Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwiduncan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand

I've been informed that the Korean National Parks Service plans to evict Ham Tae Shik, an 82 year old man who has been living in one of the mountaineering shelters for the last 40 years.

He's not just some homeless squatter. He's actually one of the people who were very active in persuading the Korean government to set up the park system in the 1960s.

I don't know the reason for now turning around and evicting him from the shelter that he's been the caretaker of for decades, but it seems a great shame to have him kicked out.

Here are a couple of links to the KMPL's website and a facebook group.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=54003017063

www.kmpl.org

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

Thats quite terrible. I know Mr Ham. I've shared many a cup of tea and bowl of Ramien with him over the years. He is one of the kindest most gentle, wisest people I have ever met.

For those who don't him. He has been living on the mountain for 40+ years not because he is some nut. But because he loves Chri-san more than anything elese in the world. Without him is is unlikely the K govt would have made Chri-san a national park.

One of the true pleasures of hiking on Chri-san is the chance to run into Mr Ham and chatting for a few minutes. It'll be sad if the Govt can pull off this eviction.

kiwiduncan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand

I saw him in the videos that Shawn made and he looks like a lovely old guy. Apparantly the KNPS has decided they don't want private cabins in the park so they're chucking him out. The least they could do is allow him to stay there but just be firm that no-one else can move in later on. That's what the Department of Conservation and local governments have done in New Zealand - if it's a bach (cabin) on conservation land they don't kick the residents off, but they say (in more polite terms of course) "after you die we're going to remove your bach".