Early in the 20th century, the Japanese took over the Korean peninsula. As one might expect when a country is occupied and the culture put through a meat-grinder, the Koreans didn’t take too kindly to it. And in the interest of keeping the peace, I won’t get too much into it. Still, I’m not a neutral party in this. Few people can be. The Japanese of the first half of the 20th century were about the world’s worst bastards in their brutality — but the Japanese since have been an incredible people.
Still, resentment runs deep, and it will probably take the complete dying off of the generations that still remember, either personally (fewer people every day), or through their parents and grandparents. And of course there will always be the right-wing nationalist crowd (on both sides of the East Sea), but even these memories will fade.
But not any time soon.
When it comes to addressing that part of history, I’m a huge fan of the Independence Hall museum in Ch’eonan. Maybe I’ll get down there and do a piece about it someday (unfortunately, Micha isn’t a fan of repeated visits — once is enough for her, but I could go at least once a year if given my way). That’s not the only place, though. Scattered throughout the countryside you’ll find monuments to the “March 1st Movement” — an uprising of the Korean people that began on March 1st, 1919. Many a Korean patriot gave their lives for this movement, and the country honors them as we Americans may some of our founding fathers — even more so.
I heard through a person I follow on Strava that there was a stamp-book trail about 20 miles West of where I live in the Hwaseong City district. This trail honors the March 1st patriots of Hwaseong City. You do the trail by going to the visitor’s center, picking up a booklet (like a passport), then going on the course to collect 14 stamps (you get the 1st at the visitor’s center, so there are 15 total). It’s a great way to learn about the area’s history, and if you know my tree hunts, you’ll know that I love finding gems like this as I ride.
I did the ride this morning and loved it, taking plenty of pictures along the way. So get ready for some reading (if you’d like), and learning a little bit about why Korean/Japanese relations can be a bit touchy at times.
“You Can never go wrong with goats!” Snork