The Korea Times
JANGSU, North Jeolla Province — Mount Beophwa is considered among the smaller mountains here in this remote but lush town, measuring slightly over 700 meters tall from sea level. Lee Kyung-sook, 66, came here to forage for mountain herbs and vegetables in the last week of April. The veteran shimmani, or forager, wore her rainboots to fend off the snakes, her "namul" apron and a backpack to carry the wild veggies and herbs she gathers. Deftly, she climbed over fallen tree trunks and hanging branches in long steps, her legs and arms moving in long arc-like silhouette. Whenever she saw a target, she bent 90 degrees, swiftly plucking it. "Ah there, there is 'chwinamul' or Astor greens. Here look, there is 'gosari' or bracken fern," she said. When she changes direction and enters into the deeper, thicker section of the mountain, she finds 'dureup,' or Aralia sprouts from a Korean angelica tree. These seasonal wild herbs, which have a fresh and nutty taste, are in full bloom during late April and May, making for busy months for Lee. About four hours' drive from the highly-wired and connecte
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