Did you hear about the project entitled ‘74434’?
The number 74434 is the number of Korean cultural assets that are held by a foreign country. Cultural assets seem to have an out of site our of mind perspective for most people. Yet, when a broadcasting station tried to promote the idea of redeeming Korea’s cultural assets, people responded by sending a hundred thousand aid letters and six thousands Taegeukgi, the national flag of Korea to a broadcast program site.
The result was that the Korean government was able to take back a true record of the Joseon Dynasty from one of Japan’s universities. So, begins the attraction of finding cultural assets.
The following featured news story was so shocking it nearly knocked our hat off. The Chinese National Ethnic Museum hired a guide, who was supposed to be an expert, and then he was monitored as he showed foreigners over the museum. The guide illustrated Korean culture in an unprofessional manner. The guide let foreign travelers know that Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, was invented by a drunken King Se-jong. In addition, they said, Korean architects copied the Chinese style of building entirely.
We must think about this, historians infer historical fact from the remains of cultural assets, and we can see our history thorough them. That is to say, the problem of Korean cultural assets is a matter of life and death to the historical and cultural value of Korea.
Some people said, “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.”
Others asked, “What makes you worry so much about the Japanese distorting Korean history?”
Because we already known the consequences of how a distorted history can be deadly to a nation. The League of Guides announced that only about fifty active guides among the practicing members, 2500, can answer basic questions about Korean culture accurately. Moreover, travel agencies are hiring disqualified guides, because they are cheaper. On the basis of this limited knowledge of Korean culture, they have to interpret culture for their customers, and come up with the best way to understand it.
In this case, things can go from bad to worse.
To solve the problem, the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism has decided to fine tourist companies with guides, who give out distorted cultural and/or historical information starting from August at tourist attractions.
It is only recently that people have concentrated their attention on getting back Korean cultural heritage. After we get back our cultural heritage artifacts, then we can also understand our history more clearly. Knowing our cultural assets exactly is as important, if not more so, as taking it back.
Guides teach knowledge of cultural assets to us. If they are wrong, we do not arrive at our destination. It is time that we wake up to guides, who are taking this opportunity. We have to know how important those guides are to our society. However, most do not know what guides consider about their profession, or its importance.
It is a great to have many cultural heritage artifacts back in Korea, but even so we need to remember that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing too. We care about our cultural heritage artifacts and their historical meaning, and we know that these things already belong to us. We value that these items and their context are returned to Korea. And as we recover our heritage artifacts, culture, and history, we should also see the value and importance of guides increasing and the concern about their jobs.
So the Chung-Ang Herald (CAH) reporter met a guide, and asked her opinion about her job.She, Chung Hyun Sook, has been employed at Changdeok Palace for twenty years. In addition, she has studied and researched Korean culture and history. That’s why she is familiar with guide service.
CAH: What do you make of guides?
Chung: The job is to walk about a large district like the Changdeok Palace with explanations about every artifact and display. It is hard work. Traveling foreigners make frequent requests for guides like me because we follow a professional occupation. However, I have great pride regarding how their eyes are opened by the high level of moral culture in Korea. Sometimes, I do not know how to express to foreigners how different their lives are from ours.
I hope I present what I know in appropriate expressions. Additionally, people know whether the explanation was from enthusiasm for the mission or not. It is imperative that guides should put their hearts and souls into their studies.
CAH: What is different about explaining cultural heritage for foreigners compare with Korean ones? Was there a special way to teach it?
Chung: Two cultures have some things in common and some things that are different.
So, if I explain these points to them, they are quick to be apprehensive about Korean culture. Also, backgrounds differ from country to country. That’s why there is the difference of content between explaining to a Korean and to a foreigner.
If a guide explains the royal palace of Korea to a foreigner, the guide had better be able to speak just about the characteristic structure of the palace to them. This is because the guide has had no occasion to learn how to explain to foreigners the identity of the royal palace in contrast to a foreigner’s concept of a palace. Speaking Korean, I emphasize the importance of the royal palace’s identity. However, to facilitate understanding for foreigners, I make good use of the metaphorical, when I can. I draw comparisons between foreign culture and Korean culture. Guides have to be men of great learning by studying a foreign national’s thoughts and history.
The work, description of cultural heritage, needs required knowledge of a variety of fields.
CAH: When guides talk of Korean culture to foreigners, they are liable to lead to misunderstanding.
Chung: It is hard to understand our culture thoroughly with just a short and tight schedule. However, as they are strangers to the country and travelers, they are prepared to learn about cultural heritage. As they want to know the differences in the culture, so they concentrate their energies on understanding and listen carefully to the explanations. So, they can understand many things much quicker than the natives.
CAH: Opening hours varies with language of this kind. Why do opening hours need some limit?
Chung: When we visit another country, we want to know the country's culture exactly and so do foreign tourists. There is a form of Korean sight, which is out of accord with what foreigners wish to learn in these situations. So, our policy is to consult and provide for these mutual interests.