Korean urbanites make the move from city to farm
- 12 years ago
From blackberry -- to berry farming.
53-year old Chung Man-gyoo is one of thousands in South Korea who are trading in stressful city lives for the peace and quiet of a farming life.
Once an executive at an electronics company... Chung now farms berries on a one acre plot of land outside Seoul.
Its a far cry from his old life... and takes some adjusting.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 53-YEAR-OLD FARMER CHUNG MAN-GYOO SAYING:
"I don't miss life in the city at all, but my wife still misses the city life very much since she just moved in."
Chung and his family is one of more than 10,000 who made the move from city to farm in 2011.
Along with tax incentives and financial aid, the government provides classes to teach people how to farm and about life in the countryside.
Still the simple life comes at a price -- most farmers leave behind high paying salaries for a slice of serenity.
Chung says that's all part of the experience....
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 53-YEAR-OLD FARMER CHUNG MAN-GYOO SAYING:
"I don't think farming will make you a lot of money. In newspapers, there're stories about people making huge money with farming. Yes, maybe it's possible, but if you want money, there're more chances in the city. You need to leave greed behind."
Reminders of another life... golf clubs collect dust on the porch.
Once used for chasing birdies, Chung says now he uses them to chase away stray cats.
Julie Noce, Reuters
53-year old Chung Man-gyoo is one of thousands in South Korea who are trading in stressful city lives for the peace and quiet of a farming life.
Once an executive at an electronics company... Chung now farms berries on a one acre plot of land outside Seoul.
Its a far cry from his old life... and takes some adjusting.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 53-YEAR-OLD FARMER CHUNG MAN-GYOO SAYING:
"I don't miss life in the city at all, but my wife still misses the city life very much since she just moved in."
Chung and his family is one of more than 10,000 who made the move from city to farm in 2011.
Along with tax incentives and financial aid, the government provides classes to teach people how to farm and about life in the countryside.
Still the simple life comes at a price -- most farmers leave behind high paying salaries for a slice of serenity.
Chung says that's all part of the experience....
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 53-YEAR-OLD FARMER CHUNG MAN-GYOO SAYING:
"I don't think farming will make you a lot of money. In newspapers, there're stories about people making huge money with farming. Yes, maybe it's possible, but if you want money, there're more chances in the city. You need to leave greed behind."
Reminders of another life... golf clubs collect dust on the porch.
Once used for chasing birdies, Chung says now he uses them to chase away stray cats.
Julie Noce, Reuters