Introduction to South Korea (2)

Members of the Royal Palace Guards in traditional costumes played military music outside Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, recreating the grand ceremony of the Changing of the Guards during the Lee Dynasty.

Korean people like sports very much, especially participating in folk games. The main folk games include swinging, seesawing, flying kites, and stepping on the earth god. There are many types of folk sports activities in South Korea, including Go, chess, chess, wrestling, taekwondo, skiing, etc.

Korean food is characterized by kimchi culture, and kimchi is indispensable for three meals a day. The traditional Korean dishes of barbecued pork, kimchi and cold noodles have become world-famous dishes.

South Korea is a country that attaches great importance to education. There are thousands of colleges and universities of all types across the country. Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University and Ewha Womans University, etc.

Attractions:

Gyongbokkung is located in Jongno District, Seoul, the capital of South Korea. It is an ancient palace that was built by Li Chenggui, the founder of the Li Dynasty, in AD 1394. In the ancient Chinese Book of Songs, there was a poem that said, "A gentleman will live forever, and you will be blessed with good fortune." This hall got its name from this. The main hall of the palace is Geunjeongjeon, which is the central building of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Kings of the Lee Dynasty used to handle state affairs here. In addition, there are Ideological and Political Hall, Qianqing Hall, Kangning Hall, Jiaotai Hall, etc. The palace garden also has a 10-story stone pagoda with an elegant shape and is one of South Korea’s national treasures. There is a wall built outside Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is 3626 meters long and 6.7 meters high. There is Gwanghwamun Gate to the south of the palace, Jianchun Gate to the east, Yingqiu Gate to the west, and Shenmu Gate to the north. There is Heungryemun Gate inside Gwanghwamun Gate, and there is an east-west canal outside Heungryemun Gate, with the exquisite Geumcheon Bridge spanning the river. There is a stone boat in the center of the lotus pond in the palace garden - Qinghui Pavilion, which was once the pavilion where the king held a banquet for guests. In 1553, a fire burned part of the north corner of the palace. When the Japanese invaded, most of the buildings in the palace were destroyed. When it was rebuilt in 1865, only 10 palaces remained intact.

Changdeokgung (Changdokkung), also known as Legong, is the "Forbidden City" of South Korea. It is located in the west cave of the courtyard in Seoul, the capital. It is the most complete palace preserved in the royal palace of the Lee Dynasty. In AD 1405, the third king of the Li Dynasty built a palace here. It was burned down during the Renchen Rebellion. The existing building was rebuilt in AD 1611. This building served as a royal palace for 300 years. The entire palace is a Chinese-style building. After entering the main entrance is the Renzheng Hall, which handles government affairs. It was rebuilt in 1804 AD. The palace is tall and solemn, with gorgeous decorations and an emperor's throne. The front of the hall is paved with granite and surrounded by corridors on three sides. The southeastern part behind the palace is dominated by buildings such as Leshanzhai, where the princess lives. The bedroom, Leshanjae, is a typical Korean-style wooden building. Crowns, royal clothes, calligraphy treasures, weapons and other handicrafts are displayed in the palace. The courtyard displays bridges, carriages used by the royal family, and early cars used by the last king. In addition, there are Dazao Hall, Xuanzheng Hall and Injeong Hall. The secret garden behind Renzheng Palace was built in the 17th century and covers an area of ??about 60,000 square meters. It is an imperial garden built on the mountain. There are pavilions, pavilions, natural canyons and streams in the garden, as well as the Yinghua Hall, which was used as an examination room during the imperial examination period, the Yushui Pavilion built next to the lotus pond for kings to fish, the Diaoyutai and the Furong Pavilion in the pond.

Kwanghanrn Tower is located in Eicheonqu-ri, Namwon-gun, North Jeolla Province. It is a historic site in South Korea. Legend has it that it was built by Huang Xi, the prime minister of the early Li Dynasty, and was originally named Guangtong Tower. It was renamed after reconstruction in AD 1434 (16 year of Sejong of the Lee Dynasty). It was burned down during the Imjin Patriotic War in Korea. In AD 1635 (the 13rd year of Renzong of the Li Dynasty), it was rebuilt according to its original appearance. Gwanghanlou, with its carved beams and painted buildings and gorgeous shape, is the representative of Korean courtyards. It includes three small islands, stone statues, and magpie bridges. Its overall structure symbolizes the universe. Now there are large-character plaques with "Guanghan Tower" and "Guiguan" hanging upstairs. According to legend, the legendary story "The Legend of Chunxiang" happened here. The Chunxiang Pavilion on the north side of the building is the Chunxiang Ancestral Hall built in 1931. There is a portrait of Chunxiang in the hall. People hold the Chunxiang Festival here every year on April 8 of the lunar calendar.

Chong Wa Dae is the official residence of the President of South Korea, located at No. 1, Sejong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul City. This was originally the palace of the Goryeo Dynasty. After the Joseon Dynasty established its capital in Seoul in 1426, it was used as the back garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and some buildings such as Yongwudang, Qingnongjae and martial arts training ground were built, and an area was opened. The king's own cultivated land. After the Japanese invasion in 1927, all buildings except Wuyun Pavilion were destroyed and the official residence of the Governor of Korea was built. After Japan surrendered in 1945, it became the official residence of the military and political governor. When the Republic of Korea was established in August 1948, it became the presidential residence and was renamed Kyung Mu Dae (Kyung Mu Dae). On April 19, 1960*, after Syngman Rhee came to power, Yin Pushan was elected president and took over Gyeongwutai. Soon, because Yin Pushan was jealous of the word "武" and in order to correspond to the White House in the United States, he named the group of buildings with white walls and blue tiles Blue House, so some people also called it the "Blue House". Nowadays, the main building of Qingwadae is the official residence of the president, with the president's office, reception hall, conference room, and living room. The auxiliary buildings include the secretary's room, the guard room, and the guest building.

Jeju Island (Chejudao) is the largest island in South Korea, also known as Tamna Island, Honeymoon Island, and Romantic Island. It is located at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula and faces the peninsula across the Jeju Strait. Jeju Island has a total area of ??1826 square kilometers, including 34 islands including Udo, Wodo, Brother Island, Chagui Island, Mosquito Island, and Hodo. It is 100 kilometers away from Jeollanam-do in the northeast. It is an ideal place for tourism and fishing. resort. Here you can visit historical sites, appreciate natural landscapes, climb mountains, ride horses, drive, hunt, surf and play golf. There are sparsely populated areas and vast land, either in mountains and forests, or in farmland and cottages. Farmers mainly grow rice, vegetables, and fruits. The largest and most spectacular ones are rapeseed flowers. In spring, the ground is golden and very beautiful. Since ancient times, Jeju Island has had a saying of “three excesses and three nothings”. That is: there are many winds, many stones, and many women; there are no doors, no thieves, and no beggars.

The Korean Folk Village is located near Suwon City, the capital of Gyeonggi Province, covering an area of ??163 acres. It gathers various buildings such as farmhouses, temples, noble residences and government buildings from all over Korea to recreate the Korean Peninsula during the Lee Dynasty more than 500 years ago. cultural landscape and regional customs. There are 240 traditional buildings in the village, including the "yamen" from the Li Dynasty, prisons, mansions of high-ranking officials, ordinary people's houses, shops and workshops, children's playgrounds, etc. Most of the goods in the shops and open-air markets in the folk village are local traditional handicrafts and unique foods, including wooden carvings, painted paper fans, national costumes, colorful porcelain, etc. Porcelain is a specialty here, with more than 60 kinds, all of which have high preservation value. There are many kinds of food in the folk village, and tourists like vegetable cakes and rice wine. There are wonderful performances every day on the open air field, such as folk dance, acrobatics and village drum music, which is very lively. The villagers here wear the clothes of the ancient Li Dynasty and interpret the customs of the ancient villagers. Etiquette such as marrying the bride and sending the deceased to their graves are all truly imitated from the Li Dynasty.

Historical celebrity: Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598): national hero. Born in a family of declining scholar-bureaucrats, his family was poor when he was young. He was quite knowledgeable, good at riding and shooting. He passed the martial arts examination at the age of 32 and began his military career. He was upright, cared about the country and the people throughout his life, pursued justice, and faced several adversities without regrets or complaints. At the age of 47, he was appointed as the naval commander of Jeolla Zudo Province. He actively trained the navy, built defensive positions, and built the armored battleship Turtle Ship to prevent Japanese pirates from invading. At that time, Japan's Toyotomi Hideyoshi had completed the unification of the four domestic islands and attempted to conquer North Korea and China by force. In 1592, he led an army of more than 200,000 to invade North Korea and captured Seoul, occupying most of the Korean Peninsula. South Korea called this period of history the "Imjin Japanese Rebellion." At the request of the Joseon Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty sent troops to help, and this began a seven-year war between the military and civilian parties of China and North Korea to fight against the Japanese invaders, known in history as the "Imjin Patriotic War." General Yi Sun-shin fought side by side with the Chinese navy, defeated the Japanese army many times, and made extraordinary achievements many times. In February 1598, he and the navy of the Ming Dynasty severely damaged the enemy and were unfortunately shot and killed in the fierce battle. Two years later, in recognition of his achievements, the imperial court named him a first-level Xuanwu meritorious official. In 1643, 45 years after his death, he was given the posthumous title "Zhongwu". From then on, in order to commemorate him, the people of the Korean Peninsula called him "Loyal Wugong". Xianzhong Temple, which enshrines the tomb of General Yi Sun-shin, was built in 1706. It is located at the foot of Fanghua Mountain, surrounded by mountains, and the temple is shaded by pines and cypresses. Xianzhong Temple covers an area of ??more than 500,000 square meters. In addition to the "main hall", there are also ancient buildings such as "Hao", "Ancient House", "Family Temple" and a well used by the Li family. Historical information about Admiral Yi Sun-shin and physical objects such as the weapons he used in the naval battle with the Japanese pirates. Copies of eight gifts given to him by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, including the governor's seal, the token, and the sword, are carefully preserved. In the "Relic Hall". Every April 28, the day when Yi Sun-shin was born, sacrificial activities are held at Xianzhong Shrine. Xianzhong Shrine was once in ruins under the brutal suppression of Japanese imperialism. After Japan surrendered in 1945, activities to commemorate Lord Chungmu were resumed. In 1966, the Korean government designated this area as a "sacred area" and rebuilt the Hyeonchung Shrine. The comprehensive landscape project in the park continued until 1974.

Diplomacy: After World War II, South Korea focused on diplomacy with the United States and Japan. The open door policy was implemented in the early 1970s. After Kim Dae-jung took office as president in February 1998, he continued to work on consolidating alliances with the United States and Japan, and at the same time strengthening friendly relations with China and Russia. In terms of policy toward North Korea, Kim Dae-jung promoted the "Sunshine Policy" and proposed the "Three Principles toward North Korea" of not using force against each other, not engaging in absorption and reunification, and strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the North and the South. He advocated a "package plan" to end the Cold War structure on the Korean Peninsula. Korean Peninsula issue. South Korea joined the United Nations together with North Korea on September 17, 1991.

Relations with China: On August 24, 1992, China and South Korea established diplomatic relations.