RAS Korea celebrates 123rd anniversary with resumption of annual garden party

RAS Korea President Rev. Steven L. Shields gives a welcoming speech during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

By Jon Dunbar

Members of the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea, the world's oldest Korean studies organization, gathered at the U.K. ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong on Saturday for the organization's 123rd anniversary party.

Dr. Joanne Hong Jung-wook, office manager of RAS Korea, smiles while running around busily during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Over 150 RAS Korea members and their guests, plus volunteers, embassy personnel and a few VIPs gathered for the first proper RAS Korea Garden Party to be held since the previous one in 2019. Present were people from various countries, ranging in age from young to old.

Perfume maker Oh Ha-ni, left, and Ahn Ju-young, organizer of Insadong KOTE pose together at the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Heroes of Korea provided its scents inspired by historical Korean figures for the party's raffle. KOTE began hosting RAS Korea lectures this March. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Rev. Steven L. Shields, president of RAS Korea, welcomed guests in a brief speech, pointing out that Jeong-dong, which had once been the main foreign district of Seoul, was also where the organization was founded, in the Reading Room of nearby Seoul Union Club on June 16, 1900. The building had been located at the present-day location of the swimming pool at Habib House, the U.S. ambassador's residence, which also sometimes hosts the annual RAS Korea Garden Parties, alternating with the U.K. Embassy.

Ambassador of the Philippines to Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, left, poses with RAS Korea President Rev. Steven L. Shields next to the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong during the RAS Korea Garden Party, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

He then introduced the host of the party, U.K. Ambassador Colin Crooks, who holds the title of honorary president of RAS Korea. Crooks pointed to stone numbers high up on the house's exterior, announcing its date of construction as 1890, remarking that this is the only building in Korea constructed during the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom that is still serving the same function today. He also joked that it is nicer than his previous residence in Pyongyang, where he served as U.K. ambassador to North Korea from December 2018 to December 2021.

He noted that his residence has hosted many events, including Korea's celebration of the coronation of King Charles III earlier this year, which pre-empted this year's RAS Korea Garden Party, which is usually held in June.

RAS Korea President Rev. Steven L. Shields, left, gives a welcoming speech at the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the residence of British Ambassador Colin Crooks, right, in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Shields and Crooks then announced the winners of RAS Korea's fourth annual history and culture essay contest for high school students. This year, the contest had been newly organized into two categories, one for Korean students at foreign language high schools, and another for students at international high schools in Korea. Students were asked to write an essay on one of two topics: "You have been asked to make a new holiday in Korea. When is your new holiday, what is it about, and how is it celebrated?" and "During which century (or two) was Korea at its best? Explain your reasoning." Shields emphasized that RAS Korea received a record number of essays this year, and the judges had a hard choice to make. Each winner was presented with a plaque and prize money.

RAS Korea President Steven L. Shields, upper left, announces winners of the annual essay contest, while British Ambassador Colin Crooks, front right, presents an award to In Ju-hyun Royce, front left, during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at Crooks' official residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

The grand award for foreign language high school students went to Lee Chae-min of southwestern Seoul's Myungduk Foreign Language High School. In her essay, titled "Is Retro the New PRESENT?", she proposes designating Sept. 9 as "Retro Day" to celebrate and promote students' fascination with the past. The runner-up prize went to Ryu Ga-min of Daeil Foreign Language High School in northeastern Seoul, who wrote an essay titled "The Red Speed Bump of Life." Ryu was unable to attend the party.

Kim Dong-ha, a student of Korea International School's Jeju Campus who won the grand award for the international school category, accepted an award for her essay, titled "Walking Hand in Hand Towards Harmony." In Ju-hyun Royce of Seoul Foreign School received his runner-up prize for his essay, titled "The Goryeo Dynasty, Korea's Golden Age."

The two grand prize-winning essays were printed in Vol. 97 of Transactions, RAS Korea's official journal, which was available for members at the Garden Party.

Longtime RAS Korea volunteer Mr. Shim gives out copies of Vol. 97 of Transactions, the society's annual journal, at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Helping present the awards was Kim Ji-myung, head of the Korea Heritage Education Institute, which contributed the prize money for the essay contest.

Kim was coincidentally one of the many participants who also has a history with The Korea Times. She worked for the paper as a reporter in the 1970s, and in more recent years sometimes still contributes to the opinion page.

Journalist Donald Kirk arrives for the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Also present were columnists Donald Kirk and Choe Chong-dae, Korea: deConstructed columnist David Tizzard, plus various other occasional contributors including tourism professor David A. Mason, scholar Jack Greenberg and historian Matt VanVolkenburg. It may also need to be mentioned that RAS Korea President Shields is a columnist too.

Tourism professor David A. Mason, center, passionately gesticulates while speaking to essay contest winner Kim Dong-ha during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Another memorable figure in attendance was Brother Anthony, Sogang University professor emeritus and RAS Korea president emeritus, who continues to serve as a judge of The Korea Times' annual literary translation contest.

RAS Korea President Emeritus Brother Anthony of Taize relaxes during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Another person in attendance who may be familiar to Korea Times readers is Dr. John Linton, a naturalized Korean who has been contributing to The Korea Times this year, sharing his decades of experiences living in Korea, including visits to North Korea and his experience during the 1980 Gwangju Uprising.

Dr. John Linton smiles for a photo during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Along with Linton, who is the great-grandson of missionary Eugene Bell who arrived in Korea in 1895, it's not uncommon at RAS Korea events to meet descendants of missionary families. Many of them have multiple generations of ties to not just Korea but also RAS Korea, of which many founding members were these same missionaries. Although no Underwoods were present this year, one of the attendees was Annabel McKaskle, great-granddaughter of missionary William Noble who was in Korea from 1892 to 1934.

Annabel McKaskle, left, asks for help taking a selfie during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

To help the event run smoothly, a handful of food and beverage companies provided samples of their products, arranged by Veronica Kang of Gastro Tour Seoul. Representatives of Samhae Soju were on hand to provide samples of their premium soju and cheongju alcoholic drinks, and people from Namdo Takju were also pouring drinks, including the brewery's dongdongju (cloudy alcoholic drink) and Naju pear yakju. AB-InBev, owner of Oriental Brewery, also supplied several hundred beers.

For non-alcoholic drinkers, Jeju Island-based teamaker Brian Park was on hand to serve a special green tea blended with North and South Korean green teas, which he nicknamed Arirang Tea.

Representatives of Samhae Soju explain Korea's alcohol traditions during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

The Garden Party winded down with a half-hour-long raffle, during which dozens of prize winners received various gifts, including free books, RAS Korea membership deals and traditional Korean alcohol.

One of the oddest prizes was two RAS Korea ashtrays, the exact origins of which are unknown, according to RAS Korea Vice President Suzanne Crowder Han, who operated the raffle. Two ashtrays were given away, with both going to appreciative but confused nonsmokers.

Four of the prizes were provided by Heroes of Korea, a perfume company that offers scents inspired by historic Korean figures, including Shin Saimdang, King Sejong the Great, Admiral Yi Sun-shin and Heo Nanseolheon.

Korea Times contributor David Tizzard poses with his family, three of whom won raffle prizes at the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

There were a few hitches throughout the day, including the humid weather which gave way to a light rain later in the afternoon. Attendees were ushered into the ambassador's dining room to feast on finger foods and sheltered under the canopy at the back of the house. There were plans to move the party entirely inside if the rain worsened, because the lawn of the ambassador's residence is imported from England, and embassy personnel wanted to protect the grass.

From left, Korea Times longtime contributor Choe Chong-dae, tourism professor David A. Mason and former Ambassador Kim Jae-bum grab some food inside the U.K. ambassador's dining room during the RAS Korea Garden Party, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

In addition, protests throughout downtown made it difficult to arrive on time. One guest, who lives in the hanok village in nearby Seochon, was delayed over an hour due to protests on her way to the party. However, the protests weren't as intrusive as the 2019 Garden Party, which was held on the same day as the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, during which the sounds from a loud Christian protest disrupted the festivities.

RAS Korea council member Matt VanVolkenburg stands with three teenage members of RAS Korea's RAS Korea's Dongducheon chapter during the RAS Korea Garden Party held at the British ambassador's residence in central Seoul's historic Jeong-dong, Sept. 16. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Visit raskb.com for more information about the world's oldest Korean studies organization.