Bird Bishop News Today

Earlier this month, the Korean government announced that it will ban breeding, butchering, distributing and selling of dogs for meat - to take effect in 2027. The dog-meat issue ha...

Earlier this month, the Korean government announced that it will ban breeding, butchering, distributing and selling of dogs for meat - to take effect in 2027. The dog-meat issue ha...

For Westerners, traveling in the interior of the Korean Peninsula in the late 19th century was very uncomfortable and dangerous - especially as night fell. The Korean roads and desolate paths were the hunting grounds for the numerous highwaymen and brigands who preyed upon small parties of travelers. Tigers stalked invisibly in the underbrush, waiting for the opportunity to gorge upon the flesh of the unwary.

It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This may be true in many cases - but more often than not, without a narrative and context, the picture was more distractive than attractive.

In the past (late 19th and early 20th centuries), Western visitors often described the homes of average Korean citizens as dingy, rough and unappealing. They were devoid of gardens, decorations and even paint.

In the past (late 19th and early 20th centuries), Western visitors often described the homes of average Korean citizens as dingy, rough and unappealing. They were devoid of gardens, decorations and even paint.

In the late 19th century, there were not that many permanent bridges outside of Seoul and its immediate vicinity. Most of the larger rivers and streams were either crossed by small ferries or by temporary bridges - the smaller bridges were made from pine branches and earth while the larger bridges were made from timber, trunks and branches from fir trees.

Traveling on the Han River in the 19th Century: Part 1

By Robert Neff In May 1903, Charles Allen Clark, an American missionary, made his first trip outside of the comforts of Seoul. Clark was still relatively new to Korea and his language ability and familiarity with Korean culture were still somewhat lacking. He did, however, provide an interesting view of what it was like to travel down the Han River to the Yellow Sea at the beginning of the twentieth century. Clark and another missionary departed Seoul through the South Gate on May 4, Buddhas Bi...