Korean Job Discussion Forums

[W.T.Carl]

I also seem to recall that there was but one major highway- the one from Seoul to Pusan. But the major difference was in the countryside. Those villages very mostly mud buildings with straw roofs and no electric. The only thing modern were the plastic buckets. It was like stepping back in time to the 1400's.

[just because]

Man that site is so cool.

The guy who runs that site also has some very interesting articles on past history of modrrn Korea. Sometimes they are in the Korea Times

[babtangee]

It was a cool site.

[jazzplayer]

Here's a village from the winter of 1971:



W.T.Carl is right--though I think this one had electricity.

I've heard that the government banned those roofs in the 80s or 90s (as a fire hazard)--anyone know that story?

[jajdude]

Interesting photos.

[W.T.Carl]

Must have been a rich village. The ones I saw near Masan were much poorer. About the roofs- Pak Chung Hee issued an order that there were to be no straw roofs. And if you notice the hills, you will not see many big trees. Now things are better due to his order that trees were not to be cut at all. He many have been a dictator, but he did some good things.

That brings back memories of hunting pheasants on those hills.

[jazzplayer]

Yes--I recall the treelessness of much of Korea. I understand the Japanese deforested much of the county--even in the 70s there was very little old growth.

That village probably wasn't very far outside Seoul. Back then Seoul ended at the Han.

[vlcupper]

[Hollywoodaction]

Yes, that's somewhat how most parts of Seoul, and other cities, still look today. The signs are more modern, but the buildings are still standing. Quite a shock, actually. I assumed these soviet utilitarian style buildings were first constructed in the late 70's or early 80's.

[jazzplayer]

Those utilitarian buildings looked old in the early 70s!

Anyone know this location?

[Pyongshin Sangja]

That kinda looks like Haebangcheon looking south. I think that bus is still in operation!

[animalbirdfish]

[Gollum]

[dogbert]

[itaewonguy]