By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger
Chemulpo Early 1900s
125 years ago , in 1884, Incheon port then commonly know as Chemulpo was designated a foreign settlement. By the early 1900s, thousands of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and westerners had transformed the port into a vibrant international trade center. My forthcoming book, Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway will share the port’s amazing and significant history. An August 2009 book release is expected.
* Photo by George Rose, courtesy of Keystone-Mast Collection, UCR/ California Museum of Photography, University of California, Riverside
When Chemulpo ( Incheon) opened to the West, lodging was limited to several hotel.
With the Incheon Global Fair there are more options 🙂
Joongang Ilbo notes…
To handle influx, Incheon plans private home stays
The Incheon Center for International Cooperation and Exchange is providing private home stays for foreigners visiting the 2009 Incheon Global Fair and Festival.
The festival is slated to be held at Songdo International City and other venues located throughout Incheon Metropolitan City for 80 days beginning Aug. 7.
Foreigners can apply to stay at private homes through Oct. 20 on the Web site of the festival’s organizing committee at http://english.incheonfair.org. The service will be operated for 86 days from Aug. 1.
The center makes the connection between applicants and host families.
The fee for the home stay service is 30,000 won ($23) per room for one night and will be paid directly to the host family. Meals will be provided by the family.
The center is also offering free interpretation services to those who make reservations. Interpreters will pick up visitors at the airport and guide them to downtown Incheon.
For more information or reservations, call (032) 451-1803 or e-mail knowpolitics@naver.com.