A few weeks ago my adventures took me to the Independence Hall of Korea. I heard whispers on the wind that it's the largest museum in Korea, It's pretty big, but it's got nothing on the Tate, V&A or the Louvre. It's housed over six different buildings, has several giant monuments and even has it's own IMAX... I know right. I found It very interesting to see history through the eyes of the Koreans.
I don't know if you know this (of course you don't) but Korea and Japan are arguing over who the island of Dokdo belongs to. There was a very large section of the museum dedicated to the Koreans 'favorite island', a place of outstanding natural beauty that all Koreans love and wish to visit. It's a rock, well two rocks really, that sit next to each other. Their dispute over this tiny island, which is so inhabitable that there is only one dock and one building their, has been going on for years apparently. For some reason there is a helicopter pad and I read somewhere it has over thirty Korean guards, just in case those pesky Japanese try to claim it.
Films in multiple languages show how Japan has twisted the Koreans history over the years and how they refuse to apologize for the many, many, many wrongs they have done to their close neighbor. Apart from the hate filled Japan propaganda, there isn't really that much else to look at in the museum. They seem to have spent a lot of money on creepy looking wax works. They fill large rooms with these unsettling figures, it almost seems like they are trying to fill the massive space, which was almost completely unnecessary. Still, the scale of the place is very impressive.
The Korean war, which I find one of the most interesting parts of the countries more recent history, is only slightly brushed over at the very end and in not very great detail. There was like a wall with a short bit of writing about it. That's all.
Maybe the next museum I visit can fill me in on some more of the details, but until then...
Love, Hugs and curse you japan!
Samuel James
WHAT? There's a Madame Tussauds in Korea?!?! I'm applying! Ha x
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