Language and Learning: How Infants Access New Words Across Cultures

According to lead study authors Sandra WaxMan and Louis W. Menk of Northwestern University, they compared how infants acquire Korean nouns and verbs.



Previous studies have long suggested that in "noun friendly" languages such as English, infants' attention is typically focused on objects that are commonly marked by nouns. "Verb friendly" languages including Korean, Japanese and Hindi include a more privileged status that includes infants' attention which is focused more directly on the actions and relations that would typically be marked by verbs.
"Almost all of the research on infants acquiring these "verb-friendly" languages has looked at the nouns and verbs that they produce in their daily lives," said Sudha Arunachalam, lead author of the study and assistant professor of speech and hearing sciences at Boston University, via a press release. "By using an experimental method instead, our approach lets us watch infants acquire new words, so we can get real insight into the mental processes that are at work during learning."
Researchers believe that their new work shows a strong universal connection in language acquisition. However, they also note that real cross-linguistic differences may be observed.
"Like infants acquiring other languages, Korean infants very successfully learn nouns to name objects such as ball, bottle and boy," Waxman said, via the release. "However, when it comes to learning verbs -- names for activities and relations -- like running, hugging, twirling, we see differences across languages."
Previous findings in the English language have shown that 24-month-old infants were better able to learn novel verbs linked with novel actions when the noun phrases specifically mentioned the words.
In contrast, findings also show that in Korean (a language in which noun phrases are typically dropped in conversation, according to background information from the study) 24-year-olds were better able to understand novel verbs with novel actions that surrounded noun phrases when the words were dropped.
"We know that even before infants begin to say many verbs, they begin to understand them," Waxman said, via the release. "What this new research tells us is that the information that infants need to 'get' that understanding varies, depending upon the native language they are learning. This piece of the language acquisition process is not universal; instead, it is 'language-specific.'

More information regarding the study can be found via Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics.
Source:Science World Report

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India culture industry eyes Korea

The Korean wave has proven its potential in India. A total of 126 business meetings took place between twelve Korean firms, including CJ Entertainment and KBS Media, and 50 Indian companies, according to a statement released by the Korea Creative Contents Agency (KOCCA) on March 18. The meetings were held at the latest convention of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Films, Radio, Audio-visual, Music, Events, Shows (FICCI FRAMES), a leading annual convention on India’s culture industry which was held from March 12 to 14 in Mumbai, India.

Indian culture industry leaders and experts showed a strong interest in Korean firms and culture during the three-day convention which took place from March 12 on the theme of “A tryst with destiny -- Engaging a billion consumers.”

FICCI FRAMES has been held since 2001 and is known as one of the largest conventions on the media, entertainment, and information industries in India. Korea became a partner country for FICCI FRAMES 2013 to celebrate the diplomatic relations between Korea and India which mark their 40th anniversary this year. Co-hosted by FICCI, KOCCA and the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this year’s convention focused on finding ways to expand cooperation in cultural, tourism, entertainment, and business exchanges between the two countries.

Korean Deputy Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Soon-tae (second from left) attended the opening ceremony of FICCI FRAMES 2013 as the Guest of Honor on March 12 in Mumbai, India. Other high-ranking attendees included FICCI President Naina Lal Kidwai (left), and Walt Disney International chairman Andy Bird (second from right) (photo: Yonhap News).

Nearly 2,000 people, including attendees not only from India but also from the United States, Europe, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, gathered for the opening ceremony of the convention. High-ranking attendees included FICCI President Naina Lal Kidwai, Walt Disney International chairman Andy Bird, and Korean Deputy Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Soon-tae, the Guest of Honor of the convention.

The opening ceremony was followed by a seminar, a movie screening, and a Korean cultural night program. The story of Kim Il-ho, the CEO of Ocon and creator of popular animation character Pororo, received a particularly high level of attention from Indian animation industry representatives at the seminar, which focused on ways to boost cooperation in the film and animation industries of Korea and India.

The panel of the Korean delegation at the seminar of FICCI FRAMES 2013 on March 12 (photo: Yonhap News).

B-boy dancing and samul nori, (traditional Korean percussion quartet), entertained an audience of about 1,000 delegates at the Korean cultural night program. A movie screening of director Kim Ki-duk’s Pieta which won the Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival in 2012 also received favorable responses from the FICCI FRAMES attendees, proving the potential of Korean culture in India.

Business Wire reports on FICCI FRAMES 2013

The local Indian media showed a lot of interest in the Korean events at FICCI FRAMES 2013. “Korea has transformed itself into one of the world’s most outstanding visual technology centers with CGI and 3D,” said the Indiantelevision.com website in its March 11 report titled “South Korea partner county at FICCI Frames 2013 focus on digitisation” (To see the full text, click here).
“As the partner country at FICCI FRAMES 2013, the Korea wave was visible throughout,” said Business Wire India in its online report titled “Korean entertainment companies eyes big from FICCI FRAMES 2013” on March 14 (To see the full text, click here).

"Indian firms seem to have a high interest in Korean culture as each of the Korean firms at this year's FICCI had more than ten business meetings," said the director of the Korean Cultural Centre India Kim Kum Pyoung in an interview with Korea’s Yonhap News on March 13.

The Indian culture industry has recently been showing a double-digit increase, and its turnover is predicted to exceed USD 42 billion in 2016 according to KOCCA.
source:korea.net

Cultural diversity served up at Seoul Friendship Fair

Over 60 countries came together in downtown two weekends ago for a two-day journey around the world at the Seoul Friendship Fair. Celebrating its 18th year, the multicultural festival spotlighted the delicacies, cultures, and tourism of participant nations from May 4 to 5.

The festival stretched from Seoul Plaza north to Cheonggyecheon, ranging from staged performances to tents offering a variety of multicultural delights to the crowds of visitors and participants representing nations from all around the world.

The Seoul Friendship Fair began in 1996 in celebration of Seoul Citizens’ Day. It was connected with the Hi Seoul Festival from 2003 until 2010, when it separated and extended to two days. In 2011 it attracted 300,000 people, and in 2012 the number reached 400,000 -- 150,000 of which were foreigners.

The opening ceremony took place at 5 p.m. in Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul Metropolitan Library with a street parade and speeches from Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and diplomatic envoys.

The opening ceremony of the Seoul Friendship Fair featured a performance with the Rainbow Choir and the Hand-in-Hand Chorus (photo: Yonhap News).

Seoul Plaza was lined by tents displaying the artistic, cultural, and tourism highlights of the more than 60 countries participating in the World Traditional Folk Art Exhibition and the World Tourism Exhibition. The event especially highlighted the cultures of ASEAN countries. There was also a special playground set up on the grass for children to celebrate Children’s Day, which fell on the second day of the festival.

A stage in the square offered a program of cultural performances from 14 of Seoul’s sister cities from around the world, including Maputo (Mozambique) Minsk (Belarus), Jakarta (Indonesia), and Hokkaido (Japan). As well, a guerrilla K-pop flash dance mob kept the event spontaneous with unannounced performances.

In front of the entrance to City Hall, visitors could see an exhibition of pictures painted by international students attending foreign schools in Seoul. Themed on “How I See Seoul in 2030,” pictures depicted hopeful scenes of Korean unification, lush urban environments with skies populated with flying cars and hoverboards, robots performing a variety of tasks including defense, waiting tables, and even serving as president, and more fantastical images including Seoul as an orbital space station and a dinosaur rampage through the city.

International students submitted paintings themed on "How I see Seoul in 2030" including Sophie Bradshaw's depiction of Seoul (left) as a mountainous region with lots of green parkland between tall highrises (photos: Jon Dunbar).

The road stretching north to Cheonggyecheon through Mugyo-dong was lined with the tents of the World Food Fair offering a variety of national cuisines from around the world. From the more familiar Turkish doner kebabs and Indian curries to more exotic fare including Afghanistani chicken kebabs and Belarusian sausages, the World Food Fair offered a surprise for everybody.

The English-language radio station TBS eFM had a DJ booth set up in Seoul Plaza for live broadcasting. “I was there to co-host The Steve Hatherly show but then stuck around for three hours enjoying it,” said on-air personality Dain Leathem. “I tried Sri Lankan food, very nice, and Egyptian dessert, which was my fav. It was sort of a coconut slice or cake with honey. I also had some Indian which was fantastic as ever and some South American dishes too -- but forgot which country.”

The tents were run by foreign embassies and communities based in Seoul. Visitors had the chance to register in advance of the festival to participate in cooking classes to learn how to make international foods including the popular Japanese snack tacoyaki and Colombian patacones made from a fried banana.

The Afghanistan tent offered up chicken kebabs (left) and the Indian tent had tandoori chicken on offer (right) (photos: Jon Dunbar).

A stage was also set up in the middle of the road for Music Café, which offered musical performances throughout the weekend from countries including Iran, Peru, Azerbaijan, and Sri Lanka.

The World Food Fair extended to Cheonggyecheon, which also offered a variety of other attractions. Visitors could try out different types of traditional clothing from around the world at the World Culture Experience and watch traditional folk plays. There were also tents dedicated to social enterprises and international organizations including the urban development institution Citynet and the One Korea Festival.

“I really thought that the event did a great job of opening up people's eyes to other cultures -- with the parade, booths and food tents being well run,” said Leathem, a New Zealander. “The event is essential for Seoul and Korea as it opens up and becomes more multicultural and I wish more people knew about it. Overall I really enjoyed it, told as many people as I could, and would go again.”

Seoul Plaza was lined with tents presenting information on the traditional cultures and tourism industries of over 60 countries.

The closing ceremony began at 5 p.m. on Sunday, with an awards ceremony given to the outstanding countries participating in the World Food Fair and the traditional folk art exhibition, a farewell ceremony by the sister city performers, and a declaration of closing.

For more information about this year’s Seoul Friendship Fair, visit the official website. 
Source:Korea.net

India thrash South Korea 6-1 in Sultan of Johor Cup

It was a commanding performance from the Indians as they dominated the first half, racing to a comfortable 3-0 lead. (Sultan of Johor Cup Photo)

The Indian colts scored three goal each in either half at the Taman Daya Hockey stadium to continue their unbeaten run in the six-nation tournament.

It was India's fourth win on the trot in the tournament, having defeated England (2-1), Argentina (3-2) and Pakistan (4-0) in their previous matches.

For India, Amit Rohidas (7th minute), Satbir Singh (9th), Talwinder Singh (31st) netted three goals in the first half, while Amon Mirash Tikey (57th), Ramadeep Singh (62nd) and vice-captain Affan Yusof (65th) score three more on the other side of the break.

Korea's lone goal came from the stick of You Seung Ju in the 34th minute.

India will take on hosts Malaysia in Sunday's final. Malaysia also secured its place in the summit clash after defeating Pakistan 4-2, their fourth consecutive win, in the last round-robin match of the day.

Both India and Malaysia, who have 12 points each in their kitty, will play each other in their last round-robin engagement on Saturday.

Against Korea, the Indians came up with a commanding performance and dominated the share of exchanges in the first half with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

It took India just seven minutes to open the scoring through drag-flicker Rohidas who converted a penalty corner with precision that Korean goalkeeper Lee Se Young had no answer.

India doubled their lead two minutes later through a field goal from Satbir after he was set up by Harjeet Singh.

Talwinder made it 3-0 for the Indians four minutes from half time through another field strike.

The Koreans, however, managed to pull one back three minutes later when You Seung Ju scored from a penalty corner.

India slowed down the pace after the lemon break and conceded a few penalty corners but the Koreans failed to utilise the scoring chances.

After a slow start to the second half, India gradually took control of the proceedings and scored three more field goals to run away with the match.

Amon Mirash Tikey scored India's fourth goal in the 57th minute before Ramandeep scored his fifth goal in the tournament five minutes later. Yusof completed the rout for Korea five minutes from the hooter.

India's chief coach Gregg Clark was full of praise for his wards after their sterling performance.

"It was a good performance and this surely gives me a welcome headache as we have several more players back in India that are fighting for a place in the final 18 to the Junior World Cup," Clark said.

"We are playing well and credit to the boys who are executing our tactics and plans well on the pitch. As a coach this is something we look towards hence the performance in the last two matches has been on the rise," he added.

Source:The Times of India

Korea, Taiwan top world earth science Olympiad

Korea walked away the winner at the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2013 which was held in Mysore, India, earlier this month.

The four Korean high school students who represented Korea competed with 101 students from 27 countries for nine days starting on September 11. The latest victory made Korea the IESO winner for three years in a row, a total of three golds and a silver medal at the annual competition, tying Taiwan for first place. A total of ten gold medals, 19 silvers, and 30 bronzes were awarded at this year’s Olympiad.

Korean students pose after winning the IESO 2013 which was held in Mysore, India (photo courtesy of Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity).

Han Sang-woo of Incheon Science High School (second from right) poses for a photo after being awarded the grand prize at the IESO 2013 (photo courtesy of Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity).

Korean students pose for photos after winning IESO 2013 (from left): Han Sang-woo (Incheon Science High School), Lee Juho (Hanseong Science High School), Kim Hee-jun (Busanil Science High School), Lee Min-yeop (Gyeongnam Science High School) (photo courtesy of Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity).

Among the four Korean students, Han Sang-woo of Incheon Science High School was awarded the grand prize for receiving the highest score in astronomy.

From left: Kim Hee-jun, Lee Min-yeop, Lee Juho, Han Sang-woo

The IESO marks its seventh year since its first competition held in 2007 in Korea. Composed of theory and practice tests, the annual Olympiad is designed to assess students’ comprehensive understanding of earth sciences and their capability to interpret natural phenomena, including circulation and changes of the Earth. The IESO includes individual tests and teamwork, requiring students to team up with students from other countries, conduct field research, and discuss the results.

Under the theme “The Earth is indeed a family,” this year’s IESO tests focused on global issues such as natural disasters including climate change, flood, typhoons, and earthquakes, as well as development and abuse of natural resources, and air and seawater pollution. The next IESO will be held in the United States in 2014.

Source:Korea.net

Literacy programs in India, Chad, win Sejong prizes

 

September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO in 1965.

In celebration of the day, UNESCO Headquarters played host to a variety of events on September 9, one of which was the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize awards ceremony.

Inspired by the spirit of Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), who created and promulgated the Korean alphabet Hangeul, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) kicked off the King Sejong Literacy Prize in 1989 to recognize individuals and groups for their dedication to spreading such Sejong spirit and increasing the world’s literacy rate.

The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prizes for 2013 went to two literacy programs in India and Chad.

Two UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize winners for 2013: the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) (left) and the Federation of Associations for the Promotion of Guera Languages (FAPGL) (photo courtesy of UNESCO)

India’s Saakshar Bharat Mission conducted by the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) under the Ministry of Human Resource Development received one of the two UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prizes.

The mission activities include basic education, vocational education, functional literacy, and women’s equality.

Working in 26 languages, the program reaches almost 10 million Indians in 25 regions of the nation annually and works with out-of-school youth, women, and minority groups, addressing issues such as low-level adult literacy and inequality in literacy education.

At the Paris-based UNESCO Headquarters on September 9, UNESCO Direct General Irina Bokova (second from left) awards a UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize to the representative from the Federation of Associations for the Promotion of Guera Languages (FAPGL) (photo courtesy of UNESCO).

The second prize was picked up by the Mother Tongue Literacy program from the Federation of Associations for the Promotion of Guera Languages (FAPGL).

The program was awarded the prize in recognition of its diverse training programs including language education and income-generating activities as well as development and standardization of the Guera languages which has helped promote the literacy of the Guera people.

Since it was initiated in 2012, 13 languages have been taught in 143 literacy centers for 6,577 learners, of whom 5,356 were women and young girls who are even more vulnerable to illiteracy.

2013 King Sejong Literacy Prize laureates (third, fourth from left) (photo courtesy of UNESCO)

Source:Korea.net

Korea, ASEAN have in-depth economic discussion

A series of economic ministerial meetings were held in Brunei from August 19 to 21, including the 10th Korea-ASEAN Summit Meeting, the 16th ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting, the 1st Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the EAS Summit Meeting.

Korean Minister Yoon Sang-jik of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) attended each meeting to exchange views with economic ministers on the economic relationship between Korea and ASEAN countries.

At the 10th Korea-ASEAN Economic Ministerial Meeting on August 20, participating ministers evaluated the current system of origin authentication and trade liberalization for additional products and agreed to fully utilize the Korea-ASEAN FTA by enhancing the quality of services and improving investments.

ASEAN+3 Economic Ministerial Meeting (photo courtesy of MOTIE).

The 16th ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting, a network of ten member countries of ASEAN with China, Japan, and Korea, was held on the same day. Ministers from 13 countries discussed current activities carried out by the East Asia Business Council (EABC), comprised of each nation’s business leaders who work together to provide a private sector perspective.
Inaugurated in 2011, the EABC seeks to strengthen private sector cooperation in Korea, Japan, China, and ASEAN and its chairmanship changes on annual basis.

Korean Economic Minister Yoon Sang-jik (back row, fourth from right) participates in the EAS Summit Meeting in Brunei on August 21 (photo courtesy of MOTIE).

A day ahead of the two ministerial meetings, the 1st Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was held on August 19. Ten ASEAN member states and its FTA partners (Korea, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and India) confirmed their aim to conclude the FTA scheme by the end of 2015 and agreed to hold the tenth and final round of negotiations in September 2015 in Korea.

On August 21, the East Asia Summit (EAS) was held by leaders of ASEAN and RCEP member states along with the U.S. and Russia. Economic leaders from 18 countries agreed at the meeting to turn the informal summit meeting into a formal consultative community starting this year.

The participating ministers talked about how to finalize the current issue of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and exchanged comprehensive views on East Asia economic integration. In addition, the 18 economic leaders confirmed their resolve to cooperate against protectionism that seems to be on the rise during the ongoing economic crisis.

Korean Minister Yoon has a bilateral talk with Indian Minister H.E. Arnand Sharma of Commerce and Industry (top) and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman (bottom) on the sidelines of the economic ministerial summits (photos courtesy of MOTIE).

On the sidelines of the series of economic meetings, Minister Yoon had bilateral talks with other ministers from countries including the U.S., China, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, and New Zealand. The talk with U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman marked the first historic meeting, while Yoon discussed regional integration with Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheong, including issues related to the Korea-China FTA and the direction of RCEP.
Source:Korea.net

Busan International Film Festival opens with ‘Vara’

 

The program for the 18th Busan International Film Festival was unveiled recently. The ten-day festival will open with Vara: A Blessing by Bhutanese director Khyentse Norbu and close with Korean director Kim Dong-hyun’s The Dinner.

The opening film Vara: A Blessing by director Khyentse Norbu (photo courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

Vara: A Blessing tells a story of love, self-sacrifice, and a woman’s strength in adversity. The story, set in rural India, is about a young woman named Lila, who falls in love with Shyam, a low-caste village boy hoping to be a sculptor.

The Dinner starts as the story of an ordinary family but a series of misfortunes leads them to a tragic state. It is the recipient of the 2011 Asian Cinema Fund script development fund.

The festival will take place on 35 screens at seven movie theaters in Busan from October 3 to October 12.

A total of 301 films from 70 countries will be shown. There will be 95 world premiers that are presented to audiences for the first time and 42 international premiers that are shown for the first time outside their home countries.

The closing film The Dinner by director Kim Dong-hyun (photo courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

The Gala Presentation program that introduces recent works by renowned directors or sensational projects will show off six films: Ana Arabia by Israeli director Amos Gitai, Nagima by Kazakhstani director Zhanna Issabayeva, Snowpiercer by Korean director Bong Joon-ho, The X by Korean director Kim Jee-woon, Kadal by Indian director Mani Ratnam, and Unforgiven by Zainichi Korean director Lee Sang-il.

An experimental work, Ana Arabia was filmed in only one take. The film contains a message of peaceful coexistence between Jews and Muslims.

Snowpiercer was already released in Korea in August but it is included in the program. “It will be the first time for Snowpiercer to be shown at a major film festival,” said Nam Dong-chul, a BIFF programmer. “Since it will be reedited for screening in North America, if you want to see the full version, you will have to see it in Busan.”

Unforgiven by Japanese director Lee Sang-il (photo courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

The Korean Cinema Today program will include Kim Ki-duk’s Moebius, which was invited to the ongoing 70th Venice Film Festival’s noncompeting section as well as Hong Sang-soo’s Our Sunhi, which won Hong the Leopard Award for Best Director at the 66th Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland. Nobody’s Daughter Haewon by Hong is also included in the program. For Moebius, the festival will show a version reedited with three minutes cut for general screening.

There are also several special programs -- Unknown New Wave Central Asian cinema and Rogues, Rebels and Romantics: A season of Irish cinema -- focusing on films produced in former Soviet countries and works by Irish filmmakers.

There is also the Korean Cinema Retrospective introducing over 70 films by Korea’s master director Im Kwon-taek.

For the Asian Film Market, a total of 142 institutions from 27 countries will set up promotional booths at BEXCO. Book to Film, a venue for publishers or copyright holders looking to sell original printed work copyrights and producers seeking to purchase them, will include webcomics and graphic novels as well this year.

(From left) BIFF Director Jay Jeon, Festival Director Lee Yong-kwan, Executive Programmer Kim Ji-seok (photo courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

Speaking of what differentiates this year’s event, Festival Director Lee Yong-kwan told journalists on September 3, “We will present a lot of works by young Asian directors. It will be an opportunity to show the identity of the Busan International Film Festival this year.”

Iranian director Rakhshan Bani-E’temad will lead the jury for the New Currents section, BIFF’s competition category.

Korean actress Kang Soo-yeon and Hong Kong actor Aaron Kwok will moderate the opening ceremony. Among the major guests are Japanese actor Ken Watanabe, Taiwanese director Tsai Ming Liang, Chinese director Jia Zhangke, Artistic Director Charles Tesson of Critic’s Week at the Cannes International Film Festival, Irish director Jim Sheridan, and Japanese directors Lee Sang-il, Aoyama Shinji, and Kore-eda Hirokazu.

Poster of the 18th Busan International Film Festival (image courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

 

Source:Korea.net

President emphasizes shared growth, cooperation

President Park Geun-hye returned to Korea after successfully finishing her eight-day trip which included the G20 Summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and a state visit to Vietnam. Her latest overseas visit is considered her diplomatic debut in the European region since her inauguration. Her state visit to Vietnam, the first Northeast Asian country of her choice, also received favorable marks in strengthening Korea’s cooperation with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.

At the Saint Petersburg G20 Summit, President Park stressed the need to pursue mutual growth among emerging economies and advanced countries in the international community. Through her Vietnam state visit, the president and her Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang held a bilateral summit where the two leaders agreed on enhancing the strategic cooperative partnership and concluding bilateral free trade negotiations by 2014.

President Park Geun-hye (second from left) listens during the second session on September 6 (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

President Park delivered speeches at two working sessions of the G20 Summit, where she stressed the need for G20 countries to cooperate for common growth and pursuit of the creative economy. She also held a series of summit talks while in Saint Petersburg with the summit participating countries -- Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Germany -- to discuss ways to boost cooperation and exchanges with Korea.

In the first working session themed on “The Growth of the Global Economy” on September 5, President Park called for cooperation among G20 countries in order to achieve shared growth, while mentioning mutual dependence among countries in the world economy. In order to ease financial uncertainties among emerging economies due to the U.S. exit strategy on stimulus policy, President Park urged advanced countries to make concerted efforts to minimize the difficulties faced by developing countries.

In the second session themed “Job Creation and Investment” on September 6, the president proposed her creative economy vision as the key to solving unemployment in her lead speech. Pointing out poor growth, economic inequalities, and high unemployment as issues of the world economy, the president proposed her creative economy vision and a disciplined market economy as solutions.

“In the past, the economy used to run on mineral resources, whereas what drives the creative economy I envision is creative ideas,” said President Park, mentioning the worldwide hit song “Gangnam Style” by Korean singer PSY, to help the summit participants’ understanding.

President Park Geun-hye (left) shakes hands with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang during a joint press briefing at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 9 (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

In the five-day state visit to Vietnam from September 7 to 11, President Park held summit talks with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang on September 9 where they announced a joint statement dubbed “joint statement of leaders for co-prosperity." At the summit, the two leaders held in-depth discussions on how to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in economy and culture. Both leaders agreed to finalize the ongoing free trade negotiations, reach an agreement for a comprehensive level of free trade by 2014, and work toward extending the bilateral trade volume to USD 70 billion by 2020 from the current level of USD 20 billion as of 2012.

The two leaders also agreed to cooperate and support Vietnam’s implementation of large-scale projects, including nuclear plant development and power plant construction, with the participation of Korean firms.

Clad in Hanbok, President Park Geun-hye delivers congratulatory remarks at a fashion show on Hanbok and ao dai held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 8 (photo: Jeon Han).

Her five-day itinerary included stops to boost cultural exchange between Korea and Vietnam, including a fashion show on Hanbok and ao dai which involved the designers of the two countries. At the fashion show, President Park showed off the beauty of traditional Korean attire on the runway and expressed her hope that the two countries can build a truly close partnership and artists of the two countries can have more exchanges, while mentioning the beautiful harmony that Hanbok and ao dai create.

President Park (right) visits the residence of former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh on September 9 with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

President Park Geun-hye adjusts the ribbon on a wreath as she pays homage to Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 9 (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

President Park visited the residence and mausoleum of former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh to pay her respects, and Ho Chi Minh City where a number of Korean firms are operating to help extend cooperation in the economy and culture and build close ties among the peoples of the two countries.
Source:Korea.net 

How to make traditional Korean liquor

Two kinds of traditional Korean liquor from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) have recently been revived.

Under the project “Bring Back Joseon-Era Traditional Alcohol,” the Rural Development Administration (RDA) brought back to life two kinds of traditional Korean alcohol: jaju (liquor produced by boiling clear liquor, or yakju, with medicinal herbs) and jinsangju (clear rice liquor that used to be presented to Joseon-era kings as tribute from the country).

Both were recreated using the recipe from Sangayorok, an agricultural manual written by medical officer Jeon Sun-eui during the reign of King Sejong (1418-1450).

Jaju can be produced after six to twelve hours of heating with medicinal herbs including beeswax, black pepper, cinnamon bark, and dried orange peels in the clear alcohol “yakju.”

Jinsangju is an alcohol fermented with rice crude liquor mixed with steamed glutinous rice. This fermented alcohol is known to have won the Joseon-era royal family’s favor with its unique sweet and light flavor.

□ How to make jaju

○ Prepare 17 liters of clear alcohol or yakju (about 17 proof).
○ Add about 0.3 grams of beeswax, black pepper, cinnamon, and dried orange peels.
○ Put all the ingredients in a pot and place the pot in boiling water for six to twelve hours.
○ Leave it in a cool place.

□ How to make jinsangju

○ Soak 1 kilogram of regular rice overnight. Grind it, then pour three liters of water in a pot with the powdered rice and boil it into a thick gruel.
○ After cooling, add 800 grams of neureuk (powdered Korean yeast) to the gruel, put it in a pot, and ferment it in a cool place for five days in spring or autumn, three days in summer, or seven days in winter, respectively.
○ Wash thoroughly 5.4 kilograms of glutinous rice and steam it. Then cool it and put the steamed rice in the pot.
○ After seven days, strain the resulting fermented rice with a sieve, and now you have sweet jinsangju.

1. Wash regular rice and soak it overnight. (left) 2. Grind the rice.

1. Boil it into a thick gruel. (left) 2. After cooling, add neureuk to the gruel.

(From left) 1. Steam glutinous rice in a steamer lined with cotton cloth. 2. Put the steamed rice in the pot and leave it for seven days. 3. Strain it with a sieve.

Clear rice wine jinsangju

 

Source: Korea.net

A short introduction of Housing in Korea

It is generally believed that Paleolithic man began to inhabit the Korean Peninsula about 40,000 to 50,000 years ago. Neolithic man appeared in Korea around 4,000 B.C., with signs of their active presence around 3,000 B.C. being found across the peninsula. It is believed that these Neolithic people formed the ethnic stock of the Korean people. Neolithic people dwelled near the seashore and riverbanks before advancing into inland areas. The sea was their main source of food. They used nets, hooks and fishing lines to catch fish and gather shellfish. Hunting was another way to procure food. Arrowheads and spear points have been found at Neolithic sites. Later, they began to engage in farming using stone hoes, sickles and millstones.

Rice cultivation started during the Bronze Age, which lasted in Korea until around 400 B.C. People also lived in thatch-covered pits, while dolmen and stone cist tombs were used predominantly for burials during the period.As agriculture became a principal activity, villages were formed and a ruling leader with supreme authority emerged. Law became necessary to govern the communities. In Gojoseon (2,333 B.C.-108 B.C.), a law code consisting of eight articles came into practice, but only three of the articles are known today: First, anybody who kills another shall immediately be killed. Second, those who injure another's body shall compensate in grain. Third, those who steal another's possessions shall become a slave of their victim.

Housing

Hanok, Korean traditional houses, remained relatively unchanged from the Three Kingdoms period through the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Ondol, a Korean underfloor heating system, was first used in the north. Smoke and heat generated from the low-lying kitchen stoves were channeled through flues built under floors. In the warmer south, ondol was used together with wooden floors. The major materials of traditional houses were clay and wood. Giwa, or black-grooved roof tiles, were made of earth, usually red clay. Today, the Presidential mansion is called Cheong Wa Dae, or the Blue House, for the blue tiles used for its roof.

Ondol

In modern usage it refers to any type of underfloor heating or a room that follows the traditional way of eating and sleeping on the floor.

Hanok were built without using any nails and were assembled with wooden pegs. Upper-class houses consisted of a number of separate structures, one for the accommodation of women and children, one for the men of the family and their guests, and another for servants, all enclosed within a wall. A family ancestral shrine was built behind the house. A lotus pond was sometimes created in front of the house outside the wall..

 

1-2. Bukchon (North Village) in Seoul's Gahoe-dong district.

3-4. The hanok-style home of Im Jin-su, in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do province.

(Photos courtesy of the Cultural Heritage Administration)

The form of the houses differed from the colder north to the warmer south. Simple houses with a rectangular floor and a kitchen and a room on either side developed into an L-shaped house in the south. Hanok later became U- or square-shaped centered around a courtyard.

From the late 1960s, Korea's housing pattern began to change rapidly with the construction of Western-style apartment buildings. High-rise apartments have mushroomed all over the country since the 1970s but the ondol system has remained popular with heated water pipes taking the place of smoke flues under the floor.

Source:Korea.net

Humanities are basis for cultural prosperity: President

President Park Geun-hye met with well-known figures in the culture and the humanities arena on August 7 at Cheong Wa Dae.

A total of 13 people, including including Yonsei University Professor Yoo Jong-ho, Ewha Womans University Professor Kim U-Chang, and novelists Yi In-hwa and Park Bum-shin, attended the meeting.

President Park Geun-hye (center) stresses the importance of the humanities at a meeting with influential figures in the culture, humanities, and arts arena at Cheong Wa Dae on August 7 (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

President Park Geun-hye (left) shakes hands with one of the attendees of the meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on August 7 (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

President Park listened to insightful opinions from the meeting participants who expressed their views on a wide range of issues, including ways to boost humanities studies and to realize the goal of cultural prosperity.

President Park repeatedly emphasized the importance of the humanities as the foundation for cultural enrichment and the creative economy which will lead to happiness as it “focuses on consideration of people and deals with an insight of life and human beings.”

“Any technology, invention, or system can become monstrous if it is not based on self-reflection on people and life,” said the president in a meeting with senior journalists at Cheong Wa Dae on July 10.

President Park also said that knowledge in the humanities is the foundation for a creative economy at Seoul International Book Fair in June this year.

“We need to start reading books in order to usher in an era of cultural renaissance as imagination based on the humanities is a key to achieve a growth engine,” said the president at a ceremony held to announce "Government 3.0” vision in the same month.

After her summer vacation, President Park held meetings with groups of experts and plans to meet more experts in the culture, arts, and humanities sectors in the future.

By Wi Tack-whan, Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr

S-train adds more fun to southern region

Ocean, islands, and a train. Take your time meditating while enjoying a tea inside a train where you can also enjoy fresh seafood.

Tourists can enjoy a quality train trip starting this November, as Korail will introduce the new S-train tourism program which will guide passengers through the southern part of Korea. The name “S-train” originates from “south” and the curvy shape of the South Sea of Korea.

Korail will roll out the S-train this November (image courtesy of Korail).

Under the program, new turtle-themed trains will travel two routes -- from Busan to Yeosu and from Gwangju to Masan -- once a day with five cars which can accommodate up to 218 passengers.

The train which departs from Busan will travel a total of 250.7 kilometers to the venue of the Yeosu Expo via Gupo, Jinyeong, Masan, Jinju, Hadong, Suncheon, and Yeocheon. The other train which will depart from Gwangju will travel more than 260 kilometers to Masan via Nampyeong, Boseong, Deungnyang, Beolgyo, Suncheon, Bukcheon, and Jinju.

Passengers can enjoy a traditional Korean tea ceremony while sitting inside a tea room of the S-train (photo courtesy of Korail).

Passengers can enjoy their train travel, as each of the five passenger cars is built on different themes -- rooms for healing, family, cafeteria, tea, and leisure and sports. Korail expects that the cafeteria and tea room will win popularity among travelers, as these two cars are unique to the S-train. The train will delight food lovers as they can enjoy well-known Korean cuisines of the southern region at the cafeteria and experience a traditional Korean style tea ceremony with fragrant tea produced from the southern region in a tea room which will be introduced for the first time to Korean trains.

S-train passengers can also enjoy local festivals throughout the southern region as the train passes the venues of popular events like Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival scheduled from October 1 to 13, Beolgyo Cockle Festival, and Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival, both of which are to be held from October 25 to 27.

Nampyeong, one of the temporary stations of the S-train route, is a good place to take photos (photo courtesy of Korail).

Each of the stations along the train route, like Jinju, Hadong, Suncheon, Yeosu, Beolgyo, and Boseong, shows uniqueness of local culture and tourism with newly built tourism information centers, food, and other local specialty shops.

At Deungnyang station, one of the S-train stops, tourists can go back to the past while enjoying walking around a special street created with themes of the past (photo courtesy of Korail).

Korail has previously introduced train tourism programs called the O-train and V-train earlier this spring. The two trains have attracted about 130,000 people since opening this April. Thanks to the train programs, daily visitors to Buncheon and Yangwon, some of the temporary stops of the train routes, also rose from ten to 1,000.

By Jeon Han, Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
hanjeon@korea.kr

Source:Korea.net

Test of Proficiency in Korean-TOPIK 2013

Objectives of TOPIK

• To propagate and set a standard framework for learning Korean for non-native speakers of Korean and overseas Koreans alike.
• To measure and evaluate their Korean language skills and utilize the results for entrance to Korean Educational institutes
  and for job-seeking purposes 

Exam Levels and Difficulties (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)

 Exam Levels and Difficulties (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)

Difficulty	Beginner		Intermediate		Advanced
Level	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6
Level decision	Level will be decided upon depending on the score in each level

• Composition by Area : 4 sections (Vocabulary, Grammar, Writing, Listening and Reading)
• Score : Each section 100, Total 400

Test result use

For the purpose of submitting score reports to institutions such as colleges or companies, and for visa issuance.

Source:NIIED

TOPIK Schedule in 2013

Exam	Korea	The Americas, Europe, Africa	Asia.Central Asia, Austrailia	Remarks
29th Exam	1.20(Sun)			Korea Only
30th Exam	4.21(Sun)	4.20(Sat)	4.21(Sun)
31st Exam	7.21(Sun)			Korea only
32nd Exam	10.20(Sun)	10.19(Sat)	10.20(Sun)

TOPIK 2013 Application Dates(Korean dates) Exam Date How to apply Remarks 29th Exam ‘12.12.13(Thu) ~ 12.26(Wed) · Korea : Online application, group application Korea Only 30th Exam ‘13.02.12(Tue) ~ 02.25(Mon) · Korea : Online application, group application · Overseas : Apply through the nation’s affiliated institution 31st Exam ‘13.06.12(Wed) ~ 06.25(Tue) · Korea : Online application, group application Korea only 32nd Exam ‘13.08.07(Wed) ~ 08.20(Tue) · Korea : Online application, group application · Overseas : Apply through the nation’s affiliated institution **Date can differ while applying from overseas. Please check with the nation’s affiliated institution.
TOPIK 2013 Test Timings Difficulty 1st half 2nd half Remarks Vocabulary.Grammar/ Writing Listening/Reading Beginner 09:00~10:30(90min) 11:00~12:30(90min) Morning(Beginner, Advanced) Afternoon (Intermediate)) Intermediate 14:00~15:30(90min) 16:00~17:30(90min) Advanced 09:00~10:30(90min) 11:00~12:30(90min) **1st and 2nd half will be combined to single test in China - Beginner.Advanced: 09:00 ~ 12:00 - Intermediate: 14:00 ~ 17:00 TOPIK 2012 Test Result Announcement Dates Test number 29th Exam 30th Exam 31st Exam 32nd Exam Announcement date ‘13.02.04(Mon) ‘13.05.30(Thu) ‘13.08.02(Fri) ‘13.12.03(Tue) **Announcement will be at 15:00 on the above dates on the exam website (www.topik.go.kr)
For further details you can contact Korean Embassy in your country or visit the official TOPIK website: www.topik.go.kr

 

하이원다문화강사 중부권 교육

[홍천]연극하고 다도 배우며 지역문화 이해

27일부터 홍천에서 2주간 진행 2013년 하이원다문화강사 중부권 소양교육이 27일 오후 1시 홍천군다문화가족지원센터에서 열린다. 강원일보 사회복지법인 함께사는 강원세상, 하이원리조트, 도가 공동주최하는 이번 교육은 결혼이주여성과 다문화강사 신청자를 대상으로 2주간 총 6회에 걸쳐 진행된다. 교육기간 `로컬문화 이해하기와 한국의 다도문화', `연극과 함께하는 다문화', `이웃나라의 다문화 이해', `강원의 문화축제' 등 다양한 주제로 강의가 펼쳐진다. 교육은 (사)강원한국학연구원과 KT-IT서포터즈 강원팀이 교육을 주관한다. 강사진은 유성선 강원한국학연구원장, 신현승 강원한국학연구원 중국학연구소장, 김경희 단국대 일본학연구소 교수, 최병욱 강원대 인문과학연구소 교수, 정미선 마하산방 대표, 김정훈 연극디렉터 대표, 정광웅 정해경 KT-IT서포터즈 강원팀강사 등으로 구성됐다. 사회복지법인 함께사는 강원세상 관계자는 “사회통합을 위한 다문화 전도사로서 결혼이주여성의 역할을 증대하는 데 큰 도움이 될 것”이라고 말했다. 홍천=이무헌기자 trustme@kwnews.co.kr

DMZ Camp for Students

 

 

DMZ에서 꿈꾸는4회 대학생 통일미래 평화통일 캠프

 일시: 2013년 7월 2일 (화)~7월 5일(금)3 박4일

 장소: 경기.강원 지역 DMZ 일원

 대상: 대학생 100 명 (국내.해외동포.외국인대학생 등)

 신청기간: 5월 20일()월~6월 17일(월) 선착순 100명

... 신청방번: 참가신청하기

 참가비:3만원 (참가비 입금 후 최종 참가자로 확정)

 기업은행 221-129760-04-12 예금주) 민족화해협력범국민협의회

 

Posco emloyment info. for foreigners(Only for Master Degree Holders)

Posco emloyment info. for foreigners.....


2013년 포스코 외국인 직원 채용
모집분야

<지원자격>
○ 학력: 국내대학 석사이상으로 '14년 2월 이전 졸업자 (기졸업자 포함)
○ 언어: 현지어 및 한국어 능통자
○ 기타: 한국 및 해외근무에 결격사유가 없는 자/Microsoft Office 능통자 우대

<마케팅>
○ 업무분야
- 신규 수요개발 및 영업업무
- 물류기획 및 수출수송 업무
○ 자격요건
- 전공: 경영/공학
- 국적: 일본/중국/태국/베트남/인도네시아
- 언어: 영어 상급이상/한국어 중상급 이상
- 우대사항: 물류관련 전공자/경력자 우대

<경영전략>
○ 업무분야: 러시아 사업검토 및 지원업무
○ 자격요건
- 전공: 경영/경제/토목
- 국적: 러시아
- 언어: 영어 상급이상/한국어 상급이상

<기술전략>
○ 업무분야: 기술교류 및 지원업무
○ 자격요건
- 전공: 금속/기계공학
- 국적: EU/미주(북미, 남미)
- 언어: 영어 상급이상/ 한국어 중급이상

지원방법
○ POSCO홈페이지(http://gorecruit.posco.co.kr/)의 채용 싸이트에서 등록
※ 지원서 작성은 한국어로 부탁드립니다.

지원기간
○ '13. 5. 20(월) ~ '13. 5. 28(화) 23:00 까지

기타
○ 1차 서류전형 결과는 e-mail로 개별 통보 할 예정입니다
○ 직급 및 연봉은 개인의 경력에 따라 부여됩니다
○ 기타 문의는 포스코 HR지원실(juliekim@posco.com)로 해 주시기 바랍니다

한·중·일 관계 한국학 연구소 역할 막중

“한·중·일 관계 한국학 연구소 역할 막중”

강원대 철학과 1차 콜로키움

◇강원대 철학과 30주년 기념 콜로키움이 지난 30일 교내 인문대에서 `한·중·일 3국 동아시아 사상사 인식 비교 면면관'을 주제로 열렸다. 김효석기자 hskim@kwnews.co.kr

강원대 철학과 30주년 제1차 콜로키움이 지난달 30일 교내 학과 세미나실에서 열렸다. `한·중·일 3국 동아시아 사상사 인식 비교 면면관'을 주제로 (사)강원한국학연구원(원장:유성선)이 진행한 이날 행사에서는 중국 절강공상대학 한국학연구소장인 김준 교수의 강연과 토론으로 진행됐다. 중국 연변자치주 화룡현 출신인 김준 교수는 이날 강연에서 천진시 소재 남계대학에서 역사학에 입문해 연변대(석사)와 일본 히로시마대학(박사과정)에서 수학하며 실감한 동아시아 3국의 관계와 상호발전 도모를 역설했다. 또 절강공상대학에 한국학연구원이 설립된 배경과 연구분야도 소개해 시선을 끌었다. 대학 내 동시아문화연구원(원장:왕룡·북경대 교수) 산하에 일본학연구소, 서적의 길(Book-Rod) 연구소가 함께 있는데 3국의 관계에서 보듯 한국학연구소의 역할이 막중하다고 밝혔다. 특히 절강공상대학의 동시아문화연구원이 쓰고 있는 거대한 독립건물이 병합 이전의 항주대 일본학연구소였는데 일본인들이 건축비를 댔다는 내력을 밝혀 우리의 역할을 되짚어보게 했다. 이날 행사를 주관한 강원대 철학과 유성선 교수는 “동아시아 학술네트워크를 구축해 매년 학술행사와 현장워크숍을 순회 개최할 계획”이라고 말했다. 신하림기자 peace@kwnews.co.kr

Information about recruitment for internship

- Target: Students completing their degrees (Undergraduate: 3rd/4th year, Graduate: 3rd/4th Semester)

Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Kenya, etc.)

Eastern Europe (Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, etc.)

Central and South America (Mexico, Colombia, Panama, etc.)

Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, etc.)

- Period: July - August 2013 (6 weeks) - the exact period will be announced later

- Job Title: Sales / Marketing

- Eligible to be hired as a regular employee in the oversees branch based on the internship performance.

B. Application Information

- Documents to be submitted: Resume (form attached)- Submission deadline: untill 23 May 2009 (Thursday)- Submission: isfkorea@hanmail.net (Person in charge: Im Hyeon-gyeong (임현경) Administration Team Leader)


Please check attachments for Resume form and more information.


 

Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) summer vacation internship programme for foreign students

Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) is conducting a summer vacation internship programme for foreign students. Through this programme students will be able to gain work experience. Interested students are welcome to apply.

- Number of people to be selected: 10 people
- Areas of recruitment: Management, Green Energy, Water Supply, Water Resources
- Internship period: 24 June (Mon) ~ 26 July(Fri) 2013, 5 weeks
- Application requirements: undergraduate students of 3rd or 4th year or graduate students attendind the school
- Application period: 16 May 2013 (Thu) - 29 May 2013 (Wed) untill 18:00
- Method of application: Internet application on K-water Homepage (www.kwater.or.kr)

Are you interested in trip to Dokdo?

Are you interested in trip to Dokdo?

The Korean National Council for Conservation of Nature(Knucn) invites foreign students to experience Korean ecological environment and culture as people-to -people diplomacy. Don't miss the chance to visit Dokdo island for FREE!

○ Applicant : foreign students studying in Korean domestic university
who registered this semester including May, 2013.
(who can speak Korean, no interpreter)

○ Date : 24th(Mon)~26th(Wed) June, 2013, 2nights 3days

○ Expense : Free (Fully supported by Knucn)

○ Requirement : one Application form, one certificate of studentship

○ How to submit : e-mail(knccn@daum.net), FAX 02)757-1629
※ Title (2013 dokdo trip)
File Name (Your school_Name, ex: oo university_PSY)

○ Deadline : 16th May(Thur) ~ 10th June(Mon), 2013

○ Final Participant : 100 people

○ Announcement : 14th June(Fir), 2013, notice on Knucn Homepage or personal call

○ Sponsored by Dong-A Ggumnamu Foundation, Ministry of Environment,

○ Program
- Special lecture
Nature and history of Dokdo(Knucn President, Lee Su Kwang)
- Experience the ecological environment
Ulleungdo tour(Including tracking)
Dokdo tour
- Recreation game
- submit the note about what you think and feel during visit.
after trip, publish a book with all participant's note.

* Schedule to be arranged.
* You can't apply this trip if you have already participated in previous.

Hisory of Post Korean War North Korean attacks on South Korea

Timeline: North Korean attacks

Amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula, and multiple threats from North Korea of attacks on US and South Korean targets, the BBC looks at some of the major attacks and incursions which have been blamed on Pyongyang.

January 1967

North Korean artillery targets a South Korean vessel, the Dangpo, patrolling in the Yellow Sea with 70 sailors on board. The ship sinks, killing 39 of the crew.

January 1968

A team of 31 North Korean commandos crosses into South Korea and breaks into the presidential palace, the Blue House, in an attempt to assassinate President Park Chung-hee. The attempt is crushed by South Korean security forces, Mr Park survives but seven South Koreans and most of the commandos are killed.

January 1968

The research ship the USS Pueblo is captured by North Korea while on a surveillance mission. One crew member dies during the capture and the remaining 82 are taken to prison camps in the North.

The prisoners are released 11 months later after the US gave an apology and assurances the vessel had not been spying - both were later retracted. The Pueblo remains in North Korea as a museum - the only US warship in captivity.

December 1969

A South Korean airliner is hijacked and forced to fly to North Korea. Dozens of passengers are taken hostage. In January, 39 of the hostages were released but the remaining 12 are not known to have been freed.

August 1974

President Park's wife dies during a second attempt on his life - she is hit by stray bullets after a suspected North Korean agent opens fire at a public function.

October 1983

North Korea bombs a hotel in Rangoon, Burma, during a visit by President Chun Doo-hwan. He survives but 21 people, including some government ministers, are killed.

November 1987

A bomb, allegedly planted by North Korean agents, explodes on board a South Korean airliner travelling to Seoul from Baghdad. All 115 passengers and crew are killed.

September 1996

A North Korean submarine runs aground near Gangneung, off the east coast of South Korea, while allegedly conducting a spy mission. The crew of 26 escape to the shore, sparking a manhunt.

Eleven of the crew are found dead, apparently shot by their compatriots, but the rest go on the run for nearly two months. One alleged spy escapes, one is captured by South Korean security forces and the rest are killed. Several South Koreans also die in the operation.

March 2010

A 1,200-tonne Corvette, the Cheonan, goes down near the disputed maritime border with North Korea - the Northern Limit Line. Many of the crew members escape but 46 are killed. After an extensive investigation, Seoul rules that a torpedo explosion directly beneath the vessel sank it and that the only "plausible explanation" is that North Korea was to blame. Pyongyang denies any involvement.

November 2010

North Korea shells a South Korean border island, Yeonpyeong, killing four South Koreans, including two civilians. It says it was responding to military exercises in the South.

Source:BBC