60 years

North Korean tanks near Dongdaemun.

Today is the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. Above is a photo of North Korean tanks on Jongno near Dongdaemun as North Korean troops entered Seoul. Three months later, UN and ROK troops returned to Seoul, but there were some slight differences.


Note the photos of Stalin and Kim Il-sung above, and the DPRK flag on the streetcar below (apparently all of them were decked out this way).


Familiar landmarks can be seem below, such as Seoul Station:


The Han River Railway bridge:


The Capital Building and Bugaksan:


Myeongdong Cathedral:


Obviously, it was easier to see those landmarks from a distance when much of the city was in ruins.



I'll save a somewhat less gloomy photo - taken near Seodaemun - for last.


I received a pleasant surprise the other day when I took my recycling out and ran into a security guard I'd never seen before. We chatted, and when he found out I was Canadian he noted that Canada had helped Korea during the Korean War and he thanked me. In nine years living here I've never had that happen. Thank you, sir.