More war…
It’s been a drizzly, snowy Saturday in Seoul, so a chance to do admin and find somewhere warm to pass the afternoon.
Related intermission. Unlike Japanese tube trains, Korea’s aren’t plastered in ads from floor to ceiling. They’re instead very citizen focussed, with clearly marked seats for pregnant women and, separately, the elderly and infirm. They also have constant public safety films running, which seem to have daily themes. Today’s is... Gas attack.
Which explains the cupboards full of gas masks on every platform. I suppose. It’s one reminder that Korea is still technically at war, with no peace treaty (just an armistice) ever signed. That and the regular sightings of off-duty national service soldiers everywhere.
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The warm place chosen, easily accessible, was The Korean War Memorial and its attached, huge, visitor centre. It’s a striking building, full of history, beginning unexpectedly with a nod to prehistoric times. We quickly get into the neverending invasions by Chinese and Japanese armies over the centuries, culminating in the end of the Second World War. Then the Korean War takes over and there is a LOT of military hardware on show. But also an atmospheric and moving Memorial Hall.
I left there, passing 3 or 4 demos in the freezing cold and headed home in the snow.
If I ever come back to Korea, it will have to be in warmer months. I’m not made for this weather anymore. And with that - off for a stopover in Tokyo (weather not much better), before summer in Australia. Lucky man.
Bonus picture…
Note to self: look up Dokdo Island…
