Posted : 2021-04-06 17:44
Updated : 2021-04-06 17:44
A traditional kitchen is in use to power ondol floor heating, in Sajik Village, Jangsu County, North Jeolla Province. / Korea Times file
By Steven L. Shields
When asked about what living in Korea might be like, one of the first answers is always: the warm floors. Korea's living spaces are not cluttered with radiators, common in the United States and other parts of the Western world well into the 20th century, and are still used today in many places. In the old days, the place of honor in the room was right at the "hot spot," closest to the firebox (agungi) just outside and beneath the floor. Most homes in Korea no longer have a hot spot since the modern ondol system circulates hot water evenly.