10
August 1, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
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The root you see in the jar, is a ginseng
root. The jar is 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall.
Ever since recorded history in Korea,
Ginseng has been a profound aspect of
their culture. You ask any Korean where
the best Ginseng is grown, chances are
they'll regard your question as an insult.
What do the Koreans use Ginseng for?
Some examples:
1. Protection of liver function.
2. Detoxification of alcoholism.
3. Treatment of diabetes.
4. Prevention of arteriosclerosis and
high blood pressure.
They use it for other applications as well,
such as prevention of aging.
If you visit, chances are you will have
Ginseng roots when eating breakfast.
You'll likely have Ginseng for lunch.
What the heck.. .have it for dinner, too.
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This is the group visiting on one of the Keumsan County legislator's farm. What
does he grow? (Hint it's a root.) From left to right: Two South Korean
legislators, yours truly, Lona and Tom Bunn, a worker at the plant where
Ginseng is processed, Marian Newell, and Daniel Lee.
By Mark Mercier
You may recall that in January of 1996, an article from Smoke Signals told of a
delegation of County Legislators from Keumsan County, South Korea, who
visited our Spirit Mountain Casino. We learned that the Korean culture is to
exchange gifts with whomever they visit or meet. At the Casino, we presented
the group with a Pendleton blanket, items from the gift shop, and some beadwork. Upon
seeing the beadwork, they were very interested in seeing more. Yamhill County officials
and business people have been communicating with the Keumsan officials exploring the
possibility of establishing a "sister county" relationship, similar to what cities on the West
Coast do with cities on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
In early May, I was contacted by Tom Bunn, a Commissioner for Yamhill County, who
told me that 1 was invited to accompany him and other business people from Yamhill
County to travel to South Korea. I went along with Commissioner Bunn and his wife,
Lona; Marian Newell from the Newberg Chamber of Commerce; and Daniel Lee who
emigrated from South Korea and works for Cascade Steel in McMinnville, Oregon.
Korea is a mountainous peninsula, about 600 miles long and 135 miles wide. It is lo
cated about 120 miles west of Japan. Seoul is the capital. Seoul is also enormous as far as
cities go, as large as Los Angeles. As with any city of this size, it has its share of pollution,
gridlock on the expressways, and is very crowded.
For any you who have travelled to the Orient, you can appreciate the "jet lag" that you
get, especially when flying for 12 hours, and losing a day when you cross the International
Date Line. We departed from Portland International Airport on May 27, at 7:00 a.m., and
landed at the Seoul International Airport on May 28, at 3:00 p.m.
Immediately upon landing, we departed for the city of Keumsan, the County Seat. First
of all, it is difficult to calculate distances, since their measurements are under the Metric
System. For example, Keumsan is 170 kilometers from Seoul, making it 1 10 miles. The
same thing applies where liters are used instead of quarts, which are almost equal in com
parison. So, when driving a car there, you really don't get a bargain, especially when a liter
of gas costs you on the average of $ 1 .40.
The Koreans have a strong sense of formality, etiquette, and tradition. Over the past 700
years, Korea has been invaded by many different countries, and there exists a great deal of
temples and monuments memorializing the different places that they were forced to de
fend. The Korean National Anthem is played at 6:00 p.m. If we were within earshot of the
anthem, we were expected to stand quietly at attention until it was finished.
When greeting, you are expected to bow, hands on your hips in a slow, flowing motion.
Then, they would oblige in the Western handshake which Americans are familiar with.
Another tradition, regardless of who you meet, is to gather at long coffee tables and have
tea. This is always first. After tea, we then would exchange gifts between each other.
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As so profound in Korean culture, another memorial to the many wars they
had in defending their country is the Chaesugak Palace, in Seoul. This
building, although enormous in my eyes, was "modest" by Korean standards.
When presenting gifts, you are expected to hand them over with both hands. It is consid
ered rude to present a gift with only one hand.
About 20 years ago, Korea embarked on a very aggressive economic development cam
paign, and the results are now spectacular. In this time, it has emerged from being one of
the world's poorest nations to the threshold of being fully industrialized. Korea has achieved
this, despite its high population density, lack of natural resources, and the need to maintain
one of the world's largest military establishments. Also, Japan and Korea began an aggres
sive education program a generation ago. Now, the results are just beginning to show.
Why did I go there? The Keumsan County legislature is looking at ways to enhance
trade with their U.S. neighbors. They like gaming. Also, the Koreans were delighted with
the beadwork, dreamcatchers, and other Indian arts and crafts.
As their standard of living increases, it is expected that many will travel to the United
States. I left a lot of Spirit Mountain Casino brochures there. Also, many told me that they
want to come over to learn about the Indian culture and history. I found their customs to be
strangely similar to ours, especially the respect they have for their elders. It was a trip I'll
remember.