Why Do Traditional Korean Houses Have Walls Around Them?

Traditional Korean hanok house behind a stone wall and stone steps in rural Korea

When people first notice a traditional Korean house, or hanok, their eyes usually go to the roof. The dark gray tiles, curved rooflines, wooden columns, and wide eaves are some of the most recognizable features of traditional Korean architecture. But when I walk through rural areas of Korea, there is another feature that often catches … 더 읽기