September 1 , 2002

AG Flag Controversy

With the opening of the long anticipated Busan Asian Games just around the corner, the most heated discussion in the local media concerns the Korean flag(s). Although North Korea agreed to participate in the Games as part of a 'unified' Korean team, no decision has been reached concerning which flag the Korean athletes would march behind. At the 2000 Sidney Olympics, the 'unified' Korean team marched behind the Hanbanodogi, a flag with showing a map of the entire Korean peninsula. Some members of the AG Organizing Committee and Korea Athletic Association, feel that as host of the Games, it is only proper that the South Korean flag (Tagukgi) be included as well. Public opinion is split on the matter. Some prefer to use only the Hanbanodogi, others the Hanbanodogi and the Tagukgi, and still others lobbying for the use of Hanbanodogi and both national flags. All of the talk has led some to suggest that a new 'unified Korea' flag be designed for use in international sporting events and perhaps some day, as the banner of a truly unified peninsula. Stay tuned to the opening ceremony Sept. 29 to see how the dispute is settled.

Subway Factoids

By the time you read the article, the latest round of Busan Subway construction should be in operation. The extension of Subway Line 2 from Suyoung to Jangsan (past Haeundae) was scheduled to open August 29. Here are some subway factoids for commuters to peruse as they make their way to Haeundae in speedy air conditioned comfort.
- Construction on Line 2 was begun November 28th, 1991 and was originally scheduled for completion in 1999. The total cost of construction was 2.53 trillion won (US$2.11 billion) or about 647 million won(US$539,000) /day.
- More than 7 million 40kg bags of cement were used to build it.
- If all the heavy equipment used in construction was lined up end to end, it would stretch from Busan to Seoul 11 times.
- If all the dirt that was excavated during this project was piled together, it would create a 458 meter tower the size of a football field (2.29 million square meters).
- It is estimated that as soon as the subway extension opens, the number of daily subway users in Busan will jump from an average of 749,000 to 815,000.
- Line 2 uses 44 trains of six cars each. Line 1 uses 45 trains of 8 cars each.
- Line 2 makes 374 runs a day during the week, whereas Line 1 makes 408 runs a day.
- Line 2 handles only a third as many passengers (about170.000/day) as Line 1.

Next up on the Subway Construction agenda is building a 2.55 km tunnel from Deokcheon Station (line 2) to Dongnae Station (line1). That stretch will be part of Line 3, which will run from Daejo to Suyeong and Bansong, and is scheduled to open in 2007.

'Underground' Culture

In other subway news, the Busan Urban Transit Authority is experimenting with ways to make the city's metro a more culturally vibrant place to travel. On August 17th from 2-4pm, they held the first "Subway Culture Event' at Seomyeon Station. It was billed as a Hope for successful hosting of the Asian Games and a Welcome to North Korea. Performances included tap dancing, an 18 member band performing traditional songs, several Gagseori (old style singer who used to perform for small change) and Jeonbok Bimo, a four woman traditional dance group. The leader of that group was quoted as saying, "The public reaction was great and we were so happy to see the people enjoying themselves". There are plans to continue these performances, but no dates have been set.

Busan Bus Builders on the Brink

To the dismay of local unions, Youngan Corporation has announced plans to close several local bus factories. Union leaders claim that when Youngan bought these factories from ailing Daewoo, they offered assurances that they would not move these plants out of Busan. In order to cut expenses, Youngan would like to merge the factories in Geumsadong (9300pyong), Jeonpodong (9200 pyong), and Banyadong (3000 pyong), but have been unable to enough affordable space in Busan. As a result, they have announced plans to build a new 20,000 pyong factory in either Yangsan or Gyeongnam. Civic organizations claim that if this takes place, the 900 employees who work there would either be forced to move or lose their jobs and the Busan economy would take another hit. They also claim that city officials have done little to prevent this from happening. As a result, at an August 24 press conference, the Busan Coalition for Economic Development demanded that the Busan government offer land and tax incentives to entice Youngan to rebuild somewhere in Busan. According to one city official, they hope to resolve the situation somehow, but there is already a shortage of land in Busan and taking action in this case would cause conflicts with the city's own plan for industrial development.

Translation Assistance provided by Ha Sun Ha.

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