Smart City, Songdo International City and the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). 

The Hyangwon Pavillion ( Photo BCW)

I recently posted a photo of the Hyangwon Pavillion and a number have asked to share on its origin and location. What I noted in the caption was its significance as the 1st building electrified in Korea and possibly Asia.

Early in my ground-breaking 2000s post-graduate academic research, I examined the long-standing technology exchanges between the United States and Korea. Much of this development began in the late 1800s when Korea looked to bring rail, trolley, electrification, telephone, waterworks, and hard-rock gold mining to the country. Some of these infrastructure projects were “a first” for Asia. Specifically, the 1st building electrified! It was fascinating reading the correspondence between Korea and Thomas Edison.

An excerpt from my 2012 publication– HENRY COLLBRAN AND THE ROOTS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ENTERPRISES IN KOREA

In 1884, King Gojong reached out and contracted the Edison Light Company to electrify Gyeongbok Palace starting with showcasing the Hyangwon Pavilion. The monarch intended to adopt and welcome new technologies from the West.

The 2-story Hyangwon Pavilion had been constructed on an artificial island in the center of the palace lake.

Technicians dispatched from Thomas Edison’s laboratory and installed a small DC water-powered generator on the stream that fed the lake. {The stream is long gone, curious I looked a few years ago].

To King Gojang and the court’s amazement, the building was illuminated.

Several years later, in 1893, a second electric plant was built for the Changdok Palace, and thereafter for the Sundok palace. Reports by Western diplomats of the time told that the incandescent lights were most often used for court meetings held during the evening hours.

It should come as no surprise that 140 years later a robust technological trend continues– today both the U.S. and South Korea’s equal tech partners.

Questions? Here as always.