Street Preacher

Another familiar sight in Myeongdong is the street preachers. This one have pitched up a little tent and sits there reading some script, maybe a sermon or from the Bible. The Korean on his banner reads "Yaesu Cheonguk" (Jesus-Heaven) on the left and "Bulshin Ji-ok" (Disbelieve-Hell). It seems to be a clear and simple message for a materialistically oriented society that wants to increase their pleasure and avoid pain. Not exactly the way I'd go about presenting the Gospel . . .

There are numerous street preachers in Myeongdong. Some stand there singing hymns. Some walk up and down the streets preaching to the youth. The last time I went to Myeongdong I even saw a guy on a bicycle preaching.

From these displays of fervent focus, Evangelical Koreans must probably think of Myeongdong as the core of youth decadence. The Sodom and Gomorrah of Seoul. From my observation, Myeongdong might be the hub of trendiness, but it is hardly the sin-pit it seems from these preachers. The real decadence and sin-pits in Korea are not what happens in these materialistic centres; rather it is in the back streets with old sleazy old men visiting the many "barber" shops.

Korea is such a paradox. Definitely a country of extremes and contradictions.