National Assembly Area, Seoul

South Korea is a "thriving" democracy where the opposition party can become ruling party.

This impressive building, the National Assembly building is actually located on Yoeuido island, in the middle of Han river.

Presents an excellent photo opportunity of grandeur and space of Seoul.

If you're wandering around Seoul's Yeouido or you're just driving in from the airport, you'll notice a strange green-domed monolith dominating the Han River. That's the National Assembly building. Here, the democratically-elected Republic of Korea legislature makes the laws. While I was there in April 2006, they chose their first female premier.

Together with Hangang Park and Yeouido Park is the National Assembly area/building in West Yeouido. It's a pretty imposing structure...and look real purdy as the sunsets and puts a pink tinge on it.

There is a road that horseshoes around the back of the complex that is lined with cherry trees. When these things blossom in late March/early April they close down the street and Seoulites/Koreans come from all over to take a gazillion pictures of the flowers and each other.

I'm not sure of any tours of the building itself...there is always a small army of elite guards standing watch at all the gates. Since North and South Korea are still technically at war (no peace agreement, just an armistice) security is tight at such places.