Melakong Bridge
A small marker stone, measuring 60 centimeters in height and 30 centimeter in width, is located at the corner of the Mokpo train station in Mokpo City, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. The marker stone records the completion of the Melakong Bridge construction on April 20, 1964. That construction was achieved by a man named Park Gil-su. Before 1964, a stream next to the Mokpo railway…
A small stone marker, measuring 60 centimeters in height and 30 centimeters in width, is found at the corner of the Mokpo train station in Mokpo City, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. This marker commemorates the completion of the Melakong Bridge on April 20, 1964. The bridge's construction was overseen by Park Gil-su, a man dedicated to improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
Prior to 1964, a stream adjacent to the Mokpo railway station presented significant challenges for train passengers. They were forced to take a lengthy detour, often leading to delays and accidents. In 1960, Park, then 32 years old, worked as a cargo worker at Mokpo Station. The stationmaster, who mistakenly perceived Park's likeness to a Japanese samurai’s henchman from a movie, dubbed him "Melakong."
Recognizing the difficulties faced by those traveling to the station, Park Gil-su took it upon himself to alleviate the situation. After consulting with the city mayor, he proposed the construction of a bridge. This marked the beginning of a transformative project that would soon change the lives of countless individuals, providing a safer and more efficient route to the Mokpo train station.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Melakong Bridge koreatimes.co.kr
