Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea's International Gateway

Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway showcases 125 years of commerce, trade, and interaction in the nation’s first foreign trade hub, Incheon. The bilingual work is author Don Southerton’s latest writing on Korea and weaves key historic events with photographs and first-hand accounts, past and present.

Located on the western coast of Korea, Incheon has played a significant role in the history of the region since the late 19th century. Once called Chemulpo, as Korea opened its borders to the West, the backwater port quickly became home to a diverse group of foreign merchants, traders, entrepreneurs, and sojourners.

In researching Chemulpo to Songdo IBD, the author Don Southerton noted photographs from archives in Korea and the U.S. have been included, along with engaging stories about daily life in the port town from the past 125 years. To best showcase the port’s early progress, many of the photographs have been digitally reproduced from the original plates shot over 100 years ago. Finally, Southerton points out that the book shares the role of the foreign community in humanitarian efforts and the introduction of new technologies and innovations.

A century later, under the direction of Mayor Ahn Sang-soo and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, the city’s waterfront region is again becoming an international community and center for business and trade. The book also highlights Songdo IBD, a 10-year project being developed by Gale International and POSCO E&C. The project seeks to make South Korea the preeminent business hub of East Asia.

External links

• Chemulpo to Songdo IBD Online Book Link
• Songdo International Business District
• Moffett Korea Collection, Princeton Theological Seminary Library
• UC Riverside, California Museum of Photography

Gallery

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  Chemulpo to Songdo IBD

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  Author Don Southerton

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  Chemulpo Port Area 1897

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  Chemulpo Club 1901