THE Westbury U3A group were treated to a talk on Korea at their April meeting.
Group member Maggie Skyrme said, “Korea is often in the news and many people drive Korean cars, but it remains a mysterious country.
“Those people attending the U3A meeting were lucky enough to hear a talk by Ward Jones who has visited Korea several times and has made a study of the country and its history.
“Situated in east Asia, bordered by China and Russia and separated from Japan by sea it has long been an inward-looking country. The kingdom was invaded and annexed by Japan at the end of the nineteenth century and the local culture was suppressed.
“After defeat of Japan at the end of the Second World War, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel, setting the scene for the Korean war. Technically still at war there is a guarded and patrolled no-mans-land between the two halves of the Korean peninsular.
“Many people still hope for reunification but currently life in North and South Korea is very different. South Korea is now one of the largest exporters in the world and has one of the leading economies. Land is scarce and high-rise flats, each block numbered on the outside are the norm. As a contrast, North Korea has subsistence farming and an intermittent electric supply. When viewed at night from space North Korea is a dark area amongst all the bright lights visible.
“Although tourism is increasing in South Korea, western faces are still relatively rare and Ward found himself an object of curiosity whilst out and about. He visited the no-mans-land area and viewed memorials to those who demonstrated against Japanese rule and The Glorious Gloucesters who fought in the Korean War.
“The country is divided between Christianity, Buddhism and Confucianism. Some Christian churches are so large that a revolving pulpit is used!
“Marriage ceremonies are conducted in dedicated buildings with numerous rooms so that many marriages are conducted simultaneously, with the photographer taking precedence over the person officiating
“The speaker in May is David Coppard talking about ‘Clerical Calamities’. The meeting incorporates the AGM, an important and necessary part of the programme, so please attend if possible. As usual, 1.45pm for a 2pm start in the United Reformed Church Hall on Tuesday 8th May.”
