Han Asia Times

Major Events  1. DESIGN KOREA 2010  In connection with the G20 Seoul Summit, DESIGN KOREA 2010 under the theme of "Convergence though Design" will simulate the convergence of various values and present strategies for a new vision and growth of the design industry with the participating countries, companies and professionals. The exhibition seeks what directions design must take for a sustainable future and tries to communicate them to the visitors.   www.designkorea.or.kr     - Period : December 7 – 12, 2010   - Venue : COEX Hall D (3F)   - Hosted by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy   - Organized by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion   2. Gyeonggi Food Festival 2010   www.foodfestival.co.kr     - Period : December 3 – 5, 2010   - Venue : KINTEX Exhibition Hall 5A, Gyeonggi Province   - Hosted by Gyeonggi Province  Activities & Announcements  1. The 3rd Awards Ceremony & 4...

      Chairwoman Lee Bae-Yong of the Presidential Council on Nation Branding on November 15 gave a lecture for the KBS program “The Road to First Class.”    The lecture was on the subject of Korea’s nation brand and the impact of the G20 Seoul Summit. “Made in Korea” Impact “Despite the increasing sales of Korean products globally nowadays,” Chairwoman Lee explained, “they still get about a 30% discount compared to similar products made by some other nations because of Korea’s undervalued nation brand.” Giving examples of French perfume and wine which are products backed up by the country’s strong nation brand, Lee emphasized the importance of nation brand in generating economic profits. “We need to work on increasing trust and preference for so-called “Made in Korea.” Also, it is getting more and more important nowadays to have strong “software” such as cultural content, human resources and spiritual values as well as hardware.” Lee also touched upon Ko...

【서울=뉴시스】이현주 기자 = 한국학중앙연구원이 22일 인도 뉴델리에서 네루대학과 학술교류와 연구협력 증진을 위한 양해각서(MOU)를 체결했다. 한국학진흥사업의 하나로 인도·한국 비교 등 공동연구, 학생과 연구자 교류 등을 추진한다. 인도와 주변국의 한국학 거점으로 육성해 남아시아 한국학 네트워킹을 지원할 계획이다. MOU 체결과 함께 열린 학술대회에서는 올해부터 발효된 포괄적 경제협력협정(CEPA)으로 변화된 한국과 인도의 정치, 경제, 안보 등 다양한 분야에 관해 양국 한국학 학자들의 의견을 교환했다. 인도 네루대학 한국어문학과 과장인 비자얀티 교수는 “인도는 산업 발전과 비교할 때 교육 분야의 수급 불균형으로 양질의 교육을 받을 수 있는 기회가 적다”며 “그만큼 교육 투자에 대한 해외 교육기관의 적극적인 투자가 기회가 될 것”이라고 전했다. 네루대학교는 델리대학교와 함께 인도의 명문으로 손꼽힌다. 1971년 한국어문 과정이 설립됐으며 300명 이상의 한국어 전공학사를 배출했다. 1995년 학위과정이 설치된 이후 100명 이상의 인도인을 포함한 외국인 한국어문학 석사를 배출했다.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has taken initiatives to minimize the possible repercussions of North Korea’s attack for Seoul’s economy such as a reduction in foreign investment and a decrease in the number of tourists. While strengthening monitoring of trends in the economy, the city has established a cooperative network with related government agencies to jointly cope with the situation. City officials held an emergency meeting on Nov. 25 under the chairmanship of Mr. Young-gyu Kwon, Vice Mayor I for Administrative Affairs, to assess the impact of the North Korean artillery attack on the financial markets in and outside Korea and discuss measures to counter possible economic repercussions and public anxiety. The city government has been closely monitoring developments at major tourist attractions and the tourism industry in Seoul and is making every effort to ensure the perfect safety of foreign tourists. Seoul City will closely work with foreign businesses and organizations...

For two years, India has been grappling with a heightened threat perception on its borders with China.  VK SHASHIKUMAR  on the complex preparations for a war that may not happen The Ring of the Dragon HOW CHINA IS FLEXING ITS MUSCLES CHINESE PREMIER  Wen Jiabao is to visit New Delhi in the middle of December. His visit would mark 60 years of a tense diplomatic relationship, one where India’s elephantine firmness is increasingly matching China’s assertive dominance. In November, India’s foreign minister SM Krishna informed Parliament that the government is keeping “a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and is taking all necessary measures to safeguard it”. PHOTO:  AFP China’s ‘peaceful rise’ is over and its new ‘assertiveness’ is bothering diplomats, politicians and military strategists. “The Chinese have incrementally taken over ground in the Western Sector near the Pangong Tso in Ladakh,” says Bhaskar Roy, accompl...

In 1950, as the international community was coming to terms with the aftermath of World War II, a new conflict broke out at the edge of the Asian continent. It was a rare example of the Cold War turning hot - pitting the US and its allies against the USSR, North Korea and communist China. It was marked by dramatic swings of fortune and a devastating death toll. Estimates vary, but at least two million Korean civilians, up to 1.5m communist forces, and around 30,000 US, 400,000 South Korean and 1,000 UK troops are believed to have died.                                     The suffering caused by the war continues to this day For two of the three years that the war was under way, both sides were actually trying to negotiate a peace. When a ceasefire was eventually signed, on 27 July 1953, no-one could have guessed that 50 years later, the two Koreas would remain technically at war. A peace treaty ha...