Korean Job Discussion Forums

[noraebang]

I used to live right on the Han River, so whenever I looked out my bedroom window I could see how empty it was. There was some kind of wake boarding and wind surfing shop set up not too far away, and I would occasionally see that evening cruise boat come by, but that's about it.

There are almost 20 million people in the Seoul Metropolitan area which surrounds the Han River. I think the only explanation for the emptyness of the river must be that the government requires licences to use it because of military security reasons. That's probably the reason why I only saw companies on the water rather than individuals. In a city of 20 million, there ought to be a few kayakers and canoers. In fact, I think that would be an awesome way to go to work, no matter how brown the water could get. Despite living on the river for a year I never saw people just throw a canoe or kayak in the water.

So, does anyone know the explanation for this? If I throw a kayak or inflatable dinghy in the river will I get chased down by the military? What's the dealio?

Please shy away from answers like "Koreans are afraid of water" or something rediculous. No matter how unpopular boating and water sports may be in Korea, that would not explain 20 million individuals completely avoiding a river. That, and I've seen a picture of the river in the 60s or 70's and it was jam packed full with small merchant boats full of vegetables and stuff. It looked like a busy canal in Bangkok.

[HalfJapanese]

I thought the Han River was used for recreational purposes. At least that is what the Korean movie, "The Host" portrayed.

[noraebang]

Did it? I've seen that movie but I don't remember the river being full of wakeboarders and people who just want to get out for the weekend and speed around with their little outboard. I remember one scene from the beginning and people were sitting in the grass along the Han River Park, which is what they already do now in the summer.

Anyway, my experience of looking out my bedroom window for a year contradicts what you say about that film.

Oh funny thing, my town of 4000 here in Canada has way more boats in their marina than I've ever seen at the Han River.

Another question: Does Korea not have a Coast Guard? Why are fishing vessels sinking and people dying all the time? I've seen this happen on Korean news frequently. Seems like there are less deaths on the West Coast of Canada where the coastline is bigger, there's more isolation and distance from cities, and the waters are rougher.

[HalfJapanese]

I just checked the movie, all I could find was a bunch of two seater swan paddle boats lining the edge of the river.

[WTP Trust]

I think that most Koreans know that it's so digustingly polluted that "it's not good for health" to muck around in it.

[Drew345]

The Chao Phraya river in Bangkok is like a traffic jam on the water. Dinner boats, taxi boats, hotel shuttles, and big barges full of stuff.
The Han doesn't seem to be used for commerce shipping at all. No hotel taxis, very few dinner cruises.
I think the fact (restriction?) that it is not used for shipping goods makes a big difference.
Was down to the shore last night. Really great place with parks everywhere and cool breezes. Loved it!

[nomad-ish]

[MattAwesome]

they are at yeoinaru station. go out exit 3

[rollo]

It is the pollution. Back in the early ninties there were mines in the water. But I dont think that is true now.

[bluelake]

I live in a place that is completely land-locked and at least 1-1/2 hours drive from a major body of water, and yet there is a boat company here. My wife and I were just commenting on that yesterday.

[jomiro]

ive seen people waterskiing and such on the han river.

[goreality]

I once watched a 'birdman' competition along the Han, people were trying to cross the river in homemade gliders, most of them barely made it 3 metres and plunged into the deep. I'm not certain, but I'm guessing there are restrictions on the use of the river. You probably need to hire a lifeguard and a police officer or two to use the river without a special license. Safety concerns about drowning or something worse are their top concern.

[mack the knife]

If you had seen as many bloated dead fish floating merrily downstream as I have, you wouldn't be asking such questions.

[jvalmer]

If you saw what the river looked liked before the '88 Olympics, I think you'd think twice before taking a dive in there.

[TheUrbanMyth]