Myungbaksanseong

Myungbaksanseong (literally Lee Myung-bak's castle) is a recent South Korean neologism referring to two story barricades made with cargo containers to prevent protesters who gathered in the Gwanghwamun area of Seoul from possible marching to Cheong Wa Dae. It was set up by South Korean police ordered by the Korean secretary of Defense in 9 June 2008. The term first appeared in several internet forums to criticize the South Korea president, Lee Myung-bak's countermeasure against the citizen who participated in series of candlelight protests opposing to aged US beef imports. Lee's unilateral policy on the issue leads people to concern about vCJD (variant CJD, or mad cow disease). The structure led to even more people participating in the protests and twisted jokes such as;

* This is made to alter Namdaemun which was burnt down.
* This is the new national landmark of korea.
* Container Government

At first, this word was just a sarcasm by a netizen, but it was spread to other people by newspapers. Some Koreans criticized the work by saying "This is how Lee Myung-bak communicate with the public." The barricade was removed the next day, June 11th, 2008.

The structure
The structure was located in Gwanghwamun junction, blocking most roads to Cheong Wa Dae. It is made of 2 stories containers which is full of sand, attached each other, and to prevent removal by protestors, they attached it to the ground by steel beam.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu