korean Peninsula is about 1030 km (612 miles) long and 175 km (105 miles) wide at its narrowest point. The total land area of Korea is 100,033 square km, and it has a population of 49,800,000 people (2011).

SOUTH KOREA / NORTH KOREA

Most Malaysians are very obsessed with dramas or movies from South Korea, and among the ones that I remember being quite popular in the past were "Winter Sonata" and "Jewel In the Crown," and many more that I don't remember the titles because I am not a big fan of these Korean dramas…

But that doesn't mean I'm not interested in Korean films. There are some Korean films that I've watched, especially historical films (I'm not interested in dramas and movies about love stories), such as "The Last Princess," "Operation Chromite," "Tae Guk Gi," "Wolmido," and more…

My experiences of visiting South Korea twice in 1990 with KD Lekir and again in 2005 gave me the opportunity to learn more about the culture and customs of the Korean people. I also had the opportunity to visit 2 filming locations, namely "Winter Sonata" and "Jewel in the Crown" (I have never seen these two movies).

But did you know that Koreans themselves rarely call their country "KOREA" because Korea actually comes from the way Europeans say "GORYEO / KORYO"?

South Koreans call their country “HANGUK / HANKUK,” while North Koreans call their country “JOSEON / CHOSON.”

North and South Korea were originally one country under the rule of the Goryeo/Koryo Dynasty (918-1392) and then the Joseon/Choson Dynasty (1392-1910). In 1910, Korea was colonized by Japan.

Korea then split into North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) with Communist ideology or simply DPRK and South Korea (Republic of Korea) with Capitalist ideology or simply ROK.

Second visit to Korea, 2005

As soon as we arrived at Incheon International Airport, we were taken to a restaurant (can't remember the name of the restaurant) for lunch. Since it's hard to get halal food here, we only eat at vegetarian restaurants, enjoying rice and vegetable soup.

INFO : 1950 - KOREAN WAR 

REMEMBERING THE BATTLE OF INCHEON

Incheon is where The Battle of Incheon (Korean War) took place in 15 September 1950. General Douglas McArthur, supreme Commander of the United Nation Forces led more than 75,000 U.S. troops with 261 Navy Ships in the surprise amphibious landing also known as Operation Chromite. The battle that resulted in a decisive and strategic victory of the United Nation Command led by General Douglas McArthur over the North Korean People's Army (NKPA) in September 1950. 

The Beach of Pohang is where the UN Forces landed unopposed in 1950.

VISIT TO SEOUL

NAMISEOM ISLAND - WINTER SONATA

For fans of Korean dramas, remember the drama "Winter Sonata," which was quite popular in Malaysia before. But I am not a fan of Korean dramas and have never watched them. But I've only heard the title of the drama. Although I have never watched the drama "Winter Sonata," I had the opportunity to visit the site where the film was shot, which is located on Namiseom Island.

Namiseom Island is an island formed as a result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam in the shape of a half moon. There is a tomb of General Nami on this island, the leader of the Korean army who successfully defeated the rebellion against King Sejo, the 7th King of the Joseon Dynasty, who ruled from 1455 to 1468. Namiseom Island is located 63 km from the city of Seoul towards Chuncheon.

FIFA WORLD CUP STADIUM

The Seoul World Cup Stadium also known as Sangam Stadium, located in 240, World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It was built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and opened on November 10, 2001. It is currently the second largest stadium in South Korea after Seoul Olympic Stadium. 

EVERLAND RESORT

A theme park and vacation resort located in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It is opened in April, 1976

DONGDAEMUN TRADITIONAL MARKET

Korea's largest wholesale and retail shopping district featuring 26 shopping malls, 30,000 speciality shops and 50,000 manufacturers. 

GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE

Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main Royal Palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Built in 1395, located in the northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palace built by the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace served as the home of the Royal Family and the seat of government. 

LOTTE WORLD

Lotte World Adventure is a major recreation complex in Seoul, South Korea. It consists of a large indoor theme park, an outdoor amusement park. Located in Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea made up of two main section, the outdoor amusement park Island, and adventure (indoor).

DAEJANGGEUM - JEWEL IN THE PALACE MBC STUDIO

The Korean miniseries drama "Jewel in the Palace" has also been shown in Malaysia. We also had the opportunity to visit the filming site of the drama.

Today, the main filming location of the drama is located in Jeju Island. The Korean Folk Village, Naganeupseong, Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace are always crowded with local tourists and foreign tourists.

The story is set in Korea during the reign of King Seongjong (1457-1494), King Yeonsan (1494-1506) and King Jungjong (1506-1544). Based on the true story about a legendary girl Dae Jang Geum who became the first woman to be the supreme Royal Physician of her times. 

SEORAKSAN NATIONAL PARK

Seoraksan National Park is listed by the South Korean government with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Located on the eastern side of the Korean peninsula, this land reserve covers Injegun, Yangyang-gun, and Sokcho-si. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions for nature lovers in Korea. This nature reserve covers an area of 163.6 square kilometers (63.2 sq mi) and contains many high peaks measuring over 1,200 meters above sea level, including Soraksan's highest peak, Daecheongbong, which has a height of 1,708 meters (5,604 feet).

HANOK VILLAGE

Cultural village with traditional Korean Hanok houses, plus calligraphy and sake museum. It is a must tourist spot in Jeollabuk-do, South Korea. 

SKI RESORT, SEOUL

The vast majority os South Korea's ski areas are located in the north of the country in Gangwon-do province, the area that receives the most annual snowfall. Some of these are located less than an hour from Seoul. 

WAR MUSEUM, SEOUL

The Korean War Memorial Museum was built to commemorate the members of the Korean military and also the victims of the Korean War who died. This War Memorial was completed in December 1993 and officially opened on June 10, 1994, which became the landmark of the largest War Memorial Museum in the world. The museum exhibits 13,000 items under different themes. Among those exhibited are fighter planes, tanks, and weapons used during the Korean War.

Seoul is the most fantastic destination, offering everything from incredible food, fascinating ancient culture,modern art, fashion and technology, as well as the friendliest people who want you to love their country. 

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

LEMBAH KERAMAT, KL

20 MARCH 2024 > 9 RAMADAN 1445H: 12.21 P.M