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

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

But why inside the fortress walls, of all places?

A very long time ago, after a Hwaseong Research Society meeting ended, someone said this over drinks:

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

At the time, it seemed no one was listening to that advice. After all, nobody moved inside the fortress walls.

But after the 2013 'Eco-Transportation Festival' was held inside the fortress, a noticeable phenomenon appeared. Cafes and fusion restaurants began opening one by one in the Sinpung-dong area, which had worried about urban decay, and young people started coming to the streets.

Land prices, property values, and monthly rents skyrocketed. Oh, if only I had borrowed from my in-laws and bought a cheap house then. But if I had possessed such foresight, I would have become rich long ago.

Though I couldn't buy a house, after securing my own modest space, I spend pleasant days as a "person within the fortress walls," a "person within the gates," as I had dreamed. I even changed my residential registration address to Haenggung-dong.

There are many joys to living inside the fortress walls.

First, Hwaseong Haenggung and the UNESCO World Heritage Hwaseong Fortress are right nearby. Hwaseong Haenggung is particularly close to my heart. As I have revealed in several columns, I take great pride in having contributed a small effort to its restoration while serving as a member (head of public relations) of the Hwaseong Haenggung Restoration Promotion Committee.

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

The fortress walls of Hwaseong are my walking trail. Some days I walk inside the fortress, other days outside the fortress walls, wandering as my heart desires. Among all people in the world, how many walk a UNESCO World Heritage site like their own front yard every day? I feel happiness while walking. Good health is a bonus.

I especially love that traditional markets are gathered both inside and around the fortress. Near Paldalmun Gate, markets sell everything from clothes, shoes, and bags to meat, fish, and side dishes, as well as a sundae town. This too is my beloved walking trail.

The alleys of Haenggung-dong also invigorate me. Young domestic and foreign tourists are always abundant here. Most places make me hesitate to venture in at my age, but when I mingle with the bright throng of youth, I feel young myself, and that doesn't feel bad.

Another pleasure is watching festivals and performances that run continuously except during extreme cold and heat. The Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, the Suwon National Heritage Night Tour, media art shows, and 24 Martial Arts on Horseback performances are held just steps from my residence.

The Suwon Hwaseong Museum and Suwon Museum of Art are also inside the fortress, so I can visit and view exhibitions whenever I wish. Moreover, now that I've reached my seventies, I can view them for free.

There are many restaurants I love. Janganik Restaurant serving sadaengi, the sundae gukbap restaurant at Jidong Market, Donghung Restaurant with tasty rice, Chungnam House with the best ox head gukbap, the recently opened Songi's Bapsang serving home-style meals, generous Daewang Kalguksu, the artist's restaurant with good value and warm hospitality, Hye-mi Roasted Chicken where I stop by when I crave roasted chicken and draft beer, Daebong Roasted Chicken where the Hwaseong Research Society holds its second gathering, and the newly opened 'Sparrow Mill' Bangbang after Dadaam disappeared.

Of course, there are downsides. It's being called upon by those who know I'm always there. No, actually, how grateful I am to be called upon like that. Please don't forget in the future. I'll come running whenever possible.

Anyway, I'm satisfied with living inside the fortress. After hearing my story, junior poet Lee Jong-gu (director of the Literature Committee of Suwon Minjok Yesul Chong-yeon) also moved his residence to the building where I live.

This poet, by now isn't he deeply immersed in the joy of living inside Hwaseong fortress, within its gates?