Architect Kim Bong-ryol gives a lecture on Korean architecture during the Corea Image Communication Institution's forum on Tuesday at the Hungarian ambassador's residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Courtesy of CICI

By Dong Sun-hwa

Architecture may be an unfamiliar and challenging talking point for many people, but architect Kim Bong-ryol can help them gain an appreciation of the subject.

Kim, president of the Korea National University of Arts, narrated a history of Korea's architecture at Hungarian Ambassador Mozes Csoma's residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on Tuesday.

"Looking back on Korean history, different eras valued different architectural aspects. Some appreciated technology, while others put more emphasis on art or space," Kim said during the Corea Image Communication Institution's (CICI) forum. CICI is a global cultural promotion advocacy.

Kim also explained the architectural features of the nation's traditional constructions, including Sewons, Korean neo-Confucian academies.

The architect ― who designed Korea's National Guesthouse in Seoul and the Korean Garden in Frankfurt, Germany ― also delivered his thoughts on undesirable design.

"I think the worst design comes with arrows that show people the way (to their destinations)," he said. "A construction should be made in a way that people instantly know where to go, instead of seeking instructions."

Opinion leaders including New Zealand Ambassador Philip Turner, Kuwaiti Ambassador Bader Mohammad Al-Awadi and Deputy Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Francois Belin attended the event.

Back row, from left, are Didier Beltoise, President of Cs; Park Young-gook, Secretary-General of the Korea National University of Arts; Choi Sung-hoon, President of MID; Erwan Vilfeu, President of Zuellig Pharma Korea; Bader Mohammad Al-Awadi, Kuwaiti Ambassador; Mozes Csoma, Hungarian Ambassador; James Park, Director of BIO Plastic Surgery; Philip Turner, New Zealand Ambassador; Ryu Kwon-ha, CEO of Korea Joongang Daily; Francois Belin, Deputy Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI); Hiroshi Ikeda, spouse of the New Zealand ambassador, and Jung Tai-nam, architect. Front row, from left, are Crystal Park, interpreter; Lee Sung-ju, violinist and professor at the Korea National University of Arts; Nam Sun-mi, spouse of the Hungarian ambassador; Kim Bong-ryol, President of the Korea National University of Arts; Choi Jung-wha, President of CICI; Lee Seung-eun, CEO of SEL Interior; Park So-yoon, President of Lemonade & Co.; Park Youn-Jung, CEO of Mint Tour; Kim Kwi-yeon, President of CITIAP, and Sylvie Belin, spouse of the IVI Deputy Director General. Courtesy of CICI