I went on a tour of Boseong Station under the title ‘Yongsan’s exciting historical tour’. I heard that it has been a project supported by the company’s worker solidarity headquarters for several years, and I participated for the first time this year. It is said that a member of the library I work with has been in charge of planning this historical trip every year.
When I heard that I was going on a historical tour, the idea of linking it with the ‘Education Guardian’ project entrusted to our library came up. The educational guardianship system is a project in which the office of education selects kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school students who need care in various aspects and mentors them in collaboration with the local community.
There are a total of 7 children in charge at our library, and even if I wanted to take them on a trip, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The biggest problem in going outdoors is transportation, but transportation is an issue, followed by a vehicle and security issues. There was also the problem of the mentors’ circumstances being difficult due to the pressure of having to devote two full days to the weekend. Additionally, with only the money provided for meals, lodging, and transportation, there was no room to plan programs that would provide new experiences for the children.
Just as I was vaguely thinking about it, a perfect trip was organized, like a historical tour or puzzle. It consists of 38 members, regardless of age, ranging from 4th graders to 92-year-olds. Neither too few nor too many people were packed into a 40-seater bus and set off for the far-off southern island.
Beolgyo Boseong is the main background area of the Taebaek Mountains and is where painful historical events such as the April 3rd Democratic Uprising took place. The accommodation was Bonggang Jeong Hae-ryong’s old house, called ‘Geobukjeong’, located in Boseong. Bonggang Jeong Hae-ryong and his descendants practiced the family motto, “Do not become a criminal of history,” even as they experienced collective suffering under the harsh constraints of modern history, with 8 people dying and 37 people being imprisoned. Coincidentally, one of Bonggang’s descendants participated in the historical tour, and the historical field trip became a perfect project that fit surprisingly well. The 400-year-old old house is designated as a cultural asset, and it has been well-preserved thanks to the utmost filial piety of his son, Jeong Gil-sang. Even the recently published, heart-warming biography of Jeong Hae-ryong served as a guide for the tour.
The old house was imbued with the honesty of history. Above all, the water from the valley flowing down from the mountain behind the house penetrated the house and went down to the village, and the sound it made was extremely strong. The atmosphere of being able to enjoy the sound of water in the valley even while sitting on the veranda made me realize that it was a place with one of the best feng shui principles. Anyone can apply for this accommodation, so I would like to highly recommend it to anyone visiting Boseong.
When I visited the Taebaeksan Mountain Literary Museum, I had the honor of seeing author Jeong-rae Jo in person, and I also had the chance to experience the mudflats as part of a special program for children. The mud flat experience was a time that left a deep impression on my heart, as much as the thick mud. The children, unable to move freely in the sinking mud, tried their best to catch the crabs that were quickly running away. I pulled my friend who was falling and held his hand as he slipped.
Mincheol was often unable to get to school on time because he played games all night long. On the night of the mud flat experience, after the book talk, I went to the children’s room and noticed that Mincheol was sleeping early in his sleep. No, the question came out naturally, “Are you the kid who couldn’t sleep because he played games all night?” Even though I was laughing, I couldn’t hide my bitter feelings. The reality of not being able to create an environment where children can have fun with their friends even without cell phones or games, and situations where they are not receiving proper care from their parents are all the result of adults’ mistakes. I immediately put a pillow on the child, wiped the sweaty hair from his forehead, and prayed in my heart, ‘Sleep well.’
Boseong was also the farmland of Baek Nam-gi’s farmer. His wife was in charge of farming on behalf of the deceased, and a junior farmer who also attended the meeting at the time introduced Mochungsa Temple and the wheat fields and offered himself as a guide. Wherever I went in Boseong, the people were dignified. Jeong Gil-sang, the son who guarded the Jeong family’s old house, was not an ordinary country old man. He was a person who penetrated Korea’s modern history and was like a history book. Baek Nam-gi’s junior farmer was not an ordinary farmer. He was a person who put into practice the idea that the country can survive only when the farmers survive. I thought that the persecution and wounds that history gave people were so conscious and arrogant.
On the bus on the way back, I listened to the thoughts of people who participated in this trip for the first time. The microphone was given to the children first. They all chose the mud flat experience as the best and said that they remembered a night in an old house, which they thought would be uncomfortable.
Above all, if I were to summarize the significance of this trip into two main points, the first is that I got to experience being up close with people who tried to set history straight. I felt like I communicated with people tens of thousands of times more deeply than learning history through books. Second, it was a place of great unification of generations, from fourth graders to 92-year-olds. Elementary school students received overflowing affection and looks of pride from all adults. Everyone on the bus burst into laughter at the words of a friend who introduced himself as ‘Korea’s Hope 000’ and we were so thankful for those words. The 92-year-old man was at the forefront of the democratic uprising and participated with the assistance of his son. The elderly man made everyone solemn, saying that he participated with the mindset that this year might be his last. I was impressed by the passion and upright attitude of the elderly man, who always got off and watched wherever he went and did not miss a single phrase.
Every trip brings different emotions depending on the place you go and the people you travel with, but it is rare for a trip to be remembered as long as this one. It was a journey that touched my heart in many ways.
How can we leverage the power of experiential learning to foster empathy and understanding across cultural and generational divides, particularly when addressing sensitive historical events?
## Thematic Sections & Open-Ended Questions for Discussion
This article covers a powerful trip focused on history, intergenerational connection, and meaningful experiences. Here are some thematic sections with open-ended questions to encourage insightful discussions:
**I. The Power of Experiential Learning**
* **Question:** The article mentions that “experiencing history firsthand” was more impactful than learning from books. How can we create more opportunities for experiential learning, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like historical struggles?
* **Question:** What are the limitations of relying solely on traditional methods of learning about history? How can experiential learning complement and enhance these methods?
**II. Bridging Generational Gaps**
* **Question:** The trip brought together participants from diverse age groups. What are the benefits of fostering such intergenerational interactions? How can we encourage these connections in our own communities?
* **Question:** The article highlights the perspectives of both children (“Korea’s Hope 000”) and a 92-year-old veteran. How can different generations learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives?
**III. The Significance of Remembering & Honoring the Past**
* **Question:** The article mentions “persecution and wounds” inflicted on certain groups in history. Why is it important to acknowledge and remember these events, even when they are painful or difficult to confront?
* **Question:** How can we ensure that the sacrifices and struggles of those who fought for justice and equality are remembered and honored by future generations?
**IV. The Lasting Impact of Meaningful Experiences**
* **Question:** The author describes the trip as “a journey that touched [their] heart in many ways.” What makes some experiences more memorable and impactful than others?
* **Question:** How can we cultivate more opportunities for meaningful experiences in our own lives, both individually and collectively?
These open-ended questions aim to spark discussion, encourage critical thinking, and delve deeper into the themes presented in the article.
