Dazzling Daegu

[성김 대사]

As much as I love Seoul, I know that as the U.S. Ambassador to Korea, there’s so much more to see and experience outside the capital.  This is why I plan to venture out to different regions of Korea as much as I can.  Most recently, my first two-day trip landed me in Daegu. 

One of the more memorable parts of this short trip was my visit to the Bangcheon traditional Korean market, which is experiencing its own renaissance.  Located in the heart of Daegu, about 30 up-and-coming artists have moved into this old market that was languishing under the shadow of large department store chains.  Their goal: to revitalize the block through colorful displays of their work and encourage more cultural and arts exchanges within the community.  

I sat down with a few of these artists in a lovely little cafe to chat over some hand-dripped coffee.  I was inspired by their dedication and creative efforts to rebuild a community.  

They reminded me of the community arts movement in the U.S. which started in the 1960s and is still very much alive today.  In American cities across the country, local communities – in collaboration with professional artists – use the arts as a way to engage with social issues, by creating murals or putting on performances.  

On that casual afternoon, sharing honest thoughts with these artists, I was reminded again about all the ways in which our countries' connections are rich and strong.  Afterward, the artists gave me a tour of their studio, where my hand became a model for a sculpture!

My hand cast nears completion!

We then visited the first U.S. factory in Daegu.  Rich Products is a $3 billion international food service company that supplies delicious toppings, icings, and bakery products to big names in Korea like Paris Baguette and the Hyatt hotels.  The company was started by a family from Buffalo, New York in 1945, and continues to be privately owned. 

When I arrived at the factory, the company’s Korean executives greeted me at this quintessential American company.  As they briefed me about the company’s investment in Korea and their growth plans, I could see why this American company decided to invest in Korea. 

I learned about these various tasty products before entering the “clean room” – dressed in proper attire, of course!

For dinner, I sat down with a group of Daegu citizens – a young banker, an NGO activist, a university professor, the director of a provincial organization for women, a fine arts photographer, and a North Korean defector who runs a successful medical practice.  We sat around in a toasty ondol room sharing tin bowls of savory Jjim Galbi over hwarang and enjoyed a fascinating discussion that ranged in topic from politics and education to how to further strengthen people-to-people ties between the U.S. and Korea.  

On this trip, I was happy that I not only had a chance to pay courtesy calls on government leaders, but also spend time with ordinary folks who lent me a glimpse of everyday life in Daegu.    

Nothing like a dinner of Jjim Galbi and hwarang

I would like to end this blog by saying that I am really looking forward to my next trip in the regions.  I am always looking for your suggestions, so which parts of Korea do you recommend I visit? 

[NattyBumpo13]

It is incredible visit to Daegu!!! I wish I could be and tali with Ambassador at dinner time.

[USKR]

Someday I want to have a chance to talk with you like them! Thanks for your posting.

[김동영]

Wow..I was born and had lived in Daegu for my early 20 years, but I didn't know where you visited^^;; Thank you for telling me a interesting story about Daegu:)