I am going to meet a foreigner who loved Korea more than Koreans do

These days, there are many things that make us proud to be Korean, such as music, dramas, food, movies, culture, and so on that start with “K-.”

Of course, there are things that are frustrating and unpleasant, but we take pride in the fact that there are not many countries that possess such beautiful nature, noble history, and cutting-edge culture and technology as Korea does.

When I was a student, I envied foreigners who were learning foreign languages. Nowadays, due to the influence of Hallyu sweeping across the world, many foreigners are trying to learn Korean as their second language, and it makes me feel a sense of historical progress.

Today, I am going to meet someone who, in the past, looked at Korea as it was small and poor, but saw its future value and loved it even more than Koreans do, earning the title of “someone who loved Korea more than Koreans do” naturally. We will depart for Hapjeong in Seoul.

Comrade’s Table where you can taste North Korean cuisine

The first place you’ll encounter near Hapjeong Station Exit 7 is Comrade’s Table run by Yoon Jong-chul, a former chef at Okryugwan in North Korea.

This place is known for its newly introduced dish, duck noodle soup, and is popular among office workers in their 30s and 40s who seek a healthier meal rather than traditional North Korean cuisine.

Despite its simple appearance, the clear and clean broth of the duck noodle soup is stimulating to the taste buds, and the stir-fried duck meat that has been soaked in sugar and vinegar to remove any unwanted smell is also popular. The glutinous rice blood sausage is filled with chewy glutinous rice and deliciously sticky. Although it is not an authentic North Korean-style blood sausage made by grinding a whole pig’s head, the texture and flavor of the glutinous rice and seasoning make it unique. (Source: Korea Tourism Organization)

– Address : 10 Yanghwajin-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
– Business Hours : Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-21:00 (break time 15:00-17:00), Sunday 11:30-15:00
* Closed on Mondays
– Website : https://dongmoobabsang.modoo.at

A story of a foreigner who loved Korea more than Koreans

Upon arrival at the entrance, a modest space is visible. Through the kindly marked signboards, you can find brief information about the history and location of the space.

On the day I visited, perhaps due to the holiday, there were many volunteers who came. There were quite a few people gathered, but the atmosphere of the space was quiet and calm.

This is where Herbert Missionary is sleeping.

Herbert was expelled from The Hague for advocating for the legitimacy of Korea’s independence and assisted in the independence movement overseas. Even after returning to the United States, he continued to advocate for Korea’s independence and help whenever he had the opportunity. He led a group of 86-year-old Koreans during the Korean Independence Day, but his elderly body could not withstand the long journey, and he passed away on August 5, 1949.

According to his will, which said, “I want to be buried in Korea rather than Westminster Abbey,” his remains were buried in Yanghwajin, where his son, who died at the age of one, was buried.

Thinking about how he would have felt seeing modern-day Korea, I was touched and grateful in my heart.

These historical sites nearby may be easily forgotten, so how about visiting them this weekend?

The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again.
– George Santayana

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