흥인지문 Heunginjimun, the east gate of the fortress wall which surrounded Seoul. It is also refered to as 東大門 동대문 Dongdaemun (East Big Gate).

A nice broad look at the side of the gate and its outer, eastern semi-circular wall built to protect the gate from the swampy grounds on which it was built.

A look at 東大門 동대문 Dongdaemun (East Big Gate) from outside the old city walls.

東大門 동대문 Dongdaemun (East Big Gate)

청계천 Cheonggyecheon Stream sitting quiet in the early morning.

Looking down to Namsan and the N Seoul Tower.

As I walked down the street, I come across a painted bear on its four legs and recall its similarity to the standing bears in Berlin. Then I notice standing nearby a section of the Berlin Wall.

Seoul Plaza and City Hall, remembering the death of former Korean President Kim Dae-Jung 김대중

대한문 Daehanmun, the main gate entrance to 덕수궁 Deoksugung Palace. The gate had been located in the middle of the busy street running between the palace and Seoul City Hall, but has been moved as the street's been widened.

The main throne hall of 덕수궁 Deoksugung Palace with the King's (er, "emperor") residence behind in neo-Greco-Roman architechture.

The King's residence in the final years of the Joseon Dyansty, er Korean Empire.

The Korean Empire (大韓帝國 대한� �국 DaeHanJeGuk, literally Big Korea Emperor Country, but 한 Han can also mean "great") was established to elevate the Joseon Dynasty to a higher world standing to prevent Japanese intrusion, but it was too late. The Joseon Dynasty was formally annexed by Japan in 1910.

大韓帝國 대한� �국 is the Korean name of the Korean Empire. Today the formal name for South Korea is 大韓民國 대한민국 DaeHanMinGuk, which replaces the character for "emperor" with "people".

The entrance to Chinatown, directly across from 인천역 Incheon Station at the end of Seoul subway line 1.

Chinatown in Incheon is the only such area in Korea. This is not so much a place for Chinese immigrants to live as it is a tourist trap...

A small Chinese garden

Chinatown is on the side of a hill with Jayu Park at the top.

Looking out over Incheon's sea port from a two-level gazebo in Jayu Park.

Looking back over Jayu Park.

Lanterns strung between the street lights in Chinatown.

여의도공원 Yeouido Park looking up to the National Assembly Building of South Korea.

A large crowd had gathered at the National Assembly for the State Funeral of President Kim Dae-Jung. Apparently, though, the only way in was to present one's National ID card to get a ticket to enter.

From the lower level of the � 실 야구장 Jamsil Baseball Stadium, home to both the LG Twins and Doosan Bears in Seoul, Korea.