Datum: Sun, 19 Mar 2006 16:14:11 +0100 (CET)
Von: Carsten Haertl <carstenhaertl@yahoo.de>
Betreff: Destruction of Gahoe-Dong / Concrete Mania Korea
An: sahds@koreatimes.co.kr
Dear Mr. Sah and Journalists of Korean Times
Hello, I am a German manager, living in Seoul since 2003. My Korean wife
and me both love traditional Korean arts, culture and history very much.
Several times I read articles in English language newspapers about the
destruction of Kahoi-dong, the last Hanok district of Seoul. These reports
refer to David Kilburns activities and homepage on that issue.
As a foreigner whose home country (Germany) lost so much of its traditional
heritage during the 20th century - similar to Korea! - I cannot understand
why the step-by-step destruction of Kahoi-Dong is tolerated by the Korean
public. It is really a tragedy what happens there and elsewhere in Korea.
It is strange enough that foreigners usually know much more about the Koreas
traditional culture. But it is more a shame that foreigners have to stand
up and try to preserve these treasures. My high respect for David Kilburn's
initiative!!
I could add other examples in Seoul - like the "wild & strange" transformation
of Hannam-Dong - our current home) and anywhere else in this country. Similar
to Kahoi-dong, construction is tolerated in a ruthless and tasteless manner,
disregarding neighbourhood's interests, disregarding the distinctive character
of the district, or - at the countryside: disregading natural beauty and
natural resources.
I wonder why even after the first article in this newspaper October 2005
and many months of Kilburns homepage, there is still something to fight
for. In advanced countries the first article would have kicked-off a scandal,
resulting in dismissal or even imprisonment of several key persons in Seoul
City administration, and in high penalties for the speculators. Of course
the "hardly-legal" buildings - to see on Kilburns homepage -
would have been demolished and replaced by hanoks. All on account of the
speculators. I really wonder where strict supervision of rules and public
interests got lost in Korean administration. What is the job of district
inspectors in Korea? What are they paid for? And who pays their superiors?
As long as is still regarded as a matter of course in Korea, that you can
get everything for money, I am not optimistic for the appearance of Korean
cities. A look at modern city planning in China or a walk through cities
of advanced countries like Great Britain, Japan, etc. could start a helpful
learning process. This should happen before it is too late. As we saw in
the Cheong Gye Stream Project: Restoring the old treasures is always much
more painful and and expensive than their quick demolition.
Short-term profit maximazition of a few wins against long-term benefit
for the community. Unfortunately, in this area, South-Korea is by far an
underdeveloped country. Not better than Nigeria or Indonesia.
Best Regards
Carsten Haertl
NOTE: My first contact with Mr. Haertl was when he e-mailed me out of the blue to express support after visiting this web site, reading some articles, and wandering around Gahoe-Dong to look at what was happening. David Kilburn