Korea [2008 Vol. 4 No. 9]

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

September 2008 VOL. 4 NO. 9

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National

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Korea Celebrates 60th Founding Anniversary

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Travel

Enjoy Korean Cuisine above the Clouds A Trip to Namdo

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Diplomacy

President Lee Meets Bush, Hu and Other World Leaders

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Ceramic Pots — Natural Preservers

‘The FTA Ratification Will Benefit Korea, U.S.’

14 Cover Photo The special Chuseok dish: songpyeon

Publisher Yoo Jin-hwan

2008 Beijing Olympics

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Prima Ballerina Kang Sue-jin

Science

Korea’s ‘Culture President’ Comes Back

Korea Vies to Become Medical Tourism Hub

‘Next Mozart’ Premieres in Korea

Design toga design

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Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

Korean NGO Offers Help to Swazi Children

National Palace Museum of Korea’s Special Exhibition

Chuseok

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Culture

Korean Dramas Carve a Niche in Japan - Kathleen Morikawa, Columnist for the Daily Yomiuri

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Books

‘Political Change in Korea’

Culinary Tradition — Hangwa

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Events

Global Korea

Chuseok: Korean Thanksgiving Day

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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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Global Market Leaders Made in Korea

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People

A Veteran Artist’s Love of Dokdo

Editing & Printing Herald Media Inc.

The articles published in Korea do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The publisher is not liable for errors or omissions.

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Best Olympic Run Ever for Korea

Korean Culture and Information Service

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from Korea and the Korean Culture and Information Service.

Food

‘Contemporary Korean Architecture’

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Foreign Viewpoints

Korea Continues to Change Dynamically - René Francisco Umaña, Honduras Ambassador to Korea

Foreign Firms Turn to Korean Culture Korea’s UNESCO Heritage Site (7) — Gyeongju Historic Areas

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Yonhap

NATIONAL

A Korean flag decoration at Independence Hall

Fireworks over the Hangang River

The area in front of Gwanghwamun, under restoration, is crowded with citizens celebrating the 60th founding anniversary on Aug. 15

6 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

A traditional dance performance in Gyeongbokgung

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 7

NATIONAL

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outh Korea celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation and 63 years since its liberation from Japan’s colonial rule on Aug. 15, with President Lee Myung-bak’s call for a new and hopeful start to the next 60 years at a ceremony in central Seoul. The Government of South Korea, formally called the Republic of Korea, was founded on Aug. 15, 1948 — exactly three years after Korea was liberated from 36 years of colonial rule. The nation’s first parliament was convened the same year, along with the promulgation of its constitution and the creation of its armed forces. In Korea, a person’s 60th birthday — known as the “hwangab” — symbolizes the completion of a full cycle and the beginning of another. The anniversary ceremony in Seoul featured music and dance performances representative of Korea’s modern history. In a separate event, hundreds of officials and citizens gathered at the nation’s easternmost island of Dokdo, a recent diplomatic flashpoint between South Korea and Japan, in a celebration of Korea’s liberation. Concerts, musicals and other public performances were staged in celebra-

tion of the anniversary in Seoul and major provincial cities nationwide, while a large-scale celebratory concert was held aboard the Navy’s amphibious assault ship — named “Dokdo” after the islets — on Aug. 15 in Donghae, a port on the eastern coast. In his speech celebrating the Liberation Day and the national founding anniversaries, President Lee said the Government will vigorously push to link the trans-Korean railroad with Russian and Chinese transcontinental rail lines in preparation for the emergence of a unified Korea as the world’s logistics hub linking Eurasia and the Pacific Rim in the next 60 years. The President also urged North Korea to immediately abandon its nuclear weapons and embrace interKorean dialogue and economic cooperation to create a unified economic zone on the Korean Peninsula. “A unified Korea promises to be the main gateway for prosperity linking the Eurasian continent to the Pacific Ocean by land, air and sea. A train leaving Busan with cargo will be able to travel the trans-continental railway all the way to Central Asia and Western Europe...A unified Korea will

leap toward the center of the global community,” Lee said in the address. “I want to share this dream with all the 80 million Koreans. I am not going to give up the dream of both Koreas living well together...First and foremost for that to happen, permanent peace must be brought about. The nuclear weapons program, which is the source of distrust and conflict, has to be eliminated completely,” the President said, proposing the resumption of across-the-board dialogue with North Korea. The two Koreas, divided shortly after the 1945 liberation, are still technically at war, with no peace treaty signed at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. During the ceremonial speech given in front of about 20,000 dignitaries and citizens, the President also declared that his administration has selected “low carbon, green growth” as the nation’s new vision going into the next 60 years. “If the last six decades since the nation’s founding have been spent achieving fundamental freedoms, the next 60 years should be dedicated to realizing freedom with responsibility.

A celebration takes place at Dokdo, the nation’s easternmost islets, on Aug. 15

Only then will the founding of the Republic of Korea be completed,” said the President. Data released by the Statistical Office show that South Korea’s population increased 2.4-fold to 48.45 million in 2007 from 20.19 million in 1953. In the same period of time, its gross domestic product surged 746-fold to $969.9 billion from $1.3 billion. As a result, the per-capita gross national income soared from $67 in 1953 to $20,045 last year. The nation’s trade volume increased 3,167-fold in the past 60 years. In the 1950s, South Korea ranked among the poorest countries. Today, it is the world’s 13th largest economy. Syngman Rhee was elected the first president of the Republic of Korea in 1948. On June 25, 1950, North Korea launched an unprovoked fullscale invasion of the South, triggering Yonhap

A large Korean flag across the Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Korea’s founding

a three-year war which involved U.S., Chinese and other foreign forces. The entire Peninsula was devastated by the conflict. A cease-fire was signed in July 1953. Rhee was forced out of office on April 26, 1960 in the aftermath of the April 19 Movement, a student-led uprising. Park Chung-hee, who rose to power in a bloodless military coup on May 16, 1961, and became the nation’s new president, is largely credited with South Korea’s rapid industrialization through export-led growth. During Park’s tenure, per-capita income increased 20-fold, and South Korea’s rural, undeveloped economy was transformed into an industrial powerhouse. South Korea’s growth-oriented, export-led economic development since the 1960s was so remarkable that it earned the phrase “the Miracle

on the Han River” in the 1970s. Subsequently, Seoul successfully hosted the 24th Olympics in 1988, and South Korea co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup soccer finals with Japan. After the year 2000, relations between South and North Korea remarkably improved, paving the way for initiating the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. In June, 2000, then South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il held the first inter-Korean summit, a landmark event in Korea’s modern history. Following the Kim Dae-jung government, liberal President Roh Moohyun governed the nation for five years from February 2003. The Korean people selected businessman-turnedpolitician Lee Myung-bak, an advocate of pragmatism, as their new president in December 2007. ■ SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 9

Yonhap

DIPLOMACY

Yonhap

Presidents Lee and Bush at a joint news conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Aug. 6

operation in the fields of civil space exploration and space science and in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. They also agreed to provide an opportunity for Korean university students to study English, work and enrich their knowledge and experience in the United States.

Yonhap

A welcoming ceremony for Chinese President Hu Jintao (left) at Cheong Wa Dae on Aug. 25

Summit with Chinese President Hu

President Lee Meets Bush, Hu and Other World Leaders

10 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Summit with U.S. President Bush

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he leaders of South Korea and the United States urged North Korea to improve its human rights conditions and immediately complete its denuclearization as a prerequisite for normalizing its relations with them. A joint statement released after the summit between President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President George W. Bush at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul said that the South Korean and U.S. leaders reaffirmed their commitment to improving the human rights situation in North Korea. As expected, Lee and Bush allotted a significant portion of their joint statement to North Korea’s denuclearization, urging the communist North to promptly complete its commitments in the second phase of the denuclearization process and, through third-phase actions, to implement full abandonment of all its nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs. In addition, the joint statement broadly covered issues of bilateral alliance, ways to gain legislative approval for the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement and policy cooperation on international issues. The two presidents agreed to actively promote close co-

President Lee and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao issued a joint summit statement vowing to significantly deepen bilateral political, economic, cultural and personnel exchanges to follow up on the two countries’ strategic cooperative partnership agreed on in May. Hu flew into Korea on Aug. 25 for a two-day state visit, his second to the country while in office. His first visit to Korea as president was in November 2005. Lee and Hu have already met twice since the South Korean leader took office in February. During their first summit in Beijing in late May, Lee and Hu agreed to upgrade Seoul-Beijing relations from a “comprehensive cooperative partnership” to a “strategic cooperative partnership.” The two leaders met again in Beijing, after Lee attended the opening ceremony of the 29th Summer Olympics there. The joint statement also focused significantly on boosting bilateral economic and commercial cooperation, as Lee and Hu agreed to increase the annual volume of two-way trade to $200 billion by 2010, two years ahead of the previous target year. Notably, Lee and Hu agreed to consider launching a

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pays tribute to Australian troops who died in the Korean War, during his stop at a war cemetery in Busan on Aug. 10

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 11

DIPLOMACY

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President Lee held separate talks with Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov (1), Algerian President Bouteflika (2), Kazakhstan’s President Nazarbayev (3) and Uzbekistan’s President Karimov (4) during his visit to Beijing from Aug. 8 to 9

government-level review of a bilateral free trade agreement on the basis of private-sector joint studies and research, while deepening bilateral cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, energy, communications, financial services and logistics. As part of efforts to promote private sector exchanges, the two leaders also agreed to designate 2010 and 2012 as “Visit China Year” and “Visit Korea Year,” respectively.

Talks with Australian leader Rudd President Lee and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd agreed on Aug. 11 to launch preliminary talks for a bilateral free trade agreement and to widen their cooperation in energy, trade and regional security. “They welcomed the conclusion of a bilateral FTA study group that a two-way free trade deal would be beneficial to both countries’ economic growth and trade expansion,” a Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said. The two countries concluded a joint private-level assessment of an FTA early this year. An FTA is estimated to increase Korea’s gross domestic product by up to $29.6 billon over 10 years and Australia’s by $22.7 billion, according to a study. Korea’s exports to Australia will increase by up to $4.3 billion and Australia’s shipments by $7.5 billion. Two-way trade is estimated at 17.9 billion last year. Australia is Korea’s eighth largest trading partner. They also agreed that the two countries would forge a comprehensive partnership, expanding ties currently focused on economy and trade into other areas. They also pledged to strengthen diplomatic cooperation in the AsiaPacific region and the global arena to work together on cli12 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

mate change, arms control, nonproliferation and other international issues. Australia is Korea’s biggest trading and investment partner in the mineral resource sector.

Lee’s diplomacy during Beijing Olympics With an eye to energy diplomacy, President Lee met with leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Algeria on Aug. 8 and 9 in Beijing, where he was visiting to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. President Lee and Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov agreed to fully support the participation of Korean companies in an energy resources development project in the Caspian Sea region. They also agreed to encourage Korean firms to take part in infrastructure-building in Turkmenistan. In his meeting with Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the president of Algeria, Lee also proposed an expansion of energy development projects between the two countries. Lee asked the Algerian government to favorably consider Korean companies that plan to bid for petroleum and gas exploration and development programs scheduled for later this year. Lee also sought the cooperation of the Algerian government in assisting Korean companies to participate in urban construction projects. He also separately met with Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov to discuss issues of mutual concerns. Lee encountered North Korea’s nominal head of state Kim Yong-nam at the luncheon hosted by Chinese President Hu Jintao. A Cheong Wa Dae official said the two Korean leaders shook hands but no official dialogue took place. ■

‘The FTA Ratification Will Benefit Korea, U.S.’

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resident Lee Myung-bak was confident that whoever became the next U.S. president would support the free trade agreement and an upgraded alliance between the two counties. “The FTA not only benefits South Korea but also has huge potential benefits for the U.S. economy and consumers. Whoever becomes the next U.S. president will look at the hard facts and make the right decision in the interest of the U.S. people,” he said in an interview with world-famous Internet portal Yahoo! (www.yahoo.com). This was the first such interview the Internet powerhouse has conduct-

ed with a non-American leader. President Lee also expressed confidence that inter-Korean relations would improve in the near future despite recent tension stemming from the shooting death of a South Korean tourist in North Korea. He told that he would continue with flexible and sincere policies to bring Pyongyang to the dialogue table and promote “mutual benefit and coexistence on the Peninsula.” “The ties between two Koreas are tense for now. But the relations will recover soon as we work on policies with sincerity and genuine concern about North Korea,” he said. The inter-

view was conducted on Aug. 14. at Cheong Wa Dae. The 66-year-old President also said he believed that the two Koreas would reunite during his lifetime. “Reunification can come any day and suddenly - so, we must always be prepared for that,” he added. On domestic issues, he said the economy was unlikely to turn around until the end of next year, appealing to the nation to unite to weather the tough conditions. He also reiterated his commitment to push economic reforms including overhauling the public sector and easing regulations. ■ SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 13

2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS

Best Olympic Run Ever for Korea Nation’s Leading Athletes Reach Another Level BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

K

orean Olympians made their country proud at the Beijing Olympic Games, notching a series of sensational victories to consolidate its presence as a regional sports powerhouse. Korea captured 13 gold medals in Beijing, a record for the country in the Olympics. It also earned 10 silver and eight bronze medals. Korea witnessed better performances in events such as fencing, swimming, shooting and baseball, which traditionally have been dominated by Western countries. On Aug. 10, 19-year-old swimmer Park Tae-hwan won the men’s 200-meter freestyle, giving Korea its

first-ever gold medal in Olympic swimming. Nam Hyun-hee became the first Korean woman to medal in fencing on Aug. 12. The 28-year-old won a silver in women’s foil. She narrowly lost to world champion Valentina Vezzali of Italy, missing out on the gold medal by one point. Her silver, however, was a great accomplishment, as she was the only Asian in an Italian-dominated semifinal. Korean shooter Jin Jong-oh won the gold in the 50-meter pistol on Aug. 12. He also earned a silver in the 10-meter air pistol. The victory by Jin, a silver medalist in Athens, marks the nation’s first gold in shooting in

Moon Dae-sung Elected to Athletes’ Commission Former Korean taekwondo champion Moon Dae-sung was elected to the athlete’s commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Aug. 21. Korea’s pull in the international sports arena is expected to get stronger with his election. Former Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee joins Moon as the only non-athlete Korean member on the IOC. Moon won gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2002 Busan Asian Olympics. Since stepping down from the national team, he has been lecThe Korea Herald

turing at a university in Korea. Moon beat out 29 contenders for the election at the Olympic Village during the Beijing Games. The 32-year-old, who was named on 3,220 of the 7,216 ballots cast, is the first Asian athlete to be elected to the commission, which was founded in 1981 to serve as a link between Olympic athletes and the IOC. Representatives of the 19-member commission are allowed to take part in meetings of other IOC commissions to voice their opinions on various matters, including doping and Olympic preparation. “I have rammed home the message that my leadership is going to be pure, powerful and peaceful,” Moon told reporters. “The world of sports is revolving around Europe and the United States, but I will work hard to give voice to Asian athletes.” ■

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SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 15

16 years. Korea notched two golds at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Following a brief gold-medal drought after Sa Jae-hyouk won the men’s 77-kilogram weightlifting title, Jang Mi-ran shattered three world records to win the women’s over-75kilogram event. A favorite to win the competition, the 25-year-old world champion beat her closest rival by 50 kilograms. During the final stretch of the Games, four taekwondo athletes won

gold medals in the sport. The four, including two-time world champion Hwang Kyung-seon, who braved a knee injury to win the women’s under67-kg category on Aug. 22, demonstrated Korea’s stranglehold on the national sport. The taekwondo sweep was followed by an improbable gold-medal victory over Cuba in baseball. The game between Cuba and Korea came down to the wire. Leading by one with the bases loaded and one out, Korean

reliever Chong Tae-hyon successfully induced a game-ending double play. Korea won the bronze medal in baseball at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, while Cuba has claimed three golds since the sport was introduced to the Games in 1992. ■

Weightlifter Lee Bae-young Shows True Sportsmanship

The Korea Herald

The Korea Herald

2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS

Korean Swimming Sensation Park Tae-hwan

Lee went for 184kg. He, however, fell with a badly sprained left leg, dropping the barbell on the ground. After receiving emergency treatment from his coaches, he went on for the second round, adding 2 more kilograms to his previous challenge. But a cramp ended his chances to medal. Even though it was evident that he would get disqualified, Lee showed up again on the stage, receiving a huge applause from Chinese fans. Lee, struck by muscle cramps, failed in his last attempt. But he couldn’t let go of the barbell until the end. His firmly clenched fist around the bar touched many people.

Weightlifter Lee Bae-young failed to garner

of the clean and jerk in the men’s 69kg

a medal but his sportsmanship touched the

weightlifting competition on Aug. 12 due to

After four years of training, the 29-year-

hearts of many people during the 2008

a sudden cramp in his leg. He lifted 155kg in

old weightlifter said he couldn’t give up in

Beijing Olympics.

the snatch, breaking the Korean record of

the second and third rounds. “I still

154kg, set by himself in April 2008.

would’ve done it even though it meant tak-

Lee, a silver-medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, was disqualified in the first round

In the first round of the clean and jerk,

ing my life,” he said. ■

D

uring the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Korea’s eyes and ears were on Park Tae-hwan, a 19-year-old swimming prodigy who garnered the nation’s first gold medal of this year’s Games. Park grabbed Korea’s first Olympic swimming gold by winning the men’s 400-meter freestyle on Aug. 10. He then won the silver medal in the men’s 200-meter freestyle on Aug. 12, finishing second behind America’s Michael Phelps. Born September 1989 in Seoul, Park first learned to swim when he was 5 years old, to treat his asthma. Before long, he stood out with brilliant

performances and began to win all of the major swimming competitions in the country. However, he had many ups and downs since 2004, when he officially debuted in the international swimming arena. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Park, then a middleschooler, was disqualified for a false start in the men’s 400m freestyle, after which the despondent swimmer locked himself in the changing room for two hours. But he quickly recovered by setting two Asian records at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. He also defeated Olympic medalist Grant Hackett of

Australia in the men’s 400-meter freestyle at the 2007 World Championship. After that performance, he got his famous nicknames of “Marine Boy” and “The nation’s little brother.” He stepped up from a swimming prodigy to a teen idol. “I feel great. I’ve been training with the world record in mind in the 400m freestyle,” Park told reporters after arriving in Beijing on Aug. 9. His success can be attributed to his ceaseless training. He also receives much support from his coaching staff, which has applied the disciplines of sports science in his training. ■

Park Tae-hwan celebrates after winning the men’s 400-meter freestyle on Aug. 10 16 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 17

An American patient receives a full check-up at the Inha University Medical Center in Incheon

Korea Vies to Become Medical Tourism Hub BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

M

any people think vacations are all about relaxation, sightseeing and playing leisure sports. But this idea is quickly changing because of the booming medical tourism industry. During a weeklong holiday, people can now easily fix their bad eyes or sore backs. Korea, equipped with stateof-the-art medical skills, has stepped into the global medical tourism scene by recently launching several medical tour programs. In late July, a group of 29 Americans visited Korea on a two-week medical tour program, organized by the Korea Tourism Organization and the nation’s major medical organizations. The program featured a full medical check-up and sightseeing around 18 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Korea’s major tourist attractions. The medical service, which included both physical examinations and cosmetic treatments, received a very positive response from the participants. According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) data, the global medical tourism market is estimated to be $60 billion a year — and it is expected to reach $100 billion by 2012. In line with the growth of the global market, Korea’s medical tourism sector is aiming to attract 100,000 tourists by 2012, topping $37 billion. The number of patients visiting Korea’s major hospitals jumped to 16,000 in 2007, up from 760 in 2005, according to the Welfare Ministry. The growth of medical tourism in

Korea has been spurred by top-notch local doctors and, recently, by the Korean Wave. The nation’s oriental medical clinics and acupuncturists, in particular, have constantly been receiving foreign patients, who are keen to keep fit by using natural means. By the turn of the millennium, Korea saw an increasing number of Asian tourists visiting the nation, mainly for cosmetic surgery. This was bolstered by the positive image of Korea’s pop culture. The nation’s top-notch hospitals have helped fuel the growth. Wooridul Spine Hospital, which runs five hospital chains across the country, has operated an international patients’ center since 2005. The hospital, which purely focuses on spinal treatment, has seen over 2,500 patients from 47 countries. The number is increasing by 30 percent every year. The hospital not only provides medical procedures and tours but also helps the patients get visas, insurance and other matters related to treatment. The hospital already is internationally well known for its expertise.

Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine in Seoul, which also specializes in spinal treatment, has operated an international clinic since 2006. The number of overseas patients jumped to 390 in 2007 from 185 of 2006. About 60 percent of the patients are Japanese, according to the hospital. “Most of the foreign patients visiting our hospital are amazed that their problems can get better by non-surgical procedures such as acupuncture and oriental medicine,” said Yoon Jepil, head of the hospital’s international clinic. Both Jaseng and Wooridul have multilingual doctors and medical coordinators who are ready to accommodate foreign patients in their own languages. They are also members of the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion, an organization that promotes medical tourism to Korea and structures programs for it.

Currently, there are 33 hospitals enrolled in the council. They hold seminars and promotion campaigns with travel agencies to develop this new industry. The member hospitals have signed contracts with international insurance companies to guarantee the quality of medical services as well. Among them are Seoul’s Severance Hospital and Hanyang University Medical Center, which have been looking into medical tourism for a few years, and are working with travel agencies in the U.S., Japan and China to create diverse tour packages. Jeju-do is also looking to make headway into medical tourism, taking advantage of its beautiful scenery and well-developed infrastructure. Along with specialized treatments, Jeju’s programs also include health options like obesity care. The Ministry of Welfare, Health and Family Affairs, to help foster the

American Medical Tourists in Korea Give a Thumbs up

Denise Snyder, a yoga instructor from

Yonhap

Yonhap

SCIENCE

nation’s medical tourism industry, has been working to fix administrative flaws and revise legal procedures. As a result, the revised law now allows families or guardians of patients to be given long-term visas. And the process has become much simpler. The Government is also looking to improve medical laws to enable active overseas promotion and mediation. The Welfare Ministry is also expanding its education programs to increase human resource development. The Ministry is planning to open the International Medical Service Academy in a bid to provide education on world-class medical services. Foreign-language education will also be expanded, as language skills are heavily weighed when hiring new staff. More information on Korea’s medical tourism can be found at www.koreahealthtour.co.kr and www.visitkorea.or.kr. ■

would cost thousands of dollars,” she said.

California, and 28 fellow Americans visited

Knudsen said she would like to take her

Korea on a two-week journey in July. But

mother to get her spinal cord checked in

their trip was not like any other vacation.

Korea next time.

Upon their arrival, they were taken to

The next day, they went to a dermatolo-

Inha University Medical Center in Incheon,

gist in Seoul to get cosmetic treatments,

a 30-minute bus ride from the airport. They

such as magic lift, botox, oxygen treatment

received a full-scale check-up, which in-

and crystal peeling.

cludes a blood test, an electrocardiogram,

“I’ve been to Thailand many times for

a gastrointestinal endoscopy, an eye exam

medical treatments. I’m thinking of coming

and a medical consultation. This was all

back to Korea for further treatments in the

done for $400.

future,” Snyder said.

“All this would cost 10 times higher in the U.S.,” Snyder said. Kristi Knudsen and her daughter, Natalie, were also among the group of pa-

The group spent the rest of their journey traveling around Korea’s major tourist spots, including the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and Gyeongju.

tients. She said she receives annual med-

The program was well received by the

ical exams but this is the first time she’s

participants. According to a survey con-

getting an endoscopy and an ultrasonog-

ducted at the end of their itinerary, all said

raphy.

that they were highly satisfied with the

“There are so many people without a

medical services provided. But communi-

proper insurance scheme in the United

cating with the medical staff in English

States. And getting such a full-scale exam

could use some improvement. ■

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 19

SCIENCE

The Korea Herald

Global Market Leaders Made in Korea BY HAN ARAN KOREA.NET STAFF WRITER

K

orea was one of the poorest countries in the world in 1960, with a gross national income per capita of a mere $79 and a trade deficit of $300 million. But less than fifty years later, global investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted in 2007 that Korea’s percapita gross domestic product will reach $81,000 by 2050. Such an increase would make the nation the world’s second-richest economy after the United States. According to research by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, there are 120 Korean products that have clinched the number one spot in their respective fields as of 2006. And that number is still growing. The list includes not only hi-tech items such as semiconductor products but also small everyday items.

Semiconductor products Until as recently as the 1990’s, Samsung was thought to be just a cheap microwave brand, but the brand is now recognized as an upscale, premium name in many product categories including mobile phones and LCD TVs. 20 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

It all began in 1992 when the company made its name in the international market by becoming the world’s number one producer of D-RAM, or dynamic random access memory, chips, outpacing Japan. This marked the beginning of Samsung’s conquest in the semiconductor market. In 1995, the company clinched the number one spot in the S-RAM, or static random access memory, field. In 2002, Samsung gained the number one spot in terms of the TFT-LCD, or thin-film transistor liquid crystal display, market. When it comes to the non-memory sector, Samsung also stands strong. It is the number one producer of Display Driver IC and System on a Chip, among others.

Ships Shipbuilding is one of Korea’s leading heavy industries, and it has greatly contributed to making the country an economic powerhouse. Korea is home to seven of the world’s top 10 shipbuilders, with Hyundai Heavy, Samsung Heavy Industries Co. and Daewoo Shipbuilding

and Marine Engineering Co., forming the club of the world’s top three shipbuilders. The Korean shipbuilding industry caught the world’s attention yet again last year by attaining a fifth consecutive “triple crown.” They swept the world market in the three main indicators, namely new order volume, construction volume and order backlogs in 2007, setting records for the fifth straight year since 2003. The industry takes up about 40 percent of the global market and one out of every three new vessels in the world last year was made in Korea.

Other noteworthy products Did you know that half of the world’s population uses Korean-made nail clippers? Founded in 1975, the Three Seven Corporation of Korea makes about 80 million nail clippers per year and exports them to 92 countries around the world under its in-house 777 brand, which is famous for its sophisticated designs and high quality. The brand name is registered in many countries and is synonymous

with nail clipper quality. The world-famous safes known as Eagle Safes are made in Korea as well. Sunil Safe, also known as Sun Safe, exports a variety of safes to 70 countries around the world. The company made the world’s first fire-resilient safes. It also made the world’s first safes with digital locks. Not everyone uses tooth sterilizers, but among those who do, there is a high chance that they use sterilizers made by Esencia. The Korean company takes up more than 40 percent of the world market in the field. Paseco, a heating equipment maker, has maintained the number one spot in terms of kerosene stoves. Its Kerona brand sells in 35 countries including Germany, Iraq and the United States among others. The medium-sized company takes up half of its market. Neopharm is another medium-sized company that is making inroads abroad with its product Atopalm, which is good for healing skin affected by eczema. The product has been granted a patent in China, Japan, the United States and Taiwan as well as Korea. ■

Korea makes internationally premier products such as (from top) heating equipment, fire-resilient safes and topquality nail clippers

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 21

GLOBAL KOREA

Korean NGO Offers Help to Swazi Children BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

ter that provide free medical services. The clinic, which was opened in 2001, concentrates on fighting unhygienic living conditions and providing pesticides. Every year, the organization provides 50 schools in the nation with vermicides and education on hygiene. With the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the Sun Shine AIDS Shelter since 2005 has provided local citizens with education, diagnosis, counseling and medicine. “Over 60 percent of Swazi men are carrying the AIDS virus, so it is essential to provide students and young adults with correct information on HIV and AIDS,” Dr. Kim said. The organization is also working closely with Korean volunteers who are interested in Africa. During summer and winter vacations, the organization receives students from all over Korea, and sometimes, ethnic Koreans

from overseas. Last year alone, they received some 10 volunteers. Kim Young-hee, a KOICA-registered nurse, worked in a Kapunga clinic with fellow volunteers for a year from April 2007. “Honestly, I was scared to go to Africa at first because there was nowhere I could get information about the country,” Kim said. She not only worked in the clinic but also went on daily house calls. “I was devastated with how bad their living conditions were. But I also found out that they had the most beautiful and happiest souls. All of the diseases and poverty couldn’t bring them down,” she said. Her duties included distributing medicine, giving injections and providing items like underwear and clean towels. Kim, who quit her job as a full-

time nurse to participate in this program, said she has learned many life lessons. “I’ve come to realize that it’s not the material things that make us happy. They have shown us unconditional love and respect. Having showers next to frogs or the lack of clean drinking water and electricity were trivial things for these people,” she said. Since 2003, the Future for African Children also operates education and job-training programs with the help of KOICA. Classes on engineering, electricity control, farming, computation and crafts are providing Swazi youth and housewives with essential skills to get jobs. The recently built Women’s Center, in particular, is expected to help boost women’s rights and help develop career skills. ■ (Photos courtesy of Future for African Children)

Volunteers at the Future for African Children with residents of the Kapunga region

Swazi children take classes at the Future for African Children’s kindergarten in the Kapunga region

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n the Kapunga region of Swaziland, five Koreans are busy working with children and teaching local women about sewing. Future for African Children, a Seoul-based non-governmental organization, has been running a kindergarten and a job-training center here since 2000. Dr. Kim Jung-hee, the chairperson of the organization’s Swazi branch, 22 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

first visited the country in 1995 to provide Mbabane Government Hospital with emergency medical aid. After five years, the NGO established its first kindergarten in Mbabane with the help of the royal court. Now the NGO runs an AIDS shelter and a jobtraining center in the Kapunga region. She still remembers the first day of

kindergarten in which the local children cried in shock after seeing the moving toys and education materials from Korea. “They had never seen a piano or toys for rehabilitation before, and some of them ran away to the other side of the room,” she said. Over the years, the organization established a clinic and an AIDS shelSEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 23

GLOBAL KOREA

Quiz Show Brings Vietnam and Korea Closer Together BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

24 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

The Korea Herald

KBS

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22-year-old Vietnamese student won $3,000 on a Korean-produced quiz show — and she did it all in Korean. The public broadcaster KBS-produced quiz show “Golden Bell” ran a special episode featuring Vietnamese students majoring in Korean studies on Aug. 3. The show was recorded on July 11 at Van Thanh Resort in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, under the Korea Foundation’s support. Golden Bell has been airing since late 1998 and is popular among students and young adults in Korea. The show revolves around participants who try to ring a golden bell after getting the right answer to a given question. The show became so popular that a local Vietnamese TV station, V-TV, imported and produced its own show in 2006. A total of 100 Vietnamese students from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Dalat took part in the show. The top prize went to Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, a senior Korean studies major at Hanoi University. She received a $3,000 scholarship and a trip to Seoul. She said she would like to spend the scholarship money on studying design. The questions, all given in Korean, touched on issues such as Korean history, culture, economy and Vietnamese society. During the show, the students showed off their talents in singing Korean songs, taekwondo and tradi-

Korean B-boy teams perform in Vientiane , Laos

Korea’s B-boy Performers Thrill Audiences in Laos

Korean Wave Makes a Big Splash Nguyen Thi Thu Trang (center) receives a scholarship after winning the quiz show

tional Vietnamese dances, such as Mua Sap. The Korean ambassador to Vietnam, Lim Hong-jae, said that these students are the foundation of Vietnam’s future. “They are very talented and hardworking. They will play an important role in connecting the two countries since they’re very interested in Korea. In fact, they know a lot about Korea,” he said during the show. This was the seventh overseas episode for Golden Bell. The show has also been recorded in three Chinese cities, Los Angeles, Uzbekistan and Japan. ■

BY BANG KYUNG-MIN CULTURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT, KOREA FOUNDATION

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Lao National Culture Hall in Vientiane

orea’s B-boy performers, who have become an internationally recognized cultural brand, had the rare chance to strut their stuff for audiences in Vientiane, Laos. In this way, the Korean Wave made its way to this little-known country in Southeast Asia, much to the delight of the locals. Korea’s hip-hop culture, in the form of B-boy performances, was successfully introduced to audiences in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on June 4-5. Rather unfamiliar to many Koreans, Laos is a country in the cen-

ter of Southeast Asia, which is best known for its Golden Temple and Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

‘Flying Higher — Korea’s B-boys’ Under the joint sponsorship of the Korea Foundation, the Korean Embassy in Laos and the Lao Ministry of Information and Culture, the performances were staged at the Lao National Culture Hall in Vientiane, SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 25

GLOBAL KOREA

THE BEAUTY OF KOREA-15

Korea foundation

pression of the Laotian people’s appreciation of Korea.

Cultural diplomacy

Korean B-boys present the Chansavanh Secondary School in Vientiane with scholarships and school supplies

under a title of “Flying Higher — Korea’s B-boys.” It featured one of Korea’s premier B-boy teams, Gambler Crew, along with a Poppin’ team Animation Crew, Girls Hip Hop Duo and a female singer. In this way, the so-called Korean Wave made its way to Laos, whose people are considerably less exposed to Korea’s popular culture, in comparison to nearby countries like Vietnam and China. In Laos, there is a serious lack of cultural content for the people to enjoy. There are two state-run TV stations, but they offer little in the way of cultural programs, so most households tune into broadcasts from Thailand. Moreover, since the development of the local performing arts culture is limited, people have a keen interest in cultural/entertainment events that are arranged by foreign embassies. According to the Korean Embassy in Laos, the performances of “Jump” and “Break Out,” which had previously been hosted by the embassy, were well received by local residents, thereby raising expectations of 26 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Korea-related performances. As a result, the Lao National Culture Hall was crammed with people hoping to watch the B-boy performers. Even heavy rain could not dampen the audience’s excitement. In line with the “Flying Higher” theme, the Korean B-boys deftly executed their high-flying maneuvers that seemed to somehow defy gravity. The dynamic break-dance movements, combining acrobatic and gymnastic agility, elicited gasps of amazement and appreciation from the audience. Animation Crew’s poppin’ performance, a kind of mime slapstick, easily had everyone laughing aloud. In addition, the Girls Hip Hop Duo and the female singer further energized the frenzied atmosphere with their choreographed dances and enchanting singing. The first performance attracted the attendance of prominent local figures, including government and diplomatic officials, such as the Minister of Information and Culture, who presented a bouquet of flowers to the performers as an ex-

During the morning after the second performance, the performers visited Chansavanh Secondary School in Vientiane to present scholarships and school supplies to the students. Along with enthusiastically welcoming the performers, the students presented them with a handmade embroidery work, with a message of friendship between Korea and Laos. The embroidered message, in Lao, Korean and English, in addition to being carefully crafted, was a heartfelt symbol of the warmth of the Lao students. After an impromptu presentation for the students, it was time to depart for the airport, winding up the five-day visit. During the flight home, people shared photos and stories about their memorable experiences in Laos. For the otherwise reserved Lao people, the B-boy performance was a special occasion for them to thoroughly enjoy this new form of entertainment. The universal appeal of Korea’s hip-hop culture was readily evident and well received. Of note, with the people in Laos having a favorable perception of Korea, due to the promotional efforts by the Korean Government and business concerns, it seems natural for the Korean Wave to gain considerable popularity there, similar to the situation in Vietnam. Starting from popular culture, and then introducing the refined content of Korea’s culture and arts through exchanges, it could be possible to enrich the lives of the Lao people and develop more cooperative relations between the two countries. In this way, our cultural diplomacy efforts could contribute to tangible and practical results. ■

Pensive Bodhisattva National Treasure No. 78 This sixth-century gilt piece represents the popular style of Buddhist statues during the Three Kingdoms era (57 B.C.-A.D.668). The statue, in a pensive pose, is claimed to have originated from Buddha’s posture that contemplates a human being’s life. Its enigmatic smile, natural pose, clothing and harmony among body parts distinguish itself from National Treasure No. 83, another masterpiece that has the same posture. The piece has a tall crown decorated with shapes of the sun and moon, which scholars believe were influenced by contemporary Persian culture. Because of its focus on harmony, historians believe that it originated from the Baekje Dynasty (18 B.C.-A.D.660). ■ Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Korea

(Source: Korea Foundation Newsletter) SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 27

CHUSEOK

Time for Celebration and Sharing BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

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The Korea Herald

A family in their hometown for Chuseok

28 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

very autumn, the nation witnesses an exodus of people leaving Seoul to celebrate the most important holiday of the year, Chuseok. Largely known as “Korean Thanksgiving Day,” this year’s holiday falls on Sept. 14. Chuseok is not only a time to celebrate the harvest and remember one’s ancestors, but it is also a time to remember where one comes from and to share good times with family members and neighbors. Koreans, therefore, prepare a lot of good food to treat their family, neighbors and visiting friends. The holiday is thought to have originated from the practice of “gabe” during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). On gabe, which was Aug. 15 by the lunar calendar, two teams of court ladies participated in a looming competition, and the losing team would have to throw a celebratory party for the winning team with food, drink, dancing and music. From this practice “hangawi” was born, a name which also refers to Chuseok. Traditionally, families hold “charye” in the morning of Chuseok, a memorial service for deceased family members and ancestors with newly

Korean children dressed in hanbok on Chuseok

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 29

Expats Join Chuseok Celebration

The Korea Herald

The exodus of people from Seoul to regional provinces (top). A family on a train heading to their hometown

The Korea Herald

CHUSEOK A family visits the grave of a relative

harvested food and fruit. After charye, they visit their ancestors’ graves, a practice called “seongmyo.” Along with these two key traditions, traditional games are also popular, such as tug-of-war and “ssireum,” which is Korean-style wrestling. In the southern province of Jeolla-do, young women play “ganggang suweollae,” a whirling dance around a campfire under the full moon. On the night of Chuseok, people gather under the full moon, which is usually the biggest of the year, and wish for good luck and happiness for family and friends. Among the many special Chuseok 30 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

dishes, “songpyeon” best represents the holiday. Songpyeon are crescentshaped rice cakes made with honey, walnuts, sesame, beans and pine needles. On the eve of Chuseok, families make songpyeon together. It is believed that those who make pretty songpyeon will have a pretty daughter. These days, many people prefer staying in the big city and spending the holiday catching up with their friends or relaxing at home. And some take this opportunity to go overseas for an extended summer vacation. Whether it is a trip to one’s hometown or abroad, booking a ticket well in advance is very important. ■

orea is home to some 1 million migrant workers. Foreign communities will also join the Chuseok celebration and take this opportunity to learn more about Korean culture and traditions. Many migrant workers hold their own parties and celebrations with delicacies from their own country and specially prepared Korean food. They also participate in many events, such as the immigrants’ singing competition and talent shows

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(Continued on Page 32) Expats play a traditional Korean game called “yut”

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 31

CHUSEOK

The Korea Herald

Children of expats make songpyeon for Chuseok

Culinary Tradition

Hangwa BY MOON YOUNG-DOO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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angwa is the term for traditional Korean sweets and cookies, appreciated for their decorative colors, patterns and pleasing taste. The common ingredients in hangwa are grain flour, honey, sugar, fruit or edible roots. It is often served with traditional beverages as an elegant dessert.

Beautifully packaged baskets or boxes of hangwa make excellent gifts, especially appropriate for the elderly. One can find these confections at traditional cake and sweets shops, or in special sections of department stores. There are different kinds of hangwa: gangjeong, yugwa, yakgwa and dashik.

Expats make rice cakes in the old-fashioned way in central Seoul

that are nationally broadcast. Many outdoor activities are also held at museums and folk villages for the most important holiday of the year. At Namsan Folk Village in Seoul, they can participate in archery, javelin and shuttlecock kicking. They can also make rice cakes the old-fashioned way. ■ 32 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 33

Yonhap

CULTURE

Korean Dramas Carve a Niche in Japan BY KATHLEEN MORIKAWA

Korean Wave star Ryu Shi-won during a concert in Tokyo on Aug. 19 to 21

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Gangjeong: Light and fluffy, made from glutinous rice and honey. Deepfried and coated with popped rice, cinnamon, sesame seeds, etc.

Yugwa: Glutinous rice cookie made by frying and kneading.

Yakgwa: Soft cookie made from wheat flour dough mixed with honey, rice wine and sesame oil. The dough is cut into a flower pattern, then fried and marinated in honey before serving.

Dashik: A tea snack. It is made by kneading rice flour, honey and various types of flour from nuts, herbs, sesame or jujube. The dough is pounded and cut with various pattern molds. Photos by Moon Young-doo

34 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

he full force of the Korean Wave hit Japan in 2004. Four years later, the phenomenon known here as “Hallyu” has succeeded in creating a comfortable niche for itself in the Japanese TV and music world. In November, 2004, the initial frenzy clogged Narita Airport, as thousands of Bae Yong-joon fans flocked to welcome him to Japan, and ten people were injured as the crowd outside his Tokyo hotel scrambled to get a peek at him. Today, the Hallyu boom has evolved into a calmer, sustained and widespread interest in Korean pop culture that has increased the Japanese public’s desire to better understand the customs, lifestyle and cuisine of their closest neighbor. Of course, not everyone has rushed to ride the Korean Wave, but it has succeeded in widening the perceptions and perspectives of many. Here on the northern island of Hokkaido, where

Korean TV dramas are especially popular, signs of the Hallyu presence are everywhere. Ladies gently shepherd each other out of the way to get at the wide array of Hallyu magazines at the local bookstore, and TV commercials remind us that the new “Winter Sonata II” and “Spring Waltz” pachinko (pinball) machines will be out soon. At the local music store, a large box containing a 30centimeter Kwon Sang-woo doll decked out in the priestly robes he wore in the movie “Love So Divine” is propped up against shelves full of Korean drama theme music collectors’ boxes and DVDs from John-Hoon and Rain. In Hokkaido, five to six Korean TV series are shown each week on terrestrial (free-to-air) TV, mostly on weekday mornings and mostly without Japanese dubbing. Not only have many Japanese TV viewers discovered they love Korean dramas, but they have found that they are just as happy

watching them in the vernacular with subtitles. That would have been utterly unimaginable even a few years ago — an indication of the amazing effect the Hallyu boom has had. Add in the plethora of dramas offered on Japan’s dozens of satellite TV channels, and those of us who have never been to Korea could easily spend every day there vicariously, if we liked. Nor is the exchange all one way. While Japanese TV tourists flock to Seoul, several Korean dramas have featured Hokkaido locales. This February and March, director Kim Jin-min was in the port town of Otaru filming a new TV drama starring Lee Dong-wook and Oh Yeon-su that has aired on MBC from May. Otaru is hoping it will be good for local tourism, too. The big question, of course, is just why has the Hallyu boom been so successful? Mutual profit, timing and quality seem to be the answers. The enSEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 35

tertainment industries in both countries quickly recognized the lucrative potential of the pop culture exchanges, and have actively promoted them. It would be difficult to even try to estimate the reverberating economic impact of all the Hallyu spin-off industries, from publications and tourism to language study and licensing. The cross-cultural entertainment world influences are now so great, it’s hard to imagine that this all took off just four years ago with one memorable TV drama — “Winter Sonata,” starring Bae Yong-joon and Choi Jiwoo. NHK, the national public broadcaster, decided to try it Saturdays at 11:10 p.m. in a time slot usually reserved for U.S. and British fare. Like all the Korean dramas shown on NHK since, it was broadcast with Japanese voiceovers. Japanese TV viewers, especially middle-aged women, quickly were carried away by the sensitive love story. Soon, glasses and wool scarves were fashion statements. Yonsama, as 36 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

he affectionately became known, was being carved in ice at the Sapporo Snow Festival, and tours to the filming locations became all the rage. NHK quickly followed up with “Beautiful Days,” “All In,” “Spring Waltz,” and the historical dramas “Damo” and the very popular “Daejanggum,” which NHK also later ran in animated form for the kids. Asian dramas have occupied the Saturday 11 p.m. time slot ever since. Those desperate for “Desperate Housewives” or “ER” now have to wait until 1 a.m. As an added bonus for those who stay up even later, “Himawari” with Lee Byung-hun airs at 1:50 a.m. A Hallyu Cinema Festival featuring 14 films, mostly starring actors who are familiar to Japanese TV fans, is running again this year in Tokyo and Osaka from March to May. The spring 2008 travel brochures advertising Korean destinations are offering tickets to the popular musicals “Nanta (Cooking)” and “Jump,” besides promoting all-in

sights Jeju, “Daejanggum” locales and dining experiences and, for the diehard Bae Yong-joon fans, a Yonsama “mo ichido” (once again) tour that even includes his college campus. JTB also sponsored special tours to the open sets used in “Jumong” in February and March. And the list of Korean actors and musicians coming to Japan for concert tours, fan meetings, dinner shows or to release albums here grows longer by the day. March promises Big Bang concerts and the release of the first “SG Wanna Be + Japan” album. With all the dramas and information now available, Japanese Hallyu enthusiasts are becoming increasingly knowledgeable. The latest directory of Korean stars includes the profiles of 780 actors, directors and scriptwriters. Truly dedicated Hallyu fans can even test themselves on how much trivia they have amassed. “Kentei” (proficiency tests) in all sorts of subjects, from languages to local history, are popular in Japan, and the first introductory-level “Hallyu kentei” (a project done in conjunction with JTB) is currently underway. Those who pay for and successfully complete the test on-line will receive certificates of proficiency and be eligible for special TV tours to Korea. Those who think they have watched enough Korean dramas to qualify may want to try the mini-test at http://www.k-x.jp. Few fans take their fascination to this level, but even occasional and casual TV viewers will recognize the names of the stars of those first few NHK series — Bae Yong-joon, Choi Jiwoo, Lee Byung-hun, Ryu Shi-won and Lee Young-ae — and their works — “Winter Sonata,” “Daejanggum,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Beautiful Days,” and “Hotelier” — which top a list of the most popular Korean dramas in Japan, according to a survey done in

2007 by the TV Asahi program SMAStation of 1,600 Japanese, mainly women in their 30s. Even Japanese TV scripts have begun to recognize the Hallyu presence as a part of the modern 21st century Japanese lifestyle. In the recent Japanese TV series “Hatachi no Koibito,” the heroine’s colleague is a devoted Lee Byung-hun fan who reads Hallyu magazines on her breaks, and rushes off from work to attend his fan meetings. This brings us to the second important aspect of the Hallyu success: the timing was right. Had the Korean Wave arrived five or 10 years sooner, when Japan’s own TV dramas were at their peak and bringing in average ratings of over 30 percent, the Hallyu boom might have faced a more difficult challenge. But, for the last few years, Japanese dramas have been weathering a considerable slump. Only dramas starring SMAP’s Takuya Kimura have been consistently capable of climbing up over the 30 percent mark in the new century. Irritating or inconclusive endings, predictable dialogue and a trend away from serious romances have discouraged viewers, and created a vacuum that the quality Korean products have very conveniently filled. Serious drama fans have taken refuge in the parallel Hallyu world with its overall high quality, straightforward and sincere style, freer expression of emotions and romantic leading men. Hallyu dramas might even be able to help enliven the Japanese prime time lineup, now heavy with variety shows and trivia quizzes, if given a chance, but foreign TV series have been unable to significantly break through into the 8-11 p.m. market. Since 1990, I can recall only one foreign drama that was able to crack that barrier to be welcomed into the Japanese prime time schedule — “The X Files” in 1995.

Still, the Hallyu phenomenon has become secure enough in its niche that it has been able to make some dents in the barrier in two ways: Japanese remakes of Korean hits, and appearances by Korean stars in Japanese dramas. In 2006, Tokyo’s Tomoya Nagase starred in a successful remake of “My Boss, My Hero,” a Korean comedy about a gangster who goes back to high school which was among the top ten-rated Japanese TV dramas that year. A Japanese remake of “Hotelier” was less successful, even though it featured a cameo guest appearance by Bae Yongjoon. SMAP’s Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and actress Reina Tanaka will appear in “Ryokiteki na Kanojo,” a remake of the 2001 hit Korean movie “My Sassy Girl” beginning in April, 2008. While Hallyu fans in Japan might idolize the Korean stars, and rush to their fan club meetings, what they are really buying is the whole Korean drama package — the excellent camera work, the passion, the direction, the perkier dialogue and plots, the detail regarding fashion, and the beautiful background music that make them a distinctly Korean commodity. Thus, Korean stars might want to think twice before accepting roles in Japanese series. Korean actors who want to try their hand at Japanese dramas may find it educational, but it is also a career choice fraught with peril. Although Ryu Shi-won’s week-long guest appearance on the 2007 NHK

morning serial “DonDon Hare” significantly helped spike ratings for that series, just look at what he faced in one romantic scene with Yukie Nakama in “Joshi Deka:” In the scene where she is so distraught that she hasn’t eaten all day, what does the script call for — a kiss, a hug, empathy, sympathy? Not even some concerned and caring Korean drama-style wrist yanking (which makes one wonder if repetitive strain injury is an occupational hazard for Korean actresses who have to rehearse scenes like that all day). No, Ryu Shi-won has to tell her to close her eyes. Then he leans over and pinches her nose while shoving a morsel of food into her mouth. Ridiculously unromantic and a waste of his talents. And the Japanese networks wonder why their drama ratings are plummeting, while the public craves serious romances. As long as Korean dramas continue to fill this void, the Hallyu boom should continue to be a lucrative niche industry in Japan. For now, it looks like the Hallyu TV boom is here to stay and will continue to bring the peninsula and the archipelago closer together through couch-potato diplomacy. ■ (Photos courtesy of Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo) Kathleen Morikawa, author of “The Couch Potato’s Guide to Japan: Inside the World of Japanese TV,” is a columnist for the Daily Yomiuri. – Ed.

(From top) Japanese housewives make kimchi at the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo. People learn how to play a Korean wooden flute, danso, in Tokyo

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 37

HSBC Korea

CULTURE

Foreign Firms Turn to Korean Culture BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

GM Daewoo

GM Daewoo CEO Michael Grimaldi shows off his skills on the gayageum, a traditional Korean musical instrument on New Year’s Day 2008

38 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

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n May, the Seoul Metropolitan Government hosted the 2008 Seoul Traditional Artist Awards. Not many people, however, are aware that the sponsors of this event are from foreign lands. Whether it is in traditional music or art, foreign firms are now active followers of Korean culture. The project was initiated in 2007, in a bid to preserve and develop intangible cultural assets, which are in danger of extinction because of the dominance of pop culture, according to the Europe-Korea Foundation (EKF), an umbrella organization of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Along with EKF, HSBC Korea and Maxxium Korea are the main sponsors of this event. This year, HSBC Korea supported six intangible cultural assets. And other EKF members, BoehringerIngelheim, a German pharmaceutical company, and Maxxium Korea, the distributor of Macallan whisky, supported one artist each. This year, a straw artist, a cabinetmaker, a pansori singer, a royal chef, a folk painter and a performer won awards. HSBC Korea presented the winners 5 million won ($5,000) each to support their activities and encourage the promotion of their artwork. Following the awards, their works were exhibited in the bank’s gallery and lobby for a month.

“I hope this event can bring Korea’s traditional culture closer to more firms and the public,” said Simon Cooper, CEO of HSBC Korea. The bank said this will not only help realize the bank’s motto, “the world’s local bank,” but will also enable the bank to assimilate with the local community. “We knew that Korea’s traditional art circle was lacking in budget and sponsorships, and supporting it was a good way of showing what we stand for and what we believe in,” said Jung

Last year HSBC set up a Christmas tree adorned with beoseon, traditional Korean sock

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 39

GM Daewoo

Toyota Motor Korea

CULTURE

Toyota Motor Korea President & CEO Taizo Chigira performs a traditional Korean ceremony to wish for the success of his firm

Children from poor take a traditional pottery class with GM Daewoo officials

Im-hyun, the bank’s assistant vice president. The bank celebrated last Christmas with a Christmas tree featuring Korea’s traditional sock, beoseon, instead of western socks. The bank’s culturefriendly strategy received warm responses from employers as well as customers. “Our employers are proud that the foreign bank cares about Korea’s culture. We think we have set an example for other foreign firms and banks to follow suit,” Jung said. Korea’s traditional music is another area in which foreign firms are actively engaged. Renault Samsung Motors Co., the French automaker Renault SA’s Korean joint venture, holds an annual music contest dedicated to traditional Korean music in collaboration with the National Theater. The 4th Korean Song Contest, held

Ricard, is the sponsor of Kukak National Middle and High School. It is a school that focuses on fostering the Korean traditional music of “Gukak.” The “Imperial Scholarship,” launched in 2002, supports students with exceptional talent in traditional Korean music. Along with the scholarships, which amount to some 200 million won ($200,000) a year, 12 students last year were given a chance to go on a music tour to the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. “It is important that the students experience different music and get a chance to compare and learn about it. We believe these programs stimulate and motivate the students,” said Yoo Ho-sung, the company’s public relations manager. The company also sponsors the National Center for Korean Folk Performing Arts and the National Center for Korean Namdo Performing

40 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

in August 2007, was attended by more than 1,500 people and 11 participating groups. The participants were encouraged to show off their musical skills, which combine Korea’s traditional music and various western genres ranging from rock to hip-hop. The winning team won 10 million won ($10,000). A total of 20 million won were at stake in this competition. Cho Young-don, Renault Samsung’s vice president, said the contest is laying the groundwork in developing and preserving Korea’s traditional music. “We think what’s most Korean is what’s most global. I think this annual festival provides a place to celebrate and enjoy our own music,” he said. This year’s contest is scheduled for Nov. 4 at the National Theater. The company is also keen on celebrating the nation’s traditional holidays. Every February, Renault Samsung hosts a festival celebrating

“Daeboreum,” the first full moon of the lunar year. Held for the fifth time, this year’s event took place in Busan and Seoul’s main cultural venues. During the event, the company also donated scholarships to underprivileged children. Renault Samsung’s focus on Korean culture has paid off. It is now the nation’s fourth-largest automaker and one of the most favored auto brands among Koreans. Korean culture is a good medium for managers to communicate and mingle with employers, who are mostly Korean. “We sponsor these cultural activities and give back to the local community. By doing so, we have become a company that workers like to work at and local citizens are proud of,” the vice president said. Jinro Ballantines, the Korean branch of French-based Pernod

Arts. The two organizations hold annual performances in the suburban areas of Jeollanam-do, which is considered to be the home of traditional Korean music. Meantime, companies like GM Daewoo have sponsored Korea’s contemporary art scene. GM Daewoo, General Motors Corp.’s Korean unit, has supported the Korea Musical Awards and the University Musical Awards. These awards acknowledge the musicals composed and performed by Koreans. The company has also sponsored theaters and productions of creative musicals, which often lack proper funding. “Supporting creative musicals is in line with our corporate image of innovation. And we have limited the sponsorships to only Korean productions, so that the necessary funding can be used to raise Korea’s culture industry,”

said Yoo Seung-hwan, a spokesperson of the company. GM Daewoo also operates an online website called “Passion of the Musical” dedicated to Korea’s creative musical. GM Daewoo CEO Michael Grimaldi has shown much interest toward Korean culture since he was appointed to the current position in 2006. This year, he wore a “hanbok” to spread the season’s greetings and showed off his skills on the “gayageum,” a Korean stringed instrument. “He (Grimaldi) shows a lot of affection toward Korean culture and tradition, and I think that’s how the company, even though most of the managers are from overseas, can grow into being a major automotive company here. I think the employees also appreciate that the managerial team tries to learn and understand our culture,” GM Daewoo’s Yoo said. ■ SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 41

CULTURE

Korea’s UNESCO Heritage Sites (7)

Gyeongju Historic Areas BY JEONG HYEON-JI STAFF WRITER

G

yeongju is one of the places that best preserves the traditional side of modern Korea. The Gyeongju Historic Areas encompass ruins and cultural artifacts of royal families and Buddhist culture during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). Because of their historical significance, they were designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. The areas can largely be divided into five parts, depending on the nature of the clustered ruins. The Mount Namsan Belt presents artifacts related to the prehistoric and Silla’s Buddhist eras. Buddhism was introduced in Korea during the fourth century and during the sixth century in Silla. Over 120 temples and 60 pagodas are found in Mount Namsan. The various images carved into the rocks show the progress and maturation of Silla’s Buddhism and its artistry. The Tumuli Park Belt has three groups of royal tombs, most of which are shaped like mounds or domes. The Wolseong Belt has preserved the ruins of the royal house during the Silla Dynasty. Walking through Gyerim forest, the pavilions in Anapji Pond, Banwolseong Fortress and Cheomseongdae Observatory bring the 1,000-year-old capital back to life. The Hwangnyongsa Belt has the ru-

ins of the once great Hwangnyongsa Temple. Hwangnyongsa was the largest temple in Korea and covered an area of 72,500m2. However, it was burned to the ground during the Mongolian invasion in 1238. About 40,000 historical artifacts have been discovered at the site, providing precious information about Silla’s culture. Also found in the area is Bunhwangsa Temple, which was once one of the most important temples in the history of Silla’s Buddhism. After several foreign invasions, all that is left is now a three-story stone pagoda, stone statues and a temple. The Sanseong Belt occupies Myeonghwal Fortress, which is believed to have been built in the fifth century. The fortress shows Silla’s advanced skills in architecture, which later influenced the Japanese. More information can be found at Gyeongju City Hall’s multilingual website www.gyeongju.go.kr. ■

How to get there Gyeongju is located in Gyeongsangnam-do province. It can be reached via KTX, the Saemaeul train and the express bus from Seoul and other major cities. If driving, take Gyeongbu (Seoul-Busan) Expressway and exit on the Gyeongju interchange after passing Daegu.

(Photos courtesy of Gyeongju City Hall)

The tombstone of King Taejong Mooyeol

Cheomseongdae, the oldest observatory in east Asia

The brick pagoda at Bunhwangsa Temple

42 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Chilburam Buddhist relics on Mt. Namsan

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 43

Wonju Hanji Festival

CULTURE

H

anji, often translated as Korean traditional paper, is more than just something to scribble on. Made from “dagnamu” or paper mulberry bark, it was not only for holding the written word. It was also an indispensable part of everyday life in Korea used for making household items, kitchen utensils and decorations for festivals. Such decorations can still be seen in the form of artificial flowers and paper lanterns at Buddhist festivals. Hanji is made in three practical forms. The multi-layered form is sturdy enough to be made into wardrobes, cabinets, trunks and needle boxes; the paper clay form made of scraps of paper soaked in water and crushed and mixed with glue is used for making lids for bowls and scooping bowls; and paper cords are woven to make baskets, mesh bags, jars, trays and mats. Another surprising usage of hanji could be found in its facilitation as an inner-armor for protection from the cold and the piercing of swords and arrows. Back in 1985 the Korea Promotion Industry Agency concluded that wellpreserved hanji paper could last for 700 years. Also in the same year the Venerable Yeongdam of Unmunsa Buddhist Temple succeeded in reviving seven or eight kinds of traditional hanji whose techniques of manufacture were considered lost. The Ven. Yeongdam came to revive the mulberry paper in Wonju of the same quality as that used in the making of “The Record of a Journey to the Five Indian Kingdoms,” written in A.D.727, and “The Essentials of a Buddhist Sermon” in 1377, two books currently kept by the National Library of France. Wonju Hanji House was founded in 2002 and is run by the Hanji Development Institute in the National Park of Chiaksan. It is one of the major preservers of hanji craft in Korea, dis44 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Korean Traditional Paper Relives Its Glory Days BY KIM HEE-SUNG KOREA.NET STAFF WRITER

Hanji hanbok

Hanji lanterns

Jeans made of hanji textile

A hanji master demonstrates how Korean traditional paper is made

playing over 150 kinds of everyday products made of hanji materials from writing tools, neckties, wallets, socks, handkerchiefs and other various forms of paper craft. Some 15 percent of the buyers are from overseas. “Hanji is soft in texture, flexible, sturdy and allows air circulation. As a paper it absorbs ink fast, as a covering material, it blocks out sounds and vibration and maintains room temperature. It definitely has potential to make it abroad,” said Kim Jin-hee, executive officer of the institute. Hanji House also offers learning programs for both locals and tourists in various age groups. People will be able to test their skills in making a fruit tray, teacup holder, pencil box and pendant out of hanji. Lately it has opened additional classes for migrant women who wish to learn more than just how to speak Korean. How do you make clothes out of paper? Basically you cut hanji into thin pieces to make a thread to weave it into a cloth. Hanji textile to be made into a suit is composed of 35 percent hanji, 35 percent wool and the rest silk. Undergarments would be composed of 50 percent hanji and 50 percent cotton. Socks require 70 percent hanji and 30 percent polyester. It was in 2005 that hanji cloth first gained attention with a man’s jacket and necktie by P&S Korea Co. Ltd. Hanji jeans appeared the following year at the 2007 Hanji Festival. Despite comments that it is less soft in texture than average cloth and jeans are somewhat vulnerable to damage through washing, people also recognized its potential for its high antigerm and quick drying properties. The company, renaming itself papytex, expanded their products from there. Meanwhile, the Hanji Development Institute has chosen “MULBERRY” as its brand name for international patents and plans to develop over 300 hanji

textile products covering a wide range of products, including doctors’ gowns and diapers starting from this year. In 2005 and 2006 the Hanji Development Institute held a grand show in Paris — a Hanji Cultural Festival that stressed the superior quality of hanji from Wonju made through delicate efforts of manual labor. The institute is also receiving calls from Germany and other countries in Europe after its successful debut in France. Hanji is also invited to an upcoming paper festival in Japan this coming October and 12 of its artifacts are also on permanent display at Korea House in Bangkok, Thailand. With the growing popularity of hanji, other provinces are also on the move to revive the traditional industry. Lately, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which grows the most number of mulberry trees in Korea and has a history of producing hanji since Silla Kingdoms, announced it would join the production of hanji. Another famous area to rival Wonju is Jeonju, also a leading site of hanji production, with its own annual festival every spring. In the meantime the institute is looking forward to the construction of the nation’s first hanji theme park, currently under construction. The theme park will be a two-story building with a basement equipped with display room, experience room, workroom, cafeteria, outdoor stage and square, and is expected to be completed by June 2009. The park will provide a full overview of the making of hanji from cultivation to processing. To better experience Wonju hanji, visit the Hanji House or even better, join the Wonju Hanji Festival — the biggest festival of its kind — which will celebrate its 10th year this year with paper dolls, flowers and wedding dresses from Sept. 24 to 28. For more information, visit the festival’s official website at www.wjhanji.co.kr/festival/. ■ SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 45

Yonhap

CULTURE

Visual Stylist Director Kim Jee-woon BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

The poster for “The Good, The Bad, The Weird”

‘Kimchi Western’ Debuts to Great Interest BY HAN ARAN KOREA.NET STAFF WRITER

T

he much-awaited Korean movie “The Good, The Bad, The Weird” based on a spaghetti Western and nicknamed a “Kimchi Western” after the nation’s signature spicy national dish, has become the hottest pick of local theatergoers here but viewers overseas seem to want to get a taste of it as well. The film was directed by Kim Jeewoon and inspired by Sergio Leone’s spaghetti Western “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly,” the classic 1966 film starring Clint Eastwood. The story line follows three Korean

46 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

men and their entanglement with the Japanese army, Chinese and Russian bandits, accompanied by many exciting action scenes set in Manchuria in the 1930s. The movie was screened in the gala section at the Cannes film festival this year and it is reported to have received a standing ovation. Derek Elley, a writer for the entertainment news magazine Variety, said in a review: “A Kimchi Western that draws shamelessly on its spaghetti forebears (Italo-Western) but remains utterly, bracingly Korean.”

And as if reflecting the good reviews, the movie has been garnering interest from foreign countries even before hitting local theaters. The distributor of the film, CJ Entertainment, announced a deal with the New York-based Independent Film Channel on July 15 to distribute “The Good, The Bad, The Weird” in five major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago next year. The release is slated for the first half of 2009 and will start off with the five biggest markets for a total of between fifty and a hundred screens nationwide.

(From top) Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun, Song Kang-ho in scenes from the movie

The United States is not the only country that will show the film. “The Good, The Bad, The Weird” is also being exported to 11 other countries such as the United Kingdom, France, China, Singapore and more. The movie stars three of Korea’s most endearing actors: Jung Woosung, Song Kang-ho and Lee Byunghun, and has broken all domestic records in terms of budget and number of takes for shoots. Set in the 1930s when Korea was under Japanese colonial rule (1910-45) and a network of independence fighters were stationed outside of the country, the movie tells a story of three “good, bad and weird” guys on a wildly exhilarating cross-desert chase, while local Manchurian tribesmen and Japanese soldiers complicate things. ■

The ticket sales of “The Good, The

ducing an omnibus film titled

Bad, The Weird” surpassed the 6-mil-

“Memories” in 2002.

lion mark at the domestic box office

In 2003 he succeeded in satisfying

on Aug. 10, emerging as the most

both moviegoers and critics with the

successful Korean film in the first

horror movie “A Tale of Two Sisters.”

quarter of this year.

The movie sold over 3 million tickets

Director Kim Jee-woon is behind

at the domestic box office. The

the strong performance from the star-

Hollywood remake of the movie,

studded cast and $17 million budget.

whose English title is “The Uninvited

Born in 1964, Kim studied dramat-

— A Tale of Two Sisters,” is sched-

ics at the Seoul Institute of the Art. But

uled to be released in the United

he quit the school early and learned

States next year.

theater acting, following his older sis-

In 2005, the Cannes Film Festival fi-

ter Kim Jee-sook, a veteran actress.

nally invited him and his film “The

He appeared on stage and also di-

Bittersweet Life,” which is considered

rected some plays, experiencing the

to be the greatest honor given to a tal-

real theatrical world.

ented filmmaker.

In 1998 he made his debut as a film-

For actor Song Kang-ho, who is

maker after his scenario for the film

well-known for his roles in Park Chan-

“The Quiet Family” won a prize. In the

wook’s “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”

same year, the black comedy about a

and Bong June-ho’s “Memories of

strange family involved in serial killings

Murder,” this is the third time to work

was invited to three leading interna-

with director Kim after “The Quiet

tional fantastic film festivals including

Family” and “The Foul King.”

Portugal’s Fantasporto, Spain’s Sitges

“Director Kim has a unique art

Film Festival and Brussels International

world. He makes his own version in

Fantastic Festival.

whatever genres he takes. Because

Then he directed “The Foul King

he always makes me expect some-

(1999),” a drama featuring a salary

thing different, I have wanted to work

man dreaming to be a professional

with him again,” Song said at a news

wrestler, and participated in a Korea-

conference for the latest “The Good,

Hong Kong-Thailand joint project pro-

The Bad, The Weird.” ■ SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 47

Enjoy Korean Cuisine above the Clouds BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

Korean Air

Korean Air’s bibimbab meal

A first-class passenger is served Korean meal

48 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

T

ourists point out Korea’s tasty local food is one of the main reasons why they choose to visit here. To meet passengers’ expectations, domestic and international air carriers are offering healthy Korean food in the air. Knowing that passengers fly in a small space for a long period of time, in-flight meals consist of ingredients low in calories that are easy to digest. Wellknown for its healthy ingredients, Korean cuisine satisfies both taste and nutrition. First introduced in 1997 by Korean Air, bibimbab, or rice with assorted vegetables, has become the most widely provided Korean dish as an in-flight meal. Various vegetables included in bibimbab help digestion and provide vitamins. Korean Air’s spicy Korean noodles, called “bibimguksoo” in Korean, are also favored for con-

taining only 450 calories. A special process, which is developed by the company’s own research laboratory for air catering, keeps the noodles from swelling despite the long flight. Korean Air has been recognized twice by the prestigious Mercury Award for the usage of bibimguksoo and bibimbab. Another major Korean air carrier Asiana Airlines offers an opportunity for passengers to experience the royal cuisine, also well-known to foreign visitors through the Korean Wave drama “Daejanggeum,” or “Jewel in the Palace.” In cooperation with Han Bok-ryeo, the president of the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine, a fourcourse meal, which is said to be consumed by ancient Korean kings, is served for first class passengers. Among the more than nine side dishes are grilled fish, grilled beef and seafood stew with abalone, scallop, sea cucumber roll. Of course, prior reservation is required. Business and economy class passengers can also enjoy various royal cuisine menu items such as tteokgalbi (grilled short rib meat patties) and agwijjim (spicy monkfish with soybean sprouts). Especially favored is the 2007 Mercury Award-winning ssambap, a Korean dish in which leaf vegetables are offered to wrap a piece of meat and boiled rice. Ssamjang, a special soybean paste, is accompanied, adding taste. In another effort to introduce Korean cuisine to foreign travelers, Asiana Airlines services traditional holiday foods each season. For New Year’s Day, tteokguk, a soup boiled with several thinly sliced rice cakes, is offered with traditional cookies and drinks, and for Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving Day, halfmoon-shaped rice cakes, called “songpyeon” in Korean, is provided as a dessert. Also, international air carriers prepare Korean food as an in-flight meal, aimed at both attracting local passengers and introducing Korean culture to foreign travelers. With the opening of the Seoul-Helsinki direct route in June, Finland’s flag carrier Finnair services more typical Korean food such as doenjangguk (soybean-paste soup) and miyeokguk (brown seaweed soup) along with bibimbab and kimchi. The company has employed Korean chefs residing in Helsinki for the development of the Korean menu. German airline Lufthansa introduces Korean cuisine such as galbi (grilled beef) and jeonbyeong (Korean pancakes enjoyed with various vegetables) and instant cup noodles are also popular. ■

Asiana Airlines

Korean Air

TRAVEL

(From top) Asiana Airlines’ nutritious juk, or Korean-style porridge, traditional snacks and the ssambab set

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 49

TRAVEL

A Trip to Namdo Jeollanam-do is an ideal place to travel during autumn, where nature’s beauty and culture are intertwined. If you wish to discover the beauty of Korea while savoring Korean cuisine, we suggest taking a trip to the following destinations.

Travel Course You can tour this entire area within two days. If you leave Seoul early in the morning, you can arrive at Naganeupseong Fortress by lunch time and enjoy a festival in the afternoon. If you have made a reservation for a temple stay in advance, head to Songgwangsa Temple or stay in one of the traditional houses at Naganeupseong. On the next day, you can go to Boseong Tea Field, which is about an hour away, and if you leave by 2:00 p.m., you’ll be in Seoul in time for dinner.

Day Two 7:30 Songgwangsa Temple Day One 11:20 Namdo Food Festival Day Two 11:50 Boseong Tea Field

Day One 16:10 Naganeupseong Fortress Folk Village

Every autumn, the celebration of southern cuisine takes place in Naganeupseong Fortress Folk Village in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do. People from 22 cities and counties of Jeollanam-do prepare their finest dishes and participate in competitions, making this festival a special event. The festival also provides wonderful opportunities for visitors to try foods from different regions in a single area. There are other traditional cultural events at the festival, such as making straw handicrafts, ceramics, and dyeing cloths. www.namdofood.or.kr

About 100 straw-thatched roof houses rest in a scenic field of Suncheon, Jeollanam-do. Residents here thatch their roofs in an old-fashioned way, allowing you to view the architectural features of a traditional Korean village. www.nagan.or.kr

Songgwangsa Temple is one of three major temples that represent the gems of Korean Buddhism — Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The temple has produced many prominent monks and houses the greatest number of cultural properties among all temples in Korea. You can see these magnificent cultural properties in the temple’s museum. The temple food is also renowned for its beautiful pre-dawn ceremonial services, in which 200 monks begin bowing and chanting at 4:00 a.m. A temple stay program is also available for interested visitors. www.songgwangsa.org

Boseong Tea Field is reputed as the most beautiful tea field in Korea. Lines of tea bushes cover the mountain side. Interestingly, the tea leaves do not lose their green hues even during winter. You can take walks between the bushes and enjoy green tea at a cafe nearby. www.boseong.go.kr (Source: Korea Tourism Organization)

Korean Food Festivals Traditional Korean Drink and Rice Cake Festival

Hadong Mountain Dew Tea Cultural Festival Around mid-May, Hadong hosts a festival for wild-grown

Sunchang Gochujang Festival

Geumsan Insam Festival

Sunchang in Jeollabuk-do is famous for its gochujang (red pepper

The Geumsan Insam Festival takes place in

This festival takes place between late March and

tea. Hadong, which is located in Gyeongsangnam-do, is the

paste) and holds an annual festival in early November to appreciate

Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do around September.

early April in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. All sorts of

largest wild-tea growing region in Korea. Special events include

the essence of the ingredients of gochujang. Here, you can participate

Geumsan is the largest producer of insam, or “Korean

Korean rice cakes and wines can be viewed and sampled. You

picking wild tealeaves, making and sampling high-quality teas.

in making gochujang as well as other pastes, such as doenjang (soy-

ginseng,” in Korea. Events include digging for insam,

bean paste).

making insam dishes, and cutting up herbs.

www.sunchang.go.kr

http://tour.geumsan.go.kr

can also learn how to make these delicious Korean rice cakes. www.sulddeok.gyeongju.go.kr

50 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

http://tour.hadong.go.kr

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 51

FOOD

P

eople visiting Korea’s countryside might be surprised to discover rows upon rows of large and small, brown earthenware pots situated on platforms. Spices and seasonings used to make Korean food are pickled and preserved in these pots, which include hangari and onggi (pots typically smaller than hangari). One factor that helps preserve the food or ingredients contained within is that the pots, despite the fluctuating temperatures of the seasons, tend to retain a constant temperature on the inside. This allows for the flavor of the seasonings, sauces and pickled foods to be retained for several years. While Korean housewives may add the devotion needed to make a dish complete, it would not be a stretch to say that these pots give birth to the very aromas and flavors found on Korean tables.

Ceramic Pots — Natural Preservers

1 Traditional soy sauce pots in Korea are usually very wide in the middle. The wider the pot is, the better it will retain the proper temperature inside the pot. 2 Gochujang, or red pepper paste, is made annually and preserved in medium-sized pots. The medium-sized pots are placed in the front row or in the corner for convenient access. 3 The taste of doenjang, or soybean paste, is enhanced by sunlight. In addition, sunlight also prevents doenjang from going moldy. Therefore, Koreans typically open the lid of the jar on sunny days. 4 Hangari, or ceramic pots, are used to preserve kimchi, gochujang, and doenjang, which are made in accordance with the four seasons. The condiments used to make kimchi, such as salt and red pepper powder, are also stored in hangari. 5 Since rice is a major staple of the Korean diet, these large-sized ceramic pots (sometimes called ssaldok, or rice pots) are used to store this essential grain. The pots prevent rice from decaying and being spoiled by insects.

52 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

5

3

Pot Arrangement and Functions 1

2

4

Korean earthenware pots are typically lined up (with larger pots placed behind smaller ones for convenience) in two or three rows in well-ventilated areas with plenty of sunlight. This allows air and moisture to slowly seep through the walls of pots, which enhances the flavor of the food that is contained within. Over time, these pots have been known to help filter away toxins that are hazardous to humans. Having foods ferment inside pots for a long time ensures that the pot will retain the fresh quality of the food. Source: Korea Tourism Organization

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 53

PEOPLE Yonhap

Kang teaches junior ballerinas in a special class during her recent visit to Busan in August

Prima Ballerina Kang Sue-jin

K

ang Sue-jin, a principal dancer of Germany’s Stuttgart Ballet, is probably the best-known Korean ballerina on the international dance scene. Kang has significantly contributed to raising the profile of the nation’s dance community globally. Born in 1967 in Seoul, Kang started to attend ballet classes at the age of 13. She was considered too old for learning ballet when compared to other students who started learning ballet no older than eight. “I woke up at 4 a.m. and did my stretching and practiced ballet before going to school. I usually came back home late at night. It was really difficult for a 13-year-old girl who was already behind other girls who started ballet a few years earlier than me. But my daily practice nearly became my 54 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

habit, which later made me overcome all those difficulties,” Kang said during a news conference, which was held last year to celebrate her 20th anniversary as a professional ballet dancer. Kang studied with Marika Besobrasova at the Academie de Danse classique in Monaco. In 1985, she became the first Asian to win the top prize in the Prix de Lausanne, and joined Stuttgart Ballet a year later. Appointed soloist in 1994 and then principal dancer in 1997, Kang was the first Korean dancer to achieve such high merits in the international ballet scene. As a member of the company, Kang made her debut as Juliet in 1993, a role that she still loves to play. Last year she also became the first Asian to be honored as “Kammertanzerin” (chamber dancer) by the German

state government of BadenWurttemberg, a great honor often compared to being dubbed a knight in Britain. The title officially credits dancers and musicians, and is given annually in Germany and Austria only when there is a recipient worthy of the title. So far “youngest” and “first” have always been used to describe her and her ballet career. But, now at 41, the ballet star is considered the oldest ballet dancer still active in the international ballet scene and people don’t hesitate to ask her when she will retire from dancing. “I feel these days that my body and head have become one. I don’t want to be young again and start it all over again,” Kang said. “I feel more confident than ever.” ■

Yonhap

Ballerina Kang Sue-jin

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 55

Yonhap

PEOPLE

A Veteran Artist’s Love of Dokdo

Lee Jong-sang

major was western painting, he changed to oriental painting because he was more interested in traditional art and paintings. Lee admires Jeong Seon, a wellknown painter in the Joseon era (1392-1910) who created a Koreanstyle landscape painting technique, which was very different from traditional Chinese styles. Sensing that the great artist who used to travel all over the country had never captured islands or seashores, Lee decided to draw islands with Dokdo as the central theme.

His first exhibition of Dokdo paintings was held in Insa-dong, central Seoul, in 1977. In the same year, he also organized a group consisting of fellow artists to attract more attention to the rocky island. The group regularly visits the islets and holds artistic performances. For the 70-year-old artist, Dokdo is still inspirational. “Every time I visit Dokdo, I find a new aspect,” said Lee, who has visited Dokdo 36 times over the last 30 years. ■

L

ee Jong-sang is a veteran artist dedicated to painting Korean islands and seashores, especially Dokdo in the East Sea, which is at the center of a diplomatic dispute with Japan. Recently he had submitted his Dokdo paintings to an art fair to be held in Tokyo. But pressured by Japanese right-wingers, the organizing committee asked him to send his other works and he turned down the exhibition proposal. “I didn’t think they would consider my paintings in relation to politics,” he said. “History is my important artistic inspiration. I couldn’t accept their request and decided not to participate in the event.” Then the art fair was cancelled entirely. Born in 1938, Lee studied paintings at the College of Arts of Seoul National University. Even though his 56 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Korea’s ‘Culture President’ Comes Back BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

Singer-producer Seo Tai-ji

S

Lee’s 1982 painting titled “The Spirit of Dokdo II”

eo Tai-ji’s latest album “Moai” has sold 150,000 copies in less than 20 days since it came out on July 29. The long awaited album consisting of four songs is the first single of his eighth regular album, titled “Seotaiji 8th Atomos Part Moai,” which is scheduled to be released at the end of this year. Seo has experimented with various music genres such as alternative rock, heavy metal and hardcore music through his previous albums. The latest record transcends all the genres, according to Seo’s agent Seotaiji Company. Born in 1972, he started his professional music career playing bass guitar for the legendary rock band Sinawe when he was 18. Along with two other members, he formed the band Seo Tai-ji & Boys in 1991. Even though the music and dance moves based on American hip-

hop were harshly criticized by experts, young people liked the way they challenged existing music styles and social values. He reshaped the K-pop scene of the 1990s. The singer-producer is considered one of the biggest cultural icons in Korea and sometimes referred to as “Culture President.” Seo Tai-ji announced his retirement with the band’s dismantlement in 1996. But he came back as a solo artist and every record he has released has gone platinum. The strong performance of his latest album is expected to stimulate the struggling K-pop market. Marking the release of his new album, he hosted a rock festival ETP Fest 2008 (Eerie Taiji People Festival) at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on Aug. 14 and 15. Rock stars from in and out of the country, including American hard rocker Marilyn Manson and Japanese hip-hop band Dragon Ash, were invited, attracting interest from music fans and the media. ■

Yonhap

Yonhap

BY LEE JI-YOON STAFF WRITER

A record shop in downtown Seoul is crowded with Seo Tai-ji fans buying his latest album on July 29

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 57

J

ay Greenberg, a symphony-writing teen musical prodigy who is often dubbed the “next Mozart,” premiered his chamber piece based on Korean folk tales, during this year’s International Great Mountains Music Festival & School. According to the festival’s Artistic Director Kang Hyo, the festival’s organizing committee had commissioned the 16-year-old composer to write the 15-minute piece for string quartet entitled “Four Scenes.” It was performed by musicians of Sejong, a top-notch conductor-less string orchestra based in New York City, at YongPyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, on Aug. 15. “I was drawn to the subtle but present differences between Korean and better-known European fairy tales,” wrote Greenberg in the festival’s program guide. “Most importantly, numerous such tales have not been softened up or prettified for more upperclass readers, as is common in Western literature, and thus end in violent, tragic, or unexpected ways and/or feature content that would have been considered unacceptable in Europe during the same period.” Born in 1991 in New Haven, Connecticut, Greenberg began playing the cello when he was three years old, and he later taught himself how to play the piano. His first formal lessons in theory and composition began when he was seven, and, from then, it took him only three years until he enrolled in a special program of New York’s Juilliard School of Music, as a scholarship student. So far, he has already composed more than 100 musical works, including five symphonies, 17 piano sonatas

58 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Yonhap

EVENTS Yonhap

PEOPLE

‘Next Mozart’ Premieres in Korea BY LEE YONG-SUNG KOREA HERALD STAFF WRITER

(From left) The opening film “Young@Heart” and the closing film “The Visitor”

Jecheon International Music & Film Festival Jay Greenberg

and three piano concertos. Among them, his Overture to 9/11 received first prize in the composition competition at the Juilliard pre-college division in 2003, and he won ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composers awards in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Sony BMG Masterworks label released his first CD in 2006, which includes his Symphony no. 5 and String Quintet performed by the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jose Serebrier, as well as by the Juilliard String Quartet with cellist Darrett Adkins. “‘Four Scenes’ is different to difficult contemporary scores, in that it is based on classical harmonies with highly melodic tunes,” said Kang Hyo, a celebrated violinist who has been on

the faculty of the Juilliard School since 1978, and is a visiting professor at Yale School of Music. Now in its fifth year, GMMFS is the first major music festival of its kind here, modeled after the famous summer festival in Aspen, Colorado. Like the Aspen Music Festival, the festival not only presents a month-long season of concerts but is also a summer music school that plays home to some of the most talented young musicians from around the world. In addition to the Sejong Soloists, the festival featured several internationally acclaimed performers, including pianists Paul Salerni and Plamena Mangova; violinists Chee-Yun and Frank Hwang; cellists Aldo Parisot and Jian Wang. ■

that make music a central theme.

The fourth Jecheon International Music & Film

mentary about a rock choir. What’s special

Festival was held on Aug. 14 for six days, in-

about this energetic and powerful group was

The Music in Sight section featured 12 mu-

troducing 82 flicks from 30 countries plus a

that the average age of its members is 81. In

sic documentaries that illustrated the colorful

variety of music performances.

the film directed by Stephen Walker, the se-

life of talented musicians. The Korean Music

JIMFF, started in 2005, is Asia’s first music-

nior citizens, ages 75 to 93, defy conventions

Film Now section revisited six Korean films

oriented film event where moviegoers and mu-

and prejudices in a refreshing style that cele-

that use plenty of music, including director

sic lovers can share opportunities to enjoy

brates music and also plays a fine opener for

Lee Jun-ik’s “The Happy Life” and Ha Ki-ho’s

both. This year it has established a new com-

the festival.

“Radio Dayz.”

petition section titled World Music Film Today,

The closing film, “The Visitor” by Tom

The Theme and Variations section brought

where 10 films from nine countries compete to

McCarthy, was equally music-oriented. In the

audiences to the golden days of musical films,

win awards and a cash prize worth $15,000, in

film, a widowed college professor living in

featuring seven well-known pieces such as

a bid to solidify its position as a film festival.

Connecticut travels to New York City to at-

“The Broadway Melody,” “42nd Street” and

Jecheon, a city of 140,000 in Chung-

tend a conference and finds a young couple

“The Jazz Singer.”

cheongbuk-do, is known for its serene land-

living in his apartment. The professor finds

Other popular events included a series of

scape and clean environment, and the festi-

new meaning in life when the couple teaches

outdoor concerts entitled “One Summer

val’s rapid rise to public recognition is its

him to play an African drum.

Night,” introducing local and international mu-

unique combination of music and film, while

The Cine Symphony section this year fea-

sicians. Korean music groups such as DJ

inviting tourists to join related events, espe-

tured 12 music-oriented films including

DOC, Jaurim and Crying Nut performed with

cially outdoor concerts featuring well-known

Esteban Sapir’s “La Antena,” Ahmed El

foreign guests such as Chelsia Chan and

musicians.

Maanouni’s “Burned Hearts,” Craig Zobel’s

MAU Project.

The Jecheon festival opened with

“Great World of Sound.” This section at the

“Young@Heart,” an intriguing British docu-

heart of the festival offered the latest movies

For further information, visit the festival’s official website at www.jimff.or.kr. ■

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 59

EVENTS

National Palace Museum of Korea’s Special Exhibition

Box containing Royal Edict for Honorary King Jangjo upon his Appointment as Crown Prince/Joseon, 1872/ The National Palace Museum Chest for Scrolls and Albums of Chinese emperor Qianlong’s Calligraphy and Paintings/Qianlong Reign (1736-95), Qiang Dynasty/ The Palace Museum in Beijing

T

he National Palace Museum of Korea begins an exhibition showcasing antiquities that were used for decorating and preserving paintings and calligraphic works, starting Sept. 5 and running through Nov. 2. In ancient times Korean scholars used to communicate by exchanging writings and paintings. An interesting fact is that they cared about the decoration of their work of pictorial art and calligraphy as much as the contents. Colorful silk fabrics and papers were used for hanging scrolls, and wood sculptures and traditional knotting pieces added brilliant beauty to the storage boxes and frames. For the exhibition, the remains from China and Japan will be shown along with the masterpieces of Korean art during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Invented in China, the decoration art was spread to neighboring Korea and Japan and has become a precious tradition shared by the three countries. For more information, visit the museum’s official website at www.gogung.go.kr/eng. ■

60 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Manuscripts and Illustrations of the Daoist “Yellow Court Scripture” (Huangting-jing)/Qianlong Reign (1736-95), Qing Dynasty/The Palace Museum in Beijing

Portrait of King Taejo (Treasure No. 931)/Joseon, 1872/Jeonju City

Documents of the So Family of Tsushima (Important Cultural Property)/Edo Period, 18th century/Kyushu National Museum

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 61

Seoul Food Festival

Yonhap

Onggi Expo Ulsan Korea

EVENTS

Under the theme of “Taste of Seoul,” a food festival showcasing various Korean foods was held at five popular spots in Seoul from Aug. 22-31. Emerging as a new tourist spot, Cheonggye Plaza attracted people with healthy foods such as bulgogi and bibimbab. Famous Korean chefs gave a cooking demonstration and traditional music performances are shown during the festival. At the Gyeonghuigung Palace, the royal cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty was revived for ordinary citizens to experience the culinary culture of ancient kings. The tea and snack ceremony event was held at the Seoul Museum of History. Also many citizens participated in the Seoul Food Fighter Competition during the festival, challenging Guinness world records. For more information, visit http://foodfestival.seoul.go.kr. ■

An Onggi master demonstrates the process of making traditional earthenware

Tea and snack ceremony event

Onggi Expo Ulsan Korea “Onggi” is traditional earthenware which

Under the slogan of “Onggi, Earthen-

has been widely used as tableware in

ware of Life,” the event will provide a

Korean people’s daily lives. Compared

good opportunity for visitors to appreci-

to ordinary porcelain ware, onggi has a

ate both traditional onggi and various

microporous structure helping the stor-

earthenware from 40 countries. Along

age of fermented foods such as gochu-

with onggi-related cultural and academ-

jang, doenjang and soy sauce.

ic events, a variety of traditional ferment-

King’s dinner table is recreated at the Gyeonghuigung Palace in Seoul

The World Congress of Korean Studies

The city of Ulsan is stepping up its ef-

ed food events will attract visitors in and

forts to promote the scientific superiority

out of the country. Also prepared is a

The 4th World Congress of Korean Studies opens in Seoul from Sept. 22 to 24. The annual event

of onggi by hosting the first international

special program to experience making

is the largest conference on Korean studies in the world.

onggi exposition next year. In Ulsan, lo-

Korean red pepper and soybean paste.

cated 70 kilometers north of Busan,

Onggi Expo Ulsan Korea 2009 will be

there is the nation’s largest onggi pro-

held on Oct. 9 to Nov. 8 in 2009 for 31

ducing village where many makers and

days throughout the city of Ulsan. For

vendors live together. The city has host-

more information, visit the event’s official

ed its own onggi festival since 2001.

website at www.onggiexpo.com. ■

62 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Under the slogan “Korean Studies Interfacing with the World,” this year’s event will be focused on sharing the latest achievements in Korean studies and forming an academic network of researchers around the world. Along with academic conferences and meetings, cultural performances will be presented for visiting participants to better understand Korea and its culture. For more information, visit www.aks.ac.kr/congress/. ■

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 63

BOOKS

Political Change in Korea Edited by The Korea Herald and The Korean Political Science Association Publisher: Jimoondang Pages: 340 Price: 20,000 won The Korea Herald has published “Political

has achieved the twin goals of democratic

Change in Korea,” the third book in the

development and rapid economic growth.

“Insight into Korea” series. The volume has

But many analysts also note that

35 essays analyzing contemporary Korean

Korea’s political development lags behind

politics. Written by top Korean political sci-

its economic development. Some de-

entists, the in-depth analyses were all pub-

scribe Korea as a country with a First

lished in the paper between December

World economy and Third World politics. A

2007 and May 2008.

Korean business tycoon once rated Korea

“Political Change in Korea” is intended

as second-class in economic prowess,

to help readers better understand the

third-class in government efficiency, and

tremendous changes that have reshaped

fourth-class in political performance.

the Korean political landscape since June

“Most authors in this book discuss

1987. The civilian uprising that took place

Korean politics from a critical perspec-

21 years ago set in motion a democratiza-

tive,” said Yu Kun-ha, managing editor of

tion process that has transformed Korea

The Korea Herald, who oversaw the book

from authoritarianism to a liberal democ-

project. “While acknowledging the

racy.

progress Korea has made in democratiza-

Korea’s transition to a vibrant democra-

tion, at the same time, they point out the

cy has been hailed by many foreign ana-

long road ahead in attaining full-fledged

lysts. They regard Korea as a model, for it

liberal democracy.” ■

Contemporary Korean Architecture Author: Kim Sung-hong and Peter Cachola Schmal Publisher: JOVIS Page: 263 Price: 50,000 won The first overseas exposition showcasing contemporary Korean architecture was held last year in Frankfurt, Germany, drawing a positive response from local visitors. Published by the well-known German publishing house JOVIS, this book features a total of 32 projects by 16 Korean participating architects shown during the event. Along with the photographs of buildings and city landscapes captured by photographer Ahn Se-kwon, the book also contains articles and columns on contemporary Korean architecture written by experts and journalists in and out of the country. ■

Panmunjom: Facts about the Korean DMZ Author: Wayne A. Kirkbride Publisher: Hollym Page: 80 Price: 8,000 won

64 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

Panmunjeom is a village on the border be-

about the area are known to the public, es-

tween South and North Korea, where the

pecially people living overseas. This handy

armistice that halted the Korean War

guide book will be helpful for future visitors

(1950-1953) was signed in 1953. For over

and historians to know what Korea was

50 years, the site has served as a sad re-

like, when it was divided as a nation, and

minder of the division of Korea. But recent-

that peaceful reunification might happen

ly, with the economic and cultural ex-

anytime.

changes between the two Koreas increas-

The author, who retired from the U.S.

ing, it has also become a symbol for the

Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, has written

peace on the Korean Peninsula.

books on Panmunjeom and North Korea

Even though Panmunjeom is frequently

including “North Korea’s Undeclared War:

cited when important issues happen con-

1953-” and “DMZ: A Story of the

cerning the border village, not many things

Panmunjeom Axe Murder.” ■

SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 65

FOREIGN VIEWPOINTS

South Korea Continues to Change Dynamically

I

t was in 1979 when I visited Korea for the very first time. I found that Seoul was more or less a modern city with its own attractions, such as parks, monuments, palaces and temples — all with their own beautiful characteristics. The only thing I knew about Korea was that it had previously had a war some 25 years ago in 1950 and that Koreans spoke Korean, a very hard language to learn and understand. But I came to like the country and its people. From 1979 to 1999, I traveled frequently to Korea and learned about its history, culture, language, customs, food and the way they lived — and I got to like Korea even more. During the past 30 years, I have seen the changes in this dynamic nation and learned about the efforts Koreans have made to develop their country, which is now the 13th largest economy in the world. Yet, Koreans aren’t complacent. They continue with their efforts to grow and grow more every day, emerging with great success to comply with the global standards of a developed country. Despite the political problems of the past and the financial crisis in 1997, Koreans have found more ways to continue with their efforts to make their country better. With the developments in the IT, communications, automotive, electronics and shipping sectors, Korea has found a fertile soil to speed up their growth. 66 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008

BY RENÉ FRANCISCO UMAÑA HONDURAS AMBASSADOR TO KOREA

The establishment of the first internet system, SDN, has contributed to all parts of society, speeding up the development of Korea. The internet, used by almost 95 percent of the population, is capable of providing information to 45 million people instantly, influencing the development of new technologies. The development of these technologies has made industries like Hyundai, Samsung, LG, KT, STX and SK leaders in the world. They land billions of dollars worth of orders every year and make Korea stronger economically. The success of these companies is due to the new technologies, but it couldn’t have been possible without the people’s open mind, discipline, responsibility and spirit. Just 50 years ago, Korea was a very poor country, with only water as a natural resource. However, in a short time, Korea was able to construct what

we know as “The Miracle on the Han River.” It was not a miracle. It was clearly a vision that tried to overcome every possible obstacle, and to prepare the road for a better way of living. Korea is now sparkling in the world with its own light. It is now the model for some developing countries. Korea is offering help to these needy countries economically and technologically. These countries are following Korea’s steps to achieve sustainable development. Through the Government’s new policies, development has been extended to the provinces. Even though almost half of the population is concentrated in Seoul metropolitan area and Gyeonggi-do, we can now see how the other eight provinces are emerging via the establishment of the three major Economic Free Zones in Busan, Incheon and Gwangyang. The economy is very important, of course. But we have to understand that the Government isn’t only interested in raising the GDP per capita to $40,000. The Government has taken care of every aspect of society: education, agriculture, science, language, culture, environment, etc. The reunification of Korea has played a very important role as well. Korea is becoming one of the world’s most important nations. It only needs to be advertised a little more, to let others know what this country is capable of. This way, many will stop thinking about the Korea of 60 years ago. ■