Korea pushes to be the best, build the biggest

Features

Published: 12 Nov. 2010, 21:59

Korea pushes to be the best, build the biggest

Bulguk Temple, on the outskirts of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, is just one of the cultural treasures to be found in this historic region. The ancient city of Gyeongju is a living museum that attracts visitors year-round. [JoongAng Ilbo]

Korea never seems to stop building. Every block there’s new construction, whether it is a gigantic apartment complex or the latest coffee shop.

Visitors flock to the Pusan International Film Festival in the southern port city of Busan. The festival, which has become Asia’s biggest cinematic event, screened 308 fi lms from 67 countries this year for more than 182,000 visitors.

These tell-tale signs of Korea's ongoing push to modernize are evident from end to end, from the capital, Seoul, to the southern port of Busan. Behind it all is a tale of struggle and success as compelling as any you can imagine - and this story is just getting started.

An artist뭩 rendering of a segment of the four-rivers restoration project ?which involves the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan Rivers. The project aims to improve access to waterfront areas and restore the ecology of rivers and tributaries.

That means there are more than enough reasons to return to Korea to witness the country's next transformation.

To catch it, you’ll have to be quick. Korea has already begun moving away from the “build, baby, build” mantra that turned it into an economic powerhouse and is fine-tuning its vision.

Today, the country is planning high-tech, sustainable cities ripe for investment and sleek towers that fuse Korean tradition and futuristic forms. Korea is also making strides in sports and culture, renewing historical sites and launching environmental projects.

By this time next year, you might want to check out Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park. Within two years, you could find yourself in Yeosu for an international exposition or snapping pictures of a rebuilt Namdaemun. In 2014, you will be able to witness the completion of Lotte Super Tower 123, which will be one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. And if Korea has its way, there will be a World Cup or Olympic games in its future as well.

This week, Korea rolled out the red carpet for the G-20, but behind the scenes it is also busy laying the foundation for its next round of visitors.

By Matthew Lamers, Allen Wagner

Left: Visitors flock to the Pusan International Film Festival in the southern port city of Busan. The festival, which has become Asia’s biggest cinematic event, screened 308 films from 67 countries this year for more than 182,000 visitors.

Right: An artist’s rendering of a segment of the four-rivers restoration project - which involves the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan Rivers. The project aims to improve access to waterfront areas and restore the ecology of rivers and tributaries.