990830soccer

August 30,1999: Meeting with Korean "Jiphyunjeon " members　　by Mie

The second day in Seoul. Looking down from the ninth floor of the hotel, we saw the long lines of cars heading to their businesses. Monday morning begins with a traffic jam. All of us wanted to take original Korean breakfast, and walked out to explore the town around eight a.m. What was lucky for us, we found a Korean restaurant whose menu was had the pictures of the dishes. Each of us ordered different kinds of dishes: On the left is "pajyong" a Korean version of Okonomiyaki - a thin, flat cake of unsweetened batter fried with various ingredients- that deserves to be called an omelet. We put boiled rice into red-colored soup. Abundant Kimchi is assorted without fail.

We paid in Won currency (left.) About 1,000 Won is equivalent to 100 Japanese Yen. On our way back to the hotel, we came up to such a corner. Some businessmen on their way to the office take simple breakfast at the stall like this. They put "pajyong" between two slices of toast, which looks like tasty.

"Manhattan Hotel (left) uses abundant marbles in its structure and interior", said Mr. Shirley whose father is an architect. In front of the hotel is a big church, the second largest Gospel church in the world. We walked down to Han river, and downed to the river side park (right.) The park was very clean with many swimming pools, vegetable gardens, and flower beds.

Today's main event is a meeting with Internet lovers in Seoul. The meeting was materialized by the efforts of Mr.Kyong-Hee Yu, an old COARA member in Seoul. He presides over all the activities of Internet Jiphyunjeon group. The meeting started at 10:30 at our hotel. Our male members wear ties and look like a little bit strained. I talked with him on the screen of the Korea-Japan TV conference held last year. This is the first time in three years to see him. I was delighted to find that he looks very vivid.

We have asked Mr. Kyong-Hee Yu in advance to have a chance to take a look at Seoul's Soccer Stadium under construction. The Korean side members kindly took us to the Stadium by their cars. I got on Mr.Kyong-Hee Yu's car. He managed to drive down the complicated construction road near Han river. On the second floor of the construction site office, we had an explanation on the progress status of the construction. The main skeleton structure was about to rise from the ground.

Mr. Tong Chung, ex-headman of Mapo ward and a member of Internet Jiphyunjeon , translated our communication. He was in charge of Planning Department of Seoul Olympic Game. Mr. Kwon Jong Seo, a sub-leader of Seoul World Cup Soccer Stadium Construction management section, explained the project: "The Stadium is being constructed on the land of 53,450 acres, it will accommodate 64,000 audience. The construction status is 16 % in progress. The construction cost of the exclusive soccer stadium is about 200 billion Won. The completion date is scheduled as 2001 October." after the explanation, he opened the front curtain. The scene of the construction plunged into our eyes; it is an exquisite presentation.

We saw the prototype of the Stadium that simulates a sailboat plying Han river in old days. The dome of the Stadium looks like a Korean traditional kite, he said. After the World Soccer Game, the Stadium will be utilized as a commercial zone including movie theatres, shopping centers, swimming pools, restaurants, and a memorial hall of the Game so as to many people come and enjoy here, he concluded.

We then left the site and headed to TriGem building in which our exchange meeting is to be held. A large hall was already set up. We soon distributed various materials including Hankul-written guidebook of Oita, COARA brochure, Internet magazine and English guidebook to Oita 2002 World Soccer mailing list. Mr. Mori and Mr. Yuuki are preparing for the distribution.

Mr. Internet Jiphyunjeon , the chairman of Internet Jiphyunjeon , makes a few words. The group consists of over-60-year-old citizens in order to be useful for the society through the Internet. "The first step is to introduce Korean cultures deeper to the Japanese friends", he stressed, "and here, we have prepared a small book on Korean Culture written in Japanese. I hope you will take a look at it and give us comments if any." The number of the member is about 200; each of them has his or her home page. After the speech, we introduced each other in Japanese. All the members were really wonderful people. I have had a very impressive day today.

We then moved to a restaurant in the basement for lunch. The main dish was a kind of special food for a festival, with thick cow bone soup and boiled rice. As all Korean members speak fluent Japanese, we got into swing by chatting on the pleasure of the Internet or recent tendency of the young generation of Koreans who feel hard to make home-made Kimchi.

Although the chatting was never-ending, time has come. They kindly took us to the hotel. Well, this is the big picture for our commemorative meeting. Front line, from left, Mr. Suyama, Mr. Yuuki, Ms. Fujii, Mr.Kyong-Hee Yu in black tie, Mie, Mr. Kuboki. On the back is Mr.Kohn, the vice president of Jiphyunjeon , who stressed to "Get younger 10 years old in Jiphyunjeon group." Yes, all the members are really vivid and young. The special off-line-meeting was over in success.