Robert Neff News Today

Fishing along the Han River

Darkness once ruled the nights of Seoul. During the winter of 1883/84, Percival Lowell, a young American guest to the capital, was captivated by Seoul’s dark nights where women were allowed free reign of the streets and men (unless they were blind) were confined to their homes. Read MoreCurfew allows nighttime to belong to the blind

On February 24, 1893, the British warship, HMS Caroline, sailed along the coast of Korea near Geomundo Islands. On board was 32-year-old Sub-Lieutenant William Stanley Lambert - an officer who was definitely not happy. He had been temporarily assigned to this ship to replace a lieutenant who, “in an evil moment,” had become too ill to go to sea.

In early 1890, the Eastern Whaling Company was established in Yokohama, Japan. It was a foreign venture and began operations with a single small steamer named the Nautilus which was soon joined by a brand new steamer named the Narwhal. The company began with grand goals and a promising future but its reality was bad luck, financial ruin and death.

In early 1890, the Eastern Whaling Company was established in Yokohama, Japan. It was a foreign venture and began operations with a single small steamer named the Nautilus which was soon joined by a brand new steamer named the Narwhal. The company began with grand goals and a promising future but its reality was bad luck, financial ruin and death.

Narwhals have always been viewed with a sense of wonder tinged with supernatural mysticism. They were bearers of the great unicorn horns, and symbols of purity and good fortune. It was fortune that brought the wooden narwhals to Korea.

“You often read about the falcon hunts of the days before the invention of sporting guns and smokeless powder, but these hunts must have been tame compared to a modern Korean wolf ...

Although 19th-century Korea is often referred to as the “Hermit Kingdom,” a land relatively unknown to Westerners, it is surprising how many famous (or infamous — depending u...

Although 19th-century Korea is often referred to as the “Hermit Kingdom,” a land relatively unknown to Westerners, it is surprising how many famous (or infamous — depending u...

Today is the Korean Lunar New Year and children throughout the country are busy bowing down before their parents, relatives and even elder siblings in hopes of obtaining some New Year money. It is a cherished tradition that is likely to be practiced for many more years, but not all New Year’s traditions survived.