The birthplace of Chocopie, the site of a vibrant art scene and a US military base. While we were walking through Samgakji on a tour, it never occurred to us that Samgakji was all these things.
http://samgakjistories.yongsanlegacy.org/
What’s important to remember, after all is said and done, are the many thousands of people who touched the face of South Korea including: the citizens of the communities who donated clothing; the students and faculty at the universities who collected, sorted, boxed and provided financial help; the transportation companies who donated their trucks and railroad cars; and especially the soldiers, both American and Korean, who distributed the clothing throughout the country for a decade. Kamsahamnida
For me, it all started on Yongsan Compound.
From serving at Yongsan and volunteering with People to People International (PTPI) and numerous other non-profit organizations, to promoting Korean businesses and cultural events, Mr. Nowell has made a significant and lasting impact on his adopted country.
Seoul City offers honorary citizenship to ‘Bridgebuilders.’, better known as: the Balloon Ajossi, due to his penchant for twisting small balloons into animal and heart shapes for young kids in memory of his deceased daughter
The history of the First Senior Class of the first American High School in Korea is brief. It began on September 8, 1959, with thirteen…
“Open your bag, please,” said a young officer standing behind the customs inspection table at John F. Kennedy airport. A pungent smell of the seashore…
It was back in the 70’s in Korea…..it was snowing a LOT……Korean family from the little village area on the beach-this was the early 70’s, told us to come inside their home! We spent the night or two with them……Will we ever know who these people were? Do they remember that special time?…..We regret that we didn’t have room for the camera on this trip…….Thanking my lucky stars each and every day
It was in 1973 when I was a second grader at Sangmyeong school when you were with an American design firm named Trans-Asia Engineers (TAE) in Main Post of Yongsan Garrison. You had to pick me up at my school in Samkakji as my class ended about 2 p.m. While you had to stay with a large slanted drafting board until five in the afternoon, I walked around the offices peeking into here and there.
I have beautiful memories of Yongsan. I really do! My time there was magical; something I’ll always treasure and never forget. It may have been a military base, but I can assure you that my friends and I knew that something unique was going on there. It was a time when everyone got along, loved Korea and looked on people as friends. I wish the rest of the world could have had the same experience.
The Yongsan Garrison, which served as the US military headquarters in South Korea until the headquarters’ relocation to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, in June, opened to the public for the first time in 114 years on Friday.
One of the First Ladies of Korea once told foreign journalists that Korean craftsmen are far more skilled in producing handmade equipment, tools, or art…
They were next door neighbors. The villagers were all friendly Koreans who wore similar clothes. They enjoyed farming festivals together and spoke with a tinge…
A True Story of Mrs. James Simmerman and The Chosun Gift Shop. Early in 1966, the ladies of the OWC (officers wives club) started work…
“Over nearly 60 years, SAES has instructed thousands of students and allowed them to learn about the American and Korean cultures, building bridges between the two nations.”