DAY 27 (August 7 2010): The Pacific Rim Park Dedication Ceremony

Finally, after one month of the hard and I mean hard work, the park is now complete. For the dedication ceremony, distinguished guests such as the governor of Jeju, Woo Keun-min, and the American ambassador to South Korea, Kathleen Stephens, along with numerous television cameras and print media reporters, attended. The weather was incredible: sunny and windy, perfect Jeju weather.

Professor Ko giving a speech

Jim giving a speech

The Crew

Ambassador Kathleen Stephens giving a speech

Prof. Ko and Kyle

The Jeju governor Woo Keun-min and Jim, surrounded by media

Here are the images of “Stepping Stones of the Pacific.”






























“Stepping Stones of the Pacific” will remain in Jeju for years to come. It will be one link to connect all the other Pacific Rim Parks. But more than anything, the experience to create a park with students from all over the world has been indescribable, and the one-month we spent together will remain special in my heart.

The brain behind the scene

You will remain in my heart...

The final meeting in the Pearl

The last dinner we will have as a group was at a “secret garden” where figures such as former Japanese Prime Minister Nakasone and the Chinese leader Hu Jintao visited. It entailed phenomenon food and environment (with live traditional Korean performance), which couldn’t have been any better.

Fresh seafood was my favorite

I had never been treated so elegantly in my life...

Beautiful sky as if it was celebrating with us

The park could not have been made possible without the help of the Jeju government and the people. Also, Prof. Ko, Architect Kim, Prof. Kim, Stone Master Kim and Mr. Lee have helped visibly to make this special park. I also thank the women divers who cooked lunch for us and let us use their bathroom for the past three weeks.

I would like to personally thank Jim, Kyle and Professor Haggard at University of California, San Diego, for opening the door to be a part of this unforgettable project.

And lastly and most importantly, I want to thank all the fellow students who ate, slept and worked together for four weeks. This is one of the things that only those who have participated will have the true appreciation for. I will remember this experience forever. Thank you for being so great. There wasn’t a single person I hated. Creativity, diligence, sense of humor, whatever you need to be successful in life, you all had it. I hope to keep in touch and see you all again in my life!

Tomo