Some pictures from Korea


Pictures of Pusan

Pusan (or Busan) with a population of four million is the second-largest city and the principal port in South Korea. It is nestled between several mountain ridges and peaks. The old central district is located near the harbor with ferries to the outer islands and Japan. The train station and the observation tower in Mt. Yongdu Park are located here. Further to the north is Soemyeon, sometimes referred to as the new center of Pusan. Further to the north is Dongnae and to the east is Haeundae Beach.


This is a view of the neighborhood below my window. It is very crowded with the roofs almost touching. Many houses are accessible only by narrow alleys that one can imagine were once footpaths. Each house has a water tank on the roof. This is a view of Seomyeon in the distance to the east from my window. The tall structure (in shadow) just right of center is the Lotte Hotel, next to the Lotte Department Store. The subway entrance is located there with access directly to the department store. The store is upscale and mostly expensive.
Mount Baekyang to the north. In the center is an expressway that runs under Mt. Baekyang and Mt. Sujeong (this mountain). Running left to right (west to east) is the Dongseo Elevated Road. Nakdong river to the west. The airport is across the river behind the mountain to the right.
Pusan harbor from the mountain. Pusan harbor from the mountain.
Cliff on the shoreline at Taejongdae Park on Yeongdo Island. The sea and me, at Taejongdae Park on Yeongdo Island.
Coastline from boat off Yeongdo Island at Taejongdae Park. Alan England and me on a sightseeing boat off Yeongdo Island.
Fishing boats in harbor next to fish market near Jagalchi. Fish vendors at fish market. The variety of seafood includes shellfish, crabs, squid, octopus, seaweed, lobsters, abalone, shark, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, anemonies, and all kinds and shapes of fish.
Large bell in Yongdu San Park. This bell is about twelve feet tall. View of Yeongdo Island from the 118 meter tower in Mt. Yongdu Park.
Animist site on the mountainside. Animist site on the mountainside.

People of Pusan

Pusan would be just a shell without its people. The racial variation seems as great as anywhere. Men in business suits, women in the latest style, common people in varied attire. They seem cheerful, resourceful, and hard-working. But opportunities seem limited by low pay and under-employment. Yet underemployment offers more opportuinites than unemployment.


Shoe repair in Gaya-dong. The proprietor is working on the woman's sandals. Many of the vendor stalls seem opportunistic, squatters on the edges and corners of the street. This adds to the traffic congestion, but is part of the charm of the area. It offers more opportunities for entrepreneurs than in highly-regulated America. School Children going home, Saturday noon in Gaya-dong (the dong is a small administrative district or ward). Children go to school six days a week, with one month off in August.
I helped some undergraduate mechanical engineering students prepare to go abroad for a month to study English at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand. Left to right are Kang Ki-Bum, Moon Hyung-Joon, Lee Seong-Hak, Cho Yun-Ho, Ahn Heon-Soo, Yong Seong-Wu, Kim Yong-Hwan, An Sung-Ho, their doddering old teacher, and Jo Young-Il. Not shown is Kim Sun-Young. Korean students are delightfully courteous and respectful as can be seen in this photograph.

Dong Eui University

This arbor, covered with wisteria, is typical of many around campus. This is next to the old engineering building. The window of my office is visible on the corner. . .
. .
. .
This is the kitchen end of my dormitory room, with study desk and internet connection on the left. The refrigerator is cramped, there is no hot water, and there is one hot plate. Yet it is home for now. This is a view of the sleeping end of my room with bed to the right and the bathroom door to the left.

The Art of Beomeosa

Beomeosa is a Buddhist temple located on Mt. Geomjeong in Busan. It is a Seon (zen) sect temple administered by the Jogye Order. The name Beomeosa means "Temple of the Fish from Nirvana" and Mt. Geomjeong is "the Mountain of the Golden Well." It is generally believed that it was constructed by Uisang-daesa, a priest in 678. During the Goryeo period it was much larger, with over 360 rooms and more than a thousand monks. Beomeosa led Korean Buddhism from the Goryeo period to the middle of the Joseon period, but was burned to ashes during the Imjin Japanese invasion in 1592 and was deserted for ten years. It was reconstructed in 1602 by Gwan-seonsa, but was rebuilt once again in 1613 after another disaster.


Monuments near entrance in memory of monks and laypeople. The turtles are said to represent longevity. This seven-story stone pagoda is found off to the right near the first gate.
One passes through three gates to get to the temple. The first is Iljumun, the one-pillar gate. This consists of four stone pillars in a row, which when viewed from the side looks to be supported by a single pillar.This was constructed in 1614, after the original temple was destroyed. Iljumun means the first step toward enlightenment. Detail of the eves of the first gate.
This is Cheonwangmun, the second gate. The area beyond is protected from evil by four guardian kings seen inside this gate. A representation of evil cowers at the feet of one of the guardians at the second gate.
This is the guardian king to the west. The seated guardians are about ten feet tall. The guardian king to the north.
This is the guardian king to the east. The guardian king to the south.
This is Burimun, the third and last gate. The steps beyond lead up to the temple area. Bojeru. This meeting hall is found at the top of the steps beyond the third gate and at the foot of the main shrine. It contains no objects of worship and is used for meetings..
Three-story stone pagoda. It dates back to the first temple and is said to contain relics of the Buddha. Thus it is an object of worship. Stone Lantern dating back to the original temple. The ill-proportioned base is newer.
Daeungjeon, the main shrine, was reconstructed in 1614. Seokgamoni Buddha, attended by Galla Bodhisattva, is worshiped here. Architectural detail of the roof of the main shrine.
Belfry with four instruments of worship. The bell is for the spirit of man, the drum for the animals including the animal side of man, a gong for the birds, and a fish-shaped gong for the fish. The fish have a special place because they gaze without blinking (except sharks). Shrine of Sanshingak, the traditional Korean mountain god. When Buddhism came to Korea, it incorporated parts of the indigenous religion.
Jijangjeon, shrine to Ksitigarbha, Bodhisattva of suffering. Left to right, doorways are Palsangjeon, with paintings of the Buddha's life, Dokseongjeon, and Nahanjeon.
Buddha and disciples in Dokseongjeon (Nabanjonja). Some of the sixteen famous disciples of the Buddha.
In Palsangjeon, the shrine dedicated to the artist who depicted the life of the Buddha in paintings. Some of the eight murals depicting the life of the Buddha.
A stone wall using mud as mortar. The covering is necessay to keep the mortar frim washing out in the rain. .


Return to my home page