Interview with Mary-Jane Liddicoat (published originally in Korean, 5 July 2010, Online Seoul Daily)
1. When did you come to Seoul and what caused you to come here?
How did I get so lucky to be posted as an Australian diplomat to Seoul? I first arrived here in August 2000. I had visited Korea as a tourist in 1987, so I was very surprised at what I found in 2000!
2. What did you do at Seoul until now?
For the first year I studied Korean at the US State Department's Foreign Service Institute. Then from 2001-04 I was the First Secretary (Political) at the Australian embassy. My job involved understanding and reporting about Korean domestic politics (I covered Roh Moo-hyun's election). I also worked on a variety of international fields including disarmament, human rights and the environment.
I returned to Australia for one year in 2005 and then returned as head (Counsellor Education) of the Education Section in the Australian Embassy.
1. When did you come to Seoul and what caused you to come here?
How did I get so lucky to be posted as an Australian diplomat to Seoul? I first arrived here in August 2000. I had visited Korea as a tourist in 1987, so I was very surprised at what I found in 2000!
2. What did you do at Seoul until now?
For the first year I studied Korean at the US State Department's Foreign Service Institute. Then from 2001-04 I was the First Secretary (Political) at the Australian embassy. My job involved understanding and reporting about Korean domestic politics (I covered Roh Moo-hyun's election). I also worked on a variety of international fields including disarmament, human rights and the environment.
I returned to Australia for one year in 2005 and then returned as head (Counsellor Education) of the Education Section in the Australian Embassy.
3. What is both dissimilarity and similarity between Seoul and Canberra, the Australian capital?
The capital of Australia is Canberra. Canberra is an extremely green city with many 'green belts' between suburbs. This is similar to Seoul. I lived in Tokyo for many years in the 1980s and 1990s and then in the Middle East (Cairo and Damascus) in the mid/late 1990s. When I first came to Seoul in 2000 I was very surprised at how green it was! It really was, and is a well kept secret.
4. What is characteristic of Seoul citizens in your opinion? Also what is the difference between your nation's citizens?
I enjoy meeting each new person as just exactly that: an individual I haven't met before. Instead of first thinking of someone as 'Korean' or 'non-Korean', which draws a whole lot of conclusions, I enjoy finding out about that person as an individual. I have much more interesting conversations and learn a great deal more. I have met some very interesting people of all shapes and sizes in both places.
The capital of Australia is Canberra. Canberra is an extremely green city with many 'green belts' between suburbs. This is similar to Seoul. I lived in Tokyo for many years in the 1980s and 1990s and then in the Middle East (Cairo and Damascus) in the mid/late 1990s. When I first came to Seoul in 2000 I was very surprised at how green it was! It really was, and is a well kept secret.
4. What is characteristic of Seoul citizens in your opinion? Also what is the difference between your nation's citizens?
I enjoy meeting each new person as just exactly that: an individual I haven't met before. Instead of first thinking of someone as 'Korean' or 'non-Korean', which draws a whole lot of conclusions, I enjoy finding out about that person as an individual. I have much more interesting conversations and learn a great deal more. I have met some very interesting people of all shapes and sizes in both places.
5. Even though Seoul, especially Bukchon, is nice to live, did you have any moment that you felt like leaving here, by any chance? If yes why?
I always feel like a change, so I always feel like leaving. Then again, when I am in Australia (for a few months every year over Christmas) I always feel like coming back to Seoul.
Change is invigorating. Routine without a break kills creativity and joy. This this is why taking a break, especially having a long holiday and traveling is so important. It may seem like a crazy idea for most Korean workers, but studies show that people are much more efficient and creative when they are well rested and have had a break from routine.
You could almost say I am addicted to change, which is lucky, given that change is the only constant.
6. If your friend from your country visits Seoul next month, choose three places that you would like to take him or her? What is the reason for that?
Bukchon/Insadong - of course. As I say on my website www.hanokgirl.net, every tour of Korea should start here. Then Namsan tower on a clear day - you can get a real sense of the whole city. Finally, Namdaemun market - it is great fun to walk around the hustling and bustling wholesale markets; it gives a real sense of Seoul's energy and you can pick up whatever souviner you need!
I always feel like a change, so I always feel like leaving. Then again, when I am in Australia (for a few months every year over Christmas) I always feel like coming back to Seoul.
Change is invigorating. Routine without a break kills creativity and joy. This this is why taking a break, especially having a long holiday and traveling is so important. It may seem like a crazy idea for most Korean workers, but studies show that people are much more efficient and creative when they are well rested and have had a break from routine.
You could almost say I am addicted to change, which is lucky, given that change is the only constant.
6. If your friend from your country visits Seoul next month, choose three places that you would like to take him or her? What is the reason for that?
Bukchon/Insadong - of course. As I say on my website www.hanokgirl.net, every tour of Korea should start here. Then Namsan tower on a clear day - you can get a real sense of the whole city. Finally, Namdaemun market - it is great fun to walk around the hustling and bustling wholesale markets; it gives a real sense of Seoul's energy and you can pick up whatever souviner you need!
7. I wanted to ask you, what inspired you to live at Bukchon, Seoul, if you don't mind.
It was actually my father, an Australian painter, who first told me about this magical area. When I came back for my second posting at the Australian Embassy in 2006, he demanded I look for a house in the area so he could paint there (which he did)! My father is very wise.
8.What is attractiveness of traditional Korean house (Hanok) in a word?
Earthy - they remind me that living can be simple, natural, funcationall and aesthetically pleasing.
9. Isn't it hard to live as a foreigner at traditional village like Bukchon in Korea?
Not at all. If you're asking if it's hard to live in a hanok, that would depend on the hanok. I have seen some very comfortably renovated hanoks which would be a pleasure to live in. As it is, I live in an old western style house.
Living in Bukchon is very easy. I can buy organic food locally, I can drink and eat organic food in many cafes and restaurants nearby. I am surrounded by green mountains and have easy access to public gardens (Jeongdok Library ) and parts (Samcheong). I can walk or catch public transport to wherever I need to go. Best of all, I enjoy a well loved, artistic and clean environment and with an invigorating atmosphere. I live here not because of the architecture, but because of the energy.
10. What do you hope they will feel when people visit on Bukchon village?
Many people visit and wish they could live here. Some actually do move here. But for many people that's not possible. But what if, instead, they could duplicate the energy of Bukchon in their own neighborhoods and communities? Again, I'm not talking about the beautiful old buildings, which is not the only reason Bukchon is special. It has a certain energy. What if all parts of Seoul had this energy (I'm not saying they all need to have hanoks, just the energy) - what a great city Seoul would truly become!
11. What is your opinion for sustainable Hanok village, Bukchon Seoul?
To ensure that the Bukchon village is kept long into the future then Seoul city simply needs to enact and reinforce laws to ensure that city development is conducted in keeping with well considered basic principles.
There are many successful examples around the world. I particularly like some beautiful cities in England which have blocked off the old traditional centers (like Bukchon) to cars. They only allow delivery by trucks/cars into the area between 5-7 am. The rest of the time the area is completely free of cars. This law helps keep the stress and pollution on the old buildings very low. It is also very healthy and safe for the pedestrians.
On my website www.hanokgirl.net I advise visitors to leave their cars at home when they visit Bukchon.
It was actually my father, an Australian painter, who first told me about this magical area. When I came back for my second posting at the Australian Embassy in 2006, he demanded I look for a house in the area so he could paint there (which he did)! My father is very wise.
8.What is attractiveness of traditional Korean house (Hanok) in a word?
Earthy - they remind me that living can be simple, natural, funcationall and aesthetically pleasing.
9. Isn't it hard to live as a foreigner at traditional village like Bukchon in Korea?
Not at all. If you're asking if it's hard to live in a hanok, that would depend on the hanok. I have seen some very comfortably renovated hanoks which would be a pleasure to live in. As it is, I live in an old western style house.
Living in Bukchon is very easy. I can buy organic food locally, I can drink and eat organic food in many cafes and restaurants nearby. I am surrounded by green mountains and have easy access to public gardens (Jeongdok Library ) and parts (Samcheong). I can walk or catch public transport to wherever I need to go. Best of all, I enjoy a well loved, artistic and clean environment and with an invigorating atmosphere. I live here not because of the architecture, but because of the energy.
10. What do you hope they will feel when people visit on Bukchon village?
Many people visit and wish they could live here. Some actually do move here. But for many people that's not possible. But what if, instead, they could duplicate the energy of Bukchon in their own neighborhoods and communities? Again, I'm not talking about the beautiful old buildings, which is not the only reason Bukchon is special. It has a certain energy. What if all parts of Seoul had this energy (I'm not saying they all need to have hanoks, just the energy) - what a great city Seoul would truly become!
11. What is your opinion for sustainable Hanok village, Bukchon Seoul?
To ensure that the Bukchon village is kept long into the future then Seoul city simply needs to enact and reinforce laws to ensure that city development is conducted in keeping with well considered basic principles.
There are many successful examples around the world. I particularly like some beautiful cities in England which have blocked off the old traditional centers (like Bukchon) to cars. They only allow delivery by trucks/cars into the area between 5-7 am. The rest of the time the area is completely free of cars. This law helps keep the stress and pollution on the old buildings very low. It is also very healthy and safe for the pedestrians.
On my website www.hanokgirl.net I advise visitors to leave their cars at home when they visit Bukchon.
12. Could you tell us about your interest in wellbeing, organic food and recycling?
For the last 10 years, as I have started a family (we now have three children, a boy Sam 7 years, and two girls Romy 5 years and Lia 1.5 years) I have become more and more interested in health and wellbeing. I think most parents are like this.
While living in Seoul, I have had difficulty buying all the organic, and non-toxic food, personal care, beauty and household products I'd like, even though I can read Korean. There are many non-Korean speaking international residents living in Korea who would probably find it impossible.
So since retiring from the Australian public service, I have launched a project www.healthyhomes.asia to make it easier for expats in Korea and other parts of Asia to live the safe, healthy life they desire by introducing local products, shops, restaurants and health/wellbeing experts.
A lot can be done at an individual level. Koreans are traditional very mindful of not wasting resources. All of the bathhouses I visited in Seoul have signs saying 'don't waste the water'!
What if the whole of Korea became Asia's organic food bowl? What impact would that have on the health and wealth of Korea I wonder? Anyway, that's a crazy dream I have.
13. What is your biggest wish now?
To remember to wake up every morning and ask what grand and glorious adventure I can have today?
Sometimes I caught up in the 'importance' of this project and the 'significance' of that job that I lose sight of the simple joys of each day with our friends and families. What if that the purpose of life was to have fun? So that's my wish, to have fun and enjoy what I do every day. And what if we all did this? What a joyful and generative city Seoul would be!
For the last 10 years, as I have started a family (we now have three children, a boy Sam 7 years, and two girls Romy 5 years and Lia 1.5 years) I have become more and more interested in health and wellbeing. I think most parents are like this.
While living in Seoul, I have had difficulty buying all the organic, and non-toxic food, personal care, beauty and household products I'd like, even though I can read Korean. There are many non-Korean speaking international residents living in Korea who would probably find it impossible.
So since retiring from the Australian public service, I have launched a project www.healthyhomes.asia to make it easier for expats in Korea and other parts of Asia to live the safe, healthy life they desire by introducing local products, shops, restaurants and health/wellbeing experts.
A lot can be done at an individual level. Koreans are traditional very mindful of not wasting resources. All of the bathhouses I visited in Seoul have signs saying 'don't waste the water'!
What if the whole of Korea became Asia's organic food bowl? What impact would that have on the health and wealth of Korea I wonder? Anyway, that's a crazy dream I have.
13. What is your biggest wish now?
To remember to wake up every morning and ask what grand and glorious adventure I can have today?
Sometimes I caught up in the 'importance' of this project and the 'significance' of that job that I lose sight of the simple joys of each day with our friends and families. What if that the purpose of life was to have fun? So that's my wish, to have fun and enjoy what I do every day. And what if we all did this? What a joyful and generative city Seoul would be!
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