Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Enigma]

I've noticed that on many Korean maps, there are no linear scales allowing you to estimate the distance between places. I realize that some maps are "not to scale", but even on maps that obviously are "to scale", they frequently don't include one. I usually use them when I'm traveling to give me some idea of how long it takes to get from one spot to another.
I just don't understand why they wouldn't include one. They've obviously gone to a lot of work to make the map, so why not finish the job and throw on a scale? Do Koreans not use them? I just don't understand why something that is standard on most non-Korean maps is for some reason left off here.
If anyone's got a legitimate answer (or I guess even a decent theory) I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[seoulsucker]

Yeah, that can be a little frustrating. That, and the fact that many subway maps (that show the exits and the area around the station) don't put North "up" on the map. That can be really confusing.

[Weigookin74]

You assume Korea is logical.

[nathanrutledge]

I have an atlas of Korea, and it has scales in it. I've found that the nicer maps usually have them, as do a lot of the tourist maps do, but I've definitely seen my share that haven't, you're right. Maybe it's the related to the reason that they don't (until these days) have addresses like we do in the west. People generally know where they're going, and if they don't, they ask people who can give them a solid answer. Maybe?

As far as the maps in the subway, I've noticed that the maps are usually oriented the way you are facing, which, being underground, doesn't really mean a thing. I used to live in Byeongjeom, which is an above ground station and I noticed that the maps were 180 degrees from each other depending on what side of the platform you were looking at them.

[le-paul]

someone once to told me it was for military/defence purposes. Not sure how much truth there is in that.

[nathanrutledge]

[le-paul]

until around 10 years ago, GPs systems (in the UK) that were used for hiking/driving etc were purposefully inacurate to 50/100m so that foreign sources could not pin point an exact location should they chose to fire on it.
Korean maps (Im assuming the thread is about our equivalent to Ordanance Survey maps that are grid referenced to a scale of down to 1:10,000) missing 'scale' and grid ('grid north to south' as you cannot stop someone from making 'magnetic north' or 'true north') so that you cant make a 'grid reference' in event of an attack.

Thats my guess

[blackjack]

[le-paul]

I think that was also because we had to make ariplanes out of them for the battle of Britain

[nathanrutledge]