Thursday, November 11, 2010

Major Events of January: The 9th Sancheoneo Ice Festival


The Sancheoneo (Kor 산천어: a type of fish) Ice Festival opens every year in January under the slogan of “Unfrozen Hearts, Unforgettable Memories” at Hwacheon (Kor 화천: name of place), that has geographical feature of the fastest ice freezing in Korea because of cold valley wind and clean water.
This festival is one of the biggest winter festivals in Korea full with interesting shows and programs such as ice sledding, snow sledding, ice fishing, mini ice hockey, ice soccer and snow sculptures.





*Period : January 8 – January 30, 2011
*Venue : Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do Province

Click on the map

More information about the event you may find here

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Happy 빼빼로 Day


Happy 빼빼로 Day~~~"Pepero Day is an observance in South Korea similar to Valentine's Day,Celebrated yearly on November 11th,. It is named after the Korean snack Pepero and held on November 11, since the date "11/11" resembles four sticks of Pepero. during which couples and friends exchange boxes of the chocolate-covered cookie snack The holiday is observed mostly by young people and couples, who exchange Pepero sticks, other candies, and romantic gifts...^^

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

G20 Seoul Summit Special VI - Final

Implications, Preparations, and Expectations


Implications and Expected Impact of the G20

The G20 Seoul Summit may be the biggest international event in contemporary Korean history. At this juncture where the developed world needs to build a cooperative system with emerging markets so as to tackle economic crises and set a new order for the global economy, Korea has been chosen as the leading member of the emerging markets club, as a bridge-maker. Successful hosting will lead to an improved global perception of Korea and increased confidence among the Korean people themselves. Also, the summit will be a golden opportunity to promote Korea’s rich past and present – its history, culture, tourism, art, technology– which would help to enhance the country’s international standing and prestige.

To read related articles :
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2010/10/137_75228.html

http://bit.ly/99XuYx


Getting Ready for the Visiting Media


A government preparatory committee for the G20 Seoul Summit is getting ready for the influx of journalists from across the globe. About 4,000 journalists from more than 60 countries, including 1,700 reporters from overseas, have registered. The committee plans to run an information center providing interpretation in 14 languages. Also, Seoul City and other ministries have been preparing a press tour to a series of historical tourist attractions such as Gyeongbok Palace, the Han River, and DMZ. To safeguard visitors to the G20 summit, a total of 40,000 policemen and military forces will be mobilized, and all areas within a radius of 600 meters of the COEX will be subject to special security measures.

To read more about it :
http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101028000624


Korean IT Firms Gearing Up for the G20

Korea’s telecom and technology firms are making last-minute preparations to use the G20 summit as a way to present their advanced technologies to the global leaders. Some of the features include multi-touch screen technology (visitors will be able to touch and feel the images); virtualization technology; 4-D image room; mobile IPTV services; 3W network wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), Wi-Fi, WiBro; 3D TVs and LED displays and numerous others. Also, the G20 ICT Innovation Forum will be held on November 9-10, which is scheduled to be attended by many prominent CEOs of local and global IT firms such as AT&T, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, KT and LG CNS as well as the OECD and World Bank.

For a related article :
http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101028000624


Works of the Presidential Council on Nation Branding


1. Club of Madrid-Seoul Conference

Seoul Conference (on “G-20’s Role in the Post-Crisis World”) was held from September 1 to 2 at The Shilla Seoul, co-hosted by the Presidential Council on Nation Branding, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Club of Madrid. Seoul Conference was held to draw upon the knowledge and vision of eminent leaders ahead of the November Summit. The Club of Madrid is an independent organization composed of former heads of state and government, formed to promote democracy and change in the global community. Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, H.E. Wim Kok, is the current president of the Club.

2. Television Campaigns

On the occasion of the G20 Seoul Summit, the Council produced a number of television campaigns on global citizenship in partnership with private companies including Samsung, Hyundai Motors, Woori Bank, CJ Media, and YTN.

3. SNS (Social Network Services) Events



A variety of SNS events were held under the theme of the G20 Seoul Summit, including the UCC Video Contest with YouTube Season 4; “Images Come True” Campaign on Facebook, Twitter, mobile application; Online promotion campaign with Daum etc.

4. International Forums

Various international forums and discussions were held to seek ways to successfully host and promote the G20 Seoul Summit such as the Academic Conference on Korea’s Nation Brand (held on October 27), the Council’s International Advisory Forum, Experts Forum, Committee Meetings and other inter-agency meetings.

5. Others

Other G20-related projects include the Foreign Textbook Correction project (revising misinformation about Korea contained in the G20 member nations’ textbooks and vice versa); producing television programs on multiculturalism; foreign media outreach (publish feature articles on Korea); holding promotional events etc.


Check this out !



Korea Communications Commission (KCC) will be hosting the G20 Communications Exhibition with Seoul Metropolitan City at the Seoul Plaza for 9 days from November 5 to 13. The event will provide the people of Korea as well as G20 delegates and the press with opportunities to experience the advanced broadcasting and communications technology of Korea.

To visit the official web site :
http://www.g20ce.kr/eng/eng_index.asp



Thank you for your readership to the G20 Seoul Summit Special series!!!!

Monday, November 08, 2010

G20 Outreach V


Seoul G20 Business Summit

South Korea will be holding a meeting of global business leaders on November 10 and 11 in Seoul prior to the G20 Seoul Summit. Around 80 chief executives of global companies from G20 member nations and 20 business leaders from non-member countries are expected to participate. Four major issues will be addressed – trade and investment, green growth, finance, and corporate social responsibility – to achieve sustainable and balanced growth. The results of the discussions will be reported and recommended to the Seoul G20 summit.

To visit the official web site of the Seoul G20 Business Summit :
http://seoulg20businesssummit.org/en/

What Is Sherpa?


A Sherpa is the President or Prime Minister’s personal representative responsible for negotiating possible agreements at international events such as the G8 and G20, which reduces the amount of time and resources required at the negotiations of the heads of state at the final summit. The Sherpa is usually a senior diplomat, civil servant or in some cases, politician.

The name is derived from the Sherpa people who serve as guides and porters in the Himalaya Mountains, a metaphor indicating that the Sherpa clears the way for a head of state at a major summit.

The last G20 Sherpa meeting was held in Seoul from July 19 to 22 this year.

To view the list of the G20 Sherpas :
http://www.sherpatimes.com/resources/62-resources/252-list-of-g20-sherpa.html

Hanbok Fashion Show to Celebrate the G20



The G20 Hanbok Fashion Show will be held on November 12 at the Changdeokgung Palace for spouses of G20 national leaders to enjoy the delicate and sophisticated beauty of Korea’s national costume. Korea’s most acclaimed Hanbok designers will present some of their newest designs at the show along with some classic pieces. The show is organized and supported by Kim Yoon-ok, the First Lady of the Republic of Korea.

To view the related article :
http://www.korea.net/detail.do?guid=50976


Check this out!



To view some G20 economy/finance-related statistics, visit the following web site (Korea Statistical Information Service) :
http://kosis.kr/nsportal/bulletin/html/index_eng.html#


G20 Seoul Summit Special
To be continued in the next issue...