An impression of Korea

May 30, 2000

Kenichi ＆ Mieko Nagano

It was in 1980 March when I (Mieko) first put my footprint on the soil of Korea, I landed at Kimpo International Airport as a transit on my way to the USA. I witnessed many soldiers guarding the airport with their guns at the ready. I still remember clearly the scene.

We visited Seoul as ordinary tourists in November 1992. This time, we met young Korean friends with whom we became acquainted through the personal computer communication. We could enjoy a wonderful couple of days in the city. It was very impressive that Kimpo Airport was then refreshed and shinning in a bright atmosphere, and there ware no soldier in sight.

When we visited now removed National Central Museum or Changdongkung, our hearts ached for knowing the fact that Korean people are still suffering from the trauma of a bitter relationship between Korea and Japan. The young friends, however, were very politely and welcomed us from their hearts. We were very much impressed

Since then, we have visited Korea every several years, I pondered on why we are very fond of this country. The biggest reason is that Korean had transmitted the culture of Asian Continent and helped civilize then infant Japan. The other reasons are the country is located close to our country, abounds in tasty food, and we have many good friends.

In the Internet age, we visited Seoul twice together with my friends in Oita

in order to exchange with Korean Internet lovers. We also exchanged them through Korean-Japan TV Conference in November 1998. In August 1999, we visited the construction site of Korean Soccer Stadium for World cup Soccer Games in 2002. We believe the game will deepen the relationship of the two countries.

We have experienced many time the kindness of Korean citizens: When we were traveling on a suburban train, a young passenger offered his seat to me without hesitation, or other lady kindly said me to put my luggage on her knee. Even though we couldn't understand Korean language at all, there kindness directly came into our hearts. We realized that in Korea, good manners such as courtesy and respecting elder take roots firmly even in young generation.

When we felt uneasy in the train to catch the name of a station through the window, another passenger looked at my guide map and kindly taught me that we were passing around this station and pointed the transfer terminal. Such small kindnesses touch our hearts.

In April 1999, we visited southern Korea together with my Internet friend in Oita in order to meet a friend with whom we became acquainted through The Internet. He is the Chief Proffesor of English Department of Chang-Shin Colleage in Masan. This was because he had accessed a homepage in which we had involved in and asked to reprint a part of it into his English textbook. The textbook was completed and we visited him to cerebrate the publication.

He treated us very well, he introduced us many people in his college, took us to a museum and a historic spot that commemorated the exchange history of the two countries. He even invited us to his home and we were very welcomed by his families. Thanks to his courtesy, we have come to like Korea much more than before.

When we visit cities or town in Korea, we always feel uneasy because we cannot go out of a hotel even a step without a guide. This is because we can't read even a trip of Hangul character. We would be happy if we can find much more English (world standard language) written maps, traffic signs, or shop names on the street. We could hardly find Chinese characters (a common language between China, Korea, and Japan), we are not sure why, We hope we can walk around the street easily by ourselves.

Another suggestion is to increase the number of well-maintained public toilet. Mention the word security, we often witnessed patrolling police in the crowded streets. We were very relieved to know that we were carefully guarded by them

We have many good friends in Korea, some of them are our close web friends, others are high school or college students who stayed in my house. We are very happy to feel their favors. It is also our delight to expect that young students will surely grow wonderful people to work not only for Korea but also for the globe.

By writing this essay, we become like to visit Korea again.