It’s not books, but questions that pierce through history. And those who craft these questions—so-called “knowledge producers”—can be found right in the heart of Gaehang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon. The space, named Open Port City, is breathing new life into the fading old town by channeling the spirit of humanities. This time, they’re unlocking the legacies of South Korea’s former presidents.
Hosted by the Korea Leisure Management Institute and organized by the Open Port City Book Village, “Open Port City Humanities Season 7” will run every other Tuesday at 7 PM, from April 1st to May 27th, at the large lecture hall on the second floor of Open Port City. The theme is straightforward: Let’s Talk About Presidents. The spotlight this season is on four presidents who defined different eras—Park Chung-hee, Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung, and Roh Moo-hyun.
What makes this series especially intriguing is the lineup of speakers—those who have either written memoirs or biographies of these leaders. Journalist Cho Gab-je, who authored the 13-volume collected works of Park Chung-hee, once faced interrogation by the KCIA for criticizing a 1976 oil reserve announcement. Former Minister of Public Information Oh In-hwan stood by President Kim Young-sam from his first to his last day in office and later penned a critical reevaluation. EBS Chairwoman Yoo Si-chun compiled the oral autobiography of President Kim Dae-jung, while writer Yoo Si-min captured the life of President Roh Moo-hyun in the book Fate.
Open Port City Humanities Season 7 Program. Photo courtesy of Open Port City.
But this isn’t a nostalgic or glorifying series. Through these lectures, Open Port City aims to ask: What kind of person should become president? By comparing leadership styles across eras and exploring the social conditions that shaped each presidency, the series encourages deep reflection. On the final day, Choi Seok-ho, director of the Korea Leisure Management Institute, will present the results of a citizen survey—not to determine who was the best president, but to understand why people feel the way they do.
Open Port City is no longer just a book café or cultural center. Since its opening in 2022, it has led an “intellectual renaissance” in the old city center with each new season featuring a different humanities theme. Covering everything from management and philosophy to art and the future, its lectures have attracted a wide range of attendees, including CEOs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and university students. The core belief driving Open Port City is that “we don’t need knowledge confined to rooms—we need questions out on the streets.”
Gaehang-ro in Incheon was once the “gateway to Korea,” but declined as administrative functions shifted elsewhere. Yet, its modern architecture, historical heritage, and cultural pride remain alive. And now, Open Port City is giving that quiet legacy a voice.
Season 7 was originally planned as a grand finale to wrap up three years of programming. But in light of recent political upheaval, including impeachment discussions, leadership changes, and renewed questions about democracy, the program’s concept has been completely reimagined. Now, it’s a bold attempt to dissect “the president”—a figure who is as political as they are human—through a humanities lens.
Those interested can register via the Open Port City blog or by calling (032-772-5556). The participation fee is 5,000 won, including a drink. While the talks may focus on presidents, in truth, they’re about citizens. Through exploring the inner worlds of our leaders, Open Port City asks once again: What kind of leader do we truly want? And what kind of citizens should we strive to be?