Ulsan City to install credit card reader in all taxis

The City of Ulsan is to install a credit card reader in all its taxis.

This will affect 4,196 taxis among the 5,796 taxis operating in Ulsan. The remaining 1,600 taxis already have a credit card reader. The installation of credit card readers will make things even more convenient for citizens.

All city taxis in Ulsan will carry a credit card reader by the end of this year, making it more convenient for Ulsan citizens.

The City of Ulsan plans to install a credit card reader in 4,196 taxis (2,838 privately owned taxis and 1,358 company taxis). This represents a significant portion of the total of 5,796 taxis operating in the city. To implement the changes the city will invest KRW 701 million (50% of the costs will be paid by the owners).

The remaining 1,600 taxis (Taehwagang Call: 800, Gorae Call: 800) already have credit card readers. Ulsan City plans to provide assistance to privately owned taxis and companies that want the credit card reader early.

An official from the municipal authority said, “Recently, many passengers are choosing to pay taxi fare using their credit card. That’s why we have decided to install credit card readers in all taxis.”

Meanwhile, since the introduction of ‘branded taxi (1,600 cars)’ last year, the number of credit card payments has greatly increased. In June, for example, 64,884 payments were made by credit card (KRW 390,806,000), a 180% increase from the previous year.

Source:Korea.net

Seoul Grand Sale 2010

Seoul Grand Sale 2010

http://www.seoulgrandsale.com/2010/en/seoulinfo/grandsale.asp

- Period : July 21 – September 12 (54 days)
- Venue : Various parts of Seoul
- Event description : Special discounts, free entries, premium giveaways etc.
- Open to domestic citizens, foreign visitors
- Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization.

Intended to promote the image of Seoul as the shopping tourism destination, the event will be participated by some 600 retailers that will offer special discounts as well as a wide variety of events and promotions.

Two Korean Villages Become UNESCO Sites

Andong City’s Hahoe Village and Gyeongju City’s Yangdong Village, which are the two most representative historic villages in Korea, were registered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list at the 34th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in Brasilia, Brazil on August 1. With this designation, Korea now holds a total of 10 UNESCO World Heritage items.

It is extremely rare for historic villages to be in intact state due to modernization and development and such, and the assessment of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is accordingly extremely rigorous.

The Hahoe and Yangdong Village, too, had to go through a series of reviews, holdups, and postponements before they were granted the approval. ICOMOS recognized the two villages’ historic and cultural significance as early as last May and the legitimate ground in having them registered as one coupled-up item. However, due to the fact that there wasn’t a comprehensive administrative office that manages both of the villages together, ICOMOS sustained their approval.

To this, Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration with Gyeongsangbuk-do, Andong City and Gyeongju City, organized “The Council on Preservation of Historic Villages” that was going to collaboratively manage and preserve the two villages. And after submitting to 21 member countries of WHC thorough information and promotional materials on the Hahoe and Yangdong Village as well as dispatching a government delegation to the 34th Session of WHC, were they able to put the two villages on the list of UNECO World Cultural Heritage.

1995: Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple / Jongmyo Shrine / Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks
1997: Changdeokgung Palace Complex / Hwaseong Fortress
2000: Gyeongju Historic Areas / Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
2007: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
2009: Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
2010: Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong

Founded in the 14th-15th centuries, Hahoe and Yangdong Village’s layout and location – sheltered by forested mountains and facing out onto a river and open agricultural fields – reflect the distinctive aristocratic Confucian culture of the early part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

The Hahoe Village contains Yangjindang Manor (Treasure No. 306), Pikchondaek House (Important Folklore Material No. 84), Chunghyodang Manor (Treasure No. 414), and Namchondaek House (Important Folklore Material No. 90) among others. It has also preserved the shamanist rite of Byeolsin-gut, Hahoe Mask Dance, and Jeulbul Nori.

The Yangdong Village contains Mucheomdang (Treasure No. 411), Hyangdan (Treasure No. 412), Gwangajeong (Treasure No. 442) as well as Tonggamsokpyeon, a book printed on movable metal type (National Treasure No. 283).

The two villages are the first of their kind in Korea to receive the honor in that they are places that are actually being inhabited by people. They are “living heritage.” Residents have well preserved not only traditional housings but the intangible culture of the two villages as well, which further increases the value of Hahoe and Yangdong.

Having relics registered on the UNESCO list is pointless if they don’t continue to be properly looked after. The two villages, Hahoe and Yangdong, now having become world-acknowledged historic assets, will likely trigger a surge of tourists both domestic and international. And accordingly, we will need to further reinforce maintenance system and strengthen tourism infrastructure so that those precious vestiges of the past can still be there for the next generation to appreciate as well.

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

“Start Quote

"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.