Yeouido Island--National Assembly

While the 63 Building is on one end of the somewhat long narrow island (in the middle of the Han River), the National Assembly, my next stop, was on the other end. On the half-hour walk there, I saw lots of Korean tourists. The kids were complaining to their parents, along the lines of, "It's too hot!" "I'm thirsty!" "I'm tired!" "My feet hurt!" "My bag's too heavy--carry it for me!" Hey, I feel the same way, kids! If my parents were here, I'd be making the exact same complaints to them!! But as it was, I had to continue plodding along in order to see everything that I wanted to see, and there was no one to complain to (or carry my bag!). I continued drinking a lot--some water, Gatorade, Powerade, anything to stay hydrated. I didn't end up eating until 6 PM--my body was too busy keeping itself cool to be hungry.

The National Assembly building is an impressive building. It has 24 HUGE pillars and a greenish dome. Other government buildings surround it, and a fence and security guards and police officers surround the fence. I hesitantly approached the gate--too many authority figures with weapons today!--and the guard waved that it was OK to come in. Again, gestures were used as I asked if it was OK to come in, then I asked if pictures were OK. The overly-enthusiastic guard said, "Yes, yes! Pictures OK!" They were inspecting any vehicles that came in the gates, but people carrying backpacks are OK, I guess!

There was a fountain in front and many older people were working on the impeccable lawn and flowers. I approached the front door of the building with its 2 guards and asked if I could go inside and if there were any tours. They directed me to the back of the building downstairs. I walked through another metal detector and placed my bag on the airport-style x-ray machine. Again, keys and change in my pockets, no problem. They directed me to the information desk where I had to fill out a form with my name, nationality, address, and phone number. They didn't ask for ID there. I used my American address because something about all of the security guys made me nervous. What looked like the most senior guy escorted me to the elevators and up to the 3rd floor.

I had no clue what we would see. Since the Assembly isn't currently meeting, they were doing some construction so the hallway was a mess. We approached a door; it was locked. He got the key and when he opened it I was in awe--I actually got to see the National Assembly Hall!! The place where the dramatic filibuster took place when Roh Moo Hyun was impeached! It was the spectators' section, like the U.S. has, but with no glass separating the visitors and the legislators. The man gave me a lecture about the Assembly Hall in decent English, once he got started. He even knew words like "bicameral," but his pronunciation could use some help. He asked me the difference between an Assembly and a Parliament--I don't know! If you have a Parliament you have to have a king/emperor figure??? There are 299 legislators in the unicameral body; cabinet members and various helpers also attend meetings; press areas are off to the sides. Usually the legislators vote using an electronic system which displays their votes on a board, but if it's a really important vote like choosing a chairperson they vote in secret in 6 booths, 3 on both sides of the hall.

The tour was a little longer than I would have liked, as he was happy to practice speaking English. I learned that he wanted to be an acupuncture doctor, and had visited California, and.....I stopped listening after awhile. Two groups of around 20 people came and went while he talked, gave me advice on what to see in Seoul, gave me his handphone number and email address, wanted to hear my life history, etc. Finally we went out of the hall and into an adjoining area which had pictures of past Assembly leaders and various documents which he didn't go into detail about--I probably wouldn't have understood, not knowing the background info.

Then he gave me the choice about which way to go out. There was the way that I had come in, or the front entrance with the red carpet. I thought you told me that only legislators could come in that way. "Yes, but with me you can go that way, too." O....K.....red carpet exit it is!! We walked down while several guards watched us. We passed a TV screen showing a hearing in progress over Kim Seun Il and who was responsible for his death. We got outside and he asked me where I was going next. I told him, he wrote in Korean, "This person is going to Seonyudo Islet. Please help her and show her the way." I appreciated his concern, but how does he think I normally survive in Korea? I do fairly well without using perfect Korean!

The back exit was best to go to the Islet, so we went back into the building and down a side hallway that looked like only official people should use it. Quite a few guards were outside and gave us looks and perhaps even said something to him about me not supposed to be there. I heard a voice on a microphone, and he pointed out that the important hearing was going on inside that room, and then he started to open the door.

Do you recall what else I had been doing that day?! Let's see, Police Museum, park, hike up the mountain, hike down the mountain, subway, long walk to the 63 Building, even longer walk to the National Assembly building, 100 degree weather. I was dressed in a pink t-shirt, mid-thigh-length shorts, sandals, a dorky hat to keep me a little cooler and to keep the sun off, a backpack, and sweat everywhere. And you want to let me go into the equivalent of a U.S. Congressional Hearing?!?!?!?!

I protested and backed away from the door. NO! Look at me! Had I been properly dressed, it would have been awesome to sit in on such an important meeting, even if I couldn't understand much. But given my appearance, it would have been totally disrespectful to go in. I was in such shock and worried that he was going to push me in, that I didn't even get a good look at things. I just remember the voice on the microphone got a lot louder and there were lots of camera flashes going off and perhaps the woman speaking turned to look at the opening door.

The guy sitting at the desk outside of the room also said something to the man accompanying me. I HOPE it was something along the lines of, "Are you crazy? She can't go in there! Look at her!"

We continued outside the building, with me still astounded that he didn't have more sense, and horrified that anyone in the room might have seen me. He gave me detailed instructions in how to get to the Islet (I have a map!) and then made me repeat them back to him.