Han Asia Times

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 uni...

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 princip...

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 en...

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, Buk...

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 A...

[홍천]연극하고 다도 배우며 지역문화 이해       27일부터 홍천에서 2주간 진행 2013년 하이원다 문화 강사 중부권 소양 교육 이 27일 오후 1시 홍천군다문화 가족 지원센터에서 열린다. 강원일보 사회 복지 법인 함께사는 강원세상, 하이원리조트, 도가 공동주최하는 이번 교육은 결혼 이주여성과 다문화강사 신청자를 대상으로 2주간 총 6회에 걸쳐 진행된다. 교육기간 `로컬문화 이해하기와 한국의 다도문화', `연극과 함께하는 다문화', `이웃 나라 의 다문화 이해', `강원의 문화축제' 등 다양한 주제로 강의가 펼쳐진다. 교육은 (사)강원한국학연구원과 KT-IT서포터즈 강원팀이 교육을 주관한다. 강사진은 유성선 강원한국학연구 원장 , 신현승 강원한국학연구원 중국 학 연구소 장, 김경희 단국대 일본학연구소 교수, 최병욱 강원대 인문 과학 연구소 교수, 정미선 마하산방 대표, 김정훈 연극디렉터 대표, 정광웅 정해경 KT-IT서포터즈 강원팀강사 등으로 구성 됐다. 사회 복지법인 함께사는 강원세상 관계자는 “사회 통합 을 위한 다문화 전도사로서 결혼이주여성의 역할을 증대하는 데 큰 도움이 될 것”이라고 말했다. 홍천=이무헌기자 trustme@kwnews.co.kr

    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