From Festival to Funeral

Anyone keeping up with the international news these days should already know that the last couple of weeks have been a little rough for South Koreans. The well-liked, populist ex-president of South Korea killed himself by jumping off a cliff. He was under investigation for his involvement in some kind of financial scandal, and the attention apparently shamed him to the point of death. Strangely enough, his actions have made him more popular than ever, with some radical citizens even blaming his death on the current conservative leadership. Also the ex-president was the first and only South Korean leader to visit North Korea; the current government wants nothing to do with the North, including aid.
Which brings me to the second, and slightly more worrisome point. Immediately following the death, North Korea tested a second warhead and formally announced its withdrawal from the peace treaty they've upheld for several decades with South Korea. The wording of their public announcement was deliberately belligerent, not to mention ridiculous, to most people's ears. Most people are unafraid of any empty threats from the North, least of all South Koreans, who've been dealing with them for the past 50 years. But you never know when someone might do something completely crazy. Especially if they are crazy and in charge. Slim chance though.

These pictures are not actually from the funeral itself, but the three day lead up, to give an opportunity to the crowds of mourners bearing flowers or money (a traditional gift at weddings and funerals here) in honour of their late president.

I like some of the funky architecture around central Seoul...
So there's this Architect, right. And he's staring at his sheets of blank draft paper, trying to come up with a fresh idea to impress the city contractors, when his wife walks into the room with a cup of coffee. "Honey, your fly is undone," she says. He starts to zip up, then pauses abruptly, looking down at his zipper. "Eureka!" "You're telling me", she says.