The Story of Ilpyeong Lee Walking 9 Laps Around Every Corner of Dongdaemun-gu Until Election as Dongdaemun-gu Mayor and Sharing Stories Reflecting Past, Present, and Future During 60 Days After Inauguration
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Lee Pil-hyung, the mayor of Dongdaemun District Office, has published "Walking Dongdaemun."
After retiring from the National Intelligence Service, Mayor Lee, who traveled and took photos while writing about Baekdudaegan, the Himalayas' Annapurna, the Matterhorn, and Mont Blanc, has now compiled writings about Dongdaemun District into a book.
Amidst the storms of various political upheavals, inspired by endless introspection, he traversed the Baekdudaegan mountain range and wandered through every corner and alley of his second hometown, Dongdaemun, warmly capturing hidden stories and landscapes with his camera.
He gathered the streets, scenery, and stories of the people of Dongdaemun and included them along with his writings in "Walking Dongdaemun."
Mayor Lee rediscovered Dongdaemun by walking through its nooks and crannies. Before walking, it was just a place he passed by, but as he walked through the alleys of Dongdaemun, he vividly shares the experience of meeting his younger self and how memories and stories come alive from the depths of his recollections.
"Walking Dongdaemun" reveals the hidden history of Dongdaemun District shining anew through Mayor Lee’s perspective, and it contains precious scenes connected by the warm lives of Dongdaemun’s people, presented in a fresh and simple manner. The images of Dongdaemun in the book evoke stories and memories, guiding us to a happy daily life and conveying a warm feeling.
Having walked across the entire Dongdaemun District nine times around the June 1 local elections, Mayor Lee includes in this book the story of breaking through the barriers of the political scene and being elected as mayor by the demands of Dongdaemun residents, as well as the narrative of his efforts to directly enter the living sites of Dongdaemun and pave the way for its future growth.
The author, Lee Pil-hyung, mayor of Dongdaemun District, was born in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, but having completed elementary and middle school in Dongdaemun District and lived there until graduating from Kyungbock High School and Korea University, he is practically a long-time resident of Dongdaemun.
Currently, he studies painting, practices various writing exercises, and works as an amateur photographer. After retiring from the National Intelligence Service, he traveled to Baekdudaegan, the Himalayas' Annapurna, Angkor Wat, the Matterhorn, and Mont Blanc, taking photos and writing based on these experiences.
His published works include "Breath Led Me," "Time in Nepal Does Not Hurry," "Mont Blanc, The Path to the Sky," and "Is Hongdo Well?"
Lee Pil-hyung, mayor of Dongdaemun District, plans to hold a publication celebration for "Walking Dongdaemun" in December.
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