Citizens and football fans have been curious about how much the young female football players will receive in cash rewards for winning the championship title at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago last Sunday, local time.
“No precise details have been discussed concerning the monetary rewards for winning the championship. The amount will be decided to commensurate with their achievements,” said an official of the Korea Football Association.
The national team, which placed third at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in July, received a combined 247 million won, which was broke down to 20 million won for Director Choi In-cheol, 15 million won each for the three trainers, 10 million won to each for the 14 A-class players and 6 million won awarded to the seven B-class players.
The rewards are much less than the amounts awarded to the players of the national men’s team, which advanced to the final 16 at the World Cup in South Africa in June (a minimum 90 million won to 170 million won) but higher than the U-20 and U-17 members, which both advanced to the quarterfinals (5 million won).
Yet due to the nation’s historic winning of the title, the U-17 women’s team is expected to receive more than the U-20 squad. However, given the fact that they are still high school students, the rewards are expected to be translated into scholarships, observers said.
The young female players were given MP3 players instead of cash on the grounds that they were still students, when they advanced to the quarterfinals at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in 2008.
Credits :Koreatimes
Korean Language Service
사상 첫 FIFA 우승에 포상금 얼마나 될까
한국축구 사상 처음으로 국제축구연맹(FIFA) 주관 대회 정상에 오른 U-17 여자대표팀의 포상금 규모는 얼마나 될까.
대한축구협회 관계자는 “협회 내부에서 포상금에 대한 구체적인 논의가 아직 없었다. 대회 후 합당한 수준에서 결정될 것이다”고 밝혔지만 전례에 비춰보면 어느 정도 예측은 가능하다.
7월 U-20 여자월드컵 3위에 올랐던 대표팀은 모두 2억4700만원의 격려금을 받았다. 최인철 감독에게 2000만원, 황인선 코치 등 3명의 코치에게는 각 1500만원이 주어졌다. 선수들은 A, B 등급으로 나눠 A등급(14명) 1000만원, B등급(7명) 600만원을 받았다.
이는 6월 남아공월드컵 본선 16강을 이뤄낸 성인 남자대표팀 멤버(최소 9000만원, 최대 1억7000만원)보다 낮지만 작년 나란히 8강에 오른 U-20, U-17 남자대표팀 멤버(500만원)보다는 높은 금액이다.
U-17 여자대표팀이 역사적인 첫 우승을 차지한 것을 고려할 때 U-20 여자대표팀 이상의 포상금 지급이 전망된다. 다만 선수 전원이 고등학생 신분이라는 점을 감안해 포상금은 장학금 형식으로 지급될 것으로 보인다.
2008년 뉴질랜드 U-17 여자월드컵 8강에 올랐던 선수들은 학생 신분이라는 점 때문에 당시 현금이 아닌 mp3플레이어를 부상으로 받았다...`
Monday, September 27, 2010
Miss Korea Tops International Pageant
Ha Hyunjung, 2010 Miss Korea second runner-up, became the first Korean to be crowned the main title at an international beauty pageant, Saturday in China.
The 23-year-old topped 75 other beauties at the 2010 Miss Tourism Queen International
competition held in Qingzhou.
"I feel great pride as Miss Korea to win the top title at an international event and will take
on the role with great humility. I plan to participate actively in hands-on charity work such as
environmental protection and helping needy children,” Ha said.
Miss Tourism Queen International was launched in 1993 for the purpose of revamping the tourism industry and advancing international cultural exchange.
It has been held in China annually for the past seven years.
“Miss Tourism Queen International is more than about promoting tourism but it aims to
encourage cultural relations among different countries. I wish to become an ambassador for
cultural exchange in our global community,” said the beauty queen.
The Seoul native is reported to have drawn the judges’ interest at the Q&A session, during which she responded to questions in fluent English. Ha will return home on Oct. 2 after touring several cities in China.
By Lee Hyo-won
Credits :Koreatimes
Seoul Plaza opening to rallies
Metropolitan Council announces revised ordinance
The Seoul Metropolitan Council on Monday announced a revised ordinance allowing all forms of assemblies to take place at Seoul Plaza without prior approval from the city administration. The rule went into effect immediately.
The announcement came as the Seoul Metropolitan Government strongly opposes the opening of the plaza to demonstrators. The city government is considering filing an administrative litigation to nullify the ordinance passed twice by the council, which is dominated by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP).
Despite concerns that the ordinance may cause “chaos” at the plaza, the council is determined to push the rule. The council Chairman He Kwang-tai made the rule official by posting the ordinance on the council’s bulletin board.
“Seoul Plaza at the heart of the capital city is a sacred place of Korean democracy. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered there to denounce authoritarian administrations in the past and it has become a place of harmonization and peace. We hope the skeptics will realize that more than 10 million Seoulites have always been mature and will always be,” the statement said.
It said Seoulites have given majority council seats to members of the opposition Democratic Party with a hope to put the brakes on the one-sided policies pushed by the ruling Grand National Party.
“It is our duty to allow the free use of the Seoul Plaza to all people and guarantee the constitutional rights of the people to assemble without restriction.”
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon vetoed the ordinance for the second time earlier last week. He said the revision conflicts with a higher-level law that obliges pre-screening of the use of public assets.
“Large-scale assemblies at the plaza could be dangerous, risking the safety of pedestrians as well as drivers since protestors often occupy car lanes. Also, the plaza is too close to the U.S. Embassy: the current law bans gatherings within 100 meters of diplomatic institutions,” a city spokesman stated.
The administration also stated that the majority of citizens desire to enjoy the green area without noisy clashes of ideology and this makes it logical to insist on tightening the screening process.
There have been attempts by so-called liberalists to use the plaza, but the administration has barred them by staging state-run concerts and other cultural events. Some conservative groups have managed to gain approval to use the space several times, but the administration made it clear that the plaza will be used for “non-political” purposes.
The council pushed the passage for the second time citing the civil right to assembly. The revision was supported by 100,000 citizens, who collected signatures to submit to the council last year. Chairman He’s announcement Monday follows a pertinent rule allowing the council chairman to make the announcement in case the mayor delays to do so within five days from the council’s request.
The city government said it will file an administrative suit against the council with the Supreme Court.
Credits :Koreatimes
By :Bae Ji-sook
The Seoul Metropolitan Council on Monday announced a revised ordinance allowing all forms of assemblies to take place at Seoul Plaza without prior approval from the city administration. The rule went into effect immediately.
The announcement came as the Seoul Metropolitan Government strongly opposes the opening of the plaza to demonstrators. The city government is considering filing an administrative litigation to nullify the ordinance passed twice by the council, which is dominated by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP).
Despite concerns that the ordinance may cause “chaos” at the plaza, the council is determined to push the rule. The council Chairman He Kwang-tai made the rule official by posting the ordinance on the council’s bulletin board.
“Seoul Plaza at the heart of the capital city is a sacred place of Korean democracy. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered there to denounce authoritarian administrations in the past and it has become a place of harmonization and peace. We hope the skeptics will realize that more than 10 million Seoulites have always been mature and will always be,” the statement said.
It said Seoulites have given majority council seats to members of the opposition Democratic Party with a hope to put the brakes on the one-sided policies pushed by the ruling Grand National Party.
“It is our duty to allow the free use of the Seoul Plaza to all people and guarantee the constitutional rights of the people to assemble without restriction.”
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon vetoed the ordinance for the second time earlier last week. He said the revision conflicts with a higher-level law that obliges pre-screening of the use of public assets.
“Large-scale assemblies at the plaza could be dangerous, risking the safety of pedestrians as well as drivers since protestors often occupy car lanes. Also, the plaza is too close to the U.S. Embassy: the current law bans gatherings within 100 meters of diplomatic institutions,” a city spokesman stated.
The administration also stated that the majority of citizens desire to enjoy the green area without noisy clashes of ideology and this makes it logical to insist on tightening the screening process.
There have been attempts by so-called liberalists to use the plaza, but the administration has barred them by staging state-run concerts and other cultural events. Some conservative groups have managed to gain approval to use the space several times, but the administration made it clear that the plaza will be used for “non-political” purposes.
The council pushed the passage for the second time citing the civil right to assembly. The revision was supported by 100,000 citizens, who collected signatures to submit to the council last year. Chairman He’s announcement Monday follows a pertinent rule allowing the council chairman to make the announcement in case the mayor delays to do so within five days from the council’s request.
The city government said it will file an administrative suit against the council with the Supreme Court.
Credits :Koreatimes
By :Bae Ji-sook
Friday, September 24, 2010
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Ever Heard of Sommeliers for Korean Food?
A few years back, there was a big wine boom. Wine was the trendy thing. And so was the word “sommelier.” It is a French word meaning a trained and knowledgeable wine professional who specializes in all aspects of wine service – wine procurement, storage, wine cellar rotation, providing expert service to customers and so on. 
"Korean food presented with refined styling"
Well, you will be surprised to hear that there exist sommeliers for Korean food now. Last October the World Food Culture Center (WFCC) introduced its first sommelier course for kimchi and makgeolli in an effort to globalize hansik – traditional Korean food.
Ms. Hyang-Ja Yang, the CEO of the WFCC, commented, “Kimchi is Korea’s representative food, designated by the New York Times as one of the world’s top 5 health foods. Korean food has numerous benefits – nutrition, taste, and style-wise – and is something we can pride ourselves on.”
Ms. Yang went on to emphasize, “But we’re not making enough effort to promote and globalize hansik. There isn’t enough “story-telling” nor attempts at fusing Korean food with other food culture.”
Mr. Wan-Soo Park, Director of World Kimchi Institute (organization under the Korea Food Research Institute), said in his interview last March, “The fact that kimchi is such an ingrained item in Korean people’s lives is partly the reason why there is an insufficient amount of research on systemizing it.”
Kimchi is something that Korean people eat almost every meal, and Korean households make a load of kimchi every winter almost like a ceremony. Despite its subtlety of taste and a very storage-sensitive nature, there is hardly enough standardization of kimchi-making. Much of how-to-make-kimchi has been handed to the next generation by telling and showing without relying on set recipes. Lack of industrialized processing as well as special wrapping that accommodates fermentation and long-distance delivery has been deterring global distribution of kimchi. The same situation goes for the traditional Korean liquor, makgeolli.
Ms. Yang of the WFCC says, “A kimchi sommelier should be well-equipped with expertise on kimchi and cooking skills, and should be able to provide all kinds of information regarding the dish. The kimchi sommelier course comprises 12 classes in the span of 3 months. The course also teaches you skills that keep the wrapping from bursting while kimchi is fermenting.”
Kimchi sommelier course
Korean food tailored to global palate
Mr. Tae-Pyong Chang, the former Minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said in his celebratory speech at the International Food Industry Exhibition Seoul 2010, “The size of the global food industry is USD 4.3 trillion, 5.6 times that of the IT Industry, and 2.5 times that of the automobile industry. It is a huge, huge market. And globally, countries are endeavoring to raise their competitiveness and take leadership in the food industry.”
Korea, too, is making efforts far and wide to promote Korean foods such as kimchi, makgeolli, and tteokbokki. For makgeolli, in particular, the goal has been set at USD 10 million volume of export for this year.
“If people get to be familiar enough with variations of Korean food, then they will eventually want to delve deeper and trace back to the food culture in its original. That will stimulate export of Korean food ingredients as well as attract foreign visitors. And by offering hansik sommelier courses, more Korean people will get to be well-versed in expert knowledge of Korean food, which I believe will contribute to the sustainable development of Korean food culture,” Ms. Yang says.
"Korean food presented with refined styling"Well, you will be surprised to hear that there exist sommeliers for Korean food now. Last October the World Food Culture Center (WFCC) introduced its first sommelier course for kimchi and makgeolli in an effort to globalize hansik – traditional Korean food.
Ms. Hyang-Ja Yang, the CEO of the WFCC, commented, “Kimchi is Korea’s representative food, designated by the New York Times as one of the world’s top 5 health foods. Korean food has numerous benefits – nutrition, taste, and style-wise – and is something we can pride ourselves on.”Ms. Yang went on to emphasize, “But we’re not making enough effort to promote and globalize hansik. There isn’t enough “story-telling” nor attempts at fusing Korean food with other food culture.”
Mr. Wan-Soo Park, Director of World Kimchi Institute (organization under the Korea Food Research Institute), said in his interview last March, “The fact that kimchi is such an ingrained item in Korean people’s lives is partly the reason why there is an insufficient amount of research on systemizing it.”
Kimchi is something that Korean people eat almost every meal, and Korean households make a load of kimchi every winter almost like a ceremony. Despite its subtlety of taste and a very storage-sensitive nature, there is hardly enough standardization of kimchi-making. Much of how-to-make-kimchi has been handed to the next generation by telling and showing without relying on set recipes. Lack of industrialized processing as well as special wrapping that accommodates fermentation and long-distance delivery has been deterring global distribution of kimchi. The same situation goes for the traditional Korean liquor, makgeolli.
Ms. Yang of the WFCC says, “A kimchi sommelier should be well-equipped with expertise on kimchi and cooking skills, and should be able to provide all kinds of information regarding the dish. The kimchi sommelier course comprises 12 classes in the span of 3 months. The course also teaches you skills that keep the wrapping from bursting while kimchi is fermenting.”
Kimchi sommelier course
Dishes made by kimchi sommelier
To be a good kimchi sommelier, you should be skilled not only at ensuring and preserving the quality of kimchi, but also at story-telling of kimchi. Ms. Yang says, “To do that, education on the theory of Korean food culture is essential. And with the suitable food styling we can shape the impression of Korean food as classy and elegant as well as generate value-added. Also, developing fusion dishes that blend Korean food with other food cultures will be conducive to globalizing hansik.” 
Fusion makgeolli
Makgeolli sommelier course
In the makgeolli sommelier course, aside from being educated on the manufacturing, preservation, styling of the liquor, you also learn about its drinking culture such as drinking etiquette or how to shake makgeolli before pouring it and so on.
“In countries like Vietnam that are familiar with rice, makgeolli is regarded as a high-class liquor. And the curry-flavored makgeolli is especially well-received in India. It has a nice color, too, style-wise. We can produce any number of variations of makgeolli that combine various countries’ specialty flavors,” Ms. Yang explained.
“Maintaining a stubborn attitude that doesn’t allow room for incorporating other food cultures won’t work. To globalize Korean food, we ought to be open-minded about and respectful of dishes of other countries. Take Japan’s sushi, for example. Sushi is now made and sold by as many Koreans, if not more, as Japanese people. For effective globalization of hansik, we should get rid of the thinking that Korean food must be made by Korean people, nobody else.”
Korean food tailored to global palate
Mr. Tae-Pyong Chang, the former Minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said in his celebratory speech at the International Food Industry Exhibition Seoul 2010, “The size of the global food industry is USD 4.3 trillion, 5.6 times that of the IT Industry, and 2.5 times that of the automobile industry. It is a huge, huge market. And globally, countries are endeavoring to raise their competitiveness and take leadership in the food industry.”
Korea, too, is making efforts far and wide to promote Korean foods such as kimchi, makgeolli, and tteokbokki. For makgeolli, in particular, the goal has been set at USD 10 million volume of export for this year.
“If people get to be familiar enough with variations of Korean food, then they will eventually want to delve deeper and trace back to the food culture in its original. That will stimulate export of Korean food ingredients as well as attract foreign visitors. And by offering hansik sommelier courses, more Korean people will get to be well-versed in expert knowledge of Korean food, which I believe will contribute to the sustainable development of Korean food culture,” Ms. Yang says.
Korean Retirees Put Their Knowledge to Good Use
http://blog.naver.com/korea_brand/10092292175Korea is undertaking a special kind of development assistance for developing countries. Instead of just giving them money and facilities, Korea aims to aid them in a more fundamental way – teaching them how to stand up on their two feet rather than spoon-feeding them. Retired experts of various fields will be dispatched to developing countries and share their expertise and know-how with the local people. In these times of aging society and unemployment, the retirees too find this volunteer project gratifying.
What Do They Do?
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) are recruiting retired experts to be sent to developing countries to share their knowledge and skills. The first round of 21 retirees was already dispatched last March, and the recruitment for the next round is now going on. MKE and MOFAT are seeking a total of 70 experts.
Ministry of Knowledge Economy http://www.mke.go.kr/
National IT Industry Promotion Agency(NIPA) http://www.nipa.kr/
Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA) http://www.koica.go.kr/
Although both MKE’s and MOFAT’s programs are to do with retired experts, there are certain differences between the two.
MKE’s program is titled “Gray Experts Project” with a USD 3 million size of investment. The retirees are sent to such emerging countries as the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Mexico to work for areas including weather forecasting, water management, energy development, e-learning etc.
MOFAT’s program is called “World Friends Advisers” also with about a USD 3 million budget, and experts are dispatched to countries like Nepal, Mongolia, and Vietnam to work for developing agriculture and fishing, fair competition policies, education field etc.So, if “Gray Experts Project” is for developing countries with a medium to high income range, aimed at implementing the Korean model for public services, then “World Friends Advisers” is more for developing countries with a low to medium income range aimed at providing knowledge and counsel in such areas as administration, education, medicine, and agriculture so as to reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic and social development.
The two programs, while carried out separately in their own right, will be put under an umbrella title “World Friends Korea” to give a more united impression. “World Friends Korea” is the name of Korea’s most comprehensive international volunteer group launched in May 2009.
“Cám ơn, Hàn Quốc! (Thank You, Korea!)”
The developing countries report that they are very satisfied with the first round of Korean experts dispatched there to help them out.
Mr. Sang-Jin Jung, for example, is an electricity expert of a 32-year-long career and was dispatched to Vietnam last February. Recently, the Vietnam Electricity Corporation sent a letter, thanking for Mr. Jung’s unsparing assistance – drawing up an operation mandate for the Vietnamese electricity industry as well as planning the establishment of electricity & IT system – which was even more helpful since it was well-tailored to Vietnam’s specific needs.
These are the kind of help that developing countries would really need. Korea who used to be a recipient of assistance is now trying to pay it back, hoping to become a country that can command true respect.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
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Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Media City Seoul 2010
As one of the three major art biennials in Korea alongside the Gwangju Biennale and Busan Biennale, it is the 6th Seoul International Biennale of Media Art. Under the theme "Trust," the biennale will present a wide spectrum of art works created through the inspiring fusion of media technology and contemporary arts.
- Period : September 7 – November 17, 2010
- Venue : SeMA (Seoul Museum of Art), Gyeonghigung etc.
For more information http://www.mediacityseoul.org/2010/
- Period : September 7 – November 17, 2010
- Venue : SeMA (Seoul Museum of Art), Gyeonghigung etc.
For more information http://www.mediacityseoul.org/2010/
Incheon International Digital Art Festival (INDAF) 2010
The festival will present new aesthetics of digital media art from cutting-edge international and Korean digital artists. There will be digital arts competitions, conferences, exhibitions, interactive displays etc.
- Period : September 1 – 30, 2010
- Venue : Tomorrow City, Songdo, Incheon
for more information http://www.indaf.org/
- Period : September 1 – 30, 2010
- Venue : Tomorrow City, Songdo, Incheon
for more information http://www.indaf.org/
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Visit Dokdo and Ulleung-Do Islands in the East Sea
Ulleungdo is a pentagon-shaped island located 92km away from Dokdo Islet.The island was made from a series of volcanic eruptions. Its highest peak is called Seonginbong Peak, and there is a village along the coastline on the slope. On the north side is a caldera crater which collapsed to create the Nari Basin and the Albong Basin.
Level ground is difficult to find here and the shores are mostly cliffs. There are a lot of snow in the winter. About half of the people work in the fishing industry. Corn, potatoes, wheat and beans were cultivated here, but nowadays mountain plants and medicinal herbs are mostly grown instead.
There are dongbaek trees and some 650 other plants and trees thriving on the island. The neighboring waters is the junction line between two cold & warm ocean currents, where many squids, saury and pollacks are caught. The Ulleungdo squid is especially famous for their outstanding quality. It has been said that there are no thieves, pollution or snakes on Ulleungdo Island. On the other hand, there are many aromatic trees, wind, beautiful women, water and rocks. This is why it is called the island of The Three Mu (The Chinese character meaning ' have nothing') and Five Da (The Chinese character meaning 'have many of').
For more information http://www.ulleung.go.kr/English/
Deodeok(Codonopsis lanceolata)*There is a mark of Ulleungdo squid in the Taenggitdae.Squid dishes are squid mulhoi(sashimi soup), squid seasoned with vinegar and condiment, squid sundae, squid bulgogi, squid bowel soup and squid jeotgal(salted fish), and you can taste delicious squid dishes at a low price in raw fish restaurants in Ulleungdo, Jeodong fish market, Dodong wharf and etc.
With Yun-yeol Jeong,Mayor of Ulleung County... http://www.ulleung.go.kr/English/about/about_sub01.htm?mnu_siteid=eng&mnu_uid=577
Mushroom-like rock created by the volcanic island, Ulleungdo...
Taking pictures with YB rock(KoreaRock)
Around Dokdo Island
With Assistant Minister Seo Kang-soo of the Korea Culture and Information Service...!!!By the way,check below pictures and those pictures show how I enjoyed the scenery with WSK by taking a cruise around Ulleungdo, Gwaneumdo Islands, and a natural tunnel. Elephant Rock, Samseonan, and Lion Rock are some of the other tourist attractions praised by tourists.
"Dokdo Museum "
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| Dokdo Museum |
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| East Seat Tour, 1st Day |
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Ulleong-do and Dokdo Islands, 4th days |
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| Ulleung-do Island,3rd days |
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| East Seat Tour, 2nd Days |
That was a remarkable experience we had there during four days
Thank you PCNB and Thank you KOIS~
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Seoul Grand Sale 2010
- Period : July 21 – September 12 (54 days)
- Venue : Various parts of Seoul
- Event description : Special discounts, free entries, premium giveaways etc.
- Open to domestic citizens, foreign visitors
- Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization.
Intended to promote the image of Seoul as the shopping tourism destination, the event will be participated by some 600 retailers that will offer special discounts as well as a wide variety of events and promotions.
for more information http://www.seoulgrandsale.com/2010/en/seoulinfo/grandsale.asp
- Venue : Various parts of Seoul
- Event description : Special discounts, free entries, premium giveaways etc.
- Open to domestic citizens, foreign visitors
- Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization.
Intended to promote the image of Seoul as the shopping tourism destination, the event will be participated by some 600 retailers that will offer special discounts as well as a wide variety of events and promotions.
for more information http://www.seoulgrandsale.com/2010/en/seoulinfo/grandsale.asp
Two Korean Villages Become UNESCO Sites
Andong City’s Hahoe Village and Gyeongju City’s Yangdong Village, which are the two most representative historic villages in Korea, were registered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list at the 34th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in Brasilia, Brazil on August 1. With this designation, Korea now holds a total of 10 UNESCO World Heritage items.
It is extremely rare for historic villages to be in intact state due to modernization and development and such, and the assessment of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is accordingly extremely rigorous.
Andong City’s Hahoe Village
The Hahoe and Yangdong Village, too, had to go through a series of reviews, holdups, and postponements before they were granted the approval. ICOMOS recognized the two villages’ historic and cultural significance as early as last May and the legitimate ground in having them registered as one coupled-up item. However, due to the fact that there wasn’t a comprehensive administrative office that manages both of the villages together, ICOMOS sustained their approval.
To this, Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration with Gyeongsangbuk-do, Andong City and Gyeongju City, organized “The Council on Preservation of Historic Villages” that was going to collaboratively manage and preserve the two villages. And after submitting to 21 member countries of WHC thorough information and promotional materials on the Hahoe and Yangdong Village as well as dispatching a government delegation to the 34th Session of WHC, were they able to put the two villages on the list of UNECO World Cultural Heritage.
1995: Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple / Jongmyo Shrine / Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks
1997: Changdeokgung Palace Complex / Hwaseong Fortress
2000: Gyeongju Historic Areas / Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
2007: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
2009: Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
2010: Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
Founded in the 14th-15th centuries, Hahoe and Yangdong Village’s layout and location – sheltered by forested mountains and facing out onto a river and open agricultural fields – reflect the distinctive aristocratic Confucian culture of the early part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
Andong City’s Hahoe Village
The Hahoe Village contains Yangjindang Manor (Treasure No. 306), Pikchondaek House (Important Folklore Material No. 84), Chunghyodang Manor (Treasure No. 414), and Namchondaek House (Important Folklore Material No. 90) among others. It has also preserved the shamanist rite of Byeolsin-gut, Hahoe Mask Dance, and Jeulbul Nori.
The Yangdong Village contains Mucheomdang (Treasure No. 411), Hyangdan (Treasure No. 412), Gwangajeong (Treasure No. 442) as well as Tonggamsokpyeon, a book printed on movable metal type (National Treasure No. 283).
Gyeongju City’s Yangdong Village
The two villages are the first of their kind in Korea to receive the honor in that they are places that are actually being inhabited by people. They are “living heritage.” Residents have well preserved not only traditional housings but the intangible culture of the two villages as well, which further increases the value of Hahoe and Yangdong.
Gyeongju City’s Yangdong Village
Having relics registered on the UNESCO list is pointless if they don’t continue to be properly looked after. The two villages, Hahoe and Yangdong, now having become world-acknowledged historic assets, will likely trigger a surge of tourists both domestic and international. And accordingly, we will need to further reinforce maintenance system and strengthen tourism infrastructure so that those precious vestiges of the past can still be there for the next generation to appreciate as well.
It is extremely rare for historic villages to be in intact state due to modernization and development and such, and the assessment of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is accordingly extremely rigorous.
Andong City’s Hahoe VillageThe Hahoe and Yangdong Village, too, had to go through a series of reviews, holdups, and postponements before they were granted the approval. ICOMOS recognized the two villages’ historic and cultural significance as early as last May and the legitimate ground in having them registered as one coupled-up item. However, due to the fact that there wasn’t a comprehensive administrative office that manages both of the villages together, ICOMOS sustained their approval.
To this, Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration with Gyeongsangbuk-do, Andong City and Gyeongju City, organized “The Council on Preservation of Historic Villages” that was going to collaboratively manage and preserve the two villages. And after submitting to 21 member countries of WHC thorough information and promotional materials on the Hahoe and Yangdong Village as well as dispatching a government delegation to the 34th Session of WHC, were they able to put the two villages on the list of UNECO World Cultural Heritage.
1995: Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple / Jongmyo Shrine / Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks
1997: Changdeokgung Palace Complex / Hwaseong Fortress
2000: Gyeongju Historic Areas / Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
2007: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
2009: Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
2010: Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
Founded in the 14th-15th centuries, Hahoe and Yangdong Village’s layout and location – sheltered by forested mountains and facing out onto a river and open agricultural fields – reflect the distinctive aristocratic Confucian culture of the early part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
Andong City’s Hahoe VillageThe Hahoe Village contains Yangjindang Manor (Treasure No. 306), Pikchondaek House (Important Folklore Material No. 84), Chunghyodang Manor (Treasure No. 414), and Namchondaek House (Important Folklore Material No. 90) among others. It has also preserved the shamanist rite of Byeolsin-gut, Hahoe Mask Dance, and Jeulbul Nori.
The Yangdong Village contains Mucheomdang (Treasure No. 411), Hyangdan (Treasure No. 412), Gwangajeong (Treasure No. 442) as well as Tonggamsokpyeon, a book printed on movable metal type (National Treasure No. 283).
Gyeongju City’s Yangdong VillageThe two villages are the first of their kind in Korea to receive the honor in that they are places that are actually being inhabited by people. They are “living heritage.” Residents have well preserved not only traditional housings but the intangible culture of the two villages as well, which further increases the value of Hahoe and Yangdong.
Gyeongju City’s Yangdong VillageHaving relics registered on the UNESCO list is pointless if they don’t continue to be properly looked after. The two villages, Hahoe and Yangdong, now having become world-acknowledged historic assets, will likely trigger a surge of tourists both domestic and international. And accordingly, we will need to further reinforce maintenance system and strengthen tourism infrastructure so that those precious vestiges of the past can still be there for the next generation to appreciate as well.
Korean Song Gives Hope to Kenyan Children
Have you listened to the song “Dream of a Goose (거위의 꿈)” by the legendary Korean singer Insooni (인순이)? I bet most of you have.
“….Yes, I do have a dream. I believe in that dream. Wait and watch me….”
A song of catchy melody, heartfelt lyrics, and powerful performance. But I personally would say that the charm of the song lies in its lyrics. It’s a monologue of a goose that is determined to soar up to the sky someday – despite all the callous ridicule of the world saying geese can never fly. The goose says it will achieve that dream of flying someday somehow. It’s such heart-wrenching lyrics.
And what’s more impressive, this Korean song is being sung by children in a far, far, far away country – Kenya.
Children of “Korogocho,” Kenya’s Largest Slum Town
In the region called Korogocho, one of the largest slum neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya, some 150,000 to 200,000 people live pressed shoulder to shoulder. The town is polluted beyond imagination – its sky is black with smoke coming from burning garbage and its ground wet with atrocious residual liquid.
In this seediest of the seediest towns on earth, people live on less than two dollars a day. Children scavenge through garbage for food and clothing – practically live amidst piles of trash – and going to school is a luxury only enjoyed by a mere one-third of the Korogocho children. The illiteracy rate and the seriousness of their ignorance is of such grave state that the kids won’t understand if they are told to “line up.” But what’s harder for them to bear than the hunger and the lack of education itself is the despair – the complete absence of hope and dream.
And in this most dire and glum situation, Good Neighbors – an international humanitarian and development organization from Seoul that originated as a non-profit NGO in 1991 – has been running the Jirani (meaning “good neighbor” in Swahili) school, vocational training center, and medical center since 1996.
A Song of Hope Budding out of Despair
Artistic activities offered to children in Kenya are almost non-existent. The only substantial one will be the choir run by the Good Neighbors Kenya, giving them a glimmer of hope and dream.
Under the instruction of a Korean music director, children started practicing the song “Dream of a Goose.”
“….Yes, I do have a dream. I believe in that dream. Wait and watch me….”
A song of catchy melody, heartfelt lyrics, and powerful performance. But I personally would say that the charm of the song lies in its lyrics. It’s a monologue of a goose that is determined to soar up to the sky someday – despite all the callous ridicule of the world saying geese can never fly. The goose says it will achieve that dream of flying someday somehow. It’s such heart-wrenching lyrics.
And what’s more impressive, this Korean song is being sung by children in a far, far, far away country – Kenya.
Children of “Korogocho,” Kenya’s Largest Slum Town
In the region called Korogocho, one of the largest slum neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya, some 150,000 to 200,000 people live pressed shoulder to shoulder. The town is polluted beyond imagination – its sky is black with smoke coming from burning garbage and its ground wet with atrocious residual liquid.
In this seediest of the seediest towns on earth, people live on less than two dollars a day. Children scavenge through garbage for food and clothing – practically live amidst piles of trash – and going to school is a luxury only enjoyed by a mere one-third of the Korogocho children. The illiteracy rate and the seriousness of their ignorance is of such grave state that the kids won’t understand if they are told to “line up.” But what’s harder for them to bear than the hunger and the lack of education itself is the despair – the complete absence of hope and dream.
And in this most dire and glum situation, Good Neighbors – an international humanitarian and development organization from Seoul that originated as a non-profit NGO in 1991 – has been running the Jirani (meaning “good neighbor” in Swahili) school, vocational training center, and medical center since 1996.
A Song of Hope Budding out of Despair
Artistic activities offered to children in Kenya are almost non-existent. The only substantial one will be the choir run by the Good Neighbors Kenya, giving them a glimmer of hope and dream.
Under the instruction of a Korean music director, children started practicing the song “Dream of a Goose.”
30 children selected as members of the Jirani education center choir after rigorous auditions
Director spared no time and energy in explaining the meaning of the song’s lyrics over and over to the children. For the second verse, they even composed their own version of lyrics in Swahili describing their sufferings and also their will to overcome them. The children sang with all of their hearts, hundreds of times, and soon they memorized all the melodies and lyrics.
And they were given the opportunity to participate in the music competition hosted by the Kenyan government on June 18. And miraculously, they came in 3rd place. The video of their performance was uploaded on YouTube and drew applause and encouragement from audiences worldwide. It moved numerous Korean web users as well as the Korean singer Juck Lee who is none other than the composer of the very song “Dream of a Goose.”
Singer Juck Lee’s Twitter
Children’s Voice and a Dream Come True
The story of Korogocho children and their choir eventually gave birth to the “Jirani Children’s Choir,” sponsored by Good Neighbors. Around 100 children were selected after extensive auditions, and they started to sing hope and dream to the world.
Children who have to dig though mountains of garbage to survive now spread something beautiful, something hopeful, to the world with their collaborative voice. It is, indeed, a dream come true.
After a series of performances in a number of countries including Korea, they were able to collect enough finance to support the children’s education.
The Jirani Children’s Choir
It’s a real story that sounds so dramatic and touching it might as well be turned into a film. Tae-Jong Rim, one of the five board members of Good Neighbors and the president of the Jirani Cultural Project Foundation, commented, “The Jirani Children’s Choir wouldn’t have been possible without Koreans’ strength in culture. We should continue to expand these kinds of activities.” International exchange and support will keep expanding as well as the government ODA.
It’s impossible to help everyone in the world who is poor and is in need of help. But it’s possible to give them a glimpse of hope, just as the Kenyan children’s “Dream of a Goose” did.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
The “Ethernet” Technology
Have you heard of the term “Ethernet?” Not Internet, mind you, but Ethernet. Well, I suppose it’s not exactly in our everyday vocab list.Ethernet, stemming from the physical concept of the “ether,” refers to the computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs). In simpler words, it is a system where multiple computers scattered far and wide can form a network and share information. This system is widely used in the banking or trading industry that operates hundreds of branch stores.
Traditionally, the Ethernet market has been dominated by advanced countries such as the US, Japan, and Germany. But recently, Korean industrial Ethernet technology has been adopted as an international standard, marking a milestone for advancing into the world market.
Let’s learn a bit about this Korean Ethernet technology.
Faster and Easier to Fix
According to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy of Korea, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) approved of 5 RAPIEnet (Real-time Automation Protocols for Industrial Ethernet) technologies developed by Korea’s LS Industrial Systems. They passed the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS), which means that it is almost at its last step in becoming the international standard (IS).
(LS Industrial Systems RAPIEnet)LS Industrial Systems has developed RAPIEnet as a new industrial communications bus for use with its PLC (Power Line Communication) systems. The company says that in so doing the design has avoided the complications of hubs and switches and the accompanying excessive cabling required by established Ethernet technology.
RAPIEnet, while still compatible with the preexistent Ethernet standards, transmits data at a 1 GB-per-second speed and in case of a communications failure can repair the error 30 times as faster. It can be utilized in a variety of fields operated by automation systems such as semi-conductor and automobile manufacturing, or nuclear energy development.
Korea, the Forerunner of the Industrial Automation Technology
RAPIEnet is the fruit of the collaborative efforts between LS Industrial Systems and Hanyang University – corporation and academia. The volume of tangible and intangible profit generated by this technology’s approval as an international standard is incredibly huge. It laid the groundwork for Korea to advance into the global market of USD 10 billion’s scale. Also, the domestic market, worth of KRW 150 billion, which has so far been dominated by the USA, Germany, and Japan, is expected to be finally claimed back by the Korean technology.
It is also important to note the significance of the collaborative R&D efforts between corporations and schools, backed up by the government support. Korea will surely continue its endeavors to generate world-acknowledged brand-new technologies.
Spend the Summer at the Royal Palace
An event titled “Spending the Summer at the Royal Palace” is being held from July 24 through August 31 at Changgyeonggung Palace. Let me introduce it to you.Upon entering the palace you will be able to see a banner in front of euhgoo (a stream flowing from a royal place) that traverses the palace.
"People taking a walk along Geumcheon path that displays various aquatic plants "The clear stream euhgoo flows along Geumcheon path with pleasant, gurgling sounds, and you can take a rest in the shades drawn by the lush trees planted along the path. The path is also adorned with a variety of aquatic plants such as lotuses and water lilies as well as twenty-some photographs.
"Euhgoo flowing along Geumcheon path "
"Aquatic plants exhibited along with photos "You can spot friends, lovers, families here and there, as well as foreigners visiting Korea. There are kids on a field-trip with the assignment to observe water lilies and hyacinths. There are members of a photography club on an outing. The various aquatic plants with their beautiful features and purifying qualities grab people’s attention for a long time.
Children on a field-trip observing water plants
On the first day of the event, water lettuces known for their pollutant-fighting, purifying capacity were given out as a souvenir.
"Water lettuces were given out at the entrance of Geumcheon path "
"Water lettuces have remarkable purifying capacity and are easy to grow"
In the olden times, there were purported to be 8 ways of fighting the heat of the summer. According to Jeong Yak-Yong, a leading Korean philosopher in the late Joseon Dynasty, the 8 ways were :
1) Playing Baduk sitting on a cool bamboo mat
2) Practicing archery on a platform of pine trees
3) Playing the traditional Korean game of Tuho (throwing arrows into a jar)
4) Riding swings in the shade of a zelkova tree
5) Listening to the cry of cicadas in the forest
6) Writing poems on a rainy day
7) Washing feet in the moonlit night
"Children happy with their water lettuces"
How about trying a little vacation at Changgyeonggung palace, hmm?
Give it a try!
Children on a field-trip observing water plantsOn the first day of the event, water lettuces known for their pollutant-fighting, purifying capacity were given out as a souvenir.
"Water lettuces were given out at the entrance of Geumcheon path "
"Water lettuces have remarkable purifying capacity and are easy to grow"In the olden times, there were purported to be 8 ways of fighting the heat of the summer. According to Jeong Yak-Yong, a leading Korean philosopher in the late Joseon Dynasty, the 8 ways were :
1) Playing Baduk sitting on a cool bamboo mat
2) Practicing archery on a platform of pine trees
3) Playing the traditional Korean game of Tuho (throwing arrows into a jar)
4) Riding swings in the shade of a zelkova tree
5) Listening to the cry of cicadas in the forest
6) Writing poems on a rainy day
7) Washing feet in the moonlit night
"Children happy with their water lettuces"How about trying a little vacation at Changgyeonggung palace, hmm?
Give it a try!
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
A Trip with WSK to Dokdo Museum
Dokdo Museum was founded on the 50th anniversary of Korea's Independence with the help from Ulleng-gun,which has provided the lot and Samsung foundation of Culture,which has actually built the building from museum.And the first Curator,the late Lee Jong-Hak(1927-2002),who has collected many materials from the inside and outside of Korea.And it was opened as the only territorial museum in Korea on August 8th,1997 with the help from the late Hong Sun-Chil(The Leader of Volunter guard)and some groups such as the volunter quard of Dokdo and the Green Ulleong-do Club.
The museum was built in the image of Sambongo(three rocks)and that means it was actually built in the image of Dokdo.itself.It has a 3-stoty-building on the first floor(The permanent Exhibition Hall 1,2) and Special Exhibition Hall) and one more field on hte Second floor(The permanent Hall 3,Media Rooms for Natural Ecology,and Lobby to view Dokdo).
In the first exhibition hall,there are Korean,Japanese and Russian old records and documents to clear up the fact that Dokdo belong to Korea.At present Japan insists to prove that Dokdo belongs to Korea.
"The permanent Exhibition Hall 1"
"The permanent Exhibition Hall 2"
Since August 8,1998 outside Dokdo Museumhas build in the annivesary of the 1st year of Dokdo museum and in the 400th anniversary of General Lee SUn-shin's death.
The aim of Dokdo Museum is to excavate,collect,research materials around Dokdoand the east sea of Korea and by exhibiting,managing,educating,publicizing what they gain from their activities,they show the materials and information the disprove the untruth when Japan claims its territory on Dokdo.And it also aimed to inspire people with out nation's territoriality and nationality.
"The permanent Exhibition Hall 1"The theme of the second exhibition hall is to clear up the Japan's fictitious insistence of the theory of Occupation and Sea Japan.The basis on the Japanese insistence is that Dokdo has no traces of ownership by any country and that the island was not inhabited in 1905. Japan acquired by means of occupation.So Japan is provided with all the requisites for intenational laws for the possession of the island and Japan should legally posses Dokdo.Moreover Japan has tried to name the East Sea as the sea of Japan.
"The permanent Exhibition Hall 2"In the third exhibition hall there are photos and pictures about the volunter guard of Dokdo and the green Ulleung-Do-Dokdo Club.
This hall also displays materials revealing the Japanese reckless remarks on Dokdo and the Korean reactions and management on the Japan's thoughtless words,including the Japanese documents.Also,there are 7 kinds of whaling vessel's logbook by American who have discovered and recorded about Dokdo.
The documents in the third exhibition hall are about the volunter guard of Dokdo.The guard consisted of non-official civilians and kept the island from the Japanese encroachment upon the territory for over three years from 1953~1956
"The permanent Exhibition Hall 3"
The documents in the third exhibition hall are about the volunter guard of Dokdo.The guard consisted of non-official civilians and kept the island from the Japanese encroachment upon the territory for over three years from 1953~1956
"The permanent Exhibition Hall 3"for more information http://www.dokdomuseum.go.kr/en/exh/exh_01_01.html
Since August 8,1998 outside Dokdo Museumhas build in the annivesary of the 1st year of Dokdo museum and in the 400th anniversary of General Lee SUn-shin's death.
The aim of Dokdo Museum is to excavate,collect,research materials around Dokdoand the east sea of Korea and by exhibiting,managing,educating,publicizing what they gain from their activities,they show the materials and information the disprove the untruth when Japan claims its territory on Dokdo.And it also aimed to inspire people with out nation's territoriality and nationality.
July 31,2010
During the Summer vacation, me and my friend (WSK)took a trip to Ulleungdo and then to Dokdo.. Right now we are in Dokdo..it is now Korean territory I guess because all the policeman were South Koreans
more pictures http://picasaweb.google.com/Jaimito.theboss/UlleongdoAndDokdoIsland#
http://picasaweb.google.com/Jaimito.theboss/DokdoMuseum#
official website http://www.dokdomuseum.go.kr/
Credits : http://korea.net/news.do?mode=detail&guid=48824
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