Article September 18, 2000 Issue

Peace design for the world

An interview with Korean architect and planner YoungHoon Kwaak

By Kim Shippey

In The Olympic Stadium in Sydney this week is someone whose thoughts will range far beyond the events unfolding in front of him. He is Professor YoungHoon Kwaak, one of Korea's best-known architects, and a key member of the Assembly of Olympeace (the spirit of the Olympics joined with humanity's yearning for peace), which was conceptualized by Professor Kwaak shortly before the Seoul Olympics in 1988. He planned and supervised the redevelopment of the Han River Waterfront, and the construction of Olympic Park, where the cultural events were held in Seoul.

His goal for Olympeace was to use Olympic occasions as a rallying point for prominent people from many walks of life to keep the spirit of the games alive at all times and to discuss their continuing role as an instrument for world peace. Professor Kwaak had just completed a year of teaching and research on world peace initiatives at Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, when we talked with him on campus a few weeks ago.

Professor Kwaak began to outline his vision for world peace by suggesting we look around us at the spring. "Spring is an eternal wonder to me," he said quietly. "We see new growth, new beauty, new hope. I'm always amazed at how a frail bud can come through such hardness.

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