&#91LETTERS TO THE EDITOR&#93Old temple has guides in modern garb

I recently went to Gyeongju to visit Bulguksa, named one of the world’s cultural heritage sites by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. The temple was crowded with both Korean and foreign tourists. As I walked through the temple, I saw guides explaining the buildings to foreign visitors. I found their explanations informative and kind. The Korean tourism industry has really advanced, I thought.
But I was disappointed in the appearances of the guides. They all wore jeans and sneakers. They were not distinguished from other tourists. I don’t think such an appearances harmonizes with the image of Bulguksa and Gyeongju, a city more than a thousand years old. Tour guides are civilian diplomats who represent Korea to foreigners. It would have been more appropriate had they worn traditional Korean clothing.

by Kim Tae-hyeon