Kim Woo-young's Gwanggyo Column "This is the Joy of Living Within the Fortress Walls"

About ten years ago, anticipating mandatory retirement, I secured a small room in Haenggung-dong. I needed "my own space," a dream of aging men.

But why did I choose to live within the fortress walls?

Long ago, after a Hwaseong Research Society meeting, someone said this during drinks:

"Since Hwaseong became a UNESCO World Heritage site, if you acquire a home within the fortress walls, you will never regret it."

At that time, few people seemed to pay attention to such words. The fact that no one moved inside the walls afterward confirmed it.

However, after the 'Eco-Mobility Festival' was held inside the fortress in 2013, a noticeable phenomenon emerged. In Sinpung-dong, where urban decay had been a concern, cafes and fusion restaurants began opening one by one, and young people started visiting the streets.

Land prices, housing prices, and monthly rents skyrocketed. Oh, if only I had taken out a loan and bought even one cheap house back then. But if I had possessed such foresight, I would have become wealthy long ago.

While I did not buy a house, after securing a small space of my own, I have been enjoying days as a "person within the fortress" and "person within the gate," as I had always dreamed. I even changed my registered address to Haenggung-dong.

There are many joys to living within the fortress walls.

First, Hwaseong Haenggung and the UNESCO World Heritage Hwaseong are within close reach. In particular, Hwaseong Haenggung holds deep significance for me. As I have mentioned in several columns, I take great pride in serving as a member (head of public relations) of the Hwaseong Haenggung Restoration Promotion Committee and contributing my small efforts to its restoration.

I also wrote the beam inscription for Yuyeotaek, one of the central facilities of Hwaseong Haenggung alongside Bongsudang, and that inscription remains embedded in the main beam of Yuyeotaek.

The Hwaseong fortress walls are also my walking path. Some days I walk inside the fortress, other days outside the walls, wandering wherever my heart leads. How many people in the world walk a UNESCO World Heritage site like their own front yard every day? I feel happiness as I walk. Good health is a bonus.

I particularly appreciate the traditional markets gathered both inside and outside the fortress. Near Paldalmun Gate, markets selling clothing, shoes, bags, meat, fish, side dishes, and Sundae Town leave little to be desired. This too is a walking path I cherish.

The alleys of Haenggung-dong also invigorate me. They are always filled with young domestic and foreign tourists. Most places make me hesitant to venture in at my age, but when I blend in with the bright crowds of youth, I feel like a young person myself, and it does not feel so bad.

Another pleasure is viewing the endless festivals and performances that continue except during the coldest and hottest seasons. The Suwon Hwaseong Culture Festival, Suwon National Heritage Night Tour, Media Art Show, and Martial Arts 24 Techniques mounted performance are held just a stone's throw from my residence.

The Suwon Hwaseong Museum and Suwon Art Museum are also located within the fortress, so I can visit and view exhibitions whenever I wish. Moreover, now that I have reached my seventies, I can view them free of charge.

I have many favorite restaurants. Jang-an Restaurant serving sadengi, Jidong Market's Sundae Soup restaurant, Donghung Restaurant with delicious rice, Chungnam House with the best beef head soup, the recently opened Banban Restaurant Song-i's Table, the generous King Kalguksu, Artist Bap House with good value and generous owners, and Hye-mi Roast Chicken with draft beer, Dae-bong Roast Chicken where we go for the Hwaseong Research Society's second gathering, and the newly opened 'Sparrow Mill' Bang-bang after Dadam disappeared.

Of course, there are drawbacks. Being called by those who know I am always there. But how grateful I am to be called upon so. Please do not forget henceforth. I shall rush out whenever possible.

In any case, I am satisfied with "living within the fortress." After hearing my story, junior poet Lee Jong-gu (Chairman of the Literature Committee of Suwon Folk Arts Association) also relocated his residence to the building where I live.

This poet must by now have fully embraced the joy of living within Hwaseong's fortress walls and gates, has he not?