JEON TAE-IL BRIDGE | 전태일다리(버들다리)
Historic site pays tribute to young man who sacrificed himself for a better future

Translated by David Carruth

Jeon Tae-il became a bridge that brings people together. His name is now being used as a second name for Beodeuldari Bridge on the Cheonggyecheon Stream. On Nov 1, 2012, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon took part in the christening ceremony organized by the Jeon Tae-il Foundation for the Jeon Tae-il Bridge.

On the Jeon Tae-il Bridge is a bust that commemorates the martyr and his goal. In 2005, the Jeon Tae-il Foundation erected the bust in his memory. Since there are also several hundred commemorative copper plaques on the ground around the bridge, people started referring to Beodeuldari Bridge as “Jeon Tae-il Bridge.” The official name of the bridge remained Beodeuldari Bridge, however. The Jeon Tae-il Foundation asked Seoul to give the bridge the additional name of “Jeon Tae-il Bridge,” but the city at first did not accept that request. Finally, in August 2012, the Seoul City Geographical Naming Committee resolved to also refer to the Beodeuldari Bridge as the Jeon Tae-il Bridge.

“This event is only held once, but I believe our efforts should not stop here. Rather, we should find the meaning of the Jeon Tae-il Bridge for our own generation,” said Mayor Park Wonsoon. “I will work to build a world that is worthy of the name, a world in which the dream of Jeon Tae-il lives on.”

Jeon Tae-il worked in a sewing factory in Pyeonghwa Market in the 1960s. He was striving to gain recognition for the rights of workers when he set himself ablaze and died from the burns. Jeon dedicated himself to the cause of the rights of workers. He had a major influence on the development of the labor movement and democratization in South Korea. In fact, it is even said that, had it not been for Jeon, the rights of Korean workers would have not have been guaranteed for dozens of years.

Jeon’s mother, Lee So-seon, made the following remarks about her son: “Tae-il was a really good person. I mean, he really loved the other workers. That’s why I wish he were called a ‘companion’ instead of a ‘patriot’ or an ‘activist.’ Tae-il is still a companion for workers today. Please let them know I want them to call him that. Tae-il really liked me. See this clothing? I still can’t get rid of it, and I pull it out every winter to wear it. This is long underwear that Tae-il made for me with his own hands using leftover cloth from the factory. Even if someone were to buy me new clothing to wear, I would still wear only this. That’s the kind of person Tae-il was.”

After her son’s death, Lee became a second mother for workers and took care of many people. Her life came to an end on Sept 3, 2011. The work that she did made her absence at the naming ceremony for Jeon Tae-il Bridge all the more poignant.

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Dongdaemun Station 동대문역 (Line 1, 4), Exit 9
(Jongno 5-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoulㅣ서울특별시 종로구 종로5가)

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The Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul is an important Korean celebration held in the lead-up to Buddha’s birthday. This year it will be held the weekend of May 10–12 and feature a huge lantern parade with various traditional performances and ceremonies that you can watch or have a go at yourself.
A spectacular parade, the festival’s main attraction, will take place on Jongno on May 11, featuring a brilliant ocean of light from countless handheld lanterns and grand ornate lantern floats. Following the parade is a post-parade celebration known as Hoehyang Hanmadang. Participants and spectators come together in a spirit of dedicating one’s merits to others. Buddhist entertainers put on a show, and the audience gets into the act, dancing hand in hand.

On May 12, visitors can stroll through more than 100 booths, which will be set up along the street leading to Jogyesa Temple from Jongno. This is where you’ll be able to make your own lotus lanterns, create Buddhist art, try temple food, and strike up a conversation with a friendly monk. Some booths will be dedicated to introducing the Buddhist cultures of Tibet, Mongolia, and Southeast Asia.
Lantern exhibitions will be held at Jogyesa Temple and Cheonggyecheon Stream in downtown Seoul and Bongeunsa Temple in southern Seoul. On display will be a wide selection of exquisite and meticulously crafted lanterns made of hanji, Korean traditional handmade paper. Each lantern tells its own story with its warm, cheerful light.
The grand finale of the festival features a mini lantern parade around Insa-dong accompanied by the singing and dancing of the Lotus Lantern Performance Groups.

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In commemoration of Buddha’s coming, it is worth visiting temple food restaurants in Insa-dong.

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Buddhist paraphernalia shops are lined up along Insadong-gil.

FYI>
T. 02-2011-1744, www.llf.or.kr
(45 Gyunji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울시 종로구 견지동 45)

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Anguk Station 안국역 (Line 3), Exit 6
Jonggak Station 종각역 (Line 1), Exit 1, 2, or 3
Samseong Station 삼성역 (Line 2), Exit 6

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