Korean Song Gives Hope to Kenyan Children

Have you listened to the song “Dream of a Goose (거위의 꿈)” by the legendary Korean singer Insooni (인순이)? I bet most of you have.

“….Yes, I do have a dream. I believe in that dream. Wait and watch me….”

A song of catchy melody, heartfelt lyrics, and powerful performance. But I personally would say that the charm of the song lies in its lyrics. It’s a monologue of a goose that is determined to soar up to the sky someday – despite all the callous ridicule of the world saying geese can never fly. The goose says it will achieve that dream of flying someday somehow. It’s such heart-wrenching lyrics.

And what’s more impressive, this Korean song is being sung by children in a far, far, far away country – Kenya.

Children of “Korogocho,” Kenya’s Largest Slum Town

In the region called Korogocho, one of the largest slum neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya, some 150,000 to 200,000 people live pressed shoulder to shoulder. The town is polluted beyond imagination – its sky is black with smoke coming from burning garbage and its ground wet with atrocious residual liquid.

In this seediest of the seediest towns on earth, people live on less than two dollars a day. Children scavenge through garbage for food and clothing – practically live amidst piles of trash – and going to school is a luxury only enjoyed by a mere one-third of the Korogocho children. The illiteracy rate and the seriousness of their ignorance is of such grave state that the kids won’t understand if they are told to “line up.” But what’s harder for them to bear than the hunger and the lack of education itself is the despair – the complete absence of hope and dream.

And in this most dire and glum situation, Good Neighbors – an international humanitarian and development organization from Seoul that originated as a non-profit NGO in 1991 – has been running the Jirani (meaning “good neighbor” in Swahili) school, vocational training center, and medical center since 1996.

A Song of Hope Budding out of Despair

Artistic activities offered to children in Kenya are almost non-existent. The only substantial one will be the choir run by the Good Neighbors Kenya, giving them a glimmer of hope and dream.

Under the instruction of a Korean music director, children started practicing the song “Dream of a Goose.”

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Director spared no time and energy in explaining the meaning of the song’s lyrics over and over to the children. For the second verse, they even composed their own version of lyrics in Swahili describing their sufferings and also their will to overcome them. The children sang with all of their hearts, hundreds of times, and soon they memorized all the melodies and lyrics.

And they were given the opportunity to participate in the music competition hosted by the Kenyan government on June 18. And miraculously, they came in 3rd place. The video of their performance was uploaded on YouTube and drew applause and encouragement from audiences worldwide. It moved numerous Korean web users as well as the Korean singer Juck Lee who is none other than the composer of the very song “Dream of a Goose.”

Children’s Voice and a Dream Come True

The story of Korogocho children and their choir eventually gave birth to the “Jirani Children’s Choir,” sponsored by Good Neighbors. Around 100 children were selected after extensive auditions, and they started to sing hope and dream to the world.

Children who have to dig though mountains of garbage to survive now spread something beautiful, something hopeful, to the world with their collaborative voice. It is, indeed, a dream come true.

After a series of performances in a number of countries including Korea, they were able to collect enough finance to support the children’s education.

It’s a real story that sounds so dramatic and touching it might as well be turned into a film. Tae-Jong Rim, one of the five board members of Good Neighbors and the president of the Jirani Cultural Project Foundation, commented, “The Jirani Children’s Choir wouldn’t have been possible without Koreans’ strength in culture. We should continue to expand these kinds of activities.” International exchange and support will keep expanding as well as the government ODA.

It’s impossible to help everyone in the world who is poor and is in need of help. But it’s possible to give them a glimpse of hope, just as the Kenyan children’s “Dream of a Goose” did.

Japan has offered another apology to South Korea for its war-time colonisation of the Korean peninsula.

Japan has offered several apologies but not the full compensation that some South Koreans want

It also promised to return cultural relics "in the near future", including records taken by Japan of an ancient Korean royal dynasty.

The apology, though not the first, is part of Japanese efforts to forge closer ties with South Korea.

Conservative politicians in Japan have resisted admitting Japanese atrocities throughout World War II.

In a statement, the Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed "deep remorse" for the annexation, 100 years ago this month.

Imperial aggression

Mr Kan expressed his "feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for the tremendous damage and suffering brought by the colonial rule".

Continue reading the main story

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"We hope that through proper recognition and reflection of the unfortunate past, the close South Korea-Japan bilateral relations can further develop”

Kim Yong-SamKorean foreign ministry spokesman

"Through the colonial rule that was against their will... the people of Korea were deprived of their nation and culture and their ethnic pride was deeply hurt," Mr Kan said.

He said Japan wants to further improve relations with South Korea, which have often been overshadowed by the countries' shared history.

The statement was issued to coincide with the centenary of Japan's annexation of the Korean peninsular, and 15 August, when South Koreans will mark their liberation in 1945.

The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says that during Japan's rule, Koreans were forced to fight on the frontline, or work as slaves or in brothels set up by the military.

Successive Japanese prime ministers since 1995 have apologised for the country's imperial aggression.

But some conservative politicians in Japan have refused to acknowledge atrocities took place, our correspondent says.

'Unfortunate past'

In a separate gesture, Japan's Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa has announced that he will not be going to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of Japan's World War II defeat on Sunday.

Visits by prominent politicians have angered Japan's neighbours in the past because convicted war criminals are among the dead symbolically enshrined there.

South Korea's news agency Yonhap said Seoul "positively assessed" the Tokyo statement, and "paid attention" to the pledge to return the relics.

A foreign ministry spokesman, Kim Yong-sam, said: "We expect all Japanese people to share this view".

"We recognize Prime Minister Kan's statement as his and the Japanese government's willingness to overcome the unfortunate past between Korea and Japan and to develop bright bilateral relations in the future.

"We hope that through proper recognition and reflection of the unfortunate past, the close South Korea-Japan bilateral relations can further develop into a partnership for the future," Mr Kim said.

source:BBC News

Lets know about India and Korea relation in a nut Shell

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Korean President Lee Myung bak shaking hands to strengthen the Bilateral ties between India and Korea.

Relations between India and ROK have become more intense and broad based in the recent past and are devoid of any irritants. Rapidly expanding trade and investment flows lie at the core of the bilateral cooperation. The visit of President of ROK Mr. Roh Moo-hyun in October 2004 is an important milestone in expanding our bilateral relations. It elevated relations to "Long-term Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity." The State visit to ROK by Rashtrapatiji in February, 2006 has helped India-ROK relations to enter a new vibrant phase. The visit, inter alia, resulted in the launch of a Joint Task Force to conclude a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which was signed during the visit of Minister for Commerce and Industry to ROK in August 7, 2009.

1.Background

Historical and cultural contacts between the two peoples date back to ancient times. According to “Samguk- Yusa" or "The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms" written in the 13th century, a Princess from Ayodhya came to Korea and married King Kim-Suro and became Queen Hur Hwang-ok in the year 48 AD [former President Kim Dae-jung, former President Kim Young-sam and former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil trace this ancestry]. The enduring philosophy of the Buddha, which has influenced the lives and thoughts of the people of the two countries, has also provided a strong link. The rationale for a close relationship between India and ROK has been reinforced in modern times by political and economic imperatives.

Colonial rule in India and Korea, and the anti-colonial movements in both countries, revived interest in each other. Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed a short but evocative poem in 1929 about Korea's glorious past and bright future. He wrote:

"In the golden age of Asia Korea was one of its lamp bearers, And that lamp is waiting To be lighted once again For the illumination of the East."

India played an important role in Korea after the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945. India was the Chairman of the nine-member UN Commission set up to hold elections in Korea in 1947. The successful general elections held for the first time in the South in 1948, led to the establishment of the Republic of Korea on 15th August 1948. During the Korean War (1950-53), both the warring sides accepted a resolution sponsored by India and cease-fire was declared on 27 July 1953. India contributed a medical unit, 60 Para Field Ambulances, to the UN multinational force during the war. Also, India, in its capacity as the Chairman of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission [NNRC] contributed significantly to resolving the humanitarian issues arising out of the War, which received all round appreciation.

India and ROK established consular relations in 1962. In 1973, relations were upgraded to Ambassador-level. [At the same time, India established diplomatic relations with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)].

In the post-cold war era, ROK's move to broad-base its political and economic relations, as well as political liberalization and democratization of its society have boosted India-ROK relations by creating a common ground with India's economic liberalization and 'Look East Policy'. Exchange of high-Ievel visits and consistent Indian support for peaceful reunification of the two Koreas has strengthened bilateral relations.

2. Bilateral visits of HOS/ HOG

From India, President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam paid a State Visit to the Republic of Korea from 06-09 February, 2006 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Korea. This was the first ever visit by the President of India to the Republic of Korea. One of the major outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Joint Ministerial Statement on the Launching of a Joint Task Force to develop a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries. Two other Agreements viz. Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology and Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters were also signed during the visit. An MOU on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Department of Science and Technology, India and Korea Industrial Technology Foundation (KOTEF) was also signed separately.

Earlier Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao visited ROK in September 1993 - the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister. During the visit, three agreements were signed viz., (i) Tourism Cooperation Agreement; (ii) MOU on Science and Technology; and (iii) Cultural Exchange Programme.

From the ROK, President Mr. Roh Moo-hyun paid a State Visit to India from 04-06 October 2004 at the invitation of President of India. He was accompanied by a high Ievel official delegation, apart from leading representatives of Korean business and industry. During this visit, the two countries resolved to take India-ROK relationship to a much higher level in the 21st century and decided to establish a "Long-term Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity." Regular ministerial-Ievel exchanges, including between Trade and Finance Ministers were agreed. India-ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue was established to promote exchanges and interactions in the defense field including safety and security of international maritime traffic, cooperation between their navies, coast guard and related agencies. The two countries agreed to broaden and deepen economic and trade cooperation and set a target of US$ 10 billion for bilateral trade by 2008. This milestone has since been reached in November 2007. The Treaty on Extradition and the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters were signed which have since become operational.

President Kim Young-sam visited India on 24-27 February, 1996. During his visit, three documents viz., (i) Bilateral Investment Promotion/Protection Agreement [BIPA] - The agreement came into effect on 7 May, 1996, (ii) Agreement to set up Joint Commission at Foreign Ministers' level; and (iii) Cultural Exchange Programme for 1996-98 were signed.

ROK Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil visited India on 10-11 February, 1999. He inaugurated the India Engineering Trade Fair [IETF'99] in which ROK participated as a Partner Country.

3. Parliamentary Contacts

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha Shri P .A. Sangma visited Seoul in August 1997 at the invitation of the Speaker of the Korean National Assembly. A Parliamentary delegation from ROK led by Mr. Park Hee-tae, Vice Speaker of the ROK National Assembly visited India from Jan. 30- Feb. 2, 2005.

4. India-ROK Joint Commission

India-ROK Joint Commission for bilateral cooperation was established in February 1996, which is chaired by the External Affairs Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Korean side. The first meeting of the Joint Commission was held in Seoul on April 3, 2002. So far, five meetings of the Joint Commission have been held, the last one held in Seoul in September 2007.

5. Tourism, Culture & Education

A Tourism Agreement was signed between India and ROK in 1993. During 2008, the Mission has issued over 62,000 visas to Korean nationals. Visa work is outsourced since August ’07 and has proved to be convenient and popular with the Korean visa seekers. We have agreed to facilitate the opening up of India Tourism Office in RoK and Korean Tourism Office in India.

(i).Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)
The Cultural Exchange Programme forms the basis of cultural cooperation between India and Korea at the Government level. The latest CEP covering the years 2009-12 was signed in September 2009.

(ii) Cultural Festivals/Performances/Exhibitions in 2009
(a) ‘Amrita Revisited’ a painting exhibition sponsored by ICCR which is a tribute by 50 contemporary women artists to Amrita Shergill was hosted in RoK from April-June 2009. It was exhibited in Korea Foundation’s Areum Gallery and in Nami Island.

(b) National Museum of Contemporary Art in RoK hosted a two month long Contemporary Art exhibition –‘Open Your Third Eye’ from April to May 2009.

(c) Ministry of Culture, GoI organized a Festival of India in Sept. 2009 in RoK. Under this initiative, a 55 strong Indian contingent of performing arts participated in the 3rd Delphic Games from Sept 9-15 in Jeju Island and won bronze prize. Around 35 artists from this group presented an ensemble of folk instruments/folk dances and a few classical dances at Busan, Seoul and Nami Island. This was the first major Indian festival in RoK since many years.

(d) India Special Exhibition showcasing Indian contemporary art curated by internationally renowned curator and art critic, Ms. Gayatri Sinha took part in the annual Korea International Art Festival in Sept. 2009 held in Seoul.

(e) Kuchipudi Dance Group
An ICCR sponsored five member Kuchipudi Dance group led by Ms. Manju Hemamalini gave performances in Seoul, Nami Island and at the Gala Diwali function organized by Annapurna Women’s Club in Oct. 2009.

(ii). Non-Governmental Cultural Exchanges
The mission facilitates and supports Indian participation in film festivals, food festivals and community festivals. There are two major universities in ROK which have courses for study in Hindi. The ICCR has in the past, sent one Hindi Professor on deputation to the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

(iii). Sister-city Relationship
Gimhae, the city where an Indian princess from Ayodhya landed and married Prince Kim Suro, signed an MOU establishing a sister-city relationship with Faizabad- Ayodhya. A monument in memory of the Princess was erected in March 2001 at a site donated by the Ayodhya administration. Busan and Mumbai have signed an MOU on mutual cooperation in 1977. The Gyeonggi Province signed an MOU for Mutual Benefit with the State Government of Maharashtra in March 2007. “Twin City” relationship between Incheon & Kolkata cities was also signed in October, 2007. Seoul City has a sister city relationship with Mumbai and has expressed interest in establishing a sister-city relationship with Delhi. Twinning between Pocheon & Jaipur and Gwangju & Bengaluru cities is at an advanced stage. However, there is not active programme of interaction between these sister cities.

(iv). Non-Governmental Friendship Organizations
The Korea- India Society, Tagore Society of Korea and Indo-Korean Foundation are prominent. These institutions have made valuable contributions towards promoting India-Korea cultural exchanges, including translation of works by Rabindranath Tagore and other famous Indian writers.

(v). Education
The number of Indian students enrolled in ROK universities, mostly in scientific fields, is steadily increasing. There is also growing interest for education in India amongst the ROK students, including in English/Hindi language education, school and higher education at boarding schools and technical institutions like IITs. Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University have opened Korea Studies and Korean Language Courses respectively. Similarly, two South Korean Universities have also been maintaining Indian Studies Departments. A Professor from ROK is stationed in New Delhi to teach Korean Language at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. Madras University has also opened a Department of Korean Studies.

(vi). Scholarships
ICCR offers two scholarships to South Korean students every year to study in various disciplines in Indian Universities, which are being fully utilized. ROK side had offered two scholarships from 1996 to 2001. The Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra, regularly provides scholarships to Korean students for studying Hindi at the Sansthan. Seven slots are available under TCS of Colombo Plan for short term courses which are availed by officials of the ROK Government. Courses for Diplomats run by Foreign Service Institute are being availed by MOFAT officials. In addition, prominent Institutes in Science and Technology field and others have been inviting Indian students and researchers for studies under KOSEF's Brain Pool Programme. ROK students have also been offered admission in Universities like Pune on self- financing basis. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has been promoting Joint Research Exchange of Human Resources and Information.

6. Consular matters and Indian Community in ROK

(i). Treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and Extradition
was signed in Oct ‘04 and is in force since June 2005.

(ii). Visa Exemption Agreement.
India and the Republic of Korea have, from October 03, 2005, been granting visa exemption to official and diplomatic passport holders for a period not exceeding ninety days.

(iii) Visa Simplification Talks.
The Second round of discussions on the text of the Draft MoU for the simplification of Visa Procedures between India and ROK were held at Seoul on 05 and 06 Oct 2009. It was agreed to expedite the finalization of the text in view of the recent signing of India – ROK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in August 2009. ROK has more stringent Visa Issuance Procedures than India and steps are being taken to sensitize the Korean Government of the same.

(iv). Indian Community in ROK is estimated to be about 6000.
The composition of the Indian community in Korea includes businessmen, IT professionals, scientists, research fellows, students and workers (legal and illegal). Out of the total number of Indians, there are about 150 businessmen dealing mainly in textiles. Over 1000 IT professionals/engineers have recently come to ROK and are working in various companies including large conglomerates. There are about six hundred scientists/post-doctoral research scholars in ROK working in prestigious institutions.

(v) Indian Community Associations.
The Indian Merchants Association (IMA), Shri Satya Sai Organization, Indian Association of Korea comprising mostly IT professionals , Indians in Korea ( IIK ), an organization comprising a mix of students and professionals and Annapurna Indian Women's Association (AIWA) are prominent. The AIWA, under the aegis of the Embassy, provides a forum for the Indian community to interact on a regular basis and holds gala events on occasions like Holi and Diwali. It also participates in various international cultural festivals, to promote Indian culture and art. The Sikh community in ROK is active and runs two Gurudwaras. Shri Satya Sai Organization is undertaking activities such as running an elementary school and helping to raise awareness about Indian values.

Insa-dong

Insa-dong (인사동), located in the middle of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique. The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center. The best way to visit these galleries is to use the “Art Center Bus.” It will take you to over 10 of the most famous galleries at a very reasonable price

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect compliment to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. If you had to choose just one teahouse from the hundreds that are here, Gwicheon would be the place to go.

Poet Cheon Sang-Byeong’s wife is the proprietor of the tea house. The shop isn’t very big, but you can see pictures and books of famous poets. You might even run into one. Mokwacha is their best tea and it is famous for its fragrance.

Every Sunday from 10:00 – 22:00, some streets are blocked off from traffic and it becomes a place of cultural space. This is when the stores will set up booths outside.

Not only the stores that are here, but all kinds of people arrive during this time and set up shop, such as Korean candy merchants and old fortune tellers. There are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular with foreign tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (Korean pancake), and see many foreigners lost in all the joyous festivities of the street.

Closed
Monday, New Year's day, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)Operating Hours
Varies by stores

Directions
* Subway
- From Exit No. 3 of Jonggak Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), walk 3 minutes.
- From Exit No. 6 of Anguk Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), walk 1 minute.

* Bus
- Toward Anguk Station
G-Line: 1012, 7025
B-Line: 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272, 601
R-Line: 602-1(Limousine Airport Bus)

scholarship for foreign students

* Please refer to the following website for more information. http://www.niied.go.kr ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ensconced in yellow

Thousands of sunflowers welcome visitors as the Sunflower Festival 2010 is currently being held in Guwau Village in Taebaek, Gangwon Province. You can take a walk along the Nakdong-jeongmaek trail to see this field of sunflowers 900 meters above sea level.

The festival will run until the end of August with the theme "When nature meets arts."

source:korea.net

Los Angeles establishes Aug. 7 as 'Kim Yu-na Day'

Los Angeles decided on Aug. 3 (L.A. time) that Aug. 7, 2010 is “Kim Yu-na Day.”

This is to celebrate her visit to the city to receive the Proud Korean Award. Kim Yu-na was awarded on Aug. 7 by the Korean-American Leadership Foundation, as Los Angeles is where she won her first World Title.

“LA has many Korean-Americans. We are very happy to establish ‘Yu-na Day’,” said Herb Wesson of the Los Angeles City Council.

Kim arrived on Aug. 6 (L.A. time) and signed the resolution at the City hall. She also met Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and donated a signed pair of skates.

New prime minister appointed in South Korea reshuffle

Kim Tae-ho (left) will be South Korea's youngest prime minister for almost 40 years if confirmed

South Korea's President, Lee Myung-bak, has replaced the prime minister and seven ministers in the biggest cabinet reshuffle since he took office in 2008.

His nominee to be prime minister, Kim Tae-ho, was once a provincial governor.

Chung Un-chan stepped down as prime minister after parliament rejected the government's plans for a new city.

The reshuffle also comes less than two weeks after Mr Lee's Grand National Party won parliamentary by-elections seen as a referendum on the president.

In June, the ruling party suffered a major defeat in local elections.

Sunday's shake-up was "aimed at solidifying the keynote of moderate pragmatism-oriented policy based on communication and integrity", presidential spokesman Hong Sang-pyo said.

In addition to nominating Mr Kim for the largely-ceremonial premiership, the president also named new ministers of education, culture, agriculture, health, labour, the knowledge economy and special affairs. The key ministers of foreign affairs, defence and unification were not affected.

Mr Kim, the 47-year-old former governor of South Gyeongsang province, will be South Korea's youngest prime minister for almost 40 years if parliament confirms his appointment.

The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says he has long been mentioned as a rising star and is credited with leading several successful development projects along South Gyeongsang's coast.

Halfway through his five-year term, it appears that President Lee is looking for new energy to try to get things done that have not yet been possible and to cement some of his successes, our correspondent adds.

source:bbc news

Though somewhat late to arrive to the party, iPhones have taken off in Korea with a vengeance. And as the iconic s

martphone has seen its sales soar, its applications, or apps, have become a local phenomenon too. Just as amateur app designers have reflected local needs and tastes around the world, Koreans are coming up with their own games and solutions - with intriguing, lucrative, results.

Kim Si-hyun, head of the Chinese Character Education Research Institute, is one of the most famous lecturers of Chinese in Korea. Every semester his lectures at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Dongguk University and Sookmyung Women's University draw more than a thousand students. Despite his common touch, however, Kim long shunned the digital lifestyle. Social media or mobile phones, he felt, only served to undermine human-to-human contact. But this lifelong Luddite recently transposed his conventional popularity into a more high-tech form, with the hugely successful "Kim Si-hyun's Chinese Dictionary for Everyday Living," which shot to No 3 in the Korean store for applications for Apple's iPhone. So why the big change?

The story began in February of this year when Kim, who didn't even own a mobile phone, was asked by his students to develop and app for their iPhones that would help with their studies. Kim gave it some thought, consulted with business partners and, overcoming his technophobia, decided to give it a go. Besides a Chinese dictionary containing 2,300 key characters, Kim built several other apps that offered help in studying for Chinese tests, then watched as his creations became an overnight success.

Apple's iPhone arrived in Korea on November 28, 2009. In the nine months since then, the handsets and apps have become a phenomenon. After joining the revolution late, Korea's App Store now offers some 6,500 apps (there are around 134,000 available in total).

In Korea, app development is no longer the exclusive domain of techies. From corporations and public agencies to teachers and restaurateurs, app makers are popping up in all walks of life. As for apps themselves, their influence is being felt in economics, industry, politics and culture. For Korea, "The Age of the Apps" has truly arrived. "Compared to just three months ago, the demand for new apps has tripled," says Yang Soo-yeol, research chief at Inpion Consulting, a web services company. "To meet this demand, we see more and more app developing companies and individuals appearing almost every day."

As wildly successful as it's been, Kim's Chinese app is just one of a flurry of hits designed by and for Koreans. Seoul Bus, designed by second-year high school student Yoo Joo-wan, became a smash hit by telling Seoulites exactly how long they'd have to wait for their bus, whichever stop they were at. Since its release last December, Seoul Bus has been downloaded 560,000 times.

Seoul Bus also served another, hugely important role: teaching civil servants the value of openness. When the app was first released, the governments of Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province - on whose date Seoul Bus relied to work- tried to have it banned, saying that Yoo required their express permission to use the information about the buses. The public made their objections known, arguing that the information in fact belonged to them. The governments soon relented, and an app sensation was born.

For many Koreans, it was inspiring to see a student preparing for Korea's notoriously tough university entrance exams find the time to create an app. The moral seemed to be that whoever you were, and whatever your background, you could develop and make money from these programs.

Another app that's been clocking up big sales is Facial Recognition Physiognomy. Tapping into the old belief in assessing people's character through their faces, this app lets users access facial shots saved in their photo album then breaks them down into five areas. From this, it divines insights into what the future holds for him or her. In a country where fortune telling remains a popular pastime, the physiognomy app has been a big hit.

As anyone who’s spent time in Korea will tell you, delivered food is a staple of the local diet. Little surprise, then, that apps have appeared to cater to this demand, too.

Apps like Delivery Box and People of Delivery provide locations and phone numbers for chicken places, pizzerias, and a host of other take-out eateries. The apps offer access to menus and coupons that are only available through online orders, and even keep tabs on how long it’s been since the order was placed. More than 30,000 establishments across the country have signed up with these “delivery apps,” and more are doing so every day.

While catering to specific local needs, apps such as Delivery Box are also creating brand new experiences and new business opportunities. This, in turn, is creating a self perpetuating cycle of profit: As more innovative apps appear, more people want to buy iPhones.

Within just two months of iPhones and apps going on sale in Korea, the amount of online data used by Koreans more than doubled. Today, Korea’s iPhone users log an average of 442 MB per month, 44 times higher than regular cell phone holders. This exponential growth has had a positive knock-on effect to the economy. In the first quarter of this year, there were 6,689 job notices in the mobile communication and software sectors, up 51 percent from the same period a year ago. Between December 2009 and February 2010, there were also 1,325 companies newly registered in the publication, video, broadcasting and optional service provision sectors, an increase of 39 percent year-on-year. This vast increase, of course, coincided with the introduction of iPhone and the App Store in Korea.

According to KT, the Korean telecommunication company that brought the iPhone to Korea, the mobile data market could jump by 4.5 trillion won (US$3.8 billion) over the next three years. The paid contents market could rise by 1.9 trillion won over the same period, KT estimated.

From a country that held out against the iPhone longer than most, its arrival has been nothing short of revolutionary. Korea may not have been an early adopter of apps, but it’s a major player now.
source:korea.net

India: South Korea home appliances shows "two competing show" – LCD TV

Electronic appliances manufacturing, led by South Korea, has become the BRICs (BRICs: Brazil, Russia, India and China) emerging markets of India, the country leader brand, disdain for American and Japanese counterparts appliances.

Recent years, the South Korean home appliance giant Gaoqing Premium marketing strategies, frequently attack the Indian market, the final "Hard work pays off," South Korean home appliance has not only achieved a "market first" market share targets, and successful set the "best brand" brand leader. South Korea and from the end of last month, led by India's economic association agreement (CEPA) negotiations, a compromise ending the latter view, Korea is expected in the future will not only be limited to home appliances, including
Mobile
, Steel, computers and appliances, including the Indian market will also be blowing, "Korean wave", in Korea industry to penetrate the Indian market will also Japan and other developed countries, British and American Manufacturing Industry in the emerging countries strategy for overseas markets, produce a series of repressive impact.

Samsung Electronics announced on October 5, Germany's GfK market research institute in India
TV
Market statistics report shows the first half of this year Samsung flat-panel TV sales, accounting for overall market share of 26%, firmly occupy the league title. The July market share Samsung TV is increased to 29%, indicating that the Indian TV market lead Yiqijuechen "absolute strength." Especially
LCD TV
, Samsung Electronics sales since 2006, sales continued to control the number of units "champion" the throne. Although, Panasonic,
Sony
, Sharp and other Japanese TV series have enhanced the BRICs (BRICs), after the BRICs (also known as Next11 Brick 11 countries including: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam 10 countries), Yuan Wang of the five countries (VISTA: Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey and Argentina) the emerging countries strategy for overseas markets by opening stores, distributors and government agencies to strengthen local public relations, human resources, etc. to the localization emerging market country to attack, but the Samsung LCD TV in India "double winners" of the record so far and even 1 to 2 years, no one can break.

Samsung Electronics Vice President Yin Fu-Gen (image display Division), said: "Samsung LCD TV market in India, the first half of the actual market share reached 39%, in July it reached 41%, while the second half of this year is expected to will be maintained at above 40%. the secret is that we derive the premium (high) Product marketing strategy firmly lock the Indian market high-end consumer habits. "Samsung Electronics since 2006, which stopped in the Indian market CRT TV and other low-end product sales, focus on LCD TVs and
Plasma TV
And other high-end product marketing. Holding high-dozen high-end line, just follow the Indian economic boom in recent years the level of consumption "upgrading can" trend; Samsung Electronics fashion colorful design, the use of feature-rich fashion, due to complex cultural trends in the consumption of local residents swept the Indian market.

9 16 LG Electronics announced the global launch for the first time, consumers living in the Middle East Islam that can read the Bible – "Koran" television. The 42-inch, 50-inch LCD TVs two, operating the menu screen at a glance the 114 mark, "the Koran" link icon, built-in recorder's 160GB hard drive is adequate to protect the audio to read the speed and quality, and easy operation standards The pronunciation is very suitable for devout Muslim audience to use. The company also announced that another will be launched in the Middle East in Arabic and car navigation products market in Nigeria, Africa's tribal language English subtitles television. It is learned that, through detailed consumer surveys to develop the local market characteristics, with the localization of LG Electronics products in overseas markets has become an important component of development strategy.

Korean Folklore Essay

Since its creation, the nation of Korea has used folklore to illuminate the history of Korea. It blends the complex history of the nation, its strong connection with nature and high value of spirituality to form models of morality for its citizens to base their actions on. In fact, the very history of Korea is based on the myth that celestial beings and inhabitants of Earth were brought together to form an ideal kingdom that became Korea. Unfortunately the true history of this nation is not nearly that ideal.

Korea was first inhabited when tribes form Central and Northern Asia stumbled onto the peninsula around 2333 B.C. From this time on the inhabitants of this land have been under constant pressure of war from other lands. After years of constant invasion the tribes living on the peninsula finally banded together to found the kingdom of Korea in the first century of A.D.

During the reign of the Silla Kingdom, around 700 A.D., cultural strides were made by building great palaces, pagoda and pleasure gardens all over the countryside. These beautiful displays of culture were so admired by surrounding nations, such as Japan, that they greatly influenced the culture of other nations as well. Korea remained quite prosperous until the 13th century when the Mongols invaded Korea and reduced all they had built to ashes. After years of occupation, the Mongol Empire eventually collapsed and the Choson dynasty began.

This peace was short lived though, and at the turn of the 16th century Japan and China had both invaded Korea. By the 17th century, the Chinese Mancho dynasty had completely taken over. After some time, Korea slowly began regaining its land and closed its self off completely to any outside influences until the early 20th century. Despite the best efforts of the Koreans, the Japanese managed to invade one more time, and continued causing trouble for Korea until the end of World War II. After the war the United States occupied the South of Korea while the USSR took over the North. Elections were held in the South of Korea to determine the fate of the country. The decision was that the South declared independence from the North, but this only lead to invasions from the North and constant battles between the two until 1953. By the end of these wars two million people were dead and the country was completely divided between the North and the South. The South bounced back and forth between a semi-democracy and a martial law until the 1980’s. The citizens disliked this constant upheaval, and began banning together in protest, causing the government to fear that a Civil War may begin. The people of South Korea demanded democratic elections, freedom of the press and the release of political prisoners. By there surprise, President Chun decided to give everything the people were asking for.

In 1998, Kim Dae-jung became the first non-conservative president in the 50-year history of South Korea’s independence. Dae-jung introduced economic and democratic reforms and also wanted to better South Koreans relations with the north. By keeping his promise in 2000, President Kim Dae-jung visited North Korea and shook the hand of the leader of the North, Kim Jong II. In October of the same year, Dae-jung was awarded the Nobel-Peace Prize.

After years of war and turmoil, Korea is finally able to focus on its rich culture and rebuild its strong agricultural lands that most Koreans depend on as a way of life. Korea’s mild climate and fertile soil makes their agriculture plentiful and has made rice their number one grain since the earliest history of the nation. Rice plays such an important role in Korean culture that it is often referenced in much for Korea’s folklore. For example, the classic tale of Two Brothers describes how two brothers attempt to better the other life by providing him with an extra bag of rice. Based on this tale, it is considered bad luck in Korea to throw out rice.

Farming is also a large part of Korean culture and has influenced many of its customs. The Koreans have kept their ritual of farming since the beginning of the empire by sowing the seeds in the Spring, taking care of the rice plants in the Summer, harvesting crops in the fall, and preserving cereals in the winter months. In most other cultures, farmers would plan their important agriculture dates around the sun’s orbit. In Korea, the position of the moon is much more important, for it marks the change of seasons and all important agriculture dates. The moon is not only used as a calendar for farming, but it is also used to illuminate the night skies.

The most festive day of the year in Korean culture is “Sol”, which is the Koreans New Years Day. What is different about this New Years celebration when compared to other cultures is that everyone becomes a year older on this day instead of one ones birthday. Korean’s would be so excited and full of anticipation the few day’s before sol that would stay awake all night to receive the New Year. This custom turned into a playful joke saying, “If you fall asleep, you will get your eyebrows turned white.”

On the morning of sol, all family members dress in their best clothes, which are called, “solbim (new clothes of sol)”, and gather at the eldest-son’s house for the ancestral ceremonies. This custom is so strong that if the eldest son lives in a far off rural area that a three day holiday if granted to allow Korean’s to reunite with there family and be able to spend time with them.

Rice cake soup called “Ttokkuk” is used for the ancestor worship ritual on New Years day. Before an altar, family members and all relatives pay homage to the deceased ancestors. After this ritual is over, they sit down and feast on the foods that were displayed during the ceremony.

Even though Sol only lasts for three days, festivals for the holiday last until “Taeborum”, which represents the first full moon of the New Year, since the moon plays such a large role in Korean belief system. Korean culture also uses the first full moon to foretell the years harvest outcome. During this period of festivities oral traditions have come about since folklore is often told during this time to depict the cultures love of nature and man and to teach important life lessons. This is also a time when custom plays a large role in the daily activities of Koreans. One of these customs is to crack nuts with your teeth, which is believed to make your teeth strong and healthy throughout the New Year. Folk games begin in the afternoon of the New Year, and go until Teaborum. Children fly kites, which is one of the most popular activities. In the last day of the celebrations, the string of the kite is cut and it disappears into the sky. The most thrilling game though is a tough-of-rope competition between all of the townspeople. This time of festivities is truly cherished by all Koreans and in 1985 Sol was considered a national legal holiday for all to celebrate their culture. Today in Korea, Sol is officially known as “Folklore Day”.

Another day that the Korean’s cherish culturally is Hansik. The word Hansik means “cold food” in Korean. This day falls on the 105th day after the solstice, which is the 5th of April. This time of the year is the beginning of spring, and the time when farmers start sowing their seeds and watering their rice patties. The custom of eating cold food on this day originated in China, but has long since become Korean culture. Today, Hansik is used to welcome the warm weather and prepare for the farming season. Like New Years, this day is also for worshiping the deceased ancestors of ones family. This happens in the morning of Hansik, and the family gathers together to visit and clean the tomb of there ancestors. This day is shared with Arbor Day, so public cemeteries are usually full and crowded with the family members planting trees and flowers around the tombs.

Another holiday that is almost as popular and perhaps more special than Sol is Ch’usok. Ch’usok means the harvest moon and it lands on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This day can be considered equivalent of America’s Thanksgiving. On this day, Koreans wake up early to perform their ancestral worship. The ritual starts with the family preparing food from the new crops, followed by visits to the tombs of their ancestors to again clean the tombs. The Koreans believe that the harvested crops are gifts and blessing from their ancestors, Ch’usok is the day they show their gratitude for these gifts. Many foods are prepared especially for Ch’usok. One custom that many Koreans have cherished since childhood is the making of Songp’yon with family members. Songp’yon is a crescent shaped rice cake made with many different spices for unique flavor. This holiday is usually blessed with mild weather, a bright full moon and lots of wonderful food made with the freshly harvested food with the new crops. As with cultural holidays, traditional games, music, and storytelling are combined to create a festive mood.

As you can see, while Korea has dealt with a long history of war an almost constant upheaval, it has also celebrated a rich history of enjoying life and celebrating ancestry and culture. Koreans, to this day, feel that it is necessary to relax and reflect on life and its many gifts in order to maintain sanity. Through folklore the people of Korea can be reminded of these values of reflection can apply them to life situations. All works of Korean folklore prove that there are no “accidents” in life, such as bad harvest, death of a loved one or even war. In the myths and tales weather characters survive the hardships they must endure or not is used to reflect how life is not merely accidental, but a series of lessons that can either be learned from, or that will lead to eventual lead to demise. Characters who do not remember to be appreciative of what their land and their ancestors have provided for them always find that their story ends with the ladder. By looking into the history and culture of Korea, with sad stories of war being overshadowed by widespread celebration of culture and history, it is plain to see that Koreans today still remember the lessons learned through folklore and have used them to from the rich culture they experience today.

The Great Battle of Hansan Festival Opens August 11th at Tongyeong

This historic festival commemorates Hansando Daecheop (the Great Battle of Hansan, 1592), one of the major battles won by Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598) during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Now in its 49th year, this year the Great Battle of Hansan Festival is scheduled to be held for five days from August 11th-15th at Munhwa Madang and Yi Sun-shin Park in Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do.

On the first day of the festival, as a naval vessel docks at Tongyeong Port, a memorial ceremony will take place at Chungnyeolsa Temple (충렬사) to honor Admiral Lee Sun-shin, where the great leader’s ancestral tablet is enshrined. On the 12th, Gunjeom Ceremony, a naval parade, will be performed at Sebyeonggwan (세병관, one of the main offices of the three naval bases of the Joseon Dynasty) after which the Samdosuguntongjesa (삼도수군통제사, Three Major Naval Bases) Parade will wind along the downtown streets. On the 14th, a reenactment of the Great Battle of Hansan will take place at 18:00 off the shores of Hansando Island featuring ships shooting fire and lasers into the night sky.

A wide range of traditional performances such as Namhaean Byeolsingut, Tongyeong Tallori and Taekkyeon will be held along with other side events including ‘Making Geobukseon (Turtle Ship)’, and ‘Creating Your Own Najeonchilgi’ (mother-of-pearl craft).

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☞ Go to The Great Battle of Hansan Festival 2010
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