Han Asia Times

  We can figure out culture and customs in traditional markets. I’d like to introduce you a five-day market in Jeju island which presents its own culture and customs. A five-day market opens five days in a row per month, however, just 40 and 50 years ago, it was nothing but a normal market crowded with people. As time goes by, the market has modernized, but unfortunately nine markets remained so far. A Five-Day Market in Jeju, History and Tradition < Maeil Olleh market in Seogypo > (Source: Jeju Sori) It is not clear from when the five-day market started in Jeju. Academic circles estimate the market started at front yard of Gwandeokjeon in 1910. According to the record, it opened every second and seventh day in lunar calendar. Many items such as crops, clothes and daily necessity were sold or bartered for. Jeju five-day market has been a driving force to Jeju people and contributed to regional economic growth. The natives say that the bi...

September 8 is International Literacy Day. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on November 17, 1965, and celebrated for the first time in 1966. International Literacy Day aims to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities, and societies. For this year’s International Literacy Day, the focus was on the link between literacy and peace, and a ceremony took place in New Delhi, India. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil of India hands out prizes at the International Literacy Day ceremony on September 8 (Photo: Yonhap News). During the ceremony in New Delhi, UNESCO gave out the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize to projects in Burundi and Mexico. The Literacy Prize was created by the Korean government in 1989 to honor the outstanding contribution made to literacy by Sejong the Great (1397 - 1418/1450) who created Hangul, the Korean alphabet. This prize rewards the activities of governments, governme...

Main Events 1. Gwangju Design Biennale 2011 http://www.gb.or.kr   - Period : Sept. 2nd(Fri)~ Oct. 23rd(Sun), 2011. (52days) - Venue : Gwangju Biennale Hall and all around the city of Gwangju 2. Round & Round, Hangawi(Harvest Full Moon) Multicultural Festival http://www.nfm.go.kr   - Period : Sept. 3rd(Sat)~ 13th(Tue), 2011. (11 days) - Venue : National Folk Museum of Korea, Seoul

Asia Exchange Association, the Cradle of Global Leader Asia is becoming the leader of 21st century. But barriers caused by different languages, religions and also the controversial issues in history still remain, making it hard to draw cooperation among countries. So we need young leaders to bring them all together. Where and how can we find them? Asia Exchange Association may have an answer to that matter. The Youth Opening the Future AEA(Asia Exchange Association), registered in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a nonprofit organization. It was established in March 2005 to build the Asian network through education volunteer, and academic and cultural interchange by young people. Since it's establishment, AEA has cooperated with government organizations, institutions and schools for better future on a variety of interchange programs in economy, society, culture and academy (Source: AEA) To start with dispatching volunteers to Cambodia, AEA sends out short-term volunteers every...

Make a better life! Wave of Saemaeul Movement in Africa Korea is the first country which has transitioned from an aid recipient to a donor to join OECD. Especially in Southeast Asia and Africa, many countries want to learn the experience, and Saemaeul Movement is considered a good example. Saemaeul Movement which contributed to the rapid economic growth and rural development of Korea in 1970s, is now adapted by Asian and African countries. It was initiated by Gyeongsangbuk-do. As a move of globalization, it increased the range of activity by building Saemaeul halls, schools, wells and even moral education. Let’s take a look. (Source: Hankkook Ilbo) Song of Hope Saemaeul Movement had its first anniversary last 22 nd of April. Saemaeul movement, the nation developing project, became so successful that leaders from Asia and Africa came to visit Saemaeul Movement center in Bundang, Seongnam city. Fifty thousand of civil servants and local leaders from 84 c...