Envoy touts 'educated India' for investors

Indian Ambassador Vishnu Prakash, left, and Ajay Kanwal, president and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Korea and regional CEO of Northeast Asia, pose for a photo at the Indian Embassy in Seoul, Thursday, after a news briefing on a business seminar on infrastructure and manufacturing in India slated for Aug. 29. / Korea Times

Indian Ambassador Vishnu Prakash encouraged investors to search for business opportunities in his country, calling India "a young, educated nation" with a sufficient number of high-skilled workers to work with Korean companies.

During a news conference at the Embassy of India in Seoul Thursday, the envoy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been in office since May, has pushed for silent but decisive reform to remove bureaucracy and attract more foreign investors.

"The Indian prime minister's message to the nation is less government and more governance," Prakash told reporters. "It's true that we have bureaucratic bottlenecks. These bottlenecks, however, will be removed. The labor law has been simplified."

The embassy invited reporters to the news conference to preview what to expect during a business seminar slated for August 29 co-hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Standard Chartered Bank Korea, the Korea Society and the Indian multinational corporation Mahindra Group.

Approximately 100 Indian business executives from the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors will participate to talk about the investment environment of the country.

It will be the biggest event the Indian Embassy has ever held in Korea.

Ambassador Prakash gave one example illustrating the strong will of the Modi government to remove barriers hindering foreign investment to his country.

"Every industrial unit had to file annual returns on labor, which used to be 80 pages in the past. It was reduced to five pages. This is one example of the streamlined labor laws. Land acquisition procedures also have been simplified. Compensation procedures have been reviewed and deadlines are being introduced to make decisions to respond to queries from investors."

He called India a young country, saying two thirds of its population are 25 years old or younger.

The envoy talked about India's business-friendly environment when asked to answer concerns among some Korean investors who were familiar with the delay of a POSCO steel plant construction project in the southern region of Odisha.

The project was delayed for years as local residents, in collaboration with environmentalists, opposed the related land acquisition because of the project's potential impact on the region's ecosystem.

Ambassador Prakash noted that, nevertheless, the construction of the steel plant is almost complete and steel production will start from November.

Ajay Kanwal, president and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Korea and regional CEO of Northeast Asia, noted that India is a key destination for Korean investors, and the bank will provide full support especially for medium-sized companies seeking investment in the country.

Kanwal said specialists in the areas of financial services, trade and commodities will provide technical assistance for Korean investors pursuing business opportunities in India.

"Bankers of Standard Chartered in India will handle all the process. What we really do is, based on their experiences with us, we provide their history to the bank in India so that it becomes very comfortable for them to operate there," he said.

Kanwal said Standard Chartered Bank in India hired two Korean staff members and they work full-time helping Korean investors solve any problems they face.

source: korea times

South Korea looks forward to more success stories in India

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Lee Joon-gyu (60 yrs) is a seasoned diplomat. Immediately after he completed his Masters in Law from Seoul National University, Korea, in February 1979, Joon-gyu passed his High Diplomatic Service Examination and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in his country. Thereafter, he has represented Korea at the United Nations, Malaysia, Japan, China and New Zealand. In August 2012 he assumed charge as his country's Ambassador to India. During his career he was also director, international trade, MOFA.
As a diplomat, he is only too aware that his role is to strengthen diplomatic ties between South Korea and India, but also ensure that these are buttressed by cultural and business ties.And during the past decade, Korea has notched up some significant successes in India, even though it has seen some of its projects (Posco in Odisha is one example) plagued by delays.He agreed to an exclusive interview by R.N.Bhaskar, and given below are the edited excerpts:

It was heartening to see that one of the most sophisticated thermal power projects in India, set up by Tata Power at Mundra (Gujarat), opted for Korean (Doosan) turbines and generators. Do you expect Korea to play an increasingly successful role in the rest of India's power industry?

Joon-gyu: In addition to what you correctly mentioned, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction also won a $520 million contract in 2012 to build the steam generator and boiler for the NTPC-Lara power plant at Chhattisgarh. Doosan is a globally well-known company for its expertise and performance in the power industry. KEPCO Plant Services & Engineering also recently won a $180 million order to operate and repair a thermal power plant in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, and plans to actively expand its business further. I expect Korean companies, including Doosan and KEPCO KPS, to contribute a great deal in developing electricity infrastructure and improving the power sector in India.

Do you think that the recent environmental clearances announced by the central government for Korean and other units will encourage more Korean companies to invest in India?

It surely is a positive development. But we cannot be sure that with only that measure, delayed projects can now go on stream. Many other hurdles – including never-ending complaints and law-suits raised by various NGOs – still remain. My suggestion is that the success of mega projects like POSCO's would have a great positive impact. They should be monitored directly by the PMO (prime minister's office)


Some of the key industries/sectors that have been flagged as priority projects by the Indian government are shipbuilding and ports, airports, railways, and new cities. Which are the segments that you think Korea could be interested in?
I think they are interested in almost all these segments. During the phone conversation with President Park (of Korea) in July this year, the Indian Prime Minister sought Korean investment in India's infrastructure projects. I believe that there is enormous scope for cooperation in all these areas. I am encouraging Korean companies to be more proactive in this sector. We have a proposal pending for building eight minesweepers for India in the defence and shipping sectors. We are waiting for the final green signal. We would like to build big Korean ships in India as well.


What are the things you think should be done to make Koreans more interested in India?
I believe that strong economic reforms, infrastructure development and business friendly policies pursued by the new government have already spurred some positive effects. But they are not enough. Koreans want to see things really move. They want to see real outcomes. They want success stories in India.
The manufacturing sector was the first major engine of growth for Korea during the 1970s and the 1980s helping Korea industrialise rapidly. The (new) Indian government's policy of boosting the manufacturing sector is quite right, and timely. Korean companies can play a substantial role in helping India achieve these goals. We are now concentrating on bringing Korean manufacturing SMEs (small & medium enterprises) into India. As I said before, they all are looking forward to hearing success stories of Korean majors in India. The more the success stories, the keener will be their desire to come to India.

source:dnaindia.com 

South Korean minister uses sacred sapling to show Sushma Swaraj growth in bilateral ties

• Getty Images

In an unique way to symbolise the rapid rise in bilateral ties, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se today showed his counterpart Sushma Swaraj pictures showing the growth of a sacred Maha Bodhi sapling which was gifted to his country by India in March. In a meeting with Swaraj on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, the South Korean Foreign Minister brought photographs comparing the sapling that has grown four times that size in the last four months.

He told Swaraj that the sapling was 30 CMs tall when it was gifted but now it is 130 CMs in length. "He wanted to show this as a reflection and symbol of rapid growth in India-Korea relationship. This was a very interesting manner of symbolising the relationship," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. He said a range of issues of bilateral interests were discussed.

South Korea has around 50 million Buddhist population and the sacred Bodhi Tree from India's Bodh Gaya was given to South Korea as a special gesture of friendship. South Korean President Park Geun-hye had visited India in January this year during which both the countries had decided to intensify cooperation in a range of key sectors including trade, investment and defence.

Nine pacts covering wide-ranging areas including cyber space cooperation were also signed between the two countries during the South Korean President's visit. The relationship between India and South Korea is on an upswing. Korean President Park Geun-Hye had congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his victory in the general elections and recalled with appreciation his association with Korea as chief minister of Gujarat. President Park invited the Prime Minister to pay an early visit to Korea, which was accepted by him.

source:dna india.com

In South Korea, hiking has become almost a national identity

South Koreans are weekend warriors. The sport of choice? Hiking. Mountains are everywhere, and most can be climbed in a day. You need only the following prerequisites: a love of nature, multi-course meals packed into Tupperware, several bottles of rice wine and high-end gear.

Hiking has long been a South Korean pastime, but it has become more like a national identity. In a typical month, about 1 in 3 Koreans goes hikingmore than once. The mountainous national park north of Seoul attracts more visitors annually than the Grand Canyon.

Part of this passion can be explained by geography. The country is a topographical eggshell mattress, covered with hundreds of steep, climbable peaks.

But it’s the rituals surrounding Korean hiking that define mountain culture here. The pace is brisk, and at the top, big groups spread out on blankets and devour elaborate spreads. They also drink rice wine — sometimes lots of it. Amazingly, the hike down is also brisk.

Hikers ascend stairs at Odaesan National Park. (SeongJoon Cho/For The Washington Post)

Although South Korea is famous for its pressure-cooker schools and 60-hour workweeks, hiking represents a far more attractive kind of endurance test. Koreans hold mountains in almost mythical regard, similar to the American veneration for the open spaces of the West. But only recently has hiking taken off as an activity for the masses, a product of national prosperity and increasing leisure time. (Not until 2004 did the governmentshorten the workweek from six to five days.) It helps that many of the country’s most picturesque mountains ring the outskirts of Seoul, a capital region that is home to about 25 million people.

“It’s almost like an addiction,” said Shin Soon-no, 65, who hikes several times a week with her husband, Kim Hong-seong. “Your body starts to crave it.”

Even farther afield, though, South Korean mountains tend to be clogged with a breathtaking flow of humanity — particularly on weekends. Traffic backs up on roads that lead to trailheads. In parking lots, groups pour out of buses, form circles and stretch. Women put on visors the size of umbrellas.

Be sure to dress well

A hiker in Odaesan National Park. (SeongJoon Cho/For The Washington Post)

In other countries, it might be acceptable to set out on a hike in sneakers and shorts. But in South Korea, mountaineer wear is the norm for even the tamest climbs. Those who show up in shabbier gear — typically younger folks — might get a friendly lecture about the importance of multiple layers and sweat-wicking technology. And anyone shamed into upgrading their clothing can do so right away. At the foot of Cheongye Mountain, a modest peak in southern Seoul, more than 20 outdoor companies — North Face, Marmot, Lafuma, Montbell — have stores. Jackets can cost $800, walking sticks $250. Apparel retailers say South Koreans wear, on average, $1,000 worth of garb for a summer hike.

“And probably twice that in winter,” said Kim Sang-beom, owner of a Black Yak store, which sells the upscale Korean domestic outdoor brand.

“Of course, you can wear jeans on a hike, but a lot of Koreans believe they need the perfect clothes,” Kim said. “There are a lot of hiking clubs in Korea, and let’s say you join a club and everybody is carrying hiking sticks and wearing the best gear. If you show up in jeans, you might feel very out of place.”

source:washington post

Korean poems in English: ‘Enough to Say It’s Far’

Han 

Something like the persimmon tree?
Ripening in the sad evening glow,
The tree where the fruits of my heart’s love
Ripen.

With room to spread in the next world only,
Still it looms behind the one I was thinking of,
Falling down from above her head.

It may yet become the fruit 
Of her overwhelming grief
That she wished to plant
In the yard of her house.
Or would she understand 
If I said it was all my sorrow,
All my hope from a previous life,
The color of that fruit?
Or did that person too
Live in sorrow through this world?
That I do not know, I do not know.

From Pak Chae-sam’s 1960 collection of poems, “Chunhyang’s Mind” 
Poet Pak Chae-sam (1933-1997) has been credited with putting a wide range of human emotions into his poems, using creative, succinct and emotional words. 

His collection of poems, “Enough to Say It’s Far,” recently published in English, is the one collection of his that compiles into poetic words all the realizations and sympathy that one acquires throughout the many phases of life. 

Pak Chae-sam’s collection of poems “Enough to Say It’s Far” is now published in English.

The collection consists of 59 works selected from among his lifelong body of work. His first collection, “Chunhyang’s Mind,” published in 1962, is a volume of poetry that sums up the sorrow, regret and resentment, also known as han, that storms through heartbroken couples.

The pieces in his second collection, “In the Sunshine,” published in 1970, depict compassionate feelings for life, describing the glorious and sorrowful experiences through which one lives.

“A Thousand Year-Old Wind,” his third collection, from 1975, personifies a wide range of emotions as images from nature, such as light, rivers and trees, all representing life and death. 

Meanwhile, each poem from his fourth collection, “Autumn River in Burning Tears,” from 1991, sends a message that life is full of sorrow and grief. It epitomizes sadness and, at the same time, can give life lessons, allowing the reader to learn things important from all areas of life.

Born in 1933 in Tokyo, Pak Chae-sam graduated from Samcheonpo High School in 1953. The poet made his literary debut in 1955 with “Providence,” a traditional three-stanza sijo poem, and with “Stillness.” 

He studied at Korea University, majoring in Korean language and literature, but poverty and illness cut his studies short in just three years. He spent his last years suffering from hypertension. However, he never put down his pen, continuing to write poems, until he died of the illness in 1997. Other works of his include “Next to Little Brats” (1976), “Under the Iron of the Moon” (1979) and “In Memories” (1983). He also published a collection of sijo in 1985, “My Love,” as well as six collections of essays throughout his life. 

source:korea.net

인도서 K팝 교류 돈스파이크 "각국 음악인과 협업해야"

인도서 'K팝 교류대사' 나선 돈스파이크

(뉴델리=연합뉴스) 나확진 특파원 = 26일(현지시간) 인도 뉴델리에서 작곡가 돈스파이크가 한국과 인도 음악인의 교류에 대한 생각을 말하고 있다. 2014.7.27 << 국제부 기사 참조 >> rao@yna.co.kr

'코리아-인디아 퓨전 뮤직콘서트' 등 다양한 활동

(뉴델리=연합뉴스) 나확진 특파원 = "이제는 케이팝(K-POP)이 일방적으로 다가가기만 하는 것을 넘어 각국 음악인과 협업해 더 깊이 있는 결과물을 내놓을 때라고 생각합니다."

가수 김범수와 나얼 등의 음반 작업에 참여한 작곡가 겸 프로듀서 돈스파이크(본명 김민수·37)는 26일(현지시간) 연합뉴스 특파원과 만나 '전파가 아닌 교류'를 강조했다.

그는 프로젝트팀 'A.S.K.'(Asian Sing Korean Soul)를 꾸려 외교부 '국민 모두가 공공 외교관' 사업에 지원, 지난 18일 인도 뉴델리에 도착했다.

바로 현지 음악인들과 접촉을 시작한 그는 25일 뉴델리에서 '코리아-인디아 퓨전 뮤직 콘서트'를 열어 재즈 색소폰 연주자 신현필, 인도 기타 연주자 아디티야 발라니 등과 함께 '사랑하기 때문에', '친구여', '섬집아기' 등 한국 곡과 인도 음악을 선사했다.

인도 라디오에 출연한 돈스파이크

(뉴델리=연합뉴스) 25일(현지시간) 인도 뉴델리에서 현지 라디오 방송에 출연한 작곡가 돈스파이크. 뒤 왼쪽부터 시계방향으로 돈스파이크, 색소포니스트 신현필, A.S.K. 기획담당 육숙희, HIT95 라디오 진행자 사르타크 카우시크. 2014.7.27 << 국제부 기사 참조, A.S.K. 제공 >> rao@yna.co.kr

또 현지 케이팝 팬들을 대상으로 오디션을 개최하고 인도 FM 라디오 HIT95에도 출연해 한국 음악을 알렸다.

그는 "다른 음악과 섞이기 쉬운 재즈로 먼저 협연을 시작했다"며 "공연을 해보니 인도 전통악기가 한국의 사물놀이와도 멋진 하모니를 낼 수 있다는 것을 알게 됐다"고 말했다.

그는 오는 10월 한국에서는 양국의 전통 음악을 더 강조한 콘서트를 개최할 예정이다.

돈스파이크, 뉴델리서 한-인도 음악인 합동 공연

(뉴델리=연합뉴스) 25일(현지시간) 인도 뉴델리 로디가든에서 작곡가 돈스파이크가 주도한 A.S.K. 팀이 인도 음악인들과 함께 공연을 하고 있다. 2014.7.27 << 국제부 기사 참조, A.S.K. 제공 >>rao@yna.co.kr

이 공연에 참석할 인도 전통악기 사랑기(아쟁과 비슷한 현악기)와 타블라(북과 비슷한 타악기) 연주자도 섭외했다.

그는 한국 대중음악이 더 폭넓고 다양해지기를 바란다는 희망을 피력했다.

그는 "이제 한국 아이돌 곡을 완벽하게 카피하는 외국 케이팝 팬들이 늘어나는 데 만족해서는 안 된다"며 "인도의 사랑기로 신승훈의 '보이지 않는 사랑'과 같은 발라드를 연주한다면 그만큼 우리와 인도의 감성이 풍부해지지 않겠나"고 웃음 지었다.

source:yonhap news

In science, India invests far less than China, US, South Korea

Observer Research Foundation chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni said the “tight equation between a degree certificate and education has created several distortions, both in society and in the system of education itself”. (TOI file photo by K Sunil Prasad)

MUMBAI: A report by a thinktank shows India's investment in science has lagged behind that of neighbouring China, the US and South Korea, resulting in these countries staying ahead when it comes to research.

While India invested 0.88 per cent of its GDP in science research, the US invested 7-8 per cent, and South Korea 3-4 per cent.

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) report titled " Whither Science Education in Indian Colleges?" shows that India, with one of the lowest R&D spend-to-GDP ratios, is also expending resources on areas that have a weak connection to industry, thereby missing out on opportunities for economic growth.

"More than a quarter of (India's) R&D investment goes towards basic research, against 5 per cent in China and 17 per cent in the United States," the report states.

The Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. (Getty Images photo)

There are other fundamental reasons, too, why science is ailing. ORF chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni said the "tight equation between a degree certificate and education has created several distortions, both in society and in the system of education itself". He said it has placed a disproportionate emphasis on standardized examinations and students' ability to score well in them.



"Memorization of facts and formulae has triumphed over mastery of concepts, independent and creative thinking, integrative thinking that connects understanding of different subjects, and ability to apply that understanding to solve practical problems of society."

Science has also been solitary; ancient India did not erect a wall between science and art, or between science and spirituality. But science curricula at the undergraduate level tends to be highly theoretical and very dense in content. This poses two problems. "Theory is prioritized over application and time constraints do not allow teachers to explore all concepts, in depth. As a consequence, students are frequently exposed to many concepts but fail to understand them in depth and explore their application. This structure results in 'teach more and learn less', when ideally it should be the other way around," the report said.


A woman scientist working on stem cell research. (Getty Images photo)

The authors — Catarina Correia, Leena Chandran-Wadia, Radha Viswanathan and Adithi Muralidhar — conclude that India is facing two kinds of disconnect: a formal science education pedagogy in colleges that is too theory-based and is disconnected from the practical world; and a large workforce in the informal sector of the economy whose practice is disconnected from science education.

Despite a large tertiary student population, India has not been able to increase the number of PhDs in science and engineering significantly (from 54 per 10 million in 1983 to 70 in 2004). China, which lagged India until a decade ago, now has 174 science and engineering PhDs per 10 million.

The SAC-PM Vision Document (2010) that lays the roadmap for India to become the "global leader in science" calls for a target of producing 30,000 per year by 2025, as against 8,286 PhDs (S&T, agriculture, medicine, veterinary) produced in 2013.

Source:Times of India

Art professor tapped as culture minister

President Park Geun-hye nominated Kim Jong-deok, a visual design professor at Hongik University, as the new culture minister, officials said Sunday.

Along with Kim, Park appointed Kim Young-seok, presidential secretary for maritime and fisheries, vice maritime minister. 

The announcement was made nearly three weeks after Chung Sung-keun, a former TV news anchor, withdrew his nomination for the culture minister post. He was accused of having a drunk driving record and other ethical misdeeds.

Kim Jong-deok

The nomination put an end to the Cabinet reshuffle that started in June in efforts to tighten Park’s grip on state management, which was affected by the ferry disaster in April.

Park launched her new Cabinet last month without naming a new nominee for the culture minister post to prevent further delay in her reform drive.

Kim, 57 and an award-winning graphic designer, served as president of the Korean Society of Design Science between 2010 and 2011. 

“Kim was tapped not only because of his rich experience and expertise, but also because of his outstanding leadership and sense of the field,” said presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook. The nominee is expected to boost the nation’s cultural prosperity, one of Park’s state agendas, he added.

After the nomination, the culture minister-designate must go through a parliamentary confirmation hearing.

The process is mostly customary as National Assembly approval is not needed for Cabinet members, except for prime minister, to take the post.
source:korea herald

Rise of 'snack culture'

Passengers watch their smart devices as they wait for the train a subway station in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul Web-based cartoons, dramas dominate digital users' pastime By Baek Byung-yeul To respond to the needs of busy digital users on the go, media content providers are releasing more cartoons, dramas and novels short enough to be viewed in under 10 minutes on mobile devices. The local press calls this phenomenon "snack culture," a Konglish term referring to media content that are as accessible and fast as your regular snacks. "My smartphone helps me endure the tedious commute as I can enjoy a wide range of media content," said Kim, who declined to give his full name, on a train headed to City Hall Station in Seoul, Tuesday. Kim commutes to work by subway, and it usually takes about 70 minutes door-to-door. Among the different kinds of media content, Kim is addicted to "webtoons" or free online comic strips. Kim said he has enjoyed various webtoons, ranging from the country's biggest portal Naver's (www.naver.com) sleeper hit "Sound of Mind" to "Misaeng," another hugely popular work provided by Daum (www.daum.net), one of the country's top portals. Cartoonist Yoon Tae-ho's "Misaeng" "The greatest advantage of Internet cartoons is that many of them are free. They are also funny, so I cannot stop reading them," Kim added. The figure shows the growing popularity of webtoons ― the number of daily viewers of Naver's webtoons averages more than 6.2 million, according to the company. The rise of webtoons, which have been regarded as part of a sub culture, has enabled them to be assimilated into mainstream. "Misaeng," depicting the precarious lives of Korean office employees at a cut-throat trading company has had more than 600 million hits, and will be adapted to a TV drama. Web-based drama series are also vastly popular genre of snack culture. Each episode runs for about 10 minutes. Naver's drama series "Aftermath" A notable success is "Aftermath," launched by Naver last January. The thriller, starring popular boy pop band ZE:A's Kim Dong-jun as a protagonist, is based on the Internet cartoon of the same title, and has garnered more than 3 million viewers with 11 episodes. "Podcasts" or Internet radio shows have also been emerging as another snack culture. Park So-young, an office employee living in Seoul, said she listens to podcasts when commuting to work for "self-improvement." "There are slew of inspirational podcasts. Also, I can catch up on domestic and foreign current events on politics and become more cultured through history podcasts," Park said. Park's favorite show is "Morning News Paper Briefing." Emceed by Kim Yong-min, a political pundit and producer of Internet-based liberal news media company Kukmin TV, the 30-minute-long radio show, summarizes top news of major newspapers. It airs everyday from Monday to Friday. The show is currently ranked fourth in the top 1,000 category of Podbbang, (www.podbbang.com), one of the popular podcast providers. "Some may say that the show is left-leaning, but I think it is a necessary alternative in today's media environment," she added. The government recently issued a report analyzing the snack culture boom, defining it "one of the noticeable social phenomenon in 2014." "The so-called snack culture is a result of digital users' desire to view cultural content briefly on the go rather than making time for cultural activity," the report said. "It shows creating cultural content is no longer the exclusive property of certain experts." According to local advertising company HS AD's recent survey of 1,000 people, Koreans use their mobile devices about 3.34 hours on average while they spend about three hours watching TV and about 48 minutes using personal computers. Koreans don't read much anymore. The average daily reading time of Korea last year was 23.5 minutes, the lowest ever, according to a survey of 2,000 adults conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. source:koreatimes

Unified Silla Room at National Museum renovated

The National Museum of Korea (NMK) in Yongsan, Seoul, has recently renovated its permanent display of items from the Unified Silla Kingdom (676-935). Adding new artifacts and reflecting the results of recent academic research, the renovated exhibition now focuses on the two main cultural pillars of Silla times: noble Buddhism and regional influence.

Unified Silla was founded in 676 when the two kingdoms of Goguryeo and Baekje lost in battle to Silla. The kingdom maintained its power for more than 200 years until the foundation of the Goryeo Dynasty in 918. The unification of the three kingdoms is a significant moment in Korean history, in that all three different languages, cultures, life styles and customs existent on the peninsula were brought together, integrated and came under the control of a single system.

Formed by the integration of the Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla kingdoms, the Unified Silla kingdom consisted of nine ju, or provinces.

The Iron Buddha from Bowonsa Temple is one of the most significant and representative Buddhist sculptures from the Unified Silla era. The Iron Buddha was on display at a special exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the U.S. in 2013. (photo courtesy of the NMK)

Buddhist beliefs among the people of Unified Silla are reflected in the arts, especially in the styles of Buddha statues. In addition to the unique Silla style, artistic elements from the Goguryeo and Baekje peoples, as well as from the Tang Dynasty in China, were integrated together to create the beautiful uniqueness.

One of the most representative Buddha statues from the period sits in the Seokguram Grotto at Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province). The use of gilt bronze, however, gradually declined with the use of iron on the rise. In particular, the Iron Buddha from Bowonsa Temple is highly recognized, along with the statue in the Seokguram Grotto. The Iron Buddha recently made a brief visit to the U.S. for a special exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It will now be on display at the NMK in its renovated Unified Silla exhibition room.

A variety of artifacts on display were excavated from the Anapji Pond, part of the palace complex in Gyeongju, and from the adjacent castle. They include ceramics, pottery and metal works, all imported from Tang China, giving us a peek into the active cultural exchange that went on between Unified Silla and the Tang Dynasty. On display in the new exhibit are green-glazed pottery items comparable to the similar Dangsamchae items from Tang China.

The displays in the newly opened Unified Silla room offer a lot to see and learn about the unified kingdom. There is a candle stick from Inyongsa Temple, a piece of pottery from Ingaksa Temple and incense burners from Mireuksa Temple in Malheul-ri, Changnyeong-gun County. There is also on display a sariho, a gold-plated silver bowl with a pattern of two birds on the surface. It will be shown to the public for the first time in this new exhibit, after having undergone a lengthy restoration.

Another noticeable change in the Unified Silla room is the installation of touch-screen magnifying glasses. Visitors will be able to study the patterns engraved onto each artifact more closely using the adjacent monitors. The room is also designed with more color and subtler elements that will help people focus more on the displays.

An incense burner excavated at Mireuksa Temple in Iksan. (photo courtesy of the NMK)

The sariho, a gold-plated silver bowl with a pattern of two birds on the surface, offers visitors a look into the luxurious and cultured lifestyle of Unified Silla royalty. (photo courtesy of the NMK)

The newly renovated Unified Silla room has on display burial mound figurines excavated at Yonggang-dong, Gyeongju. (photo courtesy of the NMK)

source:korea.net

Onggi, traditional earthenware vessel in Korea

Steps to making traditional Korean pottery

Usually, the kiln will be fired for two to three days, or about 45 hours. For the first 15 hours, the fire slowly heats up the kiln and dries any moisture that's inside. The temperature is then increased to about 1,200 degrees Celsius, the melting point of the glaze, and continues thus for about 30 additional hours.

The pine logs, changsol, are used to fuel the fire.

(Left) Dissolve the clay in water in order to remove any foreign objects; (right) Mix the clay in water to remove any contaminants.

Treatment of the Clay

The most important element in the production of pottery or earthenware is the clay itself. This is called jeomto or jil in Korean. High-quality clay has a brownish tint because of the high iron content and is also very sticky. The first step in making pottery is to treat the clay.

Drench the newly dug up clay and allow it to get wet evenly.

Second, rinse the clay in water to remove any foreign substances. A strainer is used to remove any stones, sand, tree roots or grass. Let it dry until it is ready to knead. In Korean, this process is called subi.

After treating the clay, mix it and form it into bricks. If the condition of the clay is fine, with few contaminants, you can skip the previous step.

(Left) Sift out any contaminants with a strainer; (right) Remove and dry the filtered clay-water slurry.

(Left) As the clay dries, begin to form it into bricks; (right) Hammer and beat the clay into shape.

(Left) After kneading, cut the clay into hand-held sized pieces; (middle) Pile the broken clay in place; (right) Pound the clay with a mallet to soften the clay.

Step three involves the removing of any contaminants with a so-called mud knife, peeling the clay into 20 or 30 millimeter strips to catch any foreign objects that weren't caught in the strainer. This process is called ggaeggijil in Korean. It will make the clay softer because it takes the air out of the clay. The density of the clay is also increased. After this, form the clay into round chunks about 40 centimeters in diameter. These roundish bricks are called jilmoongchi.

(Left) Cover the clay bricks with clean dirt to prevent them from sticking; (middle) Again, remove any contaminants by slicing the clay bricks with a so-called mud knife; (right) Lump the clay into large, round clods.

(Left) Spread clean dirt on the clods to prevent them from sticking; (right) Dampen and flatten the clods.

(Left) Mix the clay with the mallets; (right) During this process, the clay gets softer and more dense.

In step four, mix the chucks of clay together using the mallets. Traditionally, clean dirt is spread on the ground as the bricks are lined up, in order to prevent them from sticking. Today, however, a piece of hemp or cotton is sometimes used in place of the clean dirt. The mallets for kneading are varied in size, according to use, and pounding or kneading the clay should be done with consistency.

(Left) After kneading, cut the clay into manageable bricks; (right) Turn the clay and lift it from the bottom.

(Left) Pound the clay to make it square; (right) Form the clay into a strip.

(Left) Strips of clay are used to form the final pottery urns; (right) Roll the strips of clay to form strips.

After kneading, cut the clay into manageable bricks and stack them to the side. Cover the stacked bricks with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.

(Left) Form the clay into long rolls; (middle) The clay is formed into long rolls so as to better form the final pottery works; (right) Form the clay into long, thin rolls, to be used in the final pottery process.

Step six is the last step before shaping. Form the clay into round rolls, about 120 centimeters long and four centimeters thick. These are the final clay pieces that will be used to form the pottery.


(Source: korea.net/ Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korea) 

Korean novels in English: Yi Mun-yol’s ‘The Golden Phoenix’

The English version of Yi Mun-yol’s short story “The Golden Phoenix”

It’s safe to say that the influence novelist Yi Mun-yol has had on Korean literature could not be more far-reaching.

The writer joins the ranks of the few novelists who have had many of their works translated and published in numerous languages, including, of course, English, but also French, Italian, Dutch, Chinese and Greek, reaching a worldwide audience.

More than fifty of his novels, whether full-length or short, have now been published for such global readers.

Among them is “The Golden Phoenix,” a 1981 short story. The novel was published in English in 1999, part of a collection of seven short stories, “The Golden Phoenix: Seven Contemporary Korean Short Stories.”

The story frankly discusses the ultimate objective and essence of art, using the conflict and friendship between traditional calligrapher Seokdam and his young pupil Gojuk.

Gojuk is a parentless child, with his father dead and his heartless mother having fled with another man. He has no choice but to live at his uncle’s home. However, as the uncle has to seek asylum in a foreign country, the poor boy is left with the uncle’s old friend Seokdam, who is a calligrapher.

Seokdam wouldn’t have Gojuk under his wing as a pupil since he thinks the way the boy does calligraphy, despite his talented skills, runs against his view of art.

Seokdam’s refusal to teach the youngster puts the two into somewhat of a love-hate relationship. Silently, though, Gojuk starts to polish his calligraphy skills. Unable to turn a blind eye to Gojuk’s natural talent for the art, Seokdam finally accepts the boy, who, however, chooses to leave him in a show of defiance.

As he lives all by himself and keeps doing the art, people start to notice Gojuk’s modern, artistic talent, gaining him sudden fame across the country.

One day, Gojuk feels a sudden sense of emptiness as he thinks that most of his youth has gone nowhere and that all the effort he put into the art has been futile. He then decides to return to his teacher.

“If one can see a golden phoenix rising from his calligraphic works just once in a lifetime, his life has 'got there,’ for sure.” Seokdam repeatedly tells this to Gojuk, but he doesn’t understand it at all.

Gojuk replies, saying, “Even if you can write with one stroke of a brush and see such a golden phoenix soaring from your piece, what’s the use of it?”

Novelist Yi Mun-yol (photo: Yonhap News)

In response, the teacher says that, “That’s the acme of perfection that any calligrapher is eager to reach, even if only once in a lifetime."

Despite the answer, Gojuk sticks to such a defense and drives the teacher to the end of his patience. Seokdam bursts into anger, throwing an ink stone at him and that’s the last the pair see of each other.

Gojuk leaves Seokdam again, determined that he will never come back. Not caring at all about what happens to the stock of calligraphic work he created over the years, he falls into a promiscuous, dissipated life full of women and alcohol.

After some years, however, Gojuk reaches a point where he feels sick and tired of his out-of-control life. He decides to go back to Seokdam. Before that, however, he heads to a temple at Odaesan Mountain to purify his soul from all unclean things.

There, he happens to see an old, faded mural, a work of art featuring a golden phoenix: a bird with golden wings, a hawk-like head and a human body from the neck down. Then he sees the bird come to life and fly high. He now realizes what the teacher really meant when he talked about the bird.

When he comes back to Seokdam, it’s too late. The teacher has already passed away. In despair, Gojuk gathers all his work and starts to assess each piece. Among the many creations, there’s nothing with which he is satisfied. He realizes that his art is still far from perfect and, more specifically, he is at a point where he can see the golden phoenix.

Gojuk burns all of his work. At that moment, he sees a giant golden phoenix soar from the flames. That night, he breathes his last, and he, too, passes away.

Born in 1948 in Yeongyang-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province), Yi Mun-yol dropped out of university in 1970 when he was enrolled in the Korean language education program at the College of Education of Seoul National University.

Yi served as a journalist for the Daegu Maeil newspaper until 1977 when he made his literary debut. Now, he serves as a chair professor at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

His major works include full-length novels, such as “The Son of Man” (1979) and “Our Twisted Hero” (1987), as well as collections of short stories, including “The Shadow of Darkness” (1980).

The English-language collection of which this is a part features six other novels: Yun Hu-myong’s “The Girl from the Wind-Whipped House” (1982); Yi Mun-ku’s “The Sunset over My Hometown” (1972); Kim Yong-hyon’s “The Mural” (1994); Choi Yun’s “The Flower with Thirteen Fragrances” (1995); O Chong-hi’s “The Monument Intersection” (1983); and, lastly, Yoon Heung-gil’s “The Rainy Spell” (1978).
source:korea.net

Have a flair for foreign languages? Watch new doors open up for you

Our trade links are expanding across the world and several multi-national companies have simultaneously set up base in India over the last decade. With these advancements the requirement for people with skills in foreign language is increasing rapidly. Fluency in French, German, Russian, Mandarin and more recently Japanese, Spanish and Korean are in great demand. A career in foreign languages also promises a great opportunity to travel the world over and be paid for it too. So if you have a keen interest in learning an additional language and a strong command over existing ones you can make a career out of mastering foreign languages.

CHOOSE RIGHT LANGUAGE FIRST

Popularity or better career prospects in a foreign language are linked with the international and economic ties with a particular country. Aptitude for a language is important while deciding on a language. Universities such as Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University conduct entrance exams at the undergraduate level to gauge the aptitude of potential students.

STARTING OUT

Certificate, diploma and degree courses are offered by various universities like the Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Mumbai University. Courses are also available at private institutes such as Max Mueller Bhavan, Alliance Francaise and Instituto Hispania. These focus more on the spoken and written part of the language , while universities focus on literature, linguistics and translations , as well. On the other hand, most private institutes participate in exchange programmes to enhance the understanding of the language.

CAREER PROSPECTS

"With globalization, the avenues for anyone who knows a foreign language are only growing. The industry has opened up and the European Union also offers a lot of opportunities. MNCs also engage in import and export and hence prefer professionals who know an extra language," said Meher Bhoot, associate professor, department of German , Mumbai University. Careers in foreign languages can include working as interpreters, at international insurance companies, at consulates, knowledge process outsourcing and multi-national companies.

REMUNERATION

Professionals in the industry say that the remuneration that follows from learning foreign languages is very promising. "As teachers one can charge between Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 depending on the institute. At private companies or consulates, students can expect to start out at Rs 30,000 every month," said Bhoot. Once established, interpreters can charge anywhere between Rs 1000 an hour to Rs 25,000 a day. Working out of home and translating matter can even earn you between 60 paise to Rs 5 per word.
source:times of India

이제는 다문화 시대“다문화강사로서 자신감 생겼어요

``글로벌+로컬(글로컬)' 상호 지향의 하모니'를 주제로 2주간 6회에 걸쳐 진행된 2014 하이원 다문화강사 중부권 소양교육이 8일 수료식을 갖고 42명의 강사를 배출했다. 이번 교육은 강원일보 사회복지법인 함께사는 강원세상(이사장:이희종 강원일보사장)과 하이원리조트, 도가 주최하고 (사)강원한국학연구원(원장:유성선)이 주관한 가운데 진행됐다. 강의 기간 한국의 다문화 상황과 다양한 한국어 표현 및 문화소통을 위한 대화법 등의 프로그램들은 다문화가정이 적응할 수 있도록 돕는 도우미로서의 역량을 갖추도록 했다. 또 강원한국학 연구원 전산담당 강사진들은 실생활에서 필요한 다양한 컴퓨터 활용기법을 전수해 호응을 얻었다. 배세은(여·26·원주시·베트남명:프엉 티빗튀)씨는 “한국과 이웃나라의 문화를 자세히 이해할 수 있는 기회가 돼 감사하며 강사역할을 잘 할 수 있다는 자신감이 생겼다”고 말했다. 함병식 함께사는 강원세상 사무국장은 “다문화 가정의 자녀들이 자부심을 가질 수 있도록 하는 데에도 큰 의미가 있다”고 말했다. 자료: (사)강원한국학연구원

결혼이주여성 다문화 강사로 활동한다

이제는 다문화 시대]“강의기법 열심히 배워 다양한 문화 전파할게요” 2014년 하이원과 함께하는 다문화강사 소양교육이 28일부터 시작됐다. 이번 교육은 강원도에 거주하게 될 결혼이주여성들이 빠른 시일 내에 지역에 적응하도록 하기 위해 이들의 교육을 담당하게 될 강사들을 대상으로 진행된다. 강원일보 사회복지법인 함께사는 강원세상과 하이원리조트, 도가 공동으로 주최하고 (사)강원한국학연구원이 주관하는 이번 교육은 홍천종합사회복지관에서 양구 속초 인제 홍천 춘천 횡성 등 중부권 결혼이주여성 신청자 55명을 대상으로 2주간 총 6회에 걸쳐 진행된다. 내용은 다문화강사의 역할과 의미, 한국어 표현과 연습, 교육현장에서의 강의기법, 표정·자세 연출 및 제스처 연습 등이다. 또 29일부터는 정선군다문화가족지원센터에서 폐광권역인 영월과 정선, 삼척, 태백지역에서 모두 31명의 결혼이주여성이 참여한다. 이들도 한국의 다문화 상황과 사회통합, PPT 활용 및 교안 작성법 등을 교육받으며, 모두 5회차에 걸쳐 교육현장에서의 강의기법과 스피치, 엑셀 등 컴퓨터 활용법 등의 교육도 이루어진다. 사회복지법인 함께사는 강원세상 관계자는 “도내 각급 교육기관과 다양한 문화·복지시설에서 활동할 수 있는 강사의 기본적인 소양을 갖추는 소중한 기회가 될 것”이라고 말했다.

source: Kangwon Research Institute of Korean Studies(강원한국학연구원)

이제는 다문화 시대]“결혼이주여성의 든든한 선생님 될게요

◇하이원과 함께하는 다문화강사 폐광권 소양교육 수료식이 9일 정선다문화가족지원센터에서 열려 31명의 수료생을 배출했다.

2014년 하이원과 함께하는 다문화강사 폐광권 소양교육이 지난달 29일부터 2주일 동안 총 6회에 걸친 일정을 모두 끝내고 31명의 수료생을 배출했다. 강원일보 사회복지법인 함께사는 강원세상과 하이원리조트, 도가 공동주최하고 (사)강원한국학연구원이 주관하는 이번 소양교육에는 폐광권역인 영월과 정선, 삼척, 태백지역에서 모두 31명의 결혼이주여성이 참여해 다문화강사로서 갖춰야 할 소양을 쌓는 계기를 마련했다. 특히 한국의 다문화 상황과 문화소통을 위한 다양한 대화법 등 다문화가정이 한국문화에 적응할 수 있도록 돕는 도우미로서의 역량을 갖추도록 했다. 또 엑셀 및 PPT 활용, 교안 작성법 등 다양한 컴퓨터 활용기법은 다문화강사의 역할을 수행하는 데 큰 도움이 될 전망이다. 스미리티(여·25·정선군 북평면·네팔)씨는 “필리핀, 베트남, 중국 등 다른 나라의 문화까지 이해하고 한국문화에 대해 더 자세히 이해하는 기회가 됐다”며 “배운 지식을 다른 다문화가정에 알릴 수 있다는 자신감도 생겼다”고 말했다. source: Kangwon Research Institute of Korean Studies(강원한국학연구원)

How India can adopt Korea model to boost manufacturing

 The Indian economy bears a striking resemblance to the South Korean economy of 1970s and a few vital steps to boost manufacturing should set the country on a high-growth path, a report by Goldman Sachs concludes.
“Over the 1970s and 80s, Korea improved its growth environment significantly, especially its micro environment, leading to a 14-fold increase in manufacturing output in 20 years,” analysts in economics research report write in the report titled ‘How India can become the next Korea’.
“If India were to emulate the Korean model and grow manufacturing at the same rate as Korea’s in the 1970s and 80s, we calculate it could add 1.4 percentage points to its GDP growth annually for the next decade.”
The Korea model was based on a single-minded focus by the government on developing export-led manufacturing, they write.
“This was encouraged by cheap land and infrastructure through industrial parks, reducing red tape and the cost of doing business, tax benefits and flexible labor laws for manufacturing firms, and cheaper power to industry than to consumers.”
India versus Korea
In the early 70s, the manufacturing sector’s share in India’s gross domestic product stood at 14 percent and stays at the around the same number even today.
While Korea’s output as a share of GDP grew from less than 10 percent then to over 30 percent today.
How do various conditions that are vital for success of manufacturing activity stack up for India today compared to the Korea of 1970s?
“We thought that there might have been initial conditions that were favorable to Korea. To our surprise, we found that the scores were fairly similar,” analysts write.
According to Goldman Sachs Growth Environment Scores, both countries are similar to each other in the different timeframes.
“India’s per capita income currently (about USD 4,000 in purchasing power parity terms) is similar to that of Korea in the early 1970s, in purchasing power parity terms,” the analysts point out.
Macroeconomic conditions including openness to trade and investment were quite similar. The micro environment was also similar, while in human capital, Korea was considerably weaker than India currently but macroeconomic stability is where India scores much lower than Korea.
“From the early 1970s, Korea made rapid gains in its growth environment scores. The biggest improvements were in the microeconomic environment, though it also made further progress on human capital and on the macroeconomic front.”
What did Korea do?
“In Korea, the push for manufacturing was driven by the government, especially in the 1960s. With a strong leadership, the government focused on removing bottlenecks and incentivizing manufacturing,” the report says.
“There was a realization that Korea was labor abundant but deficient in capital, so the focus was on labor-intensive manufacturing. There was an early recognition that export-led manufacturing could lead to rapid increases in productivity, and there could be increasing returns to scale due to a much larger export market. This government focus on export-led industrial growth as the main economic objective was critical in our view.”
In India, thus far, the single-minded focus on export-led manufacturing growth is missing.
“The agriculture and services sectors, which have been relatively lightly taxed and often the recipients of large government subsidies, have been preferred over industry,” the report says.
What should India do?
The report lays out a seven-point agenda that the Indian government should pursue to boost its manufacturing growth, similar to how Korea did in the 1970s.
1. Government focus on manufacturing as primary objective
The Korean government emphasized labor-intensive, export-led manufacturing as the key objective of economic policy starting from the 1960s in order to increase productivity and use its abundant resource, labor. The sectors that drove manufacturing growth were labor intensive – textiles, garments, wood etc.
2. Low fiscal deficit
This needs to be the starting point for greater macro stability, and to reduce crowding out of the private sector. It also provides space for government spending on infrastructure.
3. Develop effective industrial parks
If the government provided infrastructure, land were made available to industry at below market prices, there are strict conditions on usage of land for industrial purposes only, greater labor flexibility, favorable tax treatment, and single-window clearance for all permits, as Korea did in its industrial parks, then it could allow for agglomeration benefits and economies of scale.
4. Reduce cost of doing business
This involves cutting bureaucratic red tape to reduce the number of permits and administrative costs to setting up a business, construction approvals, getting electricity, and enforcing contracts. Korea significantly improved its business climate in the 1970s and 80s.
5. Flexible labor laws
Korean policy was focused on job creation and training, rather than protecting those who are employed. Activities of labor unions were restricted, and minimum wage legislation not adopted till 1988.
6. Tax policy to encourage industry
Korea provided tax benefits to encourage capital accumulation; incentives were provided to exporters and foreign direct investment, and exemptions granted to interest income on deposits and government bonds. Real estate taxation was strengthened to discourage real estate speculation by manufacturing companies.
7. Subsidize power for industry

Korea made power available to industry at lower rates compared to consumers. In India, the opposite is currently the case.

source:moneycontrol.com

유학생 정책개발·도정홍보 추진

▲ 외국인 유학생 강원도 명예홍보대사 위촉식이 13일 도청에서 이주익 국제협력실장과 강원대 중국유학생회의 후펑을 비롯한 유학생 11명이 참석한 가운데 열렸다. 이재용

강원도는 외국인 대학생 11명을 ‘강원도 명예홍보대사’로 위촉했다고 13일 밝혔다.

외국인 대학생 명예 홍보대사 위촉은 글로벌 인재양성을 위한 대학간 교류 확대로 외국인 유학생 수가 점차 증가함에 따라 이들에 대한 정책개발 및 도정홍보 필요성이 높아지면서 실시하게 됐다.

이번에 강원도 명예 홍보대사로 위촉된 유학생들은 강원대 중국유학생회의 후펑을 비롯한 유학생회 11명이다.

학교별로는 강원대 8명, 한림대 3명이며 국가별로는 중국 5명, 몽골 2명, 베트남·인도·네팔·미국 각각 1명씩이다.

이들 유학생들은 강원도정에 반영 될 수 있는 정책과 유학생활에서 느끼는 불편한 사항 등을 도와 함께 해결해 나갈 방침이다.

도는 앞으로 외국인 대학생 홍보대사를 학교별·나라별로 확대해 나갈 계획이다.

안은복

< 저작권자 © 강원도민일보 무단전재 및 재배포금지 >

Indian Prime Minister condoles loss of young lives in Korean ferry disaster

Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh has expressed deep shock and pain at the ferry tragedy in the Republic of Korea (Korea) on 16th April 2014, which has led to the loss of many young lives.   In his letter to the President of South Korea Madame Park Geun-hye, PM Singh conveyed the solemn and heartfelt condolences, of the Government and the people of India, to the bereaved families and expressed full support for the Korean Government’s rescue efforts.  India stood with the people of Korea in their hour of great national tragedy, he said, praying that those who had lost their dear ones, had the strength to bear their loss. Seoul 22 April 2014 Source: Embassy of India, Seoul

Scholarships for Koreans to study Hindi in India

The Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India has announced Scholarships for the academic year 2014-15 to candidates from the Republic of Korea for the study of Hindi at its institute located at Agra (India) from 1st August 2014 - 30th April 2015.
The applications from interested students who have studied Hindi for at least one year and aged between 21-35 years may please be forwarded to Indian Cultural Centre, Seoul by 28th April 2014.


For further information, please contact-

Tel: (02) 794257 Ext.100
Fax: 02)795-4258
E-mail: iccseoul@gmail.com

India eases visa rule for Korean tourists

Indian Ambassador to Korea Vishnu Prakash, right, listens to Lee Ock-soon, professor of Yonsei University, as Lee answered reporters’s questions during a news conference at the embassy in Seoul, Thursday. / Korea Times

By Kang Hyun-kyung

India will implement a visa-on-arrival program for Korean tourists from Tuesday to encourage more Koreans to travel to the country, said Indian Ambassador to Korea Vishnu Prakash on Thursday.

During a press meeting at the embassy, the envoy said that it is a unilateral measure taken by the Indian government.

“At the moment this is our decision to show our gesture of goodwill to the Korean government,” he said.

The move is expected to make Koreans travel India easier as they don’t need to wait two or three days to get a tourist visa after submitting their applications to the Indian Embassy in Seoul.

India’s visa on arrival for Koreans was rare, given that visa decisions are usually reciprocal and the two sides adopt such a measure after agreeing to implement it together.

Ambassador Prakash stressed that India’s unilateral decision reflects strong Korea-India relations, calling on the Korean government to consider taking a similar measure.

Last year, 112,000 Koreans travelled to India.

Prakash expressed hope that the figure will rise once the new visa rule is implemented from Tuesday.

The Indian Embassy invited several Korean journalists to the embassy to present the activities of the newly-launched Institute of Indian Studies led by Professor Lee Ock-soon of Yonsei University.

Ambassador Prakash, Lee, Park Hyun-chae, professor of Chonnam National University Graduate School of Business based in Gwangju City, and several embassy staff joined the get together with the media.

Lee, who earned her doctoral degree in Indian history from an Indian university, said that she and the Indian Embassy decided to organize a press meeting as there are lots of misconceptions about India due to “misleading” media reports.

She argued that the media portrayed India as a dangerous country to travel after a couple of gang rape incidents occurred last year.

“The way the media handles such cases is misleading because they focused on sexual attack cases in India while staying mum on other positive images of the country,” Lee, president of the Institute of Indian Studies based in Seoul, said.

source:koreatimes

Samsung case: Korea could invoke Bipa for arbitration

South Korea is considering invoking provisions under the bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement (Bipa) against India for the hit on Samsung Electronics' investments, following a Supreme Court order asking its chairman, Lee Kun-hee, to appear within six weeks before a Ghaziabad trial court in a pending payment case.

This comes even as Commerce & Industry Minister Anand Sharma expressed apprehension the apex court's decision might adversely affect India's investment climate.

Sources told Business Standard the Korean embassy here had taken up the matter with the foreign ministry of that country. Currently, Korean ambassador Lee Joon-Gye is in his home country.

Under the India-South Korea Bipa, a party can drag the other to international arbitration if its investments are threatened.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court had directed Lee Kun-hee to appear before a Ghaziabad court in a $1.4-million cheating case filed against him.

The Centre believes it is Samsung India that is "to be blamed, as it did not foresee it coming and mishandled the case", says a senior official, adding the apex court order had given an option through which an exemption could be sought from Lee's personal appearance.

The government is verifying the credentials of JCE Consultancy, complainant in the case. Initial investigations have revealed the company isn't registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and doesn't have its sales tax number registered.

"The case has zero merit. The government is fully behind them. JCE Consultancy is a fraud company and is tactfully misusing the Indian judicial system," said an official directly handing the case on behalf of the Indian government.

source:business standard