100-year-old Seoul Club building legacy.

(From The Korea Herald)

By Hwang You-mee Children's laughter and squeals of delight come through the windows at Seoul Club, tucked on a hillside near Mount Nam. Known for its quiet ambience, the international social club is open to members only and has been since its founding.

"This is our 100-year anniversary," Seoul Club President David Richardson announced proudly. Richardson, who was elected to lead the club about two months ago, elaborates on Seoul Club's long history in Korea. "Our first meeting place was King Gojong's Imperial Library donated to Seoul Club by the king himself, and we stayed in that building from 1904 to the 1960s except during the Japanese colonial period," he said. "He obviously was trying to involve the international community, and that's where the history of Seoul Club actually starts from." That spirit continues today, as the club hosts an average of 900 functions a month. "It provides a meeting place to share all the information people need to share in order to live and work together," Richardson said. The mix of Koreans and non-Koreans is another one of its traditions, according to Richardson. "It's interesting to look at what Seoul Club is. It's a members' club: The membership is comprised of expatriates, ambassadors and Koreans who want to be part of an international community. Roughly 50 percent are Korean and 50 percent non-Korean," he said. "The combination is quite special. Seoul Club has always had this mixture since the beginning, although the proportions might have changed." The club is open to people of all nationalities and has members from more than 40 countries, he added. "From foreigners' perspective, this is the place where they can actually relax and be themselves without getting unnecessary attention," said Richardson. "It basically becomes a home away from home." For Koreans, it offers a chance to mingle, to be part of an international atmosphere. "Those interested in global, international affairs - this is a very natural and healthy environment where Koreans and non-Koreans have a chance to meet," he said. In terms of international ...