Largest car assembly plant in the world

Tue 8 Nov 2022, Day 57/61. Ulsan also has the largest car assembly plant in the world, operated by the Hyundai Motor Company, able to produce 1.6 million cars pa. Although we drove right around the perimeter, getting a decent view was far harder.

The world’s largest shipyard

Tue 8 Nov 2022, Day 57/61. Ulsan has the world’s largest shipyard, operated by Hyundai Heavy Industries. We made our way to the top of another hill to get a view from above.

Ulsan

Mon 7 Nov 2022, Day 56/61. On to Ulsan, 울산시, the industrial centre of the country. We were taken out for dinner by old schoolfriends of Fr Bonaventure. The man taking the photo runs a company making the robots which make Hyundai cars.

The view from Tohamsan

Mon 7 Nov 2022, Day 56/61, 5/5. People often drive to the top of Tohamsan to watch the sun rise from behind neighbouring mountains. We were there late afternoon: the sun was not yet setting but already it was taking centre stage.

Extraordinary carvings

Mon 7 Nov 2022, Day 56/61, 4/5. The grotto is now glassed off & so we need to rely on photos to reveal some of the quite extraordinary 8th century carvings on its wall.

Eighth century Buddha

Mon 7 Nov 2022, Day 56/61, 3/5. We drove to the top of Tohamsan, 토함산 , a 745m mountain. After a 20 minute walk we came to one of the most memorable sights of my time in Korea: this 8th century Buddha in an artificial cave, the Seokguram Grotto, 석굴암.

Gyeonju

Mon 7 Nov 2022, Day 56/61, 2/5. Gyeonju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Sila, 신라, 1 of 3 kingdoms dominating the Korean peninsular from 57 BC – 668 AD, after which in alliance with the Chinese it became the predominant power until 935 AD.

Travelling south

Mon 7 Nov 2022, Day 56/61, 1/5. Journey down to the south east of the country with two Anglican priests, Fathers Aeduk & Bonaventure. We spent Monday afternoon in Gyeonju, 경주, so full of historic sights it’s often called ‘the museum without walls’.

Nam June Paik

Sun 6 Nov 2022, Day 55/61. I had also hoped that at some point I might see a video by Nam June Paik, 백남준, considered the founder of video art. Here’s an Arirang documentary on his work.