During winter 1975, kids and grownups enjoy skating while wearing only jeans and sweaters, at the frozen pond in front of the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

During winter 1975, kids and grownups enjoy skating while wearing only jeans and sweaters, at the frozen pond in front of the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

It was much colder in Korea in the past.
Photos and records recently released by the National Archives of Korea are quite clear in showing how cold it used to be during winters in Korea.

The Hangang River would freeze completely, so that people could stand up on the ice, in the middle of the river. The thickness of the ice chunks cut from the river was so thick that it could reach the lap of an adult.

Though there were no hand-warmers or long underwear made out of high-tech fabrics, people didn’t give in when faced with a cold spell. Instead, they enjoyed the wintertime, actually playing more outdoors than people do today.

It was easy to find children ice skating on the pond at the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion or sledding along the Hangang River, and sledding on any old frozen hillside or field. The Hangang River was much clearer, compared to today. People would fish, making holes in the ice, and ice blocks were cut out, stored and prepared for the hot weather in the summer.

In 1957, people cut ice blocks from the Hangang River. This photo shows how clean the water was and how cold it was in past Korean winters.

In 1957, people cut ice blocks from the Hangang River. This photo shows how clean the water was and how cold it was in past Korean winters.

Records of ice blocks from the Hangang River can be also seen in the “The Royal Record of the Joseon Dynasty, or “Joseon Wangjo Sillok.” Once cut out from the river ice, the blocks were stored in warehouses along Seobinggo and Dongbinggo that were built as far back as 1396. These warehouses still remain today as place names. Seobinggo is located in Seobinggo-dong in Yongsan-gu District, near what is today the National Museum of Korea, and Dongbinggo is in Oksu-dong, Seongdong-gu District, a bit to the east.

The records also show skiers participating in the National Winter Sports Festival in 1954.

A total of 39 records were unveiled by the National Archives of Korea. They include 24 photos, 14 video clips and one pamphlet.

For more details, please visit the homepage of the National Archives of Korea: www.archives.go.kr.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: National Archives of Korea
arete@korea.kr

In 1956, visitors to the Hangang River watch a figure skating competition that took place on frozen river ice.

In 1956, visitors to the Hangang River watch a figure skating competition that took place on frozen river ice.

 

In 1976, anglers enjoy some ice fishing on the Hangang River, despite the cold.

In 1976, anglers enjoy some ice fishing on the Hangang River, despite the cold.

 

In 1954, skiers gather ahead of a race in the National Winter Sports Festival. Though they didn't wear safety equipment common to today, such as helmets or goggles, they were as serious as athletes who participate in the Winter Olympics.

In 1954, skiers gather ahead of a race in the National Winter Sports Festival. Though they didn’t wear safety equipment common to today, such as helmets or goggles, they were as serious as athletes who participate in the Winter Olympics.