In the neighborhood of Insa-dong in downtown Seoul, a district that has constantly attracted tourists, both Korean and non-Korean, a special gallery has recently opened its doors.

Welcoming its first visitors on February 11, the “Sool Gallery” is ready to introduce a variety of time-honored alcoholic beverages to all comers.




Among the drinks featured at the gallery, there are both Andong Soju, distilled spirits traditionally made in the city of Andong in Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province), and Moonbaesool, which uses a recipe from Pyeongan-do (Pyeongan Province), in what is now North Korea.

There is also Leegangju, liquor, distilled from pears and ginger, and Hansan Sogokju, a brand with a long history based in Hansan-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong Province). The gallery also features some newly developed kinds of drink that have been distilled using traditional methods.

All the exhibits are shown in harmony with a set of decorative craftworks, giving off a lofty ambience.

Sommeliers and other drink experts are on standby during the exhibit's run, welcoming and providing a wide range of information related to traditional alcohol to international tourists as well as to domestic consumers.



The gallery was able to open thanks to joint efforts made by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.

“We have a nice place here, suitable to be used for this purpose, just in time,” said Culture Minister Kim Jongdeok in his speech during the opening ceremony. “This gallery, opened in corporation with the Agriculture Ministry, will surely be successful in terms of promoting the industry.”

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Lee Dong-phil said that, “My heart is full, as this kind of gallery is now within easy reach of the public and of tourists alike, in Insa-dong, a neighborhood that boasts a higher ebb and flow of people than any other place in the country.”

“Please join us in promoting these beverages to as many people as possible, and in making these drinks ones that you keep seeking and ones that you can easily reach."



The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.

Those who want, can sample any of the traditional alcohols on display. Please make a request via the gallery's official blog (http://blog.naver.com/soolgallery), Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/thesoolgallery) or directly via email at soolgallery@naver.com.



By Sohn JiAe
Photos: Jeon Han
Korea.net Staff Writers
jiae5853@korea.kr