Korea in UNESCO

Korea was the 55th country to become a member of UNESCO, at the fifth session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Florence, Italy on 14 June 1950. It joined with the goals of preventing all forms of violence by fostering educational, scientific, and cultural solidarity. Ironically, only 11 days later it was propelled into the tragedy of the Korean War. After suffering the ravages of a devastating war, Korea was in need of outside help. At that critical moment, UNESCO contributed to building a factory for the printing of primary school textbooks, which was a stepping-stone toward reconstructing Korea's educational system and starting the process of post-war rehabilitation. For this, Korea owes a debt of gratitude to UNESCO. Korea has evolved into a model for development through the transformation from a receiving to a contributing country. With this paradigmatic shift, Korea seeks to establish strategic action plans for effective participation in international institutions such as UNESCO. It desires to the live up to expectations of the international community and make of financial and diplomatic contributions that will help shape the universal values of human rights, sustainable development and a culture of peace. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade represents the Government of the Republic of Korea at UNESCO through its Permanent Delegation headed by the ambassador to France. UNESCO holds broad consultations regularly with the Permanent Delegations of its Member States on important matters concerning UNESCO's policies and its main programmes. - USD 6,362,821(2.173%) - - - - - Education for All / Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development East Asian Biosphere Reserve Network / Ministry of Environment Coastal and Island Biosphere Reserves in Asia-Pacific / Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Intangible Cultural Heritage / Gangeung City Cultural Heritage of Koguryo Kingdom in North Korea / Cultural Heritage Administration - - - King Sejong Literacy Prize / Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade International Arirang Prize / Ministry of Culture and Tourism (no longer being awarded) Jikji Memory of the World Prize / Cheongju City - - - - - - Dr. KIM Hwan-suk, Member, COMEST(World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology),~ 2011 Dr. KWAK Kyul-Ho, Member, UNESCO-IHE(International Institute for Infrastructural Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering) Institute for Water Education, ~ 2011.6 Dr. HWANG Dae-jun, Governing Board Member, UNESCO IITE(UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education), ~2013 Dr. MAENG Gwang-ho, Member, IBC(International Bioethics Committee), ~2009 Former Dr. SONG Sang-yong (Vice-Chair of World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology), ~2007 Dr. Sung Kyung-he, Governing Board Member, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, ~2008.12 - - - Dr. HAN Sung-joo / Peace, Democracy and Human Rights at Korea University. (1995) Dr. CHA In-suk / Philosophy at Seoul National University. (1997) Dr. LEE Kyung-sook / Communication Technology for Women at Sookmyung Women's University (1998) - - - - - -  Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1983) Universal Copyright Conventions as revised at Paris on 24 July 1971, with Appendix Declaration relating to Article XVII and Resolution concerning Article XI, Protocol I and Protocoal 2 (1987) Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1988) Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific (1989) Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (1997) Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2005)

Source:www.unesco.or.kr

कोरिया: संस्कृति और कला

प्राचीन चीनी ग्रंथों में, कोरिया के लिए 'के रूप में नदियों और सिल्क पर कढ़ाई पर्वत निर्दिष्ट 금수강산 है,  और' पूर्वी राष्ट्र की मर्यादा" 동방예의지국   7वीं और 8वीं शताब्दी के दौरान, सिल्क रोड कोरिया को अरब से जोड़ता था. 845 में, अरब व्यापारियों ने लिखा, "चीन के पार एक देश  जहां सोना प्रचुरता में है और जिसका नाम सिला है. मुसलमान, जो वहां गए, देश से सम्मोहित हो गए और वहां बसने के इच्छुक हो कर वहां से जाने के सभी विचार को त्याग दिया.

कोरियाई उत्सव अक्सर जीवंत रंगों को प्रदर्शित करते हैं, जिसके लिए मंगोलियाई प्रभाव को जिम्मेदार ठहराया गया है: गहरा लाल, पीला, और हरा रंग अक्सर पारंपरिक कोरियाई रूपांकनों को चिह्नित करता है. ये चमकीले रंग, कभी-कभी पारंपरिक पोशाक में देखे जाते हैं जिसे हनबोक कहते हैं.

कोरियाई संस्कृति की एक विशेषता उसकी उम्र की गणना प्रणाली है. जब कोई पैदा होता है तो उसे एक वर्ष की उम्र का माना जाता है, और उसकी उम्र, उसके जन्मदिन की सालगिरह के बजाय हर नए साल के दिन बढ़ती है. इस प्रकार, 31 दिसंबर को जन्मे शिशु, अपनी पैदाइशी के अगले दिन दो वर्ष की आयु के हो जाएंगे. तदनुसार, एक कोरियाई व्यक्ति की घोषित उम्र, पश्चिमी परंपरा में व्यक्त उसकी उम्र से एक या दो वर्ष ज्यादा हो जाएगी.

कोरिया: एक झलक

कोरिया- एक सभ्यता और पूर्व में एकीकृत राष्ट्र जो वर्तमान में दो राज्यों में विभाजित है. कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप पर स्थित, इसकी सीमाएं पश्चिमोत्तर में चीन, पूर्वोत्तर में रूस, और जापान से कोरिया जलसन्धि द्वारा पूर्व में अलग है.

कोरिया 1948 तक संयुक्त था; उस समय इसे दक्षिण कोरिया और उत्तर कोरिया में विभाजित कर दिया गया. दक्षिण कोरिया, आधिकारिक तौर पर कोरिया गणराज्य, एक पूंजीवादी, लोकतांत्रिक और विकसित देश है, जिसकी संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ, WTO, OECD और G-20 प्रमुख अर्थव्यवस्थाओं में सदस्यता है. उत्तर कोरिया, आधिकारिक तौर पर लोकतांत्रिक जनवादी कोरिया गणराज्य, किम II-सुंग द्वारा स्थापित एक एकल पार्टी कम्युनिस्ट देश है और सम्प्रति उनके बेटे किम जोंग-इल द्वारा शासित है. उत्तर कोरिया की वर्तमान में संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ में सदस्यता है.

पुरातत्व और भाषाई सबूत यह सुझाते हैं कि कोरियाई लोगों की उत्पत्ति दक्षिण-मध्य साइबेरिया के अल्टायाक भाषा बोलने वाले प्रवासियों में हुई थी, जो नवपाषाण युग से कांस्य युग तक लगातार बहाव में प्राचीन कोरिया में बसते गए.  2 शताब्दी ई.पू. में, चीनी लेखन प्रणाली (कोरियाई में "हंजा"), और 4 शताब्दी ई. में बौद्ध धर्म को अपनाने के कारण कोरिया के तीन साम्राज्यों पर गहरा प्रभाव पड़ा. कोरिया बाद में इन सांस्कृतिक अग्रिमों का एक संशोधित संस्करण पर जापान को पारित कर दिया,

गोरियो राजवंश के बाद से, कोरिया, एक एकल सरकार द्वारा शासित रहा और गोरियो वंश पर 13वीं शताब्दी में मंगोल हमलों और 16वीं शताब्दी में जोसियो वंश पर जापानी हमलों के बावजूद, 20वीं सदी तक इसने राजनैतिक और सांस्कृतिक स्वतंत्रता बनाए रखी. 1377 में, कोरिया ने जिक्जी पेश किया, दुनिया का सबसे पुराना मौजूद दस्तावेज़ जिसे चल धातु प्रकार से मुद्रित किया गया.  15वीं सदी में, कछुए जहाज तैनात किये गए और राजा सेजोंग महान ने कोरियाई वर्णमाला हंगुल प्रख्यापित किया.

जोसियो राजवंश के उत्तरार्द्ध के दौरान, कोरिया की एकान्तवादी नीति ने इसके लिए पश्चिमी उपनाम "साधु साम्राज्य" अर्जित किया. 19वीं सदी के उत्तरार्ध तक यह देश जापान और यूरोप की औपनिवेशिक वृत्ति का लक्ष्य बना. 1910 में कोरिया पर जबरन जापान द्वारा कब्जा कर लिया गया और यह कब्ज़ा, अगस्त 1945 में द्वितीय विश्व युद्ध के अंत तक बना रहा.

1945 में, सोवियत संघ और संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका, कोरिया में जापानी सैनिकों के आत्मसमर्पण और निरस्त्रीकरण पर सहमत हुए; सोवियत संघ ने 38वें समानांतर के पूर्व में जापानी हथियारों के समर्पण को स्वीकार किया और अमेरिका ने उसके दक्षिण में. मित्र राष्ट्रों की सेना द्वारा यह छोटा निर्णय जल्द ही दो महाशक्तियों द्वारा कोरिया के विभाजन का आधार बन गया, जिसको, कोरियाई आजादी की शर्तों पर सहमत होने में उनकी असमर्थता ने और बढ़ा दिया. शीत युद्ध के इन दो प्रतिद्वंद्वीयों ने इसके बाद अपनी विचारधाराओं से सहानुभूति रखने वाली सरकारों की स्थापना की, जिसने कोरिया के दो राजनीतिक सत्ता के मौजूदा विभाजन को प्रेरित किया: उत्तर कोरिया और दक्षिण कोरिया.

कोरिया, कोरियाई इतिहास के गोरियो काल से लिया गया है जो वापस गोगुरियो के प्राचीन राज्य को निर्दिष्ट करता है. मध्य पूर्व के व्यापारी इसे कौली (चीनी उच्चारण से) बुलाते थे, जिसकी वर्तनी बाद में Corea और Korea हो गई. अंग्रेजी संदर्भों में अब सामान्यतः, उत्तर और दक्षिण कोरिया, दोनों के द्वारा कोरिया प्रयोग किया जाता है. जर्मनिक भाषाओं में एक K का अक्सर इस्तेमाल किया जाता है, जबकि रोमन भाषाओं में एक C पसंद करते हैं.

कोरियाई भाषा में, सम्पूर्ण रूप से कोरिया को दक्षिण कोरिया में हान-गुक के रूप में और उत्तर कोरिया में चोसोन के रूप में निर्दिष्ट करते हैं. दूसरा नाम, रोमन रूप में जोसियन, जोसियन वंश से है और उससे पहले के गोजोसियन से. "द लैंड ऑफ़ द मॉर्निंग काम" (सुबह की शांति का देश), एक अंग्रेजी भाषा से प्राप्त उपनाम है जो आंशिक रूप से जोसियन के लिए हंजा अक्षरों से लिया गया है.

इतिहास

प्रागितिहास और गोजोसियन

उत्तर अमेरिका की कोरियाई अकादमी ने कोरिया में एक स्टोन सिटी स्थल पर लावा में 100,000 ई.पू. के करीब के प्राचीन मानव जीवाश्मों की खोज की. प्रतिदीप्त और उच्च चुंबकीय विश्लेषण से संकेत मिलता है ज्वालामुखी जीवाश्मों के रूप में जल्दी के रूप में 300.000 ई.पू. से हो सकता है. सर्वश्रेष्ठ संरक्षित कोरियाई बर्तनों 10,000 ई.पू. के आसपास paleolithic बार वापस चला जाता है, और नवपाषाण काल 6000 ई.पू. के आसपास शुरू होती है.

गोजोसियन की स्थापना की किंवदंती, स्वर्ग का एक वंशज, दंगुन का वर्णन करती है जिसने 2333 ई. पू. में इस राज्य की स्थापना की. पुरातत्व और समकालीन लिखित रिकॉर्ड से संकेत मिलता है कि यह दीवार युक्त शहरों के एक संघ से एक केंद्रीकृत साम्राज्य में, 7वीं और 4थी शताब्दी ई.पू. के बीच में विकसित हुआ.

मूल राजधानी हो सकता है मंचूरिया-कोरिया की सीमा पर रही हो, लेकिन बाद में उसे आज के प्योंगयांग, उत्तरी कोरिया में स्थानांतरित कर दिया गया. 108 ई.पू. में, चीनी हान राजवंश ने विमान जोसियन को हराया और लिओनिंग और उत्तरी कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप के क्षेत्र में चार कमान स्थापित किये. 75 ई.पू., में उनमें से तीन कमान गिर गए, लेकिन लेलांग कमान 313 में गोगुरिओ के अधीन होने से पहले तक बाद के चीनी राजवंशों के लिए सांस्कृतिक और आर्थिक आदान प्रदान का एक केन्द्र बन रहा.

आद्य तीन साम्राज्य

आद्य तीन साम्राज्यों की अवधि, जिसे कभी-कभी अनेक राज्यों का काल कहा जाता है, वह आरंभिक भाग है जिसे आमतौर पर तीन साम्राज्यों का 

काल कहा जाता है, गोजोसियन के पतन के बाद लेकिन गोगुरिओ, बैक्जे और सिला के पूर्ण राज्यों के रूप में विकास से पहले.

यह काल, गोजोसियन के पूर्व राज्य क्षेत्रों से कई राज्यों के उदय का साक्षी बना. बुयिओ, आज के उत्तरी कोरिया और दक्षिणी मंचूरिया में पनपा, 2री शताब्दी BCE से 494 तक. इसके अवशेष को गोगुरियो ने 494 में समाविष्ट कर लिया, और कोरिया के तीन साम्राज्य में से दो, गोगुरियो और बैक्जे, दोनों ने स्वयं को उसका उत्तराधिकारी माना. उत्तरी कोरिया के ओक्जियो और डोंग्ये, अंत में बढ़ते गोगुरियो में समाहित हो गए.

कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप के दक्षिणी भाग में स्थित, सम्हन, तीन राज्यसंघ महन, जिन्हन, और बिओनहन को संदर्भित करता है. महन सबसे बड़ा था और इसमें 54 राज्य शामिल थे. बिओनहन और जिन्हन, दोनों ही बारह राज्यों से बने थे, जिससे सम्हन में कुल मिलाकर 78 राज्य शामिल हुए. ये तीन राज्यसंघ अंततः बैक्जे, सिला और गया में विकसित हुए.

तीन साम्राज्य

कोरिया के तीन साम्राज्य (गोगुरियो, सिला, और बैक्जे) ने साझा काल के दौरान प्रायद्वीप और मंचूरिया के हिस्सों पर प्रभाव जमाया. आर्थिक और सैन्य, दोनों ही रूप से उन्होंने एक दूसरे से होड़ ली.

गोगुरियो ने बुयिओ, ओक्जियो, डोंग्ये और अन्य राज्यों को पूर्व गोजोसियन राज्यक्षेत्र में एकजुट किया.  गोगुरियो सबसे प्रभावशाली शक्ति थी; यह पांचवीं शताब्दी में अपने चरम पर पहुंचा, जब ग्वांगेटो महान और उसके बेटे जन्ग्सु का शासन लगभग सम्पूर्ण मंचूरिया और मंगोलिया के भीतरी हिस्से में विस्तृत हुआ और बैक्जे से सियोल क्षेत्र ले लिया. ग्वांगेटो और जन्ग्सु ने अपने काल के दौरान बैक्जे और सिला को अपने अधीन किया. 7वीं सदी के बाद, गोगुरियो चीन के सुई और तांग राजवंश के साथ निरंतर युद्ध में था.

आधुनिक समय के सिओल के आसपास स्थापित, दक्षिण-पश्चिमी साम्राज्य बैक्जे ने, 4थी सदी में अपनी शक्ति की चरम अवस्था के दौरान प्योंगयांग के आगे तक विस्तार किया. इसने महन के सभी राज्यों को समाविष्ट कर लिया और एक केंद्रीकृत सरकार बनाते हुए पश्चिमी कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप के अधिकांश हिस्से को अधीन कर लिया (ग्योंगी, चुंगचीओंग, और जिओला के आधुनिक प्रांतों के साथ-साथ ह्वांगहे और गांगवोन का हिस्सा). बैक्जे ने अपने क्षेत्र के विस्तार के दौरान चीनी संस्कृति और प्रौद्योगिकी को दक्षिणी राजवंशों के साथ संपर्क के माध्यम से हासिल किया. ऐतिहासिक प्रमाणों से पता चलता है कि जापानी संस्कृति, कला, और भाषा, खुद बैक्जे और कोरिया राज्यों से प्रभावित थी. पुरातात्विक खोजों ने कई अनुमानों की पुष्टि की है लेकिन व्यापक जांच को अक्सर जापानी सरकार द्वारा प्रतिबंधित किया गया है और जिसे आम तौर पर सरकार द्वारा नियुक्त समूहों द्वारा संचालित किया जाता है. 

हालांकि बाद के रिकॉर्ड का दावा है कि दक्षिण-पूर्व में सिला, तीन साम्राज्यों में सबसे पुराना था, अब यह माना जाता है कि विकसित होने वाला यह आखिरी साम्राज्य था. 2री शताब्दी तक, सिला, आसपास के राज्यों को प्रभावित और कब्जा करते हुए एक बड़े राज्य के रूप में अस्तित्व में रहा. सिला ने प्रभुत्व हासिल करना शुरू किया जब 562 CE में इसने गया संघ पर कब्जा कर लिया. गया संघ, बैक्जे और सिला के बीच स्थित था. कोरिया के तीन साम्राज्य, अक्सर एक दूसरे के साथ युद्ध करते रहते थे और सिला को अक्सर बैक्जे और गोगुरियो के दबाव का सामना करना पड़ा लेकिन कई बार सिला भी प्रायद्वीप पर प्रभुत्व हासिल करने के लिए बैक्जे और गोगुरियो के साथ मिल गया.

660 में, सिला के मुइओल राजा ने अपनी सेनाओं को बैक्जे पर हमला करने का आदेश दिया. तांग बलों की सहायता से, जनरल किम यू-शिन (गिम यू-सिन), ने बैक्जे पर विजय प्राप्त की. 661 में, सिला और तांग ने गोगुरियो पर चढ़ाई की लेकिन पीछे धकेल दिए गए. मुयोल के पुत्र और जनरल किम के भतीजे, राजा मुन्मु ने 667 में एक और अभियान शुरू किया और गोगुरियो का अगले वर्ष पतन हुआ.

उत्तर दक्षिण राज्य काल

5वीं, 6वीं, और 7वीं सदी में सिला का प्रभुत्व धीरे-धीरे कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप को पार करने लगा. सिला पहले बगल गया महासंघ कब्जा कर लिया. 660 तक, सिला ने बैक्जे को और बाद में गोगुरियो को जीतने के लिए, चीन के तांग राजवंश के साथ गठबंधन किया. चीनी सेना को पीछे धकेलने के बाद, सिला ने आंशिक रूप से प्रायद्वीप को एकीकृत किया, और एक ऐसी अवधि शुरू हुई जिसे अक्सर एकीकृत सिला कहा जाता है.

उत्तर में, गोगुरियो के पूर्व जनरल डे जोयोंग ने अपने नेतृत्व में गोगुरियो शरणार्थियों के एक समूह को मंचूरिया के जिलिन क्षेत्र में लाया और गोगुरियो के उत्तराधिकारी के रूप में बाल्हे (698-926) की स्थापना की. अपने चरम पर, बाल्हे की सीमा, उत्तरी मंचूरिया से आधुनिक समय के कोरिया के उत्तरी प्रांतों तक विस्तृत हुई. बाल्हे को 926 में खितान द्वारा नष्ट कर दिया गया.

एकीकृत सिला, 9वीं शताब्दी के उत्तरार्ध में बिखर गया, और अशान्तप्रिय बाद के तीन साम्राज्य की अवधि (892-935) के लिए मार्ग प्रशस्त किया. गोरियो ने बाद के तीन साम्राज्यों को एकीकृत किया और बाल्हे शरणार्थियों को समाविष्ट किया

Korean Dictionary For Vocabulary

Annyong hashimnigga! Annyung! gamsa hamnida! You might wonder what these foreign words mean. If you are Korean, you know that annyong hashimnigga means hello, annyung means goodbye, and gamsa hamnida means thank you. Learning the Korean language is a great idea if you have a lot of Korean colleagues, you have a Korean heritage but can’t read or write in the language, or you plan to work or travel in Korea. Understanding some basic Korean language would aid you better understand the Korean belief, culture and value. The fact is the language is simple to learn if you will put some time into it. A great method to begin learning about the language is through aKorean English dictionary. Korean English dictionaries give English meaning of typical Korean phrases and vice versa. With Korean English dictionaries, you would surely learn to speak and write the language. Such dictionaries can be used as a Korean translator. They can interpret words from English language to Korean language as well as from Korean to English. The dictionaries also show the words the way they are written in Korea. This is the key if you also want to learn how to write in Hangul. Another good thing with Korean English dictionaries is they guide you on the correct pronunciation of Korean words. Understanding how to properly say Korean phrases could help you become more confident in speaking the language. About 78 million of people speak the language. Korean is not only the official language in South and North Korea, but also in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Northeastern China. It is also spreading across the world because a lot of Koreans are migrating in other parts of the world including in the United States, Europe and other Asian countries. The language is very rich in Korean vocabulary. There are so many new phrases and words to learn. If this is your first time to learn a foreign language, the task may be difficult. But, nothing is impossible if you will put your heart into it you just need some patience and commitment. There are so many methods to startlearning Korean. Aside from consulting an online dictionary, you can enroll in a Korean language school near your place. For beginners, the best idea is to first use online Korean English dictionaries in order to learn the basic words. If you just want to learn some few words, the dictionary is the best option. Aside from convenience, using online Korean English dictionaries cost less compared to when you actually enroll in a foreign language program. More easily, you can already learn Korean using the web, and will eventually be able to use it to talk with your Korean employers.
source:everything you wanted to know

Intel to invest in S.Korea wireless broadband venture

The investment unit of US technology giant Intel said Thursday it would pump 20 million dollars into a South Korean wireless broadband joint venture. 
      
       The move is expected to accelerate wireless services in South Korea, amid growing demand for smartphones and other multifunctional devices.
      
       The WiBro joint venture involves South Korean telecoms giant KT Corp, Samsung Electronics and Kookmin Bank Investment.
      
       WiBro, which allows faster data transfer and a higher degree of mobility, is a version of the WiMAX technology offered by South Korean telecoms operators from 2006.
      
       Intel Capital said its money would be used to speed up deployment of leading-edge wireless broadband networks in South Korea.
      
       The investment strengthens "our WiMAX efforts in the Asia-Pacific region, arguably the fastest-growing wireless broadband area," and specifically helps KT expand its offering, Intel Capital president Arvind Sodhani said in a statement.
      
 
     From Friday South Korean customers can buy laptops and netbooks with Intel's chipsets supporting WiMAX services, allowing high-speed Internet access without plug-in USB modems or wireless pocket routers.
      
       The devices will enable users to enjoy wireless connectivity in countries and cities that also have compatible WiMAX networks.
      
       KT plans to begin its WiBro service in five major cities and expressways and expand its coverage to 85 percent of the population by next year.
source:Online Shopping City

Seoul Gourmet kicks off Korean food globalization

Seoul Gourmet 2010, “Star Chefs Meet Korean Flavors” kicked off on Sunday, September 26 and wraps up a week of culinary exchanges on Sept. 30.  This annual event helps bring together master chefs, journalists, experts, and amateurs with a passion for food together to exchange the best there is to eat from both East and West.

The five-day program began with the “Savor Korea” program, which introduced Korean ingredients and food culture to overseas chefs and journalists, held at the Shilla Hotel’s traditionally styled hall, Yeong Bin Gwan.  Organized around the subject of fermentation, a key process in creating many Korean foods, it gave an overview of the traditional pastes like dwenjang and gochujang and their role in Korean cuisine, along with an introduction to temple food and to Korean traditional alcohols.  Such luminaries and Rock Dam Park and the Venerable Sun-Jae were on hand to deliver lectures on their areas of specialization.

Monday’s program included a forum called “Lactic Fermentation and Biologic Value of the Food” at the Shilla Hotel.  Culinary luminaries such as Sang-Hoon Degeimbre and Michel Troisgros were on hand to give their expertise, and to discuss the place of Korean food in the international culinary world.   Monday evening also saw the first of a series of dinners by some of the best chefs from both Korea and abroad, with dinners prepared by Michel Troisgros, and Carlo Cracco and Luigi Biasetto.

Tuesday and Wednesday saw Master Classes held at the Hyundai Department Store at COEX, with both Korean and international chefs showing up to work their magic and share their skills with a wider audience.  Famous local chefs like Cho Hee-sook and the Venerable Sun-Jae joined Jordi Rocca, Fernando del Cerro, and Dr. Bruno Goussalt in demonstrations covering a wide range of techniques, recipes, and subjects.

Star Chefs Master Classes on Thursday delved even deeper into the world of food.  Intended primarily for more advanced culinary knowledge, the first session, “Jordi Roca’s Creative and Revolutionary Cooking Philosophy” concentrates on the Spanish chef’s unique style, while the second, “Nature + Science + Food, Taste the Essence” puts Dr. Goussalt’s revolutionary sous-vide techniques and molecular gastronomy master Sang-Hoon Degeimbre’s innovations in the spotlight.

Tuesday evening saw the Seoul Gourmet’s Gala Dinner, with further Star Chef Dinners on Sept. 29 and 30 by Degiembre, Roca, and del Cerro.

Tuesday morning also saw a special event for the international chefs and journalists, with a very early visit to Noryangjin Fish Market to tour the market, watch the fish auctions, and breakfast on some of the market’s offerings.

"We hope this opportunity will help globalize Korean food by bringing to a wider audience, as well as bringing sophisticated international cuisine to locals," said Michael Spavor of the Seoul Tourism Organization. "We're exceptionally happy with the response from chefs, journalists, and other participants, and are excited for what the future of Korean food may hold."
source:Korea.net

Korea signs MOUs with 50 countries on nuclear safety regulation cooperation

A total of 50 countries in the Middle East and Africa recently signed memoranda of understanding with the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) for the establishment of a nuclear safety regulation system, the advancement of cooperation, and incubation of nuclear specialists.

KINS, a state-funded organization of technical experts on nuclear regulatory authority, said on September 24 that it signed MOUs with the 28 countries of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA) and the 22 countries of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA) during the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference, which was held in Vienna, Austria.

Under the MOUs, the institute will provide its package for national nuclear safety networks, dubbed "Integrated Regulatory Infrastructure Support Service" (IRISS), to participating countries. The IRISS package contains specialized human resource education and training programs, IT-based nuclear safety regulation systems and experienced technical help in establishing an infrastructure for nuclear power safety control systems.

This helps Korea secure its place as a leading country in nuclear technology, like the United States, France and Japan. However, none of these nuclear-advanced countries has signed such a large number of MOUs with countries on nuclear safety regulation cooperation.

President of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety Yun Choul Ho (center left, first row) poses with representatives of the 50 countries that signed MOUs on nuclear safety regulation technology cooperation in Vienna, Austria. (Photo courtesy of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety)

The institute will provide support in conducting safety analysis of nuclear power plants, environmental impact assessments, and will providing training courses to member countries of the FNRBA and the AAEA starting late this year. It will also hold workshops in Africa and the Middle East.

The institute will also offer more than ten overseas training courses every year, along with graduate courses in international nuclear safety through the International Nuclear Safety School, which is run and housed by the institute in alliance with the IAEA.

Nuclear power is a key source of energy in many countries that lack other resources to supply the energy needs of their citizens. In 2009, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan selected Korea to lead the construction of nuclear power plants in their countries.

According to KINS staff, since the UAE chose Korea as its partner for the establishment of nuclear power plant last year, countries in Middle Eastern and African regions have shown strong interest in the economic efficiency of Korea's nuclear power technology and its management of nuclear safety regulation systems.  It also speaks positively of international perception of the safety of Korea's nuclear power plant technology, the staff said.

President of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety Yun Choul Ho (right) shakes hands with Shamsideen B. Elegba, the Director-General of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, in Vienna, Austria. (Photo courtesy of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety)

The "KINS-KAIST International Nuclear Safety Master's Degree Program," which opened last year, also played a role in helping the institute conclude the latest MOUs.

In cooperation with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the 1.5 year graduate course is designed to educate and train high-caliber human resources as nuclear safety experts. The program attracts approximately ten students a year, including enrollees from overseas.

The institute played key role in the establishment of an infrastructure for nuclear power management and education programs, along with other support programs. 

source:Korea.net

Andong fires up International Mask Dance Festival

The 13th Andong International Mask Dance Festival will be held from September 24 to October 3, bringing together mask dancers and entertainers from all over Korea and around the world.  One of the largest and most popular festivals in Korea, this two-week event is the premier festival of the season.

Mask dance is an essential and ancient part of Korean culture, and each area in Korea developed its own particular theme, style, and costume.  Normally, seeing all these different dances would require traveling all around the country, but the festival is one of the few opportunities to a dozen different local dances in the same place.  From the Unyul Lion Dance to the Songpa Sangdae Mask Dance, these highly entertaining and colorful dances will all be performed during the festival at the main stage in Andong’s Hahoe Village.

Just recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage site along with Gyeongju’s Yangdong Village, Hahoe Village is a stunning collection of traditional houses in a scenic area that has been continuously inhabited for 600 years.  With examples of houses for both the elite Yangban class and commoners, the area is a uniquely important architectural and cultural site.

Hahoe Village is also home to one of the most unique and important mask dances, the Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori.  This dance, dating back to the Goryo period, satirizes the lifestyles of the local elites and religious figures, and gives a humorous and vivid glimpse into rural lifestyles.  It is also the only indigenous Korean mask dance to be performed in articulated wooden masks.  Most mask dances use paper masks, which are burned after the performance, but in Hahoe the masks are used over and over again, and handed down through the generations.  The Hahoe Byeolsingut will be performed both on the village’s main stage.

The masks are also the subject of a curious legend.  According to tradition, a young man was told to carve the masks by a deity, who also commanded that he had to do so in complete solitude.  Accordingly the man sequestered himself far away from civilization, and had almost completed his task when a young maiden who loved him found his camp.  As soon as they laid eyes on each other, the young man died, leaving the last mask uncompleted.  To this day, the mask for the fool lacks a jaw.

International mask dance performance groups from China, Tibet, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and Malaysia will also be at the festival, bringing a multinational flair to the events. The main festival ground in downtown Andong will play host to the dances from abroad, ensuring a chance for Koreans and visitors alike to enjoy the performances.

In addition to the mask dances, the festival also features some unique and stunning examples of traditional entertainment.  While Korean shaman ceremonies have mostly disappeared from daily life, there will be a major gut (shaman ceremony) held both at the main downtown venue and at a sacred tree in downtown, for a rare chance to witness this special ritual.  There will also be demonstrations of traditional chanting and singing, a funeral procession, and poetry composition contest.

The highlight of events downtown include the Notdaribapgi, a dance portraying a queen’s escape over the Nakdong River, and the Chajeonnori, where local men divide into teams that attack each other in an attempt to unseat the opposing captain, who rides an A-frame.

Weekends at Hahoe Village during the festival also include one of the most spectacular folk customs in Korea. Seonyujulbulnori is an absolutely unique event that involves floating lanterns, slow-burning flares strung across the Nakdong River, and bonfires being tossed over a cliff into the river as performers sing and recite classical poems. Performed on Saturday nights during the festival, this is one of the most mesmerizing and memorable events offered by any festival in Korea.

source:Korea.net

Korean team wins U-17 Women’s World Cup

(Photo: Yonhap News)

The Korean national team won the U-17 Women’s World Cup, held at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on September 26 (Korean time). This is the first such victory ever for a Korean team in any tournament organized by FIFA.

The Korean U-17 women’s team took first place after defeating their Japanese rivals in a penalty shootout, with a final score of 5-4. It was a close match, as both teams were tied 3-3 in an exhausting overtime match.

The U-17 Women’s World Cup, a soccer tournament for players under 17 years of age, is a biannual event held in even-numbered years. The first U-17 event was held in New Zealand in 2008, and was won by the North Koreans.

Forward Yeo Min-ji, 17, had an exceptional tournament, appearing in six matches to score eight goals and three assists, as well as winning the Golden Boot (top scorer) and the Golden Ball (MVP Award).

Yeo is also expected to receive an award for best goal, after scoring four goals in a row in the Nigeria match for a 6-5 win on September 17. The results will be determined by an online poll, which is open until September 30.

Yeo Min-ji, 17, raising the Golden Boot Award after the final U-17 tournament on Sunday, Sept. 26 (Korean time). (Photo: Yonhap News)

Kumi Yokoyama from Japan took both the Silver Ball and the Bronze Boot. Kim Kum-jong from North Korea, whose team took the fourth place, was awarded the Bronze Ball. Kyra Malinowski from Germany was awarded the Silver Boot and Dolores Gallardo from Spain received the Golden Glove. The German team received the FIFA Fair Play Award.

The team’s manager, Choi Duck-joo, was praised for his gentle leadership style, emphasizing fun over winning and helping players enjoy the game while building their skills.

The FIFA website posted an article on the Korean team’s win titled, “Taeguk Ladies strike Caribbean gold,” lauding their achievements. The article described the last game between Korea and Japan as a “thrilling final packed with goals and drama,” and named the long distance strike (about 23 meters) by Korean midfielder Lee Jung-eun as the goal of the day.

First introduced in the late 1800’s, soccer has seen increased popularity in Korea, but the country has yet to win a World Cup event until recently, and expectations were low for the U-17 Korean women’s team. 

The adult team participated in the 2003 Women’s World Cup held in the United States, and the U-20 Women’s team reached the World Cup level only once, in 2004.

The 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup brought much-needed attention to the game, which had languished since its establishment as a professional sport in the early 90’s. The revival also brought new energy, support, and assistance to the women’s leagues, which experienced rapid growth.

At the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) U-16 Women's Championship held in November of 2009, the South Korean team defeated Japan and North Korea in their respective matches, and showing a glimmer of their true potential.

This year, many of the same players from those matches two years ago took helped their team take third place at the U-20 Women’s World Cup Championship, held last month. The increasing competitiveness of the younger women’s teams bodes well for Korea’s future prospects in the sport. 

(Photo: Yonhap News) source:Korea.net

Korea Culture Center to host K-pop event in Argentina

K-pop lovers in Latin America are in for a treat.

The Korean Cultural Center of Latin America, which is based in Argentina, will hold a special K-pop contest at the 350-seat Samsung Studio in Buenos Aires on October 10 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Sponsored by Korea’s Samsung Corporation’s Argentinean offices and the Cultural Office of the Argentina, the event will be attended by Hallyu (Korean Wave) lovers from ten Latin American countries, including Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile and Paraguay.

This is the first K-pop contest to be held on such a large international scale.

A total of 281 performers from 92 teams applied to participate, including 32 teams and a total of 98 performers from Argentina, two teams and six people from Paraguay, 17 teams with 45 members from Mexico, 16 teams and a total of 64 participants from Chile, four teams for a total of 12 people from Columbia, five teams and 15 people from Venezuela, 11 teams and nearly 30 people Peru, one five-member team from Ecuador, three teams and 6 performers from the Dominican Republic, and one person from Costa Rica.

Argentina held two preliminary rounds before selecting its K-pop performers. Dance groups from other countries were required to submit sample videos of their performances for the screening process.

“We hope the upcoming show play a pivotal role in raising interest in Korean pop culture in the Central and Latin America region,” said Yi Chong-yul, director of the Korea Cultural Center in Argentina. “It’s important to open this function in Argentina, a country that will also participate in Korea’s G20 Financial Summit.”

The director added that he is also putting out all the stops in his efforts to promote Korea, and is in the process of asking Argentina’s Ms. Universe to be the promotional ambassador for K-pop.  The event is also being widely advertized on channels including CNN Spanish and through an Argentinean ad agency. “The Culture Office of Argentina selected our K-pop contest as an ‘interesting cultural festival (Declarado de Interses Cultural por la Secretaria de Cultura de la Nacion)’,” said Yi.

In the past, Argentina was considered one of the toughest places for the Korean Wave. However, thanks to entertaining programs launched by the Korea Culture Center, Korean singing groups like Super Junior, TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, and the Wonder Girls now have some 1,000 active K-pop fans in the country.

“From what I gather from K-pop fan club managers that exchange Korean entertainment news through YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, the number of fans may exceed 10,000 when including Brazil and other neighboring countries across South and Central America,” said Yi.

For more information on K-pop events in the region, please visit: Centro Cultural Coreano en America Latina
(http://argentina.korean-culture.org/welcome.do)

source:Korea.net

G20 Seoul Summit to seek currency policy compromise

SaKong Il, chairman of the Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit, said that the currency dispute between major countries be resolved through compromise at the G20 Seoul Summit.

"We are currently in the second stage of evaluation, in order to carry out the framework for strong, sustainable, and balanced growth which was launched at the Pittsburgh Summit," SaKong Il said in an international symposium hosted by the Korea Development Institute and the Brookings Institution in Seoul on September 28. "Throughout this stage, the currency issue will be under deep consideration and we hope we will be able to find some point of agreement," he added.

He also expressed that the countries involved with the currency issue should seek compromise through the G20 Seoul Summit, adding that the discussions were not only taking place at the summit on November 11, but that discussions were ongoing at the working-level. 

Paul Martin, former prime minister of Canada, also said that the G20 should be a global coordinating committee and to achieve this, every single agenda which relates to international concerns should be considered. Martin also said exchange rate discussions should be brought to the G20 summit table in Seoul next month, and should be discussed either officially or unofficially.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner expressed concern about the limited, slow revaluation of the Chinese yuan at the U.S. Senate banking committee meeting on Sept. 16, and emphasized that he would rally support for the exchange rate reforms and fair trade practices.

Meanwhile, Martin said that as Korea is the first host and chair from the Asian region, the G20 will enter a new stage in international society and play a crucial role in future.
source:Korea.net