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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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 Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject: Are the Gwanghwamun trees still there? |
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Seoul City Hall is building a new plaza at Gwanghwamoon at the moment and a canadian friend of mine who happens ot know many of the city planners quite well said they've axed their plans to remove the trees there. So, can anyone confirm that the lovely old trees are still in the middle of the street?
While we're at it, am I right in believing the grand canal plans have been completely abandoned now?
And also, how are things going with turning some of the traffic lanes in downtown Seoul into bike paths?
Although I'm back in New Zealand I've still got a lot of affection for Seoul and I'm curious about how things are going there.
Cheers, Duncan |
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blurgalurgalurga
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:18 am Post subject: |
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I don't live in Seoul anymore so I don't know about the old trees or bike paths. I am guessing though that the trees are ok, and the bike paths still in the Land of Dreams.
They did supposedly ban all motorcycle traffic on sidewalks though. For real this time. No, really, they really really mean it now. Maybe Seoul people can comment on the efficacy of this latest crackdown. I reserve doubt.
The canal is a total bust though, nobody's said much about that in a while. |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:26 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the reply. Good to hear the canal plan is well and truly dead.
My next question, have they opened any of subway line 9 yet? |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: |
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| kiwiduncan wrote: |
| My next question, have they opened any of subway line 9 yet? |
Not as far as I know. The construction signs in Yeoido, if I recall correctly, promise a summer of 2009 completion date. |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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So it's been delayed a wee bit then by the sounds of it. It was originally going to open in 2008, though I heard one half of the line is being delayed until 2015 or so.
Anyway, I'll have to assume no news is good news about the trees.
Whatever happened to the plan to build an iconic opera house in the middle of the river? Has that plan been shelved? |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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| kiwiduncan wrote: |
Whatever happened to the plan to build an iconic opera house in the middle of the river? Has that plan been shelved? |
I see artistic renderings of the plans displayed occasionally in the subway stations, and I notice that they show what looks like private boats pulling up to it.
I have previously asked of Koreans why there aren't more private boats on the Hangang. You know, just people cruising, waterskiing, having a good time. I owned a boat in the States and thought it would be cool to have one here in Seoul.
The only answers I get are 'getting a boating license is very difficult', 'Korean people don't do that', or that the Mafia/Military is in control so it's a big no-no. Basically, everyone I asked said it's impossible.
And Koreans wonder why tourism (besides the Japanese coming to shop) sucks in Korea. The mentality behind restrictions such as this is absurd and completely outdated. What the F are they afraid of? KJI? Pfftt, please. |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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Damn, I've just had it confimed that the trees have been removed. From what I understand the trees were removed so as to make a more usable parade area for their "authentic" changing of the guards. Oh yes, what could be more authentic than the cheesy Korean ceremonial palace guards, with their fake beards and unnaturally shiny hanbok?
At least the trees were real. |
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crossmr
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:06 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the links. The trees wrapped up against the winter cold haven't been disturbed at least. In the middle of the road though (currently obscured by the construction fence) was a big avenue of cherry (?) trees. It looks like they are gone. |
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crossmr
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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