Korea [2008 Vol. 4 No. 8]

www.korea.net Opening a communicative space between Korea and the World

August 2008 VOL. 4 NO. 8

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Focus

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Travel

Korea, China Building a Closer Partnership

West Coast Recovering from Oil Spill

Korea-China Art Circles Expand Exchanges

Tourism Leaders Converge in Busan

China’s First Taste of the Korean Wave Korea Gears up for Beijing Games

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People

Korea’s First Male Fashion Designer — Andre Kim

20 Cover Photo: The eaves at Jeongamsa Temple in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

National

Korean Power behind ‘Kung Fu Panda’

Revolutionary Founding and Modernization of the Republic of Korea and a Global Korea Model for the 21st Century

World’s Youngest Professor Teaches in Korea Woman from Mongolia Passes Civil Service Exam

Kim Jin-hyun, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Committee for the 60th Anniversary of the Republic of Korea

Publisher Yoo Jin-hwan

Overseas Koreans Join Celebration of Korea’s 60th Anniversary

Korean Culture and Information Service

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Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival

Editing & Printing Herald Media Inc.

Hanstyle Expo 2008

E-mail [email protected] Design toga design

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Global Korea

Two Koreas Unite at Taekwondo Festival

KOICA Supports NGO’s Development Activities

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from Korea and the Korean Overseas Culture and Information Service. The articles published in Korea do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The publisher is not liable for errors or omissions.

Events

Language Experts Gather in Seoul

Korean Medics Provide Emergency Relief in Myanmar

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Culture

Korea’s UNESCO Heritage Sites (6) — Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Letters to the editor should include the writer’s full name and address. Letters may be edited for clarity and/or space restrictions.

Foreign Viewpoints

Annyeonghaseyo! Glad to See You Again in ‘Our Country!’ Yurii Mushka, Ambassador of Ukraine

Attractive Stars Lead Hallyu in Indonesia If you want to receive a free copy of Korea or wish to cancel a subscription, please e-mail us.

Shim Young-mi Knots Art and Life Together with Silk Threads

A downloadable PDF file of Korea and a map and glossary with common Korean words appearing in our text are available by clicking on the thumbnail of Korea on the homepage of www.korea.net.

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Food

Kimchi: A Thousand-Year-Old Tradition 발간등록번호: 11-1110073-000016-06

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Korea, China Building a Closer Partnership Cultural Exchanges Growing Quickly Since the Opening of Diplomatic Relations BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

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ast year, Korea and China celebrated 15 years of diplomatic relations by hosting several academic and cultural events. It is true that the two countries historically maintained a close relationship due to geographical proximity. But it was only since Aug. 24, 1992, when they expanded exchanges to pursue a reciprocal relationship beyond ideology. Now, the two nations are closer than ever in terms of politics, business and cultural exchange. The tremendous growth in exchanges in education, popular culture and tourism has shown how close the two countries have become. The 2008 Beijing Olympics will present both China and Korea the opportunity to cooperate on future challenges and to further consolidate their partnership. China currently is Korea’s largest trading partner. Korea is China’s third-largest trading partner following the United States and Japan. Trade between the two countries jumped 30-fold to $160 billion in 2007 from $6 billion in 1992, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade data. About 46,000 Korean firms invested in China as of 2007, topping $38.8 billion. As of 2007, about 40,000 Korean companies are headquartered or operating regional offices in China, which has created some 2 million jobs. The 2008 Beijing Olympics is good news to these Korean firms since it creates new business opportunities and gives them a chance to test their latest technology and products. The two countries are even more closely linked in terms of culture. Many Koreans in their 20s to 50s grew up watching Chinese dramas and movies and mimicking kung-fu fighters. For those older Koreans and teens, China has emerged as a land of opportunity where the future of the global economy lies. About 1 million Koreans are living in China as of 2007. And about 60 percent of them are students. Korean students make up 40 percent of the total number of foreign students enrolled at Chinese education institutions. The increasing exchange in business and technology has also brought many Chinese students to Korea. Recent news reports point out that Chinese students prefer studying in Korea — rather than the United States or Japan — because of its future prospects and reasonable cost. As of 2007, about 1.3 million Chinese are living in Korea. About 4 percent, or some 43,000 people, are students. Exchanges between the two countries have long been steady. In 2002, mutual interest between the two countries exploded — which was spurred by the so-called Korean Wave, or Hallyu. China played a key role in the growth of the Korean Wave in the late 1990s. Korean dramas and singers have AUGUST 2008 KOREA 7

One official at Golmokgil Theater, which staged the play “Praise the Youth” in China, said Chinese audiences find Korean plays and performances interesting because of their modern elements.

gained a steady following in many Asian countries, mainly led by Chinese fans. The popularity of Korean pop culture has affected the Chinese people’s lifestyle and culture — not only cultural contents but fashion, cuisine and products. This has been a boon for Korean businesses. The Korean Wave has also boosted the number of Chinese tourists visiting Korea. Over 1 million Chinese visited the country in 2007 alone. The number grew by 589 percent in 2003 from a year earlier. It has continued to rise by an average of 20 percent every year. The two countries have also gotten closer via the 800 flights a week connecting six Korean and 30 Chinese cities. It is true that some have questioned whether the Korean Wave can last. The growing exchanges and interest in the high-art scene prove otherwise. The two countries last year hosted over 100 exhibitions and cultural events to celebrate the start of diplomatic relations 15 years ago. Art circles of the two countries have increased efforts to showcase their works to each other. In time for the Olympics, Korea’s national museums have hosted a series of exhibitions dedicated to Chinese art and history. China also held several Korean plays and exhibitions in major cities. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the increased exchanges in high art are proving that the Korean Wave is here to stay. One official at Golmokgil Theater, which staged the play “Praise the Youth” in China, said Chinese audiences find Korean plays and performances interesting because of their modern elements. “They (Chinese) think that Korean plays are realistic and delivers messages well. Also, Korean plays tend to focus on the values and lifestyles of society’s marginal groups.” ■ 8 KOREA AUGUST 2008

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Korean Cultural Center in Beijing

Korean Cultural Center in Beijing

(From left) The poster of Korea-China exhibition, Suh Gong-im and Shen De Long during a press meeting in Beijing, an installation of Korean artists at Beijing’s 3818 Gallery, Suh Gong-im’s modern take on a tiger

Korea-China Art Circles Expand Exchanges BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

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orean and Chinese art circles celebrated the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by hosting a series of exhibitions in both countries throughout June and July. The Lights Brighten the East — China-Korea Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition was hosted at three main galleries in Beijing’s Dashanzhi Art District, including the 3818 Cool Gallery, 9 Gallery and Hanmo Art Gallery. The exhibition, which was organized by the private association Korea-China Art Exchange Center, ran from July 5 to 10. Artists Yang Jae-gun and Han Young-ho, both of whom are renowned sculptors and professors at Gangwon University, and 25 other Korean artists took part in this meaningful event. Fourteen Chinese artists, including Cai Zhisong, professor at Beijing’s School of Art, and Wang Yingsheng, displayed paintings, sculptures and engraved works. Kim Rae-hwan, the coordinator of the exhibition, said, “This is a part of the series of exchanges be-

tween Chinese and Korean artists. Next year, we’re planning a similar event in Korea.” Beijing’s Korean Cultural Center hosted exhibitions of Korean and Chinese artists. Korean folk artist Suh Gong-im displayed her contemporary pieces on tigers and butterflies, which used canvasses and metal plates. Shen De Long, a Chinese embroidery artist, showcased his modern pieces that revolve around dragons. Their exhibitions will continue at the Seoul-based China Cultural Center through Aug. 8. Through June 28, the Woljeon Museum of Art in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, hosted an exhibition dedicated to Guan Shanyue, the master of Lingnan Painting School of China. The exhibition was coordinated with Guan Shanyue Gallery in Shenzhen, China. The two museums are working on a project that will focus on Chang Woo-sung, a renowned Korean painter of the same school. ■

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Korean Performing Arts Set for

‘Culture Olympics’ BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

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Poster of Korean Performing Arts Week

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hile athletes were busy with last-minute training, Beijing was bustling with artists from all over the world who were showcasing their culture and artworks. During the Korean Performing Arts Week, which ran from June 18 to July 13, curious and interested Chinese audiences swarmed central Beijing to enjoy a series of performances staged by renowned Korean artists. The Korean Performing Arts Week is part of the “Meet in Beijing” festival, the largest cultural event in China. Usually held in May, this year’s event is being held from April 8 through Sept. 19, which means it will run during the Summer Olympics. For five months, some 40,000 artists from 80 countries are staging 300 shows. There are also mega-exhibitions. Because of its size and diversity, it is also often called the “Culture Olympics.” Arts week kicked off with traditional music and dance performances by the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts. The National Opera of Korea presented an original production of the Korean folktale “Match Made in Heaven.” One of the most popular shows was the musical “King and the Clown,” which was staged by the

Seoul Performing Arts Company July 5-6. The 2005 movie of the same title won much recognition among Chinese viewers. The musical adaptation was well received by followers of Korean contemporary culture. Other performances included modern Korean plays and performances, such as “Praise the Youth,” “Lady Macbeth” and “Woyzeck.” Audiences had a Q&A session after each performance. Park Geun-hyung, the director of “Praise the Youth,” said he was impressed by the interest Chinese audiences showed toward the Korean plays. “One hour was too short for the Q&A. I’ve never experienced such enthusiasm, not even from Korean audiences,” he said. Kwon Jae-eun, the manager of the Beijing-based Korean Cultural Center, said Korean Week provided an opportunity to promote Korea’s performing arts in China. “Meet in Beijing is an international event in which many nations come to promote their cultures. Korean performing-arts circles could successfully extend their networks through this event. I believe the Korean Wave, which started from popular culture, could now extend to Korea’s high-art scenes as well,” he said. ■ (Photos courtesy of Korean Cultural Center in Beijing)

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Korean Cultural Center in Beijing

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China’s National Treasures on Display in Korea BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

Bronze Hu jar from Spring and Autumn Period

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mid increasing number of cultural exchanges between Korea and China, Korea’s national museum is hosting a year-long exhibition dedicated to China’s ancient artworks. The National Museum of Korea is hosting the “Birth of Ancient Chinese Paintings” exhibition from July 29. The exhibited items have been categorized under different time periods, which range from the prehistoric era to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). They include 60 artworks from China’s national museum, 23 of which are considered national treasures. 12 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Pottery Zun carved with symbols of Dawenkou culture

Since 2005, the National Museum of Korea has operated an exhibition hall dedicated to China inside its Asian Exhibition Hall. The exhibited items, however, were limited. This exhibition, therefore, will be meaningful for those interested in Chinese art. The exhibition will run during the Beijing Olympics, which adds to the significance. Other events are also planned, including an international forum, Chinese movie festival and hands-on Chinese culture programs. Visitors shouldn’t miss the bronze vessels from the “Spring and Autumn Period” of the Zhou Dynasty (1122 B.C.-256 B.C.). They depict the whalehunting practice of the ancient times. Other items of interest are earthen and jade vessels from the prehistoric times. There are also bronze mirrors from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.). In addition, paintings, calligraphy and sculptures from the Tang Dynasty will be on display, which will provide an opportunity to follow the development of Chinese art. The exhibition runs through June 31, 2009. For more information, visit the museum’s multilingual website at www.museum.go.kr. ■ (Photos courtesy of National Museum of Korea)

China’s First Taste of the Korean Wave BY JIAN CAI PROFESSOR, FUDAN UNIVERSITY OF CHINA

Chinese students learn about Korean traditional music

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n recent years, Asia has seen a boom in Korean influence: from television dramas, film and music, to food and fashion. In Greater China (which includes the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan), Japan, Southeast Asia, India and even in Turkey, whenever you turn on the television you are sure to see a Korean drama. While loyal fans watch Korean films and dramas attentively, love and even shed tears for the characters, businesspeople make money from advertisers. On the streets of major Asian cities, it is easy to spot girls wearing clothes, makeup and hairstyles popularized on Korean television. The boom has spread to food, fashion and

computer games, as well as boosting tourist arrivals to Korea. Even learning Korean has become fashionable. The term “Hallyu,” or the Korean Wave, was coined by Chinese media in 2001 to describe the rapid rise of Korean pop culture. It refers to Korean popular culture spreading to other countries primarily through the mass media. The tag is applied to Korean television dramas, movies, internet games, fashion and popular music.

Why the popularity? As the Korean Wave became increasingly popular, more scholars and journalists paid attention to it. They wrote

about it in academic journals, newspaper columns and magazine articles, asserting many reasons for the emergence of Korean popular culture. Some said the most powerful push for the Korean Wave came from the Korean Government. They argued that after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the Korean Government had begun targeting the export of Korean popular culture as a new economic initiative. Others argued that international circumstances were the engine behind the Korean Wave. As globalization develops and cultural exchanges become more and more frequent, Asia is no longer dominated by American popular culture. AUGUST 2008 KOREA 13

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From left: Korean Cultural Center in Beijing, Chinese citizens run Korean mask dance and songs

Asians are choosing things that are more culturally similar. They choose Korean entertainment because it contains Asian values and sentiments. However, apart from these reasons, there are three other main forces behind the Korean Wave in China.

Similar cultures The first and most important reason is that China and Korea share a similar culture. Over thousands of years, China and Korea have had a long historical relationship and have shared a common cultural background. Both China and Korea belong to the East Asian Confucian circle of culture. The civilization of Huaxia, or Han, has deeply influenced not only Korean language and values but also Korea’s etiquette, customs and social structure. So the similar expression of feelings, philosophy and values make it easy for Chinese people to accept Korean dramas and culture. In addi14 KOREA AUGUST 2008

tion, the Korean Wave is also related to the temporary lack of traditional culture in China. In the past century, the May 4th Movement and the Great Cultural Revolution diminished the influence of Confucianism, resulting in lack of traditional culture in China. But in Korean dramas, Chinese people saw traces of their traditional Confucian culture. They found these dramas full of familiar Confucianbased values, such as family-centered behavior, respect for the elderly and preference for sons. Some have said that the Koreans are more like the Chinese than the Chinese themselves.

Economic reasons The second reason is based on the economy. Long ago, China did not search for the road toward modernization. In the 1950s and 60s, China blindly followed the USSR, but after it adopted an open-door policy in the 1980s, China learned about Western

styles. As this occurred, China failed to balance traditional culture and modern Western thought. On the other hand, Korea presented a model of rapid modernization while retaining its traditional culture. The Korean Wave blends Confucianism and Western industrial culture. However, China’s understanding of the Korean Wave is not limited to TV shows. Nowadays, the lives of Koreans integrate the traditional factors of Confucian culture with the West’s modern thoughts and ideologies. Many Korean TV shows vividly depict the fates of common people — their affections, friendships and love — through their daily lives. Integrated with traditional virtues, Korean shows also reflect the thoughts and ideas of modern people. Their thoughts, in fact, are close to the thoughts of Westerners. Due to historical factors, Korea has been deeply influenced by Confucian culture, and it has also been baptized

in American culture. Through Korean pop culture, viewers experience how Koreans managed to keep traditional values while incorporating Western elements into their culture. The Chinese were also attracted to the “modern image” seen in the fashion, hairstyles and lifestyles of Koreans. Despite more than 20 years of reform, China’s per capita gross domestic product is still far behind most developed countries. Compared with Korea, the gap is not very big, especially in larger coastal cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen. The Chinese aim to have the tall buildings and fancy cars shown in Korean dramas.

Diplomacy The third reason lies in diplomacy. After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Korea in 1992, the relationship developed quickly. The two countries share a common ground on some important

regional issues, such as the North Korean nuclear crisis. They base this diplomatic consensus on their own interests. Because they share the common experience of Japanese invasion, they remain wary of Japan. In addition, Korea is gradually distancing itself from the United States and is increasingly moving closer to China, which makes the Chinese more comfortable with Korean culture.

The backlash and the future Although many believe that the Korean Wave is growing, some argue that it is slowly fading away, especially because of the backlash against the Korean Wave in some countries. First, the trade of cultural products is unbalanced. According to press reports, China’s trade deficit in cultural products with Korea is much bigger than in industrial products. The ratio of the industrial trade deficit to the cultural trade deficit is 1:10. In the

past decade, China has imported many Korean dramas and films and granted approval to many Korean singers to hold concerts in China, but did not receive the same in return. Second, Korean dramas came as a big shock to the Chinese market. Since 1993, the prices of Korean dramas imported into China have increased gradually. The Korean Wave reached its peak when “Daejanggeum” aired in China in September and October 2005. After that, Chinese officials, celebrities and the media began to criticize the excessive influx of Korean culture. According to statistics, in 2004, there were about 12,000 drama episodes made by Chinese producers, but they only had airtime for 5,000 episodes. The financial loss amounted to 3 billion RMB ($427 million) every year. Third, the price of Korean dramas has risen sharply. A few years ago, one episode cost $1,000 to $2,000, but because of the success of “Daejanggeum,” the price rose to $8,000 to $20,000 per episode. Some TV stations could not afford Korean dramas, which resulted in the reduction of their airtimes. Fourth is the negative impact of nationalism. Generally speaking, relations between China and Korea have been good over the past 15 years. But there are some exceptions, including history issues, the Dragon Boat Festival application for world cultural heritage status, the exclusive economic zone in the Yellow Sea and agricultural trade. Also, some Korean historical dramas have provoked a reaction of Chinese nationalism. Although the Korean Wave is gradually cooling off, we cannot say that its future in China is gloomy. Both the Chinese and Korean governments should adopt a long-term strategy, encourage cultural exchange and increase mutual understanding. Korea should establish the Korean Wave in a broader sense if it wants to counter a backlash. ■ AUGUST 2008 KOREA 15

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Korea Gears up for Beijing Games BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

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hey have waited four years. And now, Korean athletes are fully prepared to wow the Olympic crowds in Beijing. The Korean national team, composed of 267 athletes in 25 sports, aims to garner more than 10 gold medals and place within the top 10. Medals are expected to be won in wrestling, archery, taekwondo, judo, swimming, badminton, weightlifting, shooting and gymnastics. Korean athletes have taken the lead in these sports since the early 1980s.

A Korean archer aims at a target

Korean women’s handball team

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Wrestling

Swimmer Park Tae-hwan 16 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Korean taekwondo champions

Wrestling is important regarding Korea’s Olympic history, as the nation’s first-ever gold medal was earned in this event in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Jung Ji-hyun, the winner of the men’s 60kg category in the 2004 Athens Olympics, is aiming for another medal in Beijing this year. Kim Jung-sup, a gold medalist at the Doha Asian Games, and Park Eun-chul, a silver-medal winner in the 2007 World Championships, are other wrestlers to keep an eye on.

Archery Some say that a Korean woman can hit a bull’s eye even with her eyes closed. Archery has been dominated by Korea since the early 1980s. Most of the world records are owned by Korean archers as well. Experts say the trend should continue this year. However, tough challenges will be given by Chinese archers. Four medals are at stake in individual and group events. There are high hopes for female archers Park Sung-hyun, Yoon Ok-hee and Joo Hyun-jung. Park earned two gold medals in Athens and played a key role in bagging the team gold. On the men’s side, Im Dong-hyun, Lee Chang-whan and Park Kyung-mo are aiming for gold medals. Im, who won the 2007 World Championship, is a strong challenger for a gold medal in the individual category.

Judo Since 1984, the largest number of medals Korea has won is in judo. A total of 14 medals are at stake in judo this year. AUGUST 2008 KOREA 17

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Olympic History Korea stepped into the international

About 70 Korean athletes competed in

sporting world by joining the London

seven events at the London Olympics, win-

Olympics in 1948.

ning two bronze medals. Since London,

Previously, Korea’s two marathon runners, Sohn Kee-chung and Nam Sung-

Korea participated in all of the Games except for the Moscow Olympics in 1980.

yong, won a gold medal and a bronze

Korea first broke into the top 10 in the

medal, respectively, at the 1936 Berlin

medal standings at the Los Angeles

Olympics. But they ran under the

Olympic Games in 1984. Later, Korea suc-

Japanese flag.

cessfully hosted the 1988 Olympics.

Korean wrestlers practice at the National Training Center in Taeneung, northern Seoul

The competition, however, is expected to be even fiercer in Beijing, as competitors from Europe, South America and Japan have become stronger. Gold medals are expected in the men’s 60kg, 73kg and 81kg and the women’s 78kg categories. Choi Minho is expected to top the men’s 60kg category after winning a bronze medal in Athens. Wang Ki-choon, a winner at the 2008 World Championship, and Kim Jae-bum are also chasing gold medals in the men’s 73kg and 82kg categories. Jang Sung-ho, a silver medalist in the men’s 100kg in Athens and a gold medalist at the Doha Asian Games, is also aiming for gold in Beijing. Female fighters, who garnered two bronzes at the 2000 Sydney Games, are strong in the 78kg and 18 KOREA AUGUST 2008

48kg categories. Jung Gyung-mi, a bronze-medal winner at 2007 World Championship, is expected to bring a medal home.

Taekwondo Korea is expecting three gold medals in the national traditional martial-arts discipline, which made its Olympic debut in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Korea won three gold medals in 2000 but the number dipped to two in Athens. The national team’s quest for medals will be spearheaded by Hwang Kyung-sun, a two-time world champion in the women’s under-67kg category. She settled for bronze in Athens. Cha Dong-min, winner of the men’s over-80kg heavyweight title at the 2006 Student Games, is another medal hopeful.

Swimming Park Tae-hwan is hunting for a gold medal in the men’s 400m freestyle. He has won five international championships since 2005 and recently beat rival Australian Grant Hackett in two competitions. His race is scheduled for Aug. 10.

Other Sports Dubbed the “Female Hercules,” Jang Mi-ran is expected to bring home a gold medal in the women’s over 75kg category in weightlifting. Jang won a silver medal in Athens and a gold medal at the Doha Asian Games. Korea is also expecting a medal in handball. Korea topped the women’s event in 1988 and 1992 and won silvers in 1996 and 2004. ■

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Judo Couple Hunting for Medals BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER It is easy to see fighters in a judo hall, but

The good news came this May. Choi

lovers? A Korean judo couple, however,

won the national championship, beating

found their better halves in a judo hall and

his longtime opponent, Hwang Hee-tae, a

now they are aiming to win medals in

former national teammate.

Beijing. Choi Seon-ho, 31, and Lee Bok-hee, 30, tied the knot in December 2007. The

“I spent most of my time on the mat instead of spending time with my wife. I think it all paid off,” he said.

Beijing Olympics is especially special for

Choi has gained almost 20 kg in 10

Choi because it will be the first time he will

years. He now weighs 90 kg. “I was afraid

run with a Korean flag on his chest. His

of my age, but my weight was also a big

dream will come true after eight long

issue,” he said.

years.

Choi and Lee long have been training

His wife, Lee, ran as a national player in

together at Seoul’s Taeneung Training

Athens in 2004. This time, she’s going to

Center. But from this year, the two have

Beijing as a trainer for the judo team.

trained at separate training halls.

The two first met each other in college

Lee, a former national champion in the

10 years ago. But their romance really

68kg division, says it is hard to be intimate

took off in 2006.

with her husband in public, with her team

“We’ve known each other for a long time. We just know how each other feels

Choi Seon-ho and Lee Bok-hee pose for a photo ahead of the Beijing Olympics

mates around. But she does have a dream in mind.

by just looking into each others’ eyes. We

“We didn’t win anything in Athens. I’ll

both made it our goal to run in the Beijing

do my best to help my teammates win this

Olympic together,” Choi said.

year,” she said. ■

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NATIONAL

Revolutionary Founding and Modernization of the Republic of Korea and a Global Korea Model for the 21st Century

modernization, which include democThe “Miracle on the Han River” has ratization of politics, economic become a classic example in the world growth, socio-cultural pluralism, of rapid economic growth and industrihigher education and the development alization in the modernization process. of science and technology. Among about 140 non-Western counThe freedom and democracy that tries that became independent since the Korea has achieved now are the first end of the Second World War, only liberty, equality and welfare enjoyed seven U.N. member countries have by Koreans since the foundation of the achieved $10,000 in per capita income: first kingdom on the Korean Peninsula Singapore, Brunei, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, by Dangun. Their achievements are Bahrain and the Republic of Korea. unprecedented in the thousands of Barring Korea, all these countries are years of their history. Freedom of the either city-states with a population bepress and freedom of politics in Korea tween 500,000 and three million or oilrank at the top among the 46 countries in the Eurasian Continent and the maritime regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, ranging from the Japanese Archipelago to the Ural Mountains. As evidenced by international indices released by Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders, Korea is now ahead of Japan, Singapore and India, countries that were regarded in the 1960s to 1980s as much more adThe inaugural ceremony of the Republic of Korea in 1948 vanced than the Republic. Korea has also become a strong advocate for human rights so producing countries. They are not suitunderdeveloped countries in Asia and able for comparison on an equal footAfrica as well as NGOs from advanced ing with Korea in terms of modernizacountries come to the country to study tion standards because they have far its experience. more advantages in such conditions as It is, indeed, unfortunate that the population, international relations and splendid, epochal enhancement of the the national security. Republic of Korea’s freedom, democraArmed with sophisticated industricy and human rights cannot reach al technologies in the electronics, across the truce line to the North shipbuilding, steel and automobile inwhere 23 million compatriots are suf- dustries, Korea is now keeping abreast fering the worst violence and oppres- of the advanced countries in the field sion in the world. of future information technologies.

BY KIM JIN-HYUN CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ON ITS OFFICIAL ESTABLISHMENT

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history of the Korean Peninsula and modern world history since the 18th century. Upholding the cause of the independence movement against imperialist Japan and building on the success of the past 60 years, the Republic of Korea serves as the central foothold for 75 million Koreans across the globe. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the nation, we are now able to proudly declare to our founding fathers and to the entire world that Korea is the only country among the approximately 140 newly independent countries since the end of the Second World War in 1945 that succeeded in complete modernizing. It is not enough to describe the process of modernization over the last 60 years simply with

such words as growth, development, progress and success. There was the revolutionary event in 1948 — the founding of the nation — and 60 years of the revolutionary modernization of the Republic. There have been a number of historic revolutionary events throughout the world: the French Revolution in 1789, the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century in the United Kingdom and the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century in the United States. In the late 20th century, Korea became the sole country in the Third World that became a legend of success. It was tantamount to a revolution, even in the eyes of the world. Korea is the only nation that perfectly meets the standards of

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he Republic of Korea suffered exceptionally severe birth pains. Among many other modern nations in history, Korea’s foundation process was particularly littered with agonizing and divisive moments. In 1950, less than two years after its establishment, Korea found itself teetering on the brink of collapse with the breakout of the Korean War. All these adversities notwithstanding, the past 60 years in Korea can be said to be the period of the “most successful modernization revolution” from the perspective of both the several-thousand-year

Korea and Singapore are the only two non-Western countries that spend approximately three percent of their GDP on research and development (R&D). The percentage of R&D expenditures in the GDP of the Republic is higher than that of the United Kingdom, France and Germany. At the time of liberation from the Japanese colonial rule, Korea’s science and technology capabilities were almost nonexistent, but in the 1960s, they began to rise to 1/500th and then to 1/100th of the level of Japan. The gap eventually has narrowed now to one fifth or one third of Japan’s. The absolute number of students in engineering, science and technology outstrips that of Japan. The ratio of students advancing to institutions of higher education and studying overseas is too overwhelming to be compared with any other nonWestern countries. Korea now ranks second or third in the world even when all the advanced countries are included. Korea’s overseas-market oriented growth strategy, democratization and development of higher education served as a catalyst for the promotion of socio-cultural pluralism and diversity in addition to economic progress. Notably, religious diversity stands out in the country, which makes Korea the sole nation in the world with a homogeneous ethnic background where Buddhism, Confucianism and Christianity coexist in a balanced manner. Korea is also the only non-Catholic Asian country

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AUGUST 2008 KOREA 21

NATIONAL

where nearly 30 percent of the population believes in Christianity, a religion historically predominant in the West. One of the most pronounced fruits of the Republic’s 60-year modernization revolution is its advance into the global community. Not only ordinary citizens, but also business people, artists, scholars and engineers are leaving their footprints in every nook and corner of the world. Now, they have successfully established Korean clusters in every major city of the world. Together with numerous ethnic Koreans living in Japan, China, Russia and other Central Asian nations who were driven out of their motherland due to the hegemonic warfare of imperialist countries in the late 19th century, they have now become an invaluable asset for the Republic, a rare case in the history of the settlement of minorities around the world. Long ago in the history of Korea, there were many forerunners of advances abroad, including the Buddhist monk Hyecho, General Go Seon-ji, monk Weongwang and Admiral Jang Bo-go. However, their impact was rather limited, and they failed to play a role of a bridge for later generations to cross. To put it another way, they became a sort of discontinued historical event. In the meantime, the entry into the global community of Koreans over the past 60 years is not a one-time phenomenon. Instead, this strong bridgehead fostered not by a single pioneer but by the people as a whole is expected to continuously prosper generation after generation. In the 21st century, the Republic is witnessing the spread of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, and at the same time, world-class Korean artists, scientists, engineers, business executives and diplomats are coming to the front in the global arena. For the first time in its history, Koreans are now collectively engaged in competition with the 22 KOREA AUGUST 2008

world’s best and are achieving successes, a departure from the past when a single individual or a piece of artwork stood out. The success of the past 60 years after the founding of the Republic constitutes a revolution in the history of Korea as well as in the history of modernization in the nonWestern, Third World. At this point, the future course of the revolution, miracle and legend of the Republic over the past six decades should go beyond merely prolonging it. The Korean people’s achievements should be sublimated into Global Korea, a high caliber pacesetter standing tall and playing a leading role in the global community. To this end, we first need to establish a universal Global Korea model, which will be conducive to the development and success of other countries based on Korea’s experiences in the modernization revolution. Among non-European countries that won independence after 1945, the Republic has uniquely succeeded in such a revolution. Instead of fragmentary interpretations, introductions or self-praise on the values, ideology, institutions, resources, actors and history of the revolutionary progress of the Republic, we have to make efforts to turn it into a universal paradigm which is of practical use for the present and future of other countries, societies and peoples by further improving, elaborating and supplementing it. By digesting and acquainting ourselves with the nation’s achievements in a synthetic manner, we need to make them a well-established, systematic model. Going beyond the modernization process that put emphasis on the values of quantity, scale, power and toughness, we need to remain focused on the promotion of the quality, character, flexibility and virtue. Korea became a country in Asia that went through the modern era most suc-

cessfully and profoundly. The nation made a quantum leap from a povertystricken country to one sharing stateof-the-art advances with developed countries. In addition, the Republic has now become a maritime powerhouse building on a 2000-year history as a continental country. Based on these various experiences, we first need to establish a Korean model by having a thorough understanding of Korean history, world history and the mentality of the East and West. Afterwards, we have to make sure that the model would be able to serve as an inspiration, the very starting point and an opportunity to promote peace and unity throughout the world and to ensure the survival of humankind. This should be a pledge we make to our patriotic forefathers in marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic and a promise to our posterity. Such a pledge is very significant in itself. Driven by the globalization of the modernization initiated at the end of the 20th century in earnest, living conditions of all peoples have undergone rudimentary changes. As about 3 billion people living in the Himalayan Zone encompassing China and India came to enjoy the benefits of modernization, drastic changes have occurred in wide-ranging areas of energy, food, natural resources, production, logistics, workforces, trade, finance and capital transfer. Also being transformed is the landscape of world politics, foreign affairs and culture. Widespread advancement in education and information capabilities is expediting globalization and urbanization throughout the world. The effects of the spread of education and information are comparable to economic growth and contribute to maximizing individual as well as international interactions. The process is inevitably intertwined with the changes in the climate and ecosystem as well

as the living space and living conditions of humans. Problems stemming from this process are truly enormous, befitting the title of “post-modern, high-tech problems.” Problems concerning energy, food, resources and global warming, to mention just a few, are real and serious. Korea is not an exception. Geopolitically, it is, in fact, the only country where the interests of the world’s four major powers intersect. The dynamics of the four powers is now experiencing transformation. The Republic is at a disadvantage compared to other advanced countries in securing food and energy, and it has to look overseas to meet its needs. It is also adversely affected by the atmospheric pollution originating from China. Furthermore, Korea has geoethnic issues involving clusters of Koreans found in many parts of the world. These and other problems create the environment surrounding Korea in the coming years. The country cannot ignore the problems that have been brought on with modernization and globalization of Korea and the world. The Republic is not a separate entity, but an integral part of international society. The country must commit itself to solving fundamental global issues — matters concerning human existence and world peace and safety. Peace in Korea is intricately related to peace elsewhere. Koreans tend to take these challenges with a greater sense of urgency than other nations do. That is probably because the Republic has been fully modernized only in recent years and has quickly become one of the first countries having to deal with the slew of new post-modern, high-tech age problems. This is the reason why Korea has to push itself hard to become a leading nation in the world. We have to establish a Global Korea model. The model will involve trans-

lating Korea’s revolutionary modernization model into a global one. The Global Korea model will help the 9 billion inhabitants of the planet secure peace, safety and the right to exist and prosper in the 21st century. It is imperative for the Korean people to embark on a journey to bring about unity internally and externally based on the fruit of their 60 years of travail. But there is a caveat: The success they have achieved so far will not automatically lead to success in this new century. The characteristics of the two phases will be different. The negative aspects manifested during the modernization in the last century include high pressure, occasional explosions, isolation, extremism, imbalance and selfishness. We certainly do not need them now that we have fulfilled our initial goals for modernization. In this new age, we have to strive to eliminate the shadows, cave-ins and distortions originating from the old days. Today, we have to act more independently and be self-motivated. In the past, it is regrettable that conflicts frequently arose during times of transition over who or which groups were legitimate leaders. Frictions were revealed within the anti-Japanese movement during the colonial days. The same thing happened during the founding of the Republic and the ensuing ideological rifts involving communism and nationalism. Dissonance between different groups was also evident in the process of democratization, industrialization and liberalization of social norms. We have to get rid of the residue left over from history. Since the Korean people have achieved great success, there is no reason why they cannot clean up the residue of the historical conflicts. We should be able to galvanize ourselves and put an end to the long-standing dissociation between different forces of the indepen-

dence movement and between participants in the founding of the Republic. The country has matured enough to see the opposing groups during the industrialization and democratization become reconciled. Once leaders of different groups reflect deeply and decide to give and sacrifice in the interest of the country, national integration will be accomplished. In order to respond effectively to the many challenges and survive in this new age, we have to have a new mindset and develop new rules that are compatible with international norms. Then we will have put in place a historic Global Korea model for the 21st century. It will represent the most advanced form of a country. As the Global Korea model is implemented, the unification of Korea will come that much closer as well. In the process of modernization, the nation learned the value of cultural diversity and social pluralism. If the nation can add tolerance and altruism to these values, it will have made a giant step in its attempt to bring about unity and harmony in today’s world. I have discussed what it is that makes Korea Korea, what the country is required to do in the post-modern, high-tech age and why — what it takes to build up a truly advanced, first rate country. These are visions of the Global Korea model, and in order to formulate the model, the Committee for the 60th Anniversary of the Republic of Korea has been established. The new success model for the 21st century represents sublimation of what the nation achieved in the 20th century. Let us prepare a new model for the future of Korea that our ancestors’ descendants will be proud of. The historic founding of the Republic of Korea in 1948 resulted in a successful, full life cycle of 60 years. The historic Global Korea 2008 model will bring about another successful life cycle over the next 60 years and beyond. ■ AUGUST 2008 KOREA 23

MOOKAS

NATIONAL

T

his year celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Republic of Korea. The nation was established on Aug. 15, 1948, from the remnants of Japanese colonization. But Korea soon saw the outbreak of the Korean War, which again left the nation scarred by the bloodshed of war and the division of the Peninsula. In the last 60 years, Korea has grown to become the world’s 13th-largest economy. Global communities called this tremendous transformation “the miracle on the Han River.” No other country in the world has seen the speed and scope of modernization and industrialization that took place in Korea. The growth of industry and democracy in Korea, however, only came after the sacrifice of numerous independence leaders, soldiers and workers. The nation’s youth also struggled for the establishment of democracy in the 1980s. Through a series of events the Korean Government on Aug. 15 will celebrate and remember those who struggled for the nation’s democratic and industrial development. There will also be various overseas events and activities in which overseas Koreans can take part in. The main event will be held in central Seoul on Aug. 15. This will celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the nation’s independence and the 60th anniversary of the Korean Government’s establishment. The daylong celebration is set to invite many circles within society, including local citizens, overseas Koreans and foreign residents, who now make up an important part of Korea. The National Museum of Contemporary Art will host an exhibition dedicated to the 60 years of Korea’s modern history from Aug. 15 through Oct. 26. The exhibition will display the works of 100 photojournalists. Previous photo exhibitions were focused on historical records. This will feature various genres of Korea’s modern photography, from realistic to artistic. Sessions with renowned photographers are also planned. More information can be found at www.moca.go.kr. The 2008 World Taekwondo Hanmadang ran from July 16 to 20 in California, where a large number of overseas Koreans can be found. It is the largest event dedicated to the martial art hosted abroad. The annual festival, which celebrates and promotes taekwondo, was first launched in 1992. 24 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Overseas Koreans Join Celebration of Korea’s 60th Anniversary BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

Korean taekwondo practitioners show their skills at the 2008 World Taekwondo Hanmadang, which ran from July 16 to 20 in California

Over 1,000 taekwondo fighters from all over the world participated in this year’s event. During the festival, the participants took part in competitions to show off their skills. Following the festival, 54 Korean college students majoring in taekwondo were set to offer American students classes and teaching methods in major U.S. cities. The Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, the organizer of this event, said that this will provide American students with an opportunity to brush up on their skills through interaction with Korean taekwondo practitioners. “Meantime, Korean students will get a chance to think about the globalization of taekwondo through this experience,” said Kim Jong-yul, director of the Korean Cultural Center. The Overseas Koreans Federation has invited 200 overseas Korean students for a weeklong excursion on July 27. The yearly event is aimed at promoting friendship among overseas and local Koreans. This will provide overseas Koreans an opportunity to better understand their homeland. The Korean Government is also hosting an event dedicated to Korean immigrants on foreign soil. Following Uzbekistan last year, over 1,000 Korean descendents from Khabarovsk, Russia, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of their motherland this year. The event, scheduled for Aug. 4 to 15, will include performances by local artists and Korean celebrities. There will also be sporting events and parties. Also on offer is a test in knowledge of Korean history. Scheduled for Sept. 6, the test will be held in five major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago. The annual examination was held overseas, in Kazakhstan, for the first time in 2007. About 1,100 students took the exam there. This year’s test will cover areas such as culture, history and immigration. Performances and lectures will be given during exam week as well. Those with the highest scores will be given a chance to win a five-day trip to Korea. More information is available on the website of the National Institute of Korean History at www.historyexam.go.kr. The Korean Day celebration will be held on Oct. 5. The Foreign Ministry last year designated Oct. 5 as Korean Day, in an aim to bring 7 million overseas Koreans and 50 million local citizens together. The ceremony will include 1,000 overseas Koreans who are closely linked to their motherland. A variety of cultural and sporting events will take place, including the main ceremony on Oct. 5. In the southern island of Jeju, the 7th World Korean Business Convention will be held on Oct. 28 for three days. The annual convention will be attended by 1,500 businesspeople based in Korea and 1,500 from 40 other countries. During the event, the participants will take part in business exhibitions, conferences and the “Young Leaders’ Forum.” ■ AUGUST 2008 KOREA 25

NATIONAL

The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950

April 19 Student Uprising in 1960

Normalization of Korea-Japan relations in 1965

Korea’s participation in the Vietnam War in 1965

The opening of Seoul-Busan Highway in 1970

The May 18 Gwangju civil uprising in 1980

60 Years of the Republic at a Glance 1948

Promulgation of the Constitution (July 17)

1972

Establishment of the Republic of Korea (Aug. 15)

North and South Korean Red Cross open first conference in Pyongyang

Establishment of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (Sept. 9) 1950

Outbreak of the Korean War (June 25)

1953

Armistice agreement

1955

Opening of stock market

1956

Syngman Rhee wins presidential election

1960

April 19 Student Uprising

1973 1974

May 16 military coup d’etat

1975

President Park Chung-hee takes office National exports reach $100 million

1965

Normalization of Korea-Japan relations

1976 1977

1979

Korea’s participation in the Vietnam War 1968

Revised identification system launched

1969

Establishment of Gyeongin (Seoul-Incheon) Highway

1970

First stage of Saemaeul movement launched

1980

1981

National Assembly building constructed

Korea wins first Olympic gold medal in wrestling in Montreal Olympics

The June 10 pro-democracy movement in 1987

26 KOREA AUGUST 2008

1986

Seoul Asian Games

1982

1996

Korea and Japan win the bid to host the 2002 World Cup Korea joins OECD

Trade income exceeds $3 billion

1997

Korea suffers from Asian financial crisis

1987

The June 10 Pro-Democracy Movement

1998

President Kim Dae-jung takes office

1988

President Roh Tae-woo takes office

First tour to North Korea’s Geumgangsan launched

1988 Seoul Olympics

1999

Designated a top-10 economy with largest number of internet users President Kim Dae-jung receives Nobel Peace Prize

1989

Diplomatic relations begin with Eastern European countries

1990

First prime ministerial talk between North and South Korea opens in Seoul

2000

1991

South and North Korea join the United Nations

2002

1992

South and North Korea exchange agreement on reconciliation and denuclearization

1993

President Kim Young-sam takes office

First nuclear power plant launched in Gori, Gyeongsangnam-do

President Park Chung-hee assassinated (Oct. 26)

Real-name-based financial transaction system launched

President Choi Gyu-ha takes office

Korea agrees to open rice market to U.S.

The first inter-Korean Summit in Pyongyang 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Korea advances to the quarterfinals for the first time 2003

President Roh Moo-hyun takes office

2004

Exports exceed $200 billion

2005

APEC Summit held in Busan Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon stream recovered

May 18 Gwangju Uprising

1994

North Korean leader Kim Il-sung dies (July 8)

First sale of color TVs

1995

Korea’s first satellite launched

2006

Ban Ki-moon elected as U.N. secretary general

President Chun Doo-hwan takes office

National exports exceed $100 billion

2007

Korea wins the bid to host 2012 Yeosu World Expo

Seoul wins the bid to host the 1988 summer Olympics

Korea’s three national treasures designated World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO

2008

President Lee Myung-bak takes office

Abolishment of mandatory nocturnal curfew

GDP per capita exceeds $10,000

Establishment of Gyeongbu (Seoul-Busan) Highway National exports exceed $1 billion

First family reunion between South and North Korea

First Lady Yook Young-soo assassinated (Aug. 15)

National exports exceed $10 billion 1964

1985

Opening of Yeongdong and Donghae Highways

5-year economic development plan announced 1963

Korean women’s table tennis team wins first world championship in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia

Seoul metro starts operation

Yoon Bo-sun takes office as second president 1961

The world’s oldest and Korean-made movable metal type printing “Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests’ Zen Teachings” found in France

The Seoul Olympics in 1988

The launching of Korea’s first satellite in 1995

The first inter-Korean summit in 2000

Korea reopens its beef market to U.S.

The World Cup co-hosted by Korea and Japan in 2002

The 60th anniversary of the Republic of Korea

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 27

NATIONAL

Magnum Documents Modern Korea (Clockwise from top) ©Hiroji Kubota/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Rene Burri/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Abbas/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Stuart Franklin/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Ian Berry/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea

BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

28 KOREA AUGUST 2008

(From top) ©Steve McCurry/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Harry Gruyaert/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Bruno Barbey/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Eli Reed/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea ©Thomas Hoepker/Magnum Photos/Euro Photo-Magnum Korea

M

agnum Photos, the world’s most prestigious photographic cooperative, is holding an exhibition showcasing modern Korea at the Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Art Museum in southern Seoul. The photo agency has been a leader in photojournalism since its foundation in 1947, with 50 famed member photographers. For the Korean project, 20 members stayed in Korea for up to a month, traveling across the country to capture various aspects of Korea such as tradition, religion, cities, provinces, youth and films. This is the biggest project carried out in the history of Magnum, with the most photographers under one theme — Korea. As photographer Eliott Erwitt, 80, wrote of the Korean project: “Of course, with most of us visiting for the first time, and with relatively brief stays, we could record only our first impression of this complex society. Yet our audience will note that, even as neophytes, we have managed to present an en-

gaging appetizer and an incentive worthy of further investigation by future visitors.” Steve McCurry, whose portrait of an Afghan girl was seen on the cover of National Geographic in 1985, turned his lens on Buddhist monks meditating at a small temple in Jeollabuk-do. A mine field and soldiers near the Demilitarized Zone were captured through the lens of legendary photographer Stuart Franklin, who won the World Press Photo prize for his sensational photograph of a man standing against a tank during the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. Japanese photographer Hiroji Kubota pays tribute to the growth of Seoul and the city itself by using aerial photography. Also remarkable are the photographs of Namdaemun taken by Ian Berry on Jan. 11. The calm figure of the landmark of Seoul, which fell victim to an arson attack in February, is a tragic reminder of the incident. A photography book titled “Magnum Korea,” has been published, consisting of 248 works among a total of 2,400 photographs. It is the latest publication of Magnum and unlike previous books, which were made mostly by collecting member photographers’ existing works, the Korean publication contains only newly-taken photos for the Seoul project. Also, the commentary of professor Bruce Cumings at the University of Chicago, who specializes in modern Korean history, is attached for more insight. The English version is scheduled to be printed at the end of this year. “MAGNUM KOREA Photo Exhibition” continues through Aug. 24 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Art Museum. Both Korean and English guide services are offered. For more information, visit www.magnumkorea.com. ■

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 29

Yonhap

G8 SUMMIT DIPLOMACY

Yonhap

From left: President Lee’s separate summit talks with Indian Prime Minister Singh, Brazilian President Lula, Mexican President Calderon, Indonesian President Yudhoyono, Russian President Medvedev and U.S. President Bush

President Lee’s Summit Diplomacy during G8 Meeting

30 KOREA AUGUST 2008

K

orean President Lee Myung-bak joined leaders of the world’s eight most powerful countries at this year’s G8 summit in Japan to urge greater global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for climate change, making a successful debut on the stage of high-profile multilateral diplomacy. President Lee has held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of seven countries — the U.S., Russia, Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and India — on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit. Lee, the first Korean president to attend an outreach session of the G8 summit, vowed to halve his nation’s carbon emissions by 2050 and launch a government-wide campaign to fos-

ter a low emission society and new momentum in economic growth. In compliance with South Korea’s heightened international status, Lee also proposed the creation of a socalled “East Asia Climate Partnership” in order for Korea and its regional partners to jointly address global climate change. As part of the campaign, the Korean leader promised to donate $200 million over the next five years to help the region’s developing countries both attain economic growth and reduce carbon emissions. Lee also vowed to voluntarily present South Korea’s long-term targets for greenhouse gas reductions in 2009. “As far as the global effort for greenhouse gas reduction is con-

cerned, Korea is willing to become an early mover,” Lee said at the G8 meeting. Meanwhile, Lee also attained impressive diplomatic achievements through the seven bilateral summit meetings by forming strong personal relations with leaders of resource-rich countries worldwide. Lee and U.S. President George W. Bush on July 9 reconfirmed their close policy cooperation on bilateral and global issues, including food safety of Korea-bound shipments of U.S. beef and North Korea’s denuclearization. Lee and Bush agreed to the faithful implementation of revised terms for Korea-bound exports of U.S. beef in order to help appease Korean consumers’ fear of mad cow disease often associated with the consumption of U.S. beef from older cattle. Notably, Bush promised to include Korea in the U.S. visa waiver program and do his best to win the U.S. Congressional approval of a free trade agreement between the two countries, both by the end of this year, at the re-

“As far as the global effort for greenhouse gas reduction is concerned, Korea is willing to become an early mover,” Lee said at the G8 meeting.

quest of President Lee. Lee also agreed with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to deepen bilateral cooperation in the energy and resources sector and in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during their summit talks. Lee and Medvedev also agreed to push ahead with the two countries’ efforts to link the trans-Korean railway, or TKR, with Russia’s trans-Siberian railway, known as the TSR, and with other tripartite economic cooperation projects involving North Korea in

Siberia, according to the officials. In his attention-grabbing meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Lee again urged Japan not to describe Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo as part of Japanese territory in Japanese textbooks. President Lee also had separate summit talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mexican President Felipe Calderon. ■ AUGUST 2008 KOREA 31

GLOBAL KOREA

An Afghan receives a mosquito net from a Korean NGO

KOICA Supports NGO’s Development Activities BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

N

KOICA and Good Neighbors International provide Ethiopian children with stationery, daily food supply and medical service

32 KOREA AUGUST 2008

on-governmental organizations are often referred to as “mini-governments” since they play a great role in improving people’s lives. They also help Third World and developing countries. NGOs in the development sector, in particular, try to improve the quality of life and welfare and counter poverty in many of these countries. Sometimes, their roles are extended to issues such as racial conflicts and genocides. Partnership and networking among these organizations, therefore, is crucial. The Korea International Cooperation Agency started its partnership with development NGOs in 1995 via such projects like rural development in Nepal and overseas medical services of Korean doctors. Support for NGOs grew dramatically during the devastating 2005 tsunami. As of 2007, KOICA’s NGO sponsorship topped 5 billion won ($5 mil-

lion), jumping 10-fold from 1995. There are about 25,000 NGOs in Korea, according to the Directory of Korean NGOs. And currently, 91 development NGOs, whose main activities are in the education and healthcare sectors, are working in partnership with KOICA. According to KOICA’s data, most Korean development NGOs are involved in improving basic human needs (BHN). This interest led many to work in human resource development, healthcare, rural development and agriculture-development projects in Asian countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Mongolia. Every year, KOICA and the NGOs have projects in about 20 countries. The number of projects almost doubled to 43 in 2007 from a year earlier. In 2008, 61 projects are being carried out. In order to raise the efficiency of NGO activities, KOICA coordinates education programs and workshops and helps create networks with international organizations. This April, KOICA held the 2008 Sphere Project Training with World Vision International and Korea NGO Council for Overseas Cooperation. The Sphere Project aims to provide members of NGOs with training needed at natural disaster sites. In order to run this program, World Vision and KOICA compiled the know-how of on-site volunteers. The program received great responses from the participants. “Lectures on humanitarianism and human rights law made us realize the important work we’re doing,” one participant said. International networking is another crucial element of NGO activities. By working with international organizations, development NGOs can benefit from a synergy effect, as they can share their expertise on many areas. Korean NGOs have also improved the quality of their activities. In the Philippines, Korean NGOs have provided their expertise to counter tuberculosis. In the African country of Angola, they have operated projects to raise awareness of sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS. Their activities are known to play an important role in countries where the respective governments fail to take action. In order to improve the locals’ basic human needs, education is very important. Education on water system maintenance, farming product development and home improvement not only provides a new source of income but also a basic foundation to improve their lives. KOICA’s support for these activities has raised public awareness and increased participation in NGO activities. Its active promotion of overseas volunteer programs and NGO support are now enticing the participation of many professionals and young Koreans. ■

A Korean NGO Global Care in Sana, Yemen

NGO Support in the Past 5 Years (2003-2007) Year

2003 2004

2005

2006

2007 Total

Subsidy (100 million won)

11.0

10.4

20.1

27.8

52.8 122.1

Number of Countries Benefited

17

14

19

15

19

84

Number of Projects

25

21

32

24

43

145

Not including special support projects in Iraq, Afghanistan and southern Asia

(Photos courtesy of KOICA) AUGUST 2008 KOREA 33

GLOBAL KOREA

Korean Medics Provide Emergency Relief in Myanmar

“We try to reflect on our experiences and how to perform better. When the need rises again, we can go and help them in the most systemized and efficient way possible.”

BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

T

he deadly cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in May, leaving over 20,000 people dead and 150,000 missing. The Korea International Cooperation Agency, the nation’s central rescue team and medics helped the devastated town of Kungyangon in June. Among the 29 doctors were 19 medics, all members of the Korean Federation for International Healthcare. The KFIH is an umbrella organization of Korea’s Welfare Ministry. Since its establishment in 2006, the organization has been working to provide medical services in North Korea and other developing nations. It also provides medical relief to natural disaster sites. Over 200 medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists are currently enrolled in the organization, offering their expertise in needy countries. The number of volunteers is increasing as the organization is extending partnerships with the nation’s medical circle. Kungyangon is a town of 120,000 citizens in southern Myanmar. Along with NGOs and medics from 10 other countries, the Korean doctors provided medical services for six days. Seoul-based surgeon Kim Gwanseok is one of the 10 committee members at KFIH. An avid believer of goodwill and volunteering, this was not Kim’s first mission abroad. He has already worked on several volunteer trips to North Korea, China, Vietnam and Micronesian countries. He and his colleagues arrived at 34 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Korean doctors set up a base camp on their first day in Kungyangon, southern Myanmar

Kungyangon on June 5, about a month after the devastating cyclone. He recalled that the town looked like Korea during the early 1960s. “People there didn’t open up their minds to us at first, and they kept their eyes on us. But we waved our hands to everyone and soon they waved back,” he said. The next morning, when the medical team installed their base camp, local patients started to swarm the humble facility for check-ups. Most of the patients there have never met a doctor in their lives, Kim said. “We had to show them that we

care about them and did everything we could. When we left the town, hundreds of people cried for us, as if we were their family,” he said. The doctors saw almost 300 patients on the first day and 2,800 in total. Out of those many patients, Dr. Kim recalled a lady in her late 60s. Half of her body was paralyzed and she had bleeding bedsores. The only thing he could do was to give her as much medicine as possible. She didn’t have any family or money. “I told her to have faith and that she will get better. She seemed not to believe in me at first, but when she

Korean Disaster Relief Team at Incheon International Airport on June 4

left, I sensed a glimpse of hope in her eyes. I still can’t forget that look in her eyes,” he said. He didn’t forget the work of his colleagues, who accomplished the mission in the humid tropical weather. “The central rescue team, in particular, were real pros. Thanks to them, everything worked out efficiently,” he said. Now that the relief trip is over, Dr. Kim and his colleagues at the KFIH have a lot to do. The doctors in the organization have been reflecting on their activities for improvements. “We try to reflect on our experiences and how to perform better.

When the need rises again, we can go and help them in the most systemized and efficient way possible.” In Seoul, Dr. Kim spends his weekends meeting patients at a migrant workers clinic in Gwangju, Gyeonggido. Asked why he’s involved in such activities, he said, “Because it’s the only thing I can give them. And it makes me happy.” During the six-day relief mission, KOICA provided 80 pieces of medical equipment and medicine worth up to $21,000. KOICA was able to help 1,700 households in 17 towns. ■ (Photos courtesy of KFIH) AUGUST 2008 KOREA 35

THE BEAUTY OF KOREA-14

Korean Foundation

GLOBAL KOREA

Fostering an Internationalized Learning Environment Interview with Jörg Plassen, Chair of the Department of Korean Studies, University of Hamburg

Lecturers at the Korean Studies Department — Lecturer Lee Kangsun, Korean Studies Librarian Helene Kang, Professor Jörg Plassen (from left)

BY MIN YOUNG-JOON KOREA FOUNDATION BERLIN OFFICE DIRECTOR

Q First, congratulations on your recent ap-

Q What are your plans for the development

and thus being more and more operated like

pointment as the chair of the Department

of Korean Studies at the University of

business organizations and it is feared that in

of Korean Studies at the University of

Hamburg?

the years to come “minor disciplines,” like

Hamburg. In this regard, what are your

A Building up a flourishing department will

Korean Studies, are likely to come under fur-

thoughts about this new position?

primarily be a matter of steady work and en-

ther pressure. Fortunately, the need for coun-

A To start with, the Asia-Afrika-Institut (AAI) is

during commitment to the students and to

termeasures has been recognized by federal

not only the largest institution of its kind in

research. As for my thoughts on the direction

politicians, but we will have to see what re-

Germany, but one of the leading European in-

we intend to head — in the B.A. program,

sults an imminent federal initiative will mean

stitutions in the field of Asian and African

modern Korean should come first. Our stu-

for minor subject areas.

studies. Thus, I feel most privileged to be al-

dents will experience thorough language

lowed to work in this stimulating environment,

training, followed by an obligatory sojourn in

Q What kinds of efforts would be helpful to

and of course also a burden, due to the ex-

Korea. In addition, for all the students of the

further promote Korean Studies in

pectations of this assignment.

East Asia B.A. program, there will be cours-

Germany?

es in methodology, as well as job-oriented

A Quite frankly, we have to make Korea better

Q Please describe the current status of

training to enhance the students’ career

known. The decision for or against enrolling in

Korean Studies at the University of

prospects.

a given department usually is less motivated

A What is really different about Korean

Q How would you describe the status and

hearsay among friends, along with the attrac-

Studies at Hamburg is that our subjects are

outlook for Korean Studies in Germany?

tiveness of a given city. In a similar vein, the

embedded within the broader interdiscipli-

A Despite the difficult times for the

reason why Korean Studies continues to lag

nary curriculum of an “International Bachelor

Humanities programs in Germany, Korean

behind Chinese and Japanese studies is due

of East Asia.” This means that our B.A. stu-

Studies has made slow, but steady, progress.

to the trivial circumstances that the impor-

dents, and their fellow students of Chinese

In Bochum University, there is a flourishing

tance of Korea, as an export nation, is less

and Japanese studies, are exposed to joint

department bringing forth a new generation of

widely known.

classes on the general East Asian context,

promising students, while the position in

Of course, we have plans to go into the lo-

which are collectively offered by the East

Hamburg has been secured and Berlin univer-

cal schools and intend to draw on events fea-

Asian departments. From the very beginning,

sity is about to fill a long-vacant position, thus

turing popular culture, to increase public

the students thus become accustomed to an

making up for the loss of Korean Studies at

awareness. However, at present, we need the

interdisciplinary approach and learn to inter-

Humboldt University.

help of Korean institutions to organize these

drop of an East Asian context.

36 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Royal seals during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 ) represented the authority and dignity of the king and his regime. King Taejo (1392-1398) founded the Joseon Dynasty in 1392 and moved the nation’s capital to Seoul from Gaeseong of the Goryo Dynasty. Compared to other royal seals, the golden seal of King Taejo was not used for practical matters. It was saved for important royal ceremonies. It was inscribed under the reign of King Sookjong (1674-1720), when King Taejo was bestowed the posthumous title, “Your Righteousness and Luminous Benevolence.” This title was written on the front, along

with his three earlier titles. The seal was made with gold and has the shape of a turtle, which was thought to be sacred by many Asian countries, including Korea. There is also a tribute inscribed on a jade book. In the 10 pages of jade panel, a golden inscription praises King Taejo’s accomplishments in 44 verses. Bestowing such a title was aimed to remember the deceased king and his civil virtues. It also reaffirmed the legitimacy of his dynasty. The seal and the book are on permanent display at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul. ■ Photos courtesy of National Palace Museum of Korea

by the actual curriculum, but rather by

Hamburg.

pret Korean developments against the back-

Gold Seal and Jade Investiture Book of King Taejo

On the other hand, with German universities experiencing severe financial problems,

kinds of cultural events. ■ (Source: Korean Foundation Newsletter)

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 37

CULTURE

Korea’s UNESCO Heritage Sites (6)

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

Dongbuk (Northeast) Gongshimdon Gate

Hwahongmun, one of the four gates of Hwaseong Fortress

E

ntering Suwon city, the capital of Gyeonggi-do, one can see the soaring North Gate and the long fortress that stems from it. Hwaseong, or “The Brilliant Fortress,” was designated as a World Heritage site in 1997 by UNESCO for its historical significance and unique architectural style. Hwaseong was completed in 1796 under the reign of King Jeongjo (17761800) of the Joseon Dynasty. He was the son of Prince Sado, who was or38 KOREA AUGUST 2008

dered to die in a rice chest by his father, King Yeongjo (1724-1776). The fortress was designed and built by Jeong Yak-yong, an architect and the leader of the “practical learning” (Silhak) movement. It realized King Jeongjo’s wish to honor and house the remains of his father. Historical evidence shows that King Jeongjo wanted to move the capital from Seoul to Suwon by building this fortress. Suwon, for a long time, has been an important strategic point

Seobuk (Northwest) Gongshimdon Gate

as the city connects Seoul with the Yellow Sea and China. The fortress encompasses 5.7 kilometers and the walls are 4 to 7 meters tall. The fortress was built to have a defensive wall in mind and a town center for its citizens. It has 48 facilities, including four gates that marked the entrance of old Suwon city. Hwaseong was one of the most innovative constructions of the Joseon Dynasty. It was strongly influenced by the Silhak movement, which encour-

aged the use of scientific knowledge and modern ideas. It was built using both western and eastern construction technologies, such as pulleys, cranes and bricks. These things made the fortress more distinctive than other Korean and Asian fortresses. The construction process was recorded in detail in a document published in 1800. The details include the amount of materials and manpower used, the workers’ wages, plans and

course of action. The documents came in handy when the fortress was reconstructed after the Korean War. Today, the fortress serves as an education center and a stage for historical performances. For more information, visit its multilingual website at www.hs.suwon.ne.kr. ■

How to Get There Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is easily accessible from Seoul by public transportation. Take the subway to Suwon Station on line No. 1 and take a bus or taxi to Paldalmun Gate.

(Photos courtesy of Suwon Hwaseong Management Foundation)

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 39

CULTURE

Attractive Stars Lead Hallyu in Indonesia BY EVI MARIANI DEPUTY EDITOR FOR THE JAKARTA POST

I

t all started with a TV drama series “Winter Sonata.” In 2002, one of Indonesia’s TV stations aired the series, introducing one of Korea’s cultural products to a wide public in this part of the world. Later on, another TV station, Indosiar — which specializes in Asian dramas from Japan, Taiwan and Korea — aired about a dozen Korean dramas. The latest favorite was “Princess Hours” in 2006. “The ratings are not constant. It depends on the drama. When we air a TV drama that is very popular in Korea, the ratings of Korean dramas subsequently rise above other Asian dramas,” Gufron, a public relations officer at Indosiar, said. Gufron said the highest ratings in Indosiar are received by local reality shows, followed by local TV dramas. Asian dramas came fifth after featurelength movies produced for TV and music programs. Among Asian dramas, Korean dramas’ ratings fluctuate, depending on the popularity of each series being aired at a certain time. “We now air reruns of the Korean drama ‘Full House.’ Many viewers

asked for reruns,” Gufron said. “We have bought some new series. We’re holding them for now. Right now our leading Asian drama is from Taiwan.” Korean dramas’ popularity might not be as huge as local TV series or reality TV. However, Korean cultural products have gained certain fans, mostly girls and young women. Many fans say they love Korean products because they were bored with products from the West. Indonesia has always been open to foreign cultural products, mostly from the United States and Western Europe. Indian, Taiwanese and Hong Kong products have also gained their own fans in the country, but Korean cultural products started gaining attention early this century. “I like Korean pop music, TV dramas and movies because I’m tired of music from the West and Indonesia. I wanted something different and it turned out Korean music works for me,” a fan of Korean music, Lia, said. Another fan, Celcilia Ros, said she loves Korean movies and dramas because she finds that Korean lifestyles are closer to Indonesian culture than

(From left) Samulnori performance in Jakarta, Indonesians visit Korean Cultural Center in Jakarta

40 KOREA AUGUST 2008

other Asian countries. “From the way they talk, to their food, they are close to Indonesian culture. We joke about it: Their ancestors were probably of Padang descent,” Celcilia said. Padang, a city in West Sumatra, is famous for its spicy dishes. Meanwhile, a Korean movie buff, Shanne, also known on the internet as Blue Sunflower, said she liked Korean movies because she was bored with Hollywood movies. “I love seeing the beautiful images and cinematography of K-movies. The plot also makes sense. Perhaps it’s because Korea and Indonesia are both Asian countries. There is a similar approach and tradition in handling issues,” Shanne said. She continued: “The endings are sometimes thought provoking, at the same level with Hollywood or European movies. Compared to Japanese or Hong Kong movies, Korean movies are more beautiful.” In particular, Korean cultural products gain the most attention from women in Indonesia, who generally like the appearance of Korean actors.

Actor Kwon Sang-woo

“If we are asked what we like about Korean dramas, most of us would say the boys,” said Celcilia, adding she loved Korean dramas the most. However, the interests extend to other things — like Korean technology, food, traditional culture and the country itself. The growth of Hallyu in Indonesia is connected to the growing popularity of other Asian cultural products in the country. The Taiwanese TV drama “Meteor Garden” paved the way for East Asian penetration to the hearts of many Indonesian women. The men, on the other hand, seemed to be more indifferent than their female cohorts, although there are some Korean movies that attracted both women and men, like the popular movie, “My Wife is a Gangster.” Regarding Japanese products, manga (illustrated books) and anime attract the interests of a broad section of Indonesians — children, teenagers and adults. Japanese dramas and movies have been replaced by products from Korea and Taiwan.

Among Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean cultural products, Koreans are the most recent to enter the market. Consequently, most fans of Korean products were first fans of Japanese or Taiwanese products. Many of them still like all Asian products, but some have grown more focused on Korean goods. The fans said they like Korean dramas and movies because they showed both sides of tradition and modernity. “They still uphold their traditional culture and customs, despite their modernized country. That’s what makes Korean products attractive to me. We can see it through their TV dramas, where their cultural values are upheld. Perhaps it’s a bit different with Japan’s current generation, who seems to have been lost - as indicated by lifestyles portrayed in dramas,” a fan, Yui Chan, said. Fans who love Korean products subsequently have a desire to see Korea. Several interviewed fans of Korean cultural products said they had gone to Korea, others who haven’t expressed hope that they would someday

make the trip. Those who had the chance to go said their visit was at least partly prompted because of their passion for Korean cultural products. Lanny Tricya, was one such avid fan. Before she went to Korea, she said: “I rewatched Bae Yong-joon’s “Winter Sonata,” memorizing all the beautiful scenes. I bought five woolen shawls, a neutral-colored sweater, and an overcoat in a boutique.” Spending six winter days in the country, Lanny asked the tour guide to show her locations where the “Winter Sonata” scenes were taken. Taking about 150 pictures, of which 70 were taken at drama locations, Lanny then added captions that indicated the location and in which episode of the drama it appeared. “I like Korean dramas. I have posters, soundtrack records, ‘Polaris necklace’ and more,” Lanny said. In 2005, Korean dramas had already gained much popularity. Besides being aired on TV, fans could watch AUGUST 2008 KOREA 41

CULTURE

dramas by renting videos from rental stores. For example, to rent “Full House,” the most popular video in 2005, one had to go on a waiting list. A marketing officer at a rental store in Jakarta said in that year, Korean dramas were more popular than Taiwanese dramas. However, Indosiar’s Gufron said that no Korean dramas ever beat the popularity of Taiwan’s “Meteor Garden,” which is the most popular Asian drama ever in the country. Once the hype about “Meteor Garden” subsided, Korean TV dramas have competed almost head-to-head with Taiwanese dramas here. Hallyu in Indonesia is concentrated on TV dramas, while pop music and big-screen movies have yet to make a significant presence here. Apart from TV stations, the availability of Korean cultural products through legal means is not high, however. Pop music and movies are still rarely seen on Indonesian TV. So far, only one band, Paran, has ever come to Indonesia. There was no hype, no screaming girls and no glitzy limousines — especially when compared to the huge hype created during the Taiwanese F4 visit six years ago. Large commercial cinemas in Indonesia also rarely screen Korean feature-length movies, save for “My Wife is a Gangster” and “My Sassy Girl.” Meanwhile, fans of Korean pop music said they mostly get the songs by illegally downloading them. One of the major challenges facing Korean producers is piracy in Indonesia. In the last two years, piracy has dominated the distribution of Korean cultural products. Along with other cultural products from the United States, Europe, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, products from Korea are also on any pirated-DVD vendor’s menu. On bootleg vendor said that Korean dramas take up about 40 percent of all dramas he has in stock. “We have two 42 KOREA AUGUST 2008

The fans said they like Korean dramas and movies because they showed both sides of tradition and modernity. rows here for Korean dramas, two rows for Taiwanese, and one row for Japanese,” a vendor said, pointing to rows of DVDs in shoe boxes. A fan of Korean dramas and movies could enter any pirated-DVD shop in the city and ask for the most popular current Korean drama and have no problem finding it. Korean TV executives have mostly been the primary marketers of Korean cultural products in Indonesia. In 2005, they came to Jakarta to market their products, toting sneak peaks of dramas, cartoons and documentaries as well as business commodities. The visit to Jakarta was a part of the program called Korea TV Showcase 2005, which continued to Thailand and India. Putting a nice touch on the marketing attempt, the Korean Broadcasting Commission appointed one of the country’s TV stars to carry the mission to expand Korea’s charm.

Twenty-four-year-old Kim Jaewon, who has starred in 12 TV dramas and movies, went to the three countries to help promote Korean programs as honorary ambassador for the TV Korea Showcase 2005. “The grand mission is to introduce things about South Korea to the world. The particular mission is to introduce Korean dramas to the world,” Kim said in the press conference for the program. Outside the press conference room, dozens of girls waited for the actor, holding posters with endearing statements for the actor. That was 2005. Three years later, the situation has not changed much. The concentration is still on TV dramas, not so much on music and movies. Although the affection that some Indonesian fans hold for Korean music and movies has not quite reached the hype stage, there is a general support base. Some even make blogs to share their fondness for Korean cultural products. Besides the blogs and the mailing lists, there are several internet forums discussing Korean movies, dramas and pop music. Many fans are indeed young women who always tend to be at the forefront of trends. “My references are certainly from the internet, especially from Soompi (www.soompi.com). I also get information from forums. On Star Asia Village we share info about the newest movies, music and dramas,” Lila said. Discussions often show that the fans develop a certain feeling for Korean cultural products that they could distinguish from other East Asian products. “The last reason for loving them: All the boys are handsome. Korean faces are delicious. Different from Mandarin faces,” Cinthia said. ■

‘Sikgaek’ Offers Culinary Journey for Korean Tastes BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

T

he 24-episode drama “Sikgaek” is enjoying popularity, stimulating the appetite of TV audience around the country. Based on Hur Young-man’s popular comic series of the same name, the film version of the series, titled “Le Grand Chef,” was also a huge hit when it was released last year. In the drama, a culinary genius dreams of becoming the best chef in the country. Korean Wave star Kim Rae-won plays the leading role, Sungchan, and Kwon Oh-jung plays his rival, Bong-ju. A beautiful restaurant manager and a food magazine journalist, played by actress Kim So-yun and Nam Sang-mi, form a love triangle, raising the tension. While the film version focused more on the fierce cooking competitions between two main characters, the drama looks for the essence of Korean cuisine, showing Sung-chan scouring the countryside to find the best cooking ingredients. Keen media interest in and out of the country is also being paid to the drama. Unlike the TV show “Daejanggum,” where a female chef cooks

for the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty, “Sikgaek” shows more common Korean cuisine. Recent episodes featured hanwoo, or Korean beef, competitions, introducing how high-quality Korean cows are raised, slaughtered and cooked. Amid raging controversy over the resumption of U.S. beef imports into Korea, many viewers watched the episodes with interest. “The reason why good hanwoo is more expensive than imported beef is explained in our drama. Because the production process is seen in detail, I hope the drama to be helpful for hanwoo consumption,” Kim Rae-won told reporters during a news conference. Nam Sang-mi, who plays a feisty journalist in the drama, added, “The whole experience, traveling around Korea, feels like a photo album.” Aired by local broadcaster SBS, the drama continues until the end of August. ■

(Photos courtesy of Korean Cultural Center in Jakarta) AUGUST 2008 KOREA 43

The Korea Herald

CULTURE

Japanese tourists look at the maedeup pieces displayed at the Donglim Korean Maedeup Museum in Seoul

Shim Young-mi Knots Art and Life Together with Silk Threads BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

T

raditional knotting artist Shim Young-mi, 62, is shy of shaking hands. Even though she meets many people thanks to her reputation, she dislikes exposing her hands, which reveal her 40 years of knotting work. “I hate to show my ugly hands to other people. My fingertips are cracked and pigments are soaked in the cuts,” she said covering her hands. Nowadays maedeup, or the traditional Korean art of decorative knotting, is known to be created by the deft hands of female artists. But those who worked in the early days of the knotting art were mostly male because the work was a physically difficult process.

44 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Shim also learned the knotting skills from her father-in-law and husband. “At that time, every process was done by hand. We had to dye silk threads with natural pigments, twist the threads into strings and knot the strings,” she said. “It wasn’t easy for me to endure the physical pain, but I have never thought of quitting the job. I’m still fascinated by the beauty of Korean knotting.” Her father-in-law Yu Cheon-man acquired knotting skills from his aunt, who was working in the palace during the Joseon Dynasty, the heyday of Korean knotting art. Then Yu settled in Gwanghui-dong, Seoul, which was

The Korea Herald

Traditional decorative knotting artist Shim Young-mi shows a modernized maedeup piece

Maedeup pieces

called “Maedeup Village” because many knotting artists and vendors were living together in the 1960s. Shim, who was in her early 20s, sometimes partook in knotting work just for fun at Yu’s workshop. She helped make small knotting accessories such as norigae, worn with hanbok, and evening bags. Yu often praised Shim’s dexterity and let her do more difficult jobs. “You know the old saying ‘You can judge the whole by a part.’ He approved my hand skills and praised my personality. Then he introduced me to his third son, who was also helping his father’s work,” Shim said. At the age of 27, she married Yu Mu-woong and formally received instruction in knotting from her fatherin-law. The family struggled to make ends meet — like most knotting artists — because Korean maedeup was not fully recognized as an art form at that time. To make matters worse, the family business worsened as customers broke off business connections after the death of her father-in-law. They had to seek clients in other regions, and ironically, this strategy brought in success for the business, making her and her maedeup pieces known across the country. Shim

launched the brand “Donglim Maedeup,” which is also her pen name. In 1988, when her workshop provided knotting pieces used for official Seoul Olympics souvenirs, Shim herself earned wide recognition both at home and abroad. “My father-in-law started knotting to make a living. And so did I. I didn’t expect Korean maedeup would be recognized as a precious art and tradition, as it is today,” Shim said. After holding exhibitions in France, the Netherlands and Belgium, she has organized a regular exhibition every year with neighboring countries. The rotating exhibition is aimed at introducing knotting pieces of Korea, Taiwan and Japan and encouraging each country’s traditional art through mutual understanding. In 2004, Seoul City entrusted to her a museum specializing in Korean maedeup, called “Donglim Korean Maedeup Museum.” Located in Bukchon Village, where traditional Korean houses are well preserved, the museum shows colorful maedeup pieces and also their more-modernized versions. As her knotting works appeared in some popular TV dramas, such as “Gung” and “Hwang Jin-i,” portraying AUGUST 2008 KOREA 45

The Korea Herald

The Korea Herald

CULTURE

Modern maedeup accessories

“I still adhere to the traditional way of making knotting works. But I also encourage young people to try new and modern things, but not to the extent that tradition is ignored,” Shim said. 46 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Harmony in Knotting

M

aedeup, a traditional knotting art, is characterized by the harmony of three main parts: string (kkeunmok), knotting (maedeup) and tassel (sul). The kkeunmok is made by twisting several silk threads together that have been dyed with natural pigments, the knotting, the main part of a maedeup piece is knotted with two strands into various symmetrical patterns and shapes, and a tassel at the end hanging down creates the final touch. The knotting process begins by bending the middle of a string to divide it into two parts of the same length, tying knots with both parts of

the string to form a symmetrical pattern. Unlike Japanese and Western knotting, which use tweezers and hands, Korean knotting artists use an awl to tighten knots to keep them from loosening. Another distinguishing characteristic of Korean knotting art is that a maedeup piece is made of just one string, whose three-dimensional knotting begins and ends at the same point. Macrame, the Western knotting technique, is created by several strings with two-dimensional patterns. Maedeup is considered to have peaked during the Joseon Dynasty. Decorative forms of maedeup were

used for special occasion. At that time, people decorated lanterns that were hung under the eavesdrops of houses to herald celebratory events, flowered palanquins that brides rode in on their wedding day, musical instruments that were played for ceremonies or religious services, and biers for carrying the dead during funerals. Most patterns produced by knotting pieces are copied from both natural and household objects, as well as animals and insects. While Japanese knotting artists try to represent real objects perfectly, Koreans display the patterns more abstractly. ■ Colorful silk maedeup strings

The Korea Herald

Shim works on twisting silk threads into a string

Korea’s modern royal family and the most famous female entertainer during the Joseon Dynasty respectively, the museum also has become a popular tourist spot for non-Korean visitors. Even though Shim is now satisfied with her life, she doesn’t want her children to take over the family tradition. When her daughter-in-law said she wanted to learn knotting skills, Shim didn’t permit her even to touch maedeup pieces. “I didn’t want her to experience the physical pain that I suffered,” she said. Despite Shim’s strong opposition, Park Jin-young, her daughter-in-law, acquired the skills by secretly receiving instruction from another artist. “I couldn’t persuade her and now she is my best apprentice. It took some time to change her self-educated knotting style,” Shim said with smile. “I’m enthusiastically supporting my daughter-in-law, who is studying cultural heritage conservation at a university. Even though I feel confident about my knotting skills, I know academic studies need to be undertaken to further develop the tradition,” she said. Due to cheap and roughly-made knotting pieces from China, the demand for traditional maedeup pieces has decreased recently. “I still adhere to the traditional way of making knotting works. But I also encourage young people to try new and modern things, but not to the extent that tradition is ignored,” she said. ■

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 47

FOOD

Kimchi

A

meal without kimchi is unthinkable for most Koreans. Despite being fermented all winter long, the cabbage leaves used for this common dish stay fresh and crispy. Moreover, by being rich in seasoning and having a spicy yet sweet taste, kimchi adds a savory flavor to all types of food and is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. However, kimchi is not just a flavorful dish, it also contains numerous healthful properties, including being rich in vitamins, aiding digestion, and possibly being helpful in preventing various types of cancers. The Korean spirit is embedded in kimchi, and the care and devotion it takes to make this tasty dish is an embodiment of the soul of the entire country.

A Thousand-Year-Old Tradition

Tongbaechu Kimchi

Nabak Kimchi

Baek Kimchi

Oisobagi

Dongchimi

Chonggak Kimchi

Bossam Kimchi

Kkakdugi

Tongbaechu kimchi (Chinese

The primary ingredients of

Red pepper powder is not an in-

Oisobagi (stuffed cucumber kim-

Dongchimi (watery radish kimchi)

Chonggak kimchi (whole radish

Bossam kimchi (wrapped kimchi)

Kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi), a

cabbage kimchi) is the most

Nabak kimchi (radish water kim-

gredient in Baek kimchi (white

chi) is made with various season-

is made, using radishes that are

kimchi) is made from small

is made by adding pears, mus-

bite-sized cube of white radish, is

common kimchi in Korea. It is

chi) are radishes and cabbages.

kimchi), instead it is marinated in

ings, that are stuffed in cucum-

pickled in salt. It is placed in a

turnips with a lot of red pepper

sels, chestnuts and dates to kim-

easy to make and goes well with

usually made during winter and is

It is usually made during the ear-

salt. This causes the cabbage to

bers marinated in salt and is

crock and buried in the ground.

powder and seasoning. This kim-

chi seasoning. It is wrapped in a

soups and casseroles, such as

included in every Korean meal.

ly months of spring and is popu-

release a refreshing juice during

known for its refreshing broth.

People enjoy its brisk taste.

chi does not sour easily, even

cabbage leaf and served in a

seolleongtang (ox bone soup) or

lar for its cold and invigorating

its fermentation process.

during summer.

bundle.

haejangguk (a spicy soup for

broth.

hangovers). Source: Korea Tourism Organization

48 KOREA AUGUST 2008

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 49

Yonhap

Yonhap

TRAVEL

Coast of Taean, Chungcheongnam-do

T

he worst oil spill in Korea’s history hit the West Coast in December last year. The waters and coasts of Taean, once a popular summer vacation spot in Chungcheongnam-do, were covered with 12,000 tons of crude oil from a supertanker. It seemed an impossible dream for the local residents to go back to their previous daily lives. But thanks largely to the hard work of volunteers and local residents, the

West Coast Recovering from Oil Spill

cleanup of the coastal areas is making considerable progress and Mallipo Beach reopened on June 27, the first among the 32 beaches in the affected areas. The reopening comes less than seven months after the oil-spill disaster. A special festival was prepared by the culture ministry and the local government aimed not only at celebrating the opening, but also at appreciating the efforts of over 1 million volunteers

that gathered from across the nation to help in the recovery. Starting with the opening of Mallipo Beach, 31 other beaches are also stepping up efforts to attract vacationers this summer season. Under the slogan of “Dancing Sea! Taean,” various festivals are being planned to be held in early August. The programs include music performances, magic shows and beach film festivals. ■

The Korea Herald

Volunteer workers help clean coastal areas affected by the worst oil spill in Korean history

50 KOREA AUGUST 2008

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 51

Yonhap Yonhap

TRAVEL

Tourism Leaders Converge in Busan BY KIM KYU-HEONG KOREA HERALD STAFF WRITER

T

Various festivals and events attract summer vacationers to the West Coast

52 KOREA AUGUST 2008

he top representatives of the Far East’s tourism industries met in June as part of the third KoreaChina-Japan Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, which was held at Busan’s APEC House. The meeting began on a somber note with a moment of silence dedicated to the victims of the recent earthquakes in China and Japan. “Natural disasters of course affect the tourism industry,” said Shao Qiwei, China’s Minister of Tourism. “But we are attempting to put tourism at the center, or at least a significant part, of the rebuilding process.” Discussion regarding the state of tourism in post-earthquake Sichuan, China and northeastern Japan were among the topics as bilateral talks officially began on June 11. On the next day, the three ministers met for the third time in as many years. The first such meeting was in 2006 in Hokkaido, and the 2007 one was in Shanghai. “Korea, China and Japan are not only close, but they also have the same language root of Chinese characters and therefore have a cultural bond,” said Fuyushiba Tetsuzo, the Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. “There is significance in the fact that the three top ministers of our

Tourism ministers of Korea, China and Japan — Yu In-chon, Shao Quiewei and Tetsuzo Fuyushiba (from left) — join hands after signing the Busan Declaration. At far right is Hur Nam-sik, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City

nations can meet each other and talk to each other honestly about issues.” On June 23, the ministers worked out and signed the Busan Declaration. Among the fourteen points in the declaration, there was special emphasis on the development of renewable and environmentally friendly tourist attractions. “The three countries have pledged to abide by the international concern with the environment and will take into account global climate change, which has been a concern of late,” said Yu In-chon, Korea’s minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. They did not, however, mention any specific means to attain this goal. That was left to the meeting of tourism officials, who held a one-day forum at the Busan Exposition and Convention Center. “We live in a world today where nations must unite and cooperate. We

saw from Europe the development achieved by their cooperation, and that is something that we need to learn from,” said Shin Joong-mok, CEO of the Korean Tourism Association, at the forum’s commencement. While the meeting between the ministers was a more symbolic event, anticipating the future of cooperation among the tourism ministries, the BEXCO forum addressed more practical issues, and focused on the current state of tourism. “I hope that, through this meeting of tourism representatives, we can solve specific problems within the tourism industry,” said Nakamura Doru, CEO of the Japan National Tourist Organization. Among the issues the forum addressed in its six presentations — two by each nation — were the cultural difficulties which tourists experience in the other two nations. ■ AUGUST 2008 KOREA 53

The Korea Herald

Fashion designer Andre Kim (center) stands with actor Kim Rae-won (right) and Lee So-yeon during his fashion show’s finale in May

Korea’s First Male Fashion Designer

Andre Kim The Korea Herald

BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

K

Models walk the runway during Andre Kim’s fashion show

54 KOREA AUGUST 2008

im Bong-nam, more widely known as Andre Kim, was born to rural farmers in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, in 1935. Graduating from the Kukje Fashion Design Academy, Kim opened “Salon Andre” in central Seoul in 1962 at the age of 27, becoming Korea’s first male fashion designer. In 1966 he held a fashion show in Paris, a first for a Korean fashion designer. Later he had fashion shows in New York, Washington, Barcelona, Cairo, Sydney and Beijing. He was named as the chief designer for the 1981 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant and in 1988 he designed the uniforms of the Korean athletes for the Seoul

Olympic Games. In 1997 he was presented with the Presidential Culture and Art Medal for his contribution to the fashion industry. In 2003 he was awarded Italy’s Cultural Merit Award and was elected as UNICEF’s goodwill ambassador. In November 2006, Kim showcased his costumes representing the beauty of Korea at Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Cambodia. The show titled “Fashion Fantasia: Angkor Wat” is the first of its kind ever held with the ancient temple as a backdrop. His distinctive designs are represented by the bold, rich colors and motifs of Asian patterns including large roses, birds and tree branches. Kim always wears all-white outfits, which is said to be his favorite color. Once American pop star Michael Jackson asked him to be his personal designer but he declined the proposal, saying “his clothes were for everyone.” For the 73-year-old fashion designer, who still holds almost 20 fashion shows a year, a fashion show is not just about introducing new collections, it is an artistic performance showing off fashion and sophistication. His choice of classics as background music makes for an elegant and dramatic mood and white-toned settings bring out the unusual colors of his designs. The highlight of his fashion shows is the final stage, featuring white suits and wedding dresses romantically embellished with Kim’s symbolic designs. The wedding dress show is particularly renowned for starring famous Korean celebrities. Walking down the catwalk dressed in the designer’s clothes is widely considered a great honor for a Korean celebrity and for young actors the stage is a huge opportunity to be recognized to the public. Based on connections with top celebrities, Kim holds an award ceremony called “Andre Kim Best Star Awards,” to honor pop stars or cultural figures who are considered to contribute to the cultur-

al development of Korea. With many top profile celebrities attending the ceremony, the media in and out of the country pay keen attention to the star-studded shows. Since 2001, the designer has ventured into the fashion license business, lending his name to such varied products as a lingerie line, eye wear, golf wear, cosmetics and children’s wear. ■

Andre Kim showcases his costumes at Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia in November 2006

The Korea Herald

PEOPLE

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 55

Korean Power behind ‘Kung Fu Panda’ BY YANG SUNG-JIN KOREA HERALD STAFF WRITER

“K

ung Fu Panda,” a recent animated feature from DreamWorks, thrives on its sophisticated cinematography. When the main character named Po suffers a punch, the screen shifts into slow-motion for greater effect. When Po provides a slapstick gag, the camera does not move, allowing the audiences to enjoy the scene as it is. The enhanced techniques have been spearheaded by Jhun Yong-duk, head of layout at DreamWorks — equivalent to cinematographer or director of photography in conventional filmmaking. It was Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer of DreamWorks, who asked Jhun to revamp the cinematography to give “Kung Fu Panda” its seamless and uninterrupted visuals. “One day, I had a breakfast with Mr. Katzenberg, and he told me that “Kung Fu Panda” should be made as a really cinematic film, so I did my homework, for about two months, and then gave a presentation to him about

56 KOREA AUGUST 2008

the cinematic camera technique, and he liked it,” Jhun said in an interview with The Korea Herald. It was a critical and rewarding moment for Jhun because he received not only Katzenberg’s recognition but also got a chance to incorporate his own ideas into a global animated feature — something he had dreamed of when he first set foot in the animation industry. Jhun, 36, was born in Seoul and graduated from the University of Seoul in 1996. He entered Keumkang Communications, an advertising agency and started his work in the design department. But he decided to study in the United States in order to achieve his dream of working in a major animation studio such as DreamWorks and Disney. After graduating from the prestigious School of Visual Arts, he briefly worked at an art studio in New York. In 2001, he moved to Chicago to Big Idea Productions to work as a layout artist, formally starting his career in

the animation industry. But he confronted an unexpected challenge in April 2003 when Big Idea Production went bankrupt following the failure of a major animation project. He frantically sent his portfolio to various animation companies. Fortunately, he got a call from an animation company in New Jersey, notifying an opening for him. And then something unexpected happened. As he was settling in New Jersey, he got a call — this time from DreamWorks. After a telephone interview, DreamWorks hired him, opening up a new career path for Jhun — an animation artist at the very studio he wanted to work for. Jhun worked on various projects at the studio, but “Kung Fu Panda” was special for him because it was his first as head of layout. Working as head of layout for “Kung Fu Panda” was a combination of happenstance and talent. As the project was delayed for longer than expected, the original head of layout moved to Disney. DreamWorks had to find a new layout chief. “I applied for the job, and I stressed that I was born in Korea and I knew a lot about Asian culture and sensibility, and if the company wanted to incorporate Asian culture and include many action scenes, in which I have expertise, I said I would do it better than the others,” he said. The next day, Jhun was told he got the job. Jhun said “Kung Fu Panda,” which took five years to make, showcases not only a very interesting story, but also rich Asian flavors in terms of distinctive visual effects and angles. Jhun, who is now working on “Shrek 4,” said the new installment of the Shrek franchise will be dramatically different. “The new Shrek film is being produced as a three-dimensional feature that will require audiences to use stereoscopes, so it will come as a very new movie,” he said. ■

Heir of the Last Royal Family Becomes Ceramic Artist BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

T Yi Jin

Ju Gallery

Jhun Yong-duk

Yonhap

Yonhap

PEOPLE

Yi’s ceramic works

he Korean media paid keen attention to a recent exhibition of a rookie ceramic artist. The artist’s attempt to apply graffiti to Korean traditional porcelain was a new approach, but the attention was more about the artist Yi Jin, 32, who is the great-granddaughter of the nation’s last Emperor Gojong. Her father Yi Seok, professor of history at Jeonju University in Jeollabuk-do, is a son of Prince Yi Gang, the fifth son of Gojong. Currently Yi Seok is one of two pretenders to the throne and the only one living in Korea. During the exhibition held at a gallery in southern Seoul from May 11 to 17, Yi showed her 50 ceramic works under the theme of “Clay, Energy, Graffiti and Communication.” “New energy (graffiti) is poured into traditional porcelain,” she told a local media outlet. “I want to communicate with people around the world through the messages expressed on the surface of ceramics.” She shunned questions related to her tragic family history, sensing too much attention paid to it. While her older sister Yi Hong is an actress who appeared in several dramas and TV commercials, it was the first time Yi exposed herself to the public. While studying art management at the Graduate School of Kyung Hee University, she was fascinated by ceramic art during her trip to Europe. Then she reentered the department of

ceramic art at the university in 2004 and graduated this year. She also learned traditional porcelain techniques under the tutelage of Hobong Jang-Song-mo. Two years ago, with the popularity of the TV drama “Gung (Princess Hours)” featuring modern Korea under a constitutional monarchy, some people launched on-line campaigns to revive the nation’s royal family. “The social system has already changed dramatically. But we can restore it in an artistic way. That’s why I’m working for the Royal Family Culture Foundation,” she told Chosun Ilbo, a local vernacular daily newspaper. She is working as a committee member for an art competition sponsored by the Royal Family Culture Foundation, which was established aimed at preserving the royal culture and promoting it to the world. After her next exhibition, scheduled for the end of this year, she is planning to study in the United States to get an MBA. Pressured by growing influences of neighboring countries, the King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty declared the Korean Empire in 1897 and assumed the title emperor in order to assert Korea’s independence. But during the Japanese colonial rule, Emperor Gojong was poisoned to death in 1919. The death of Imperial Crown Prince Uimin in 1955 is generally considered as the end of the royal family. ■ AUGUST 2008 KOREA 57

Yonhap

PEOPLE

Haliun, her husband Park Tae-soon and their daughter Park Ta-na

The new version of the musical “Dream-

But this project will be a good start for a

girls” will be co-produced by Korean

Korean musical company to reach out

and U.S. production teams and will pre-

the world market, someday with its own

miere in Seoul next year.

creation, Shin explained.

Premiered on Broadway in 1981, the

“Instead of doing a Korean version of

show traces a girl’s dream to be a pop

a licensed musical, we decided to par-

star. In 2006, it was widely recognized

ticipate in the whole process of making

through its film version, starring

the new production of the global musi-

American diva Beyonce as the leading

cal,” said Shin, 41, who is well known

role.

for his previous successful remakes of

While there was a rush of inquiries

Along with Shin and Breglio, Henry Krieger, who wrote the music for both

A Mongolian-born woman becomes Korea’s first

the show, accepted a co-production

the original musical and the movie, and

ever naturalized citizen working as a state immi-

proposal of Shin Chun-soo, head of OD

Robert Longbottom, choreographer

gration official. Haliun, 32, who passed the state

Musical Company Co.

and producer on Broadway is to take

exam on July 3, started working at the ministry

part in the new production as well.

from mid July.

East Asia, Korea could work out well as

In the new production, the song “Lis-

She applied in June to a special category for

home base because there was enor-

ten,” which was newly featured in the

applicants with foreign language skills, and took

mous interest and an active market in-

movie, is to be added, along with new

the annual ninth-grade civil service exam. The

dustry,” Breglio said at a news confer-

tunes.

ninth grade is the lowest level, but it is extremely

In Korea, licensed Broadway musicals are favored by local theater-goers.

A

58 KOREA AUGUST 2008

the age of 19 at Marischal College, Aberdeen, Scotland in 1717. According to her parents, who are living with her in Seoul, she started reading at eight months. Sabur entered State University at Stony Brook in 1999 at the age of 10 and graduated in 2003 with a degree in applied mathematics. She doesn’t think her age will be much of an issue with her Korean students, who have grown up in a country where respect for elders is considered an important virtue. “I think that there is also a lot of respect for professors and people in authority (in Korea),” she said at a news conference held at Konkuk University. The school said that it has a one-

year contract with Sabur. As her research achievements are superb, she is expected to be an inspiration to her students. Starting from September, she will begin her official courses teaching cell science to students of the Graduate School Department of Advanced Technology Fusion at the university. “Although my intellectual talent is a gift from God, it’s nothing special given that every person has their own talent,” she said, “I want to use my talent in a good way to help others.” Sabur is also a musical prodigy with the clarinet and hopes to exhibit her skills in Korea. “I’m hoping that there might some good opportunities while I’m here to play with some good Korean musicians,” she said. ■

Mancha.”

Productions, who had the license for

ence in Seoul on July 1.

19-year-old professor started lecturing at a university in Seoul on June 19. Even though it happened during mid-term exams at Konkuk University, a lot of students gathered at a campus hall to attend the first lecture by Alia Sabur, American intellectual prodigy. “I can’t recognize her young age. The lecture was great and her attitude was very calm,” said a Konkuk student. In February, Sabur, then 18, was named a full-time professor at Konkuk University, becoming the world’s youngest professor — officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. She broke the 300-year-old record by Colin Maclaurin, who became a professor of mathematics at

“Jekyll and Hyde” and “Man of La

Breglio, chairman of Vienna Waits

“I thought that to stage the show in

Alia Sabur speaks during a news conference held at Konkuk University in Seoul

Woman from Mongolia Passes Civil Service Exam

Starting with its Seoul premiere in

competitive because of the job security it entails.

March 2009, “Dreamgirls” will tour the

“Haliun’s case marks a good opportunity to

United States at the end of the year. ■

give hope to other naturalized Koreans. The Justice Ministry will do its utmost to cultivate a Yonhap

World’s Youngest Professor Teaches in Korea

about the musical remake, John F.

The Justice Ministry

New Musical ‘Dreamgirls’ to Stage in Seoul

society in which Korean nationals and expatriates can live together with respect for each other,” said the ministry in a press release. Haliun came to Korea in 2000 to study after graduating from the Korean language department at the National University of Mongolia. She earned her master’s degree in economics from Sangmyung University and married a Korean man in 2004. She became a naturalized citizen in March. The written exam given June 15 involves Korean history, international law and a foreign language of the applicant’s choice. Out of 450 applicants, 89 passed the written exam. Of those, 55 passed the final interview round.

Shin Chun-soo (left) poses with John F. Breglio, chairman of Vienna Waits Productions, at a news conference in Seoul

Nineteen naturalized Koreans applied for the first time to the foreign language section, which was first administered in 2005. Of them, only Haliun passed the exam. ■

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 59

EVENTS

PIFF

Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival

The opening film “Waltz with Bashir” (top) The closing film “Cyborg She”

60 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Hanstyle Expo 2008

T

he 12th annual Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival was held from July 18 to 27, showcasing 25 films from 39 countries. Last year, films were shown from 33 countries. Festival films were introduced in various categories such as World Fantastic Cinema, Forbidden Zone, and Family Fanta. More specialized sections were also new to the program, such as one title, “The Rebellious: Asian Action Special” which featured eight films from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and the Middle East. The opening film this year was “Waltz with Bashir,” an Israeli film by Ari Folman, which was also featured as a competition piece at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. In this autobiographical documentary animation, Ari embarks on a journey to remember his experiences in the Israeli army two decades ago. The festival’s closing film was a Korean and Japanese collaboration titled “Cyborg She,” directed by Korean filmmaker Kwak Jae-young. Kwak is most well-known for “My Sassy Girl” (2001), and once again brings his comedic yet poignant touch to the screen. A new program titled the Network of Asian Fantastic Films was also introduced during the festival. As the product of five years’ worth of planning, the program is an initiative taken by the festival committee to strengthen the place of genre films worldwide and in the hearts of mainstream audiences. Another program was the “It Project.” The project focuses on a different country and genre of film each year, and then run workshops to train filmmakers in that particular style. This year the project showcased 19 Chinese action movies. These new projects are considered to be crucial to the festival’s growing reach and reputation as an international forum or genre filmmakers and artists. For more information, visit www.pifan.com. ■

Various traditional cultural performances are delivered during the Hanstyle Expo from July 31 to Aug. 3

H

anstyle Expo was held from July 31 to Aug. 3 with the aim of promoting Korea’s traditional culture and its industrialization. Initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this year’s event was the second, following the Han Brand Expo in 2006. Focused on six main traditional cultures including Korean language, food, housing, clothes and music, cultural events and business programs attracted related companies both at home and abroad. Four main programs included “Hanstyle Gallery,” featuring six traditional cultural sectors; “Business Complex,” for the marketing of participating companies; “Business

Garden,” which supports seminars and interaction between Korean and foreign companies; and “Playground,” providing an information center and coffee lounge for the convenience of participants. Jang Hwa-yoon, head of the exhibition’s organizing committee, said, “Business programs are more enhanced this year. We have made efforts for participating companies to

get business through the exhibition.” Participation by local governments was also active. Jeonju, which has promoted the city’s high-quality Korean paper, also took part in the event with other companies in Jeollabuk-do. The local government of Jeollanam-do, home of the famous bibimbab, joined the food section. Recreational events were also prepared for visitors and participating companies to better enjoy Korea’s traditional culture. A hanbok fashion show presented the beauty of Korean traditional clothes and traditional music performances created a festive mood for the event. For more information, visit www.hanstyleexpo.com. ■ AUGUST 2008 KOREA 61

EVENTS Participants watch a presentation at the 18th International Congress of Linguists at Korea University in Seoul on July 21

Two Koreas Unite at

Taekwondo Festival

A participant from New Zealand demonstrates taekwondo breaking skills

62 KOREA AUGUST 2008

T

he 10th World Taekwondo Festival opened in the first week of July from July 1 to 6. The annual event, hosted by Chung Cheong University and managed by the Organizing Committee of the World Taekwondo Festival, was held on the campus of the school in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. Over 3,000 Taekwondo practitioners, one third of them from some 60 countries, showed off their skills during the festival. Also, it was the first time that competitors from the South Korea-based World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and North Korea-based International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) participated together under this year’s slogan “We are one through taekwondo.” To stress the significance of the coming together of the two federations, the first match right after the opening ceremony was one between members of both the WTF and ITF. Just a day before the festival, there was a torch-lighting ceremony followed by a “We are one through taekwondo” music concert and other traditional cultural events from July 2 to 5. The final day featured a two-hour special match between South Korea’s famous practitioners of mixed martial arts and ITF taekwondo competitors. Meanwhile, the farm villages of the nearby Cheongwon region were bustling with guests from abroad, mostly taekwondo competitors and their families experiencing traditional farm culture during the festival. For more information on the taekwondo festival, visit www.tkdfamily.net. ■

Yonhap

Yonhap

BY KIM HEE-SUNG KOREA.NET STAFF WRITER

Language Experts Gather in Seoul

World Congress of Philosophy

BY YANG SUNG-JIN KOREA HERALD STAFF WRITER

The world’s largest gathering of philosophers was held from July 30 to Aug. 5 in Seoul, featuring 2,500 scholars from 150 countries.

T

he 18th International Congress of Linguists ended its six-day run on July 26, with some 1,500 linguists from 70 countries sharing the latest trends and research results in the field. The linguistic congress, the largest international event for language scholars, featured top linguists including Suzanne Romain from Britain, James Pustejovsky from the United States and Grezegorz Dogil from Germany. The Linguistic Society of Korea organized the conference in cooperation with the Permanent International Committee of Linguists. Korea hosted what is called the “Olympics of Linguistics” as the second Asian country to do so after Japan — which hosted the event in Tokyo in 1982. “The linguistic congresses have gradually developed into truly international gatherings,” said Ferenc Kiefer, president of Permanent International Committee of Linguists. “The topics discussed at the congresses, too, reflected the rapid growth of linguistics as a science and its manifold interfaces with psychology, sociology, anthropology, computer science, philosophy and many other disciplines.” The conference, under the theme

“Unity and Diversity of Languages,” offered eight plenary lectures, 10 parallel sessions of designated topics, 19 workshops, and general sessions. More than 800 papers were presented in a way that sheds light on the latest advances in linguistics and related fields. As part of the opening day events, Susan Fischer, professor at University of California, San Diego, gave a special presentation titled “Sign Language East and West” and Jean Aitchison, from Worcester University, England, touched on evolution of language in a lecture titled “Uncovering Language and Evolution.” During the Seoul congress, topnotch linguists and researchers discussed issues including the pressure to achieve unity in world languages in step with globalization while at the same time preserving minority languages. The official languages of the congress are English, French, German and Spanish, but the Seoul gathering allowed for presentations in Korean. The linguistic congress takes place every five years around the world, and the first CIL was held in The Hague, the Netherlands, in 1928. ■

The 22nd World Congress of Philosophy provided a venue for leading philosophers and the general public alike to discuss various issues under the theme of “Rethinking Philosophy Today.” Seoul hosted the conference the first time for an Asian country. The Congress, which was initiated in Paris in 1900, is regarded as the most important gathering of philosophers in the world. About 1,400 papers by scholars from 97 countries were presented. Notable participants from the United

States

include

Fred

Dallmayr, Allan Gibbard, Tim Scanlon, Alvin Goldman, James Pryor, Jason Stanley, and David Chalmer.

Kim

Jae-gwon,

a

renowned Korean philosopher who teaches at Brown University, also joined the conference. Other well-known figures who gave papers include Vittorio Hosle from Germany, Simon Blackburn from Britain, Enrique Dussel from Mexico, Tomonobu Imamichi from Japan and Tu Wei-Ming from China. For more information, check www.wcp2008.or.kr. ■

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 63

BOOKS

Photos Revisit Korean War Just as there are many interpretations of the Korean War, there are

tense curiosity about Koreans. One particular photograph, titled

many different photographs from that period, taken by different peo-

“Two Orphans,” is breathtaking. It shows a young girl of perhaps

ple in different locations, from different perspectives.

seven or eight, with short cropped hair, piggybacking her much

“The Korean War” and “Coreennes” are two such bodies of work,

younger brother. The boy is asleep, oblivious to the fact that his sis-

showing starkly contrasting but similarly moving photographs of the

ter is crying with her mouth open in the middle of an empty field.

war from opposite sides of the 38th Parallel. “The Korean War,” writ-

There is no right way to interpret an event such as the Korean War,

ten in Korean, is a collection of photographs taken by Lim In-sik, a

and therefore, no right way of capturing its effect on film. What’s

military photographer, during the entire length of the Korean War.

most important about these two books is that they do not pretend to

The book features scenes of military and civilian life in the South,

have a holistic vision of the Korean War. Rather, Lim’s panoramic

with excerpts from Lim’s diary and quotations from those who lived

photographs of crumbling cities and crowds of refugees filing to

through the war. Most of the images show the devastation and trau-

board trains have a personal depth that requires a homegrown nos-

ma that the South Koreans underwent during that period.

talgia to truly appreciate. Marker, on the other hand, does not dis-

Taekkyon Author: Kim Joo-hyung Publisher: Ithink Communication Pages: 82 Price: 12,000 won

“Coreennes,” on the other hand, is a collage of photographs and

guise his foreign glance, but his photographs show an increasing ad-

translated writings by French artist Chris Marker. Marker, who was a

miration for the Korean people and their culture. Despite their differ-

stranger to Korean culture, visited North Korea in 1950. Unlike Lim’s

ent perspectives, both Lim and Marker agree on one thing: the

collection, Marker’s photographs show more scenes of everyday life

Korean War destroyed much of Korea as a nation, a race, a culture,

Even though taekkyon is Korea’s oldest tradition-

than those from the war. Marker’s photographs are not dated or

and a dream. ■

al martial arts form, it is not very well-known here,

even titled like Lim’s; instead, he contextualizes them within themes

and is less so elsewhere. “Taekkyon,” by Kim

like ‘Faces,’ ‘Three Women,’ and ‘Sensations.’ He also disperses ex-

Joo-hyung, master of the Gangnam Training

cerpts from plays or poems amongst his images, as well as folk tales

Center, and PR and international director of the

that he hears in the course of his travels.

World Taekkyon Headquarters, is written in

That is not to say Lim’s photographs, by comparison, are cold or

English to not only give both Koreans and non-

objective because they follow a more documentary-like style. His

Koreans a taste of taekkyon’s history and place in

son, Lim Jung-ee, who put his father’s photographs together, adds a

Korea’s culture, but also to allow them to try

humanist touch to the photographs using other primary materials.

taekkyon out for themselves.

For instance, a letter that a soldier wrote to his mother is placed at

Taekkyon dates back to the Goguryeo era, and

the beginning of a chapter on civilians. The soldier expresses his re-

was originally a game for the upper classes. By

morse and regret at having killed other men, and promises his moth-

the Joseon Dynasty, however, the commoners

er that he will be home soon. At the bottom of the letter, the author

regularly put on taekkyon competitions on nation-

inserts a paragraph explaining that the soldier’s body was later found

al holidays. During the Japanese colonial period in

in August 1950, but serious injuries prevented the body from being

the early 20th century, taekkyon teetered on the

identified. The notebook in which the soldier wrote this letter was so

edge of obscurity, until Song Duck-gi, the last

drenched in blood that it was difficult to read.

practitioners of the Joseon dynasty, helped revive

At the same time, “Coreennes” offers something completely dif-

it. Finally, in 1983, taekkyon was acknowledged

ferent in terms of a perspective on the war. While Lim focuses on the

as an Intangible Cultural Asset by the Korean

destruction that occurred as a result of the Korean War, Marker shows life as it used to be in the North. He also sews together differ-

Korean folk talks create a unique tapestry and interpretation of North Korean culture. In a way, by showing what was there before the destruction, Marker shows what was lost because of the war. “Coreennes” features dancers, old men talking in the street, and children performing an impromptu play on the outskirts of a market. By using series formats and close-ups, Marker shows his own in-

64 KOREA AUGUST 2008

Government.

Author: Chris Marker Publisher: Noonbit Pages: 152 Price: 20,000 won

taekkyon, the book features a section in which

In addition to a short historical overview of

ent patches of Korean culture. Paintings, outdated maps, pictures of wares sold in a marketplace, and Marker’s own musings about

Coreennes Korean War Author: Lim In-sik Publisher: Noonbit Pages: 200 Price: 28,000 won

taekkyon moves and procedures are explained and illustrated with photographs. The explanations are simple and methodical, but also cover fighting styles and the sprit of the game. At the end of the section, Kim sets out a trainingprocess table and outline of rules for those who want to practice taekkyon more seriously. ■

AUGUST 2008 KOREA 65

FOREIGN VIEWPOINTS

Annyeonghaseyo! Glad to See You Again in ‘Our Country’

W

BY YURII MUSHKA AMBASSADOR OF UKRAINE

66 KOREA AUGUST 2008

hen I was in Ukraine, my impressions of Korea were quite different from those I have now after staying here for more than two years. I can say for sure Korean culture is different from European and other Asian cultures as well. I’ve been quite impressed about how my conception of Korea changed when I came here. “The Land of the Morning Calm” is an amazing country. What is remarkable about Korea is that in the early 1960s it was a ruined postwar country. And it took only one generation for this country to reach the top-level nations. In my opinion, Koreans should be proud of this. Every Korean is a part of the collective, one small screw in a complete mechanism called “our nation”. This is a country where people drop their egos for the common good. Koreans also pay attention to courtesies. Bowing is the most common behavior in Korea, which is used to show respect to older people or those with higher social status. The nation’s unity, mutual respect, high capacity of work and desire to make their country better are praiseworthy. Koreans are also very open-minded and ready to help in any situation. You can always hear “annyeonghaseyo!” around you. In the restaurants, the staff kindly says hello to you with a big smile in order to make you feel warmer. Korean children are also taught to welcome foreigners, so if you meet them, you will hear

“hello!” for sure. And they’ll be really happy if you answer them. Before coming to Korea, I thought Korean cuisine was similar to Chinese and Japanese. But when I came here, I understood it’s totally different. Before, I didn’t hear anything about kimchi, but I really like it now. Every time I go to restaurants, I ask the waiters to bring kimchi if it’s not on the table. In my opinion, it’s not only the most popular Korean dish, but also the most delicious and healthy. I also like the variety of side dishes. Each Korean restaurant serves a lot of them. Of course, it’s worth mentioning the high potential of Korean companies from both technical and economic points of view. Over the past 10 years, Korea has achieved numerous milestones and history-making breakthroughs in the IT arena. Now, every newcomer to Korea is impressed by the country’s progress in the IT sector. Those who have lived here for a while have already enjoyed all of Korea’s achievements. It should be noted that the business strategies of Korean companies are promising. Ukraine became independent only 17 years ago and diplomatic relations with Korea were established in 1992. But there are already many Korean companies operating in our country. Striking examples are Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, which take up leading positions in different segments of the Ukrainian market. Korea is a place where you want to return over and over again, Korean society makes you feel comfortable, even if you understand that you are different. It’s an amazing country that makes you feel at home. ■