Geumjeong sanseong- largest mountain fortress in SK
After trekking for about 1/2 from the cable car station, arrived at the NSEW Gate Fortress. Built in 1703 under King Sukjong. Because of the Japanese invasion in 1592, Manchu in 1627 & 1937 - national defence was heightened. But this fortress was destroyed during the Japanese occupation (1920-1945). But began restoration only in 1972.
Around 1700s, famous missionaries like Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Charles Wesley and George Whitefield were in the timeline as King Sukjong who built these fortress!
From 1910-1945 : Japanese colonial rule invaded Korea. It was not surprising that when we tour Busan area, the buildings looked somewhat similiar to that in Japan. Industrial development also took place during the 35 year period of colonial rule. So by the time Japanese surrender in Aug 1945, Korea was the second most industrialised country after Japan in Asia.
How North and South Korea came about then?
On 25/6/1950 - NK forces invaded the South. This was the Korean War.
USA supported the South while Chinese supported the North.
After 3 years of bloody fighting, July 1953 - a truce came about. By then 3mio Koreans, 1 mio Chinese and 54k Americans were killed. NK & SK never reconciled till todate. Separated by a heavily fortified DMZ ( De-militarized Zone) Note: USA has just started to impose a ban for their citizens travelling to NK from August 2017
Like Littel Red Dot, we were too invaded by the Japs in 1940s. My late parents would have the horror tales of the brutality of this Jap Occupation from 1942 to 1945. Some called it more than 3 years of darkness in the Light of the South. So much about the city set on the hill of light.
************************************************************* The coming Korean Movie " Battleship Island" (true story) will be aired on 26/7/2017 tomorrow! This island is also known as Hashima Island - just 15km off Nagasaki Japan. It is a reminder of the dark history as a site of forced labour during the 2nd world war :(
Reflection : Candles and lights - they offer HOPE.....it is no wonder why Jesus declared Himself to be the Light of the World! PTL
