It is an unlikely spot for a bohemian cultural centre -- along the banks of the barbed wire-lined Han River and within sight of the armed checkpoint watchtowers -- but the galleries, cafes and bookstores exhibit work from some of the finest artists and architects from Korea and abroad.
For now, passive self-defence is recommended: barbed wire to protect vulnerable parts of ships, fire hoses to push pirates away and an alert crew to spot attacks early to allow the ship to take evasive action.