KOREA (2012 VOL.8 No.11)

contents
november 2012 vol.8 no.11
Kimchi
Healthy and Tasty

Taste of Korea Kimchi The Kimchi Talk
Cover Story
02
12 Pen & brush the Sound of thunder by Kim Joo-young
16 People Spokesman for Korea Seo Kyung-duk
20 Great Korean Great Scholar and Calligrapher Kim Jeong-hui
22 Seoul a Walk through Koreas Cultural heritage Jeongdong-gil
26 Travel Lanterns Glittering on the Water Jinju
30 festival the hi Seoul Festival 2012
32 Now in Korea bus tour package for Foreigners K-Shuttle
34 Sports a hope for Korean Womens Volleyball Yang hyo-jin
36 Special Issue honored with the Golden Lion in Venice Pieta by Kim Ki-duk
40 Summit Diplomacy paves the Way for Success in International Diplomacy
42 Global Korea Reaching 100 million homes arirang tV
45 flavor Yukgaejang Spicy beef Soup
46 My Korea autumn Scenes of Jeollanam-do
49 Learn Korean hello, this is naoko.
publisher Woo Jin-Yung, Korean Culture and Information Service editing the booK CompanY e-mail webmaster@korea.net printing Jeonkwang printing&Information all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from KOrea and the Korean Culture and Information Service. the articles published in KOrea do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. the publisher is not liable for errors or omissions. If you want to receive a free copy of KOrea or wish to cancel a subscription, please e-mail us. A downloadable PDF file of KOrea and a map and glossary with common Korean words appearing in our text are available by clicking on the thumbnail of KOrea on the homepage of www.korea.net.
11-1110073-000016-06
COVER STORY
Kimchi
Few Koreans would ever want a meal without kimchi. Repulsive to many foreigners at first, but incredibly addictive after a few tastes, kimchi is rich in lactic acid bacteria. Kimchi undergoes two rounds of fermentation, by which it becomes full of more than 200 types of healthy lactic acid bacteria. It helps prevent high blood pressure and obesity, slows down aging, facilitates weight loss, and bolsters immunity. The popularity of kimchi is soaring worldwide as its health benefits become widely recognized. Its spicy kick is addicting to the palates of more and more people around the world. This healthy and tasty Korean traditional food has long been a source of strength for Koreans.
Healthy and Tasty
2 korea november 2012
COVER STORY
titled "Kimchi: Korea's affordable
im Carmen of The Washington
Post wrote an article about kimchi
antioxidative effect of removing free oxygen radicals, which are believed to cause a range of adult diseases and accelerate aging. The American magazine Health called kimchi one of the worlds five healthiest foods alongside Spanish olive oil, Greek
once but twice. Kimchi is believed to vegetable dish.
be the worlds only double-fermented Lets follow the process of making
health care" after visiting the Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival held in northern Virginia, U.S. on September kimchi and used it to make "Grilled tomato as a football snack.
the most common type of kimchi.
14. He also told readers how he ate raw Kimcheese sandwiches" with a slice of Why do non-Koreans like this food
First, kimchi cabbage and radishes
yogurt, Indian lentils, and Japanese
are placed in a salt solution and then harmful microorganisms and forces out moisture, which in turn allows
natto. All five are good for preventing adult diseases and slowing the aging process.
rinsed, a process that gets rid of many
so much? Its in part because of its health benefits. The primary raw
the sauce called kimchi yangnyeom to
permeate into the vegetables. Now that the cabbage and radishes are perfectly conditioned for fermentation, a full added including ginger, garlic, array of yangnyeom and garnishes is chili pepper, and chives, and the
ingredients of kimchi are
fresh vegetables like kimchi
cabbage, radish, green onion, and cucumber, which are rich in Vitamin A, the B Vitamins,
and a variety of minerals, so it elasticity.
slows aging and improves skin Kimchi also helps counter
obesity and hypertension. The Rural Development
Administration of Korea and
bacteria are destroyed, and healthy for your digestive tract) proliferate.
through the vegetables, harmful
yangnyeom and garnishes percolates
progresses, what oozes out of the
absorption. As fermentation
the yangnyeom for better
massaged to evenly distribute
cabbage and radishes are then
Ajou University Hospital jointly on obese peoples weight, body blood sugar concentration,
lactic acid bacteria (which are good About one milliliter of the juice from 100 million lactic acid bacteria, up to
researched the efficacy of kimchi mass index (BMI), blood pressure, insulin level, and cholesterol level the maturity of the kimchi.
well-ripened kimchi contains roughly four times more than the same weight The species of lactic acid bacteria
according to their kimchi intake and

In cooperation with the Korea Kimchi Association and stylist Lee Chae-hyun
of yogurt.
The basic ingredients for making kimchi
Taste of Korea
world as a low-calorie diet food. Many types of kimchi contain chili pepper as a key ingredient, and capsaicin speeds up metabolism and helps
Kimchi is welcomed around the
A RICH SOURCE OF
in kimchi number more than 200,
LACTIC ACID BACTERIA
and the major lactic acid bacterium
Kimchi
What makes kimchi so healthy? It is
changes along the maturation process. Leuconostoc mesenteroides abounds the a sour taste, while kimchi rich in most in kimchi that has not developed lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria found in yogurt) tastes sour. Leuconostoc mesenteroids produces dextrin (which is often used as a fiber supplement), a potent fighter against Helicobacter ulcers, stomach cancer, and other helping prevent constipation. It is also pylori, which is known to cause gastric
(the active component in chili pepper) burn body fat. Kimchi also has a lot
mainly fermentation. Some countries of kimchi, such as Japanese kimuchi. They may look similar to kimchi, but there are major differences in
have tried to create their own versions
Kimchi is fermented twice, which makes it rich in lactic acid bacteria. Fresh vegetables are used as ingredients, so it is also full of a variety of vitamins, fiber, calcium, iron, phosphorous, and other nutrients. Lets delve into the health benefits of kimchi and see why so many people around the world go crazy over the dish once they develop a liking for it.
by Lee Jeong-eun, Im Sang-bum, and Chung Da-young / photographs by Lee Jin-ha
of dietary fiber. These facts and more has recently gained among young women in Japan. Other benefits of kimchi have
explain the sudden popularity kimchi
the ingredients and the fermentation process. Japanese kimuchi is made simply by pickling cabbage without
recently come to light including its
natural fermentation, but kimchi is first pickled and then fermented, not just
COVER STORY
by Yi Gyu-bo (1168-1241), Dongguk
isanggukjip in 13 books of 53 volumes, mentions pickled radish, an early type of kimchi. It was during the
affection for the country when he
admitted that he was a kimchi-lover.
Im addicted to kimchi. Im happy to more than 24 pounds of kimchi since I arrived in Korea, he said at a press became popular among the Korean press. The popularity of kimchi is now conference. After his visit, Peter Berg
Joseon period (1392-1910) when Koreans started putting chili powder, salted It was also most probably in the fish, and garlic in kimchi like today. Joseon period when Koreans started lot of kimchi for winter in advance.
eat kimchi every day. I think Ive eaten
1 Baechu kimchi made with cabbage is the most common type of kimchi. 2 Fermented shrimp is added to the kimchi yangnyeom for a richer flavor. 3 The three young chefs of Kimchi Bus Project travelled to 36 countries to promote kimchi and kimchi dishes.
doing gimjang, a custom of making a Back then, it wasnt easy to get fresh gave way to winter, Koreans made enough kimchi to last the winter.
global. The enticing flavor of spicy-yetsavory kimchi has long been loved by Koreans, but the taste was considered too strong for non-Koreans. However, the appealing taste of kimchi has world.
3
vegetables in winter, so when autumn
in early winter, the whole process in
Although the gimjang kimchi was made
finally won people over all around the Almost every Asian supermarket
York invited Korean chefs including a kimchi expert to the hotel to teach him how to make kimchi along with around the city.
KIMCHI ON THE TABLES OF GLOBAL VILLAGERS Kimchi is going global. More and more people around the world are craving it, and have begun to develop their
fact covered the entire year. Koreans
pickled fish in spring, prepared chili grew vegetables for more than half a was a major source of vitamins in winter as a main side dish.
pepper and garlic in early autumn, and year, all for gimjang. Gimjang kimchi
in major cities sells imported Korean kimchi or locally made kimchi. But the global popularity and demand supermarkets in the U.S., such as
seven other chefs from top-class hotels The Korean government initiated
for kimchi has been proven as major Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, and Safeway on their shelves. Kimchi can also be hotels in the salad section as more people ask for kimchi. In January, Executive Chef Toni Robertson at
various projects and events to improve awareness of kimchi throughout the world beyond big cities. One of the recent successes is the Kimchi Bus
own kimchi using new ingredients and eating it in different manners. As it is as a new variety of food. fused with other foods, it is recreated Korilla BBQ, a food truck that has
and it is a big family event. However, it is easy to get fresh vegetables in winter now, so the Korean dietary
The custom of gimjang is still alive,
have begun to stock packaged kimchi spotted at the buffets of major global
Project led by three young men. Last year, these men set off on a journey to 36 countries for 400 days in their
enjoyed explosive popularity in New
York City this year, tweets its location
lifestyle has changed. Not as many

1
mini bus to hold free tasting events. They introduced kimchi to the local kimchi and local ingredients. In people and cooked dishes made with addition to featuring kimchi dishes, they also promoted the nutritious health
so that people can come to the truck for its yummy delicacies. More than 18,000 twitter followers are crazy about the and Wonder Bird (a chicken taco with kimchi). Porkinator (a pork taco with kimchi)
families do gimjang anymore, especially as it requires a lot of time and effort to make enough kimchi for winter all at kimchi in small amounts every now and then. Many charity groups and
the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New
gastric conditions.
werent also delicious, it wouldnt be ripened kimchi gives a refreshing,
Kimchi is certainly healthy, but if it
yeon, a master maker of kimchi and the chair of the Korea Kimchi Association. When freshly made kimchi is preserved at around 7C (which is the typical temperature underground in the cold Korean winter) for weeks, delicious. it ferments just right to become very
once. But, many households still make
on American TV food show Top Chef, sells kimchi fried rice, kimchi grits, and many other fusion Korean foods with kimchi at his restaurant Social Eatz. Jean-Georges Voongerichten,
Angelo Sosa, a popular chef cast
increasingly popular worldwide. Welltangy kick and has a strong umami
public offices do gimjang to give away as elderly people living alone, boys and girls who are the heads of households, and single-parent families. the gimjang kimchi to the needy such
aspects of kimchi and their trip in Europe
Hansik. They finished and are currently in the U.S., organizing taste events in New
flavor. Thats why peopleKoreans
and foreigners alikefind themselves so easily addicted to this fermented dish. The refreshing, tangy taste of
a world-renowned chef who has over
20 restaurants around the world, sells
GIMJANG: MAKING OF KIMCHI FOR WINTER When did Koreans start eating kimchi? The history of kimchi goes back to at least the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).
THE WORLD MEETS KIMCHI
kimchi is compared to the sparkling
In April this year, the leading actors and the director of the Hollywood blockbuster Battleship visited Korea to
2
York and Washington, D.C. The Kimchi Bus Project will come to returns to Korea in late November.
kimchi hotdogs at Mercer Kitchen. His interest in Korean food is evidenced in his other culinary creations, including the steak with gochujang butter he sells
kick of soda pop thanks to Leuconostoc kimchi is fermented, says Lee Ha6 korea november 2012
mesenteroides, which proliferates as the
A vast collection of poems and essays
promote the movies world premiere.
an end when the bus
Director Peter Berg expressed his great
at Perry St. Dubbed one of the three greatest chefs in the world, Pierre
COVER STORY
Gagnaire developed French dishes by adding his own less salty and spicy gras. version of kimchi to pigeon and foie Its not only non-Koreans who
developed bite-sized kimchi rolls such as mini roll bossam kimchi and kkaennip yangbaechu mari kimchi
aromas, and textures, depending on the degree of fermentation. Yes, Master Chef! Kimchi has great
infORmaTiOn
(kimchi rolls wrapped with sesame and cabbage leaves).
potential for endless transformation. Different vegetables will render
Main Types of Kimchi
are rolling up their sleeves to make
new versions of kimchi to better suit applying their creativity to making
their palates. Koreans, as always, are kimchi with a novel appearance and taste. Kim Sun-ja, CEO of Hansung Food and a master maker of kimchi,
excellent fermented food for well-
Kimchi looks simple, but it is an
differences in taste and nutrients, but and you can fuse it with almost all Sooner or later, people around the kimchi to enjoy.
being, in which a variety of elements are intricately harmonized, wrote French chef Pierre Gagnaire in his can have a wide array of flavors,
you can use any ingredients for kimchi kinds of foods to develop novel dishes. world will have their own versions of
Some say there are hundreds of types of kimchi out there, while some claim that there are literally thousands of variants of kimchi because families in different regions of Korea have traditionally had their own recipes. Yet, there are still some basic types of kimchi, which are familiar to every Korean. Here is a short list of them:
TRY TO COOk kimChi BaEChu kimChi (CaBBagE kimChi)

IngredIents Napa cabbage, radishes, leeks, chili powder, shrimp sauce, garlic, ginger InstruCtIons
contribution for Korea Focus. Kimchi
Baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi) Cut a whole cabbage vertically, brine it in salt, and rinse in water. Stuff kimchi sauce made of chili powder, fermented pickled fish, chestnut, pear, and so forth in between the cabbage leaves. You may eat the kimchi when its freshly made (this fresh kimchi is called geotjeori) or enjoy its differing tastes along the process of fermentation. This is the most representative variant of kimchi, so it is made in the greatest volume.
Chonggangmu kimchi (whole radish kimchi) Small, seven-to-eight-centimeter-long daikon radishes with a short white body and long stem are seasoned with a thick red sauce with chili powder and fermented salty fish. Chonggak means bachelor, and in the old days a bachelors hairstyle looked like the radishes of this variant of kimchi, hence the name. Chonggangmu kimchi is loved for its crunchy taste and bite size.
1. Cut the cabbage in quarters lengthwise and brine in salt water, made with 6 cups water and 6 tbsp coarse sea salt, for about 8 hours, until the stem part of the cabbage is flexible and does not break easily. 2. Cut 1 sprig of leek into 3cm slivers. 3. Season 2/3 medium julienned radishes with 1 cup chili powder, and thoroughly mix together with 4 tbsp shrimp sauce, 4 finely chopped garlic cloves, and 4 tsp finely chopped ginger for the stuffing. 4. Place the cabbage on a sheet pan. Starting with the outer leaves and working toward the core of the cabbage, insert the stuffing between the leaves, smearing it generously on each leaf. 5. Tightly press the leaves of the cabbage together, fold in half, and use the outer leaf to create a bundle. Transfer it into a container and store at room temperature for one day before moving it to the refrigerator.
Fusion dishes made with kimchi - kimchi pasta, kimchi burger, kimchi natto, and kimchi burrito
Kkakdugi (radish cube kimchi) The white roots of daikon radishes are cut into cubes and brined in salt before being mixed with other vegetables and a sauce made of chili powder, spring onion, garlic, and ginger, among other ingredients. Some maintain that kkakdugi was served in the royal court, while others argue that it was a humble food for commoners, simply brined in salt.
Baek kimchi (white kimchi) People usually think kimchi is spicy, but it was in the 17th century when Koreans first added chili powder to kimchi. So, there have traditionally been non-spicy kimchis that are only brined in salt. Baek kimchi is made without chili powder, so it is good for children whose palates have not yet become accustomed to the spicy taste and elderly people who want to avoid stimulating flavors.
COVER STORY
The Kimchi Talk

Curtis File from Canada is a fan of Hansik who enjoys cooking kimchi fried rice and spicy Korean dishes at home. He met Lee Ha-yeon, an artisan producer of kimchi, to talk about the profound world of the spicy dish.
edited by Chung Da-young / interview by Curtis File
(side dish) that is brined in salt water, be made with any vegetable that has gone through this process. kimchi?
seasoned, and fermented. Kimchi can
F: Have you invented any new type of L: I made a paprika kimchi when Korean table.
paprika was still fairly new to the
F: Has kimchi always been spicy? What did the first kimchi look like? L: The first kimchi in history did not have any spicy chili powder in the with cabbage. Chili powder was seasoning and it wasnt even made imported into Korea only 300 years because of its fresh crispy flavor after F: Is there a health benefit of each type of kimchi? L: The health benefits depend on the main vegetable and the seasoning. F: I get stomach aches from weak you recommend for me
fermentation, and also because cabbage other dishes.
kimchi can be used as an ingredient for
ago, and before that kimchi was white, brined, and seasoned with salt. The first kimchi were made with cucumber, eggplant, and radish. Salt was added for the taste and to preserve it.
F: I see that a lot of ingredients go into kimchi and that it takes a long time to prepare the ingredients. L: When I was young, my mother
digestion. What type of kimchi would L: Radish kimchi such as kkakdugi
F: When was kimchi first made?
would spend the whole night just
L: According to historical records,
chopping the ingredients that go into making kimchi. Do you how many different flavors of kimchi there are? F: No. How many are there? mothers in Korea.
digestive system.
or dongchimi. The radish helps the
Koreans have been making kimchi for but when chili came into the country, red chili powder was added.
1,000 years. The first kimchi was white, F (Curtis File): How long have you been making kimchi? L (Lee Ha-yeon): I helped my mother L: I learned everything from my
F: I should eat more radish kimchi from now on. I know that well-ripened or fermented kimchi is great for making kimchi jjigae or stew. How would you eat fresh kimchi? L: Just-made kimchi goes well with
mother. She was a great cook. She
L: There are as many kimchi as
make kimchi when I was young, but I
always made delicious food and kimchi for her nine children, and none of us mothers nutritious kimchi. ever got ill. I think it was all due to my
F: There are so many types of kimchi. Have any types of kimchi been lost over the years?
started to make my own kimchi when I got married. Making kimchi became a profession when I began my own kimchi business 30 years ago.
F: Ha ha. Thats clever.
L: Many types have indeed been lost. One example is kimchi made with a type of old squash called dongha.
L: Its similar to how every wine or
steamed pork. Just wrap the sliced pork with kimchi and add a bit of fermented shrimp sauce. F: Thats a great tip. I must prepare kimchi at home.
LEE ha-YEOn
Lee Ha-yeon is the CEO of Bongwoori Chan Kimchi and also the president of the Korea Kimchi Association. Her company, located in Namyangju in Gyeonggi-do, makes high-end kimchi for her online store and features kimchi-making classes for visitors. Her kimchi can also be tasted at her Hansik restaurant, Bongwoori, in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul. www.bongkimchi.co.kr
cheese made in France tastes different from one winery to another. Its the same with kimchi. Kimchi tastes
F: I think I need some of your mothers delicious kimchi. I wonder, what define kimchi? makes kimchi kimchi? How would you L: Kimchi is a vegetable banchan
F: Did you learn to make kimchi from make kimchi from?

People dont make kimchi with dongha anymore. When cabbage was imported from China, it became the vegetable of choice in many cases. This is mainly
different at every household because are all different.
steamed pork when I make my first
another artisan? Who did you learn to
the ingredients and the amounts used
11
PEN & BRUSH
THE SOUND OF THUNDER BY KIM JOO-YOUNG

The Sound of Thunder, a novel by Kim Joo-young, is set during an excruciatingly painful part of Korean history. The sad, difficult life story of a lady named Kil-nyo is entirely representative of the trials and tribulations of the Korean nation during the mid 20th century: the social confusion in the wake of the Japanese occupation as well as the Korean War, ideological conflict, and grinding poverty.
by Lee Jeong-eun/ illustration by Park Hyeon-ju
Yes.
Where is he?
babybut Hwang Chom-gae was
some food and just got back. Youre lying.
Ive been gone for eight days to get
still around to testify to that. And the second baby, a child still unnamed, was living evidence of her tie to Chi
it up in the air. No matter how long he examined it, the ring was not going to turn into a precious jewel. Still, he
I swear on my ancestors name. thatll save you? Ill kill you. . Swear on their name? You think
Sang-mo. And starker than any such
went on rotating the tarnished metal
physical evidence was the fact of her an incurable disease of some kind, penetrating to her very marrow. Compared to these traces of her
this way and that in the twilight. Then he put it in his mouth and bit, leaving Abruptly, he said, Try it on. What? a tooth-mark on the edge of the silver.
wretched fate itself, now had become
youd better do a better job than that. inside out. Among the men running Where have you been? Where did Inside, her mother was shaking her Hide who? I have no idea what Cha Pyong-jo. You know that As Kil-nyo moved over to the edge in search of food. So how is it youre coming back here empty-handed? I failed.
Listen, comrade, if you mean to lie,
You say youve been gone for eight days The Sound of Thunder The sun was nearly down when at last she arrived back in Hamyang. After the journey, Kil-nyo was skin and () amok, Kil-nyo spotted one who looked you hide Cha Pyong-jo? head back and forth.
shameful past, what the short man wanted from her was a mere trifle. Still, as the man said, it was a trifle that would determine whether her entire family lived or died.
ring.
You have to prove its not your own Kil-nyo felt her heart sink. Why had
she not thought of trying it on these
past four days? Since leaving Kanggu, her only thought had been to get back home as soon as possible.
familiar. It was the short man who had taken away. She recognized him first, but he was the one who first spoke to her. A cigar was in his mouth as he
come when her father was arrested and
a whim, did you? You had a plan. And here you are, eight days later, with you hide that bastard? nothing but empty hands. Where did I never hid anybody.
You didnt just walk out of here on
to do, Kil-nyo wondered. Would she want her to produce something to
What would her mother expect her
bones and her clothes were little better than rags. She pushed open the gate a wreck. Murderous looking men ransacking the house. and walked in to find the whole house wearing red armbands were busily What little furniture there had been
youre talking about.
prove she had hidden Cha away? Or would she accept the evidence that her daughter had gone off to see yet
mind during the journey. If only she
In fact, the ring didnt even cross her
had slipped it onto her finger just once, she would not have felt so utterly lost now. If it hadnt fit her finger, she could
emerged from the outbuilding where
her father had been staying. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the mans behavior. As soon as he saw Kilto her and, pulling the cigar out of his mouth, said, Youre the daughter of this family, arent you? Pointedly, as if to preempt her
reactionary, dont you?
of the wooden floor and sat down,
in the main room had been thrown into the yard along with all the
nyo come into the yard, he rushed over
the man summoned the others from
then. Youve got to have some evidence Proof. Who could have had more
Very well. Show me some proof,
another man? In the end, however, the predicament was not Kil-nyo but the short man.
inside to come out into the front yard. After sending them outside the gate, he continued, Cha Pyong-jo is your husband, isnt he? . Isnt he?
that you actually went out to get food. proof than she? But when pressed,
one actually in control of this desperate
now smile secretly to herself. Whats the ring finger of her right hand, she What Chi had said flashed back into
more, if it hadnt been the right size for might have tried her left hand, instead. her mind: show your left hand to the
kitchenware. As the men rushed about they kicked things out of their way. Kil-nyos mother, the baby held tight watching the house being turned
Kil-nyo couldnt come up with a single piece of evidence to satisfy him. Like a own nest, she had swallowed every bit of proof there ever was. If she had not, all those ragged bits crow pecking away at a hatchling in its
skirt, took out the silver ring and laid it down on the edge of the floor. The man looked down at it. Whats this?
She fumbled through the folds of her
in her arms, was sitting there vacantly
fabricating an alibi, he went on immediately.
bastards who like left hands, and if you run into a bastard who likes the right, put your left hand in your pocket and stick out your right.
You are Shin Kil-nyo, correct?
A silver ring, what else? You know what I mean. Kil-nyo knew.
nyo could see her seated mothers hand her feel calmer.
Through the wide-open door Kil-
and pieces of half a lifetime would her whole life up to that point had
patting the babys back. The sight made I am the daughter.
have hounded her til the end. In a way, been an endless series of struggles to bury the signs and clues of her past: to forget. There was not a single trace proud.
In cooperation with Galerie Gaia
to me. Times are so bad they were more willing to part with this than to give for my trip back. away any food. They told me to sell it The short man picked up the ring.
The family I went to see gave this
heard those words from Chi Sang-mo.
Only four days had passed since she
At the time shed paid them little heed,
of her past about which she could feel And yet, the monumental efforts she
He rubbed it against his pants and held
had made were all melting into air. To conceal the fact of her coupling with Cha, she had abandoned a newborn
13
PEN & BRUSH
but now shed fallen into a fix she could neither ignore nor escape. A dead end: she hadnt the slightest idea whether left. the man wanted her right hand or her Chi must have been the kind of man
might as well go with both.
hands held out before him. Now it was he who had to choose. Suddenly he her right. raised his left hand and slapped down Take that away. No woman wears Then, like a blacksmiths helper
The short man stared at the two
just moments before. Disappointed, he to himself:
briefly glanced at Kil-nyo and muttered Well, seems the reactionary
reception and again encounter
Pyong-jo, who has been hiding there. Her father is suspected of helping Pyong-jo hide, but Chom-gae helps him dispel the suspicion and kills Sang-mo. Kil-nyo gives herself to
story about a marketplace of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In order to author theses on the commercial history of marketplaces throughout Korea. naturally comes from the rural A huge part of Kims lexicon the novel, he had to read more than 100 the late Joseon period and visit all the
also, he believes, destroy the literary essence of his works. For example, foreign readers of The Sound of Thunder will know enough to realize that Kiland innocent to such an extent that and she does not know how to say nyo is a woman who is illiterate, naive, others can easily take advantage of her, I love you, but still knows true love. NOVELS SHOULD MOVE OUR HEARTS Kim Joo-young is now over 70, but his pen is still young. So are his feet, as hes still on the road much of the time studying life in the field. About three years ago, he found a path that used to in Uljin, a city on the east coast of the old writer still young at heart to add another volume to the already nine-
sneaked out of here at dawn today, after all. It was not until much later, long
who could sense which hand might be better to offer. But she, a woman who for revelation. To stick out your left but more to the point, there was no time to dwell on such things. If the
knew no better, could only wait in vain hand to another would be unseemly
rings on her right hand.
after the short man was gone, that Kilhim.
Chom-gae and hears about the death of Sang-mo. Witnessing the killing of a village leader by partisans, Kil-nyo feels in her bones the same fate will befall Chom-gae and hears a roar of thunder. calls him yeobo (my darling) in spite of herself.
working at a bellows, he tried the ring on every finger, slipping it on and off of each with astonishing speed. replaced the expression of smug
nyo realized he had taken the ring with Close the gate and come in, dear. Her mothers voice was soft. ()
marketplaces and mountainous
hamlets, where raw Korean sentiments are still alive and well, rendering his novels a kind of elusiveness that languages.
lifeline of the whole family depended
It fit none. A look of embarrassment anticipation plastered across his face
When Chom-gae is later killed, Kil-nyo
by Kim Joo-young
resists effective translation into foreign The late novelist Lee Moon-
on which hand she now extended, she
translated by Chun Kyung-ja
is from The Silver Ring, the sixth years after her husbands death, a chapter of the nine-chapter novel. goes into hiding in the home of Kil-nyos parents, and young
The excerpt at the start of this article
koo once saw my notepad crammed with handwritten memos in small letters and said, These are your He added, You and I are most
he Sound of Thunder is one of
representative works, along with
Korean novelist Kim Joo-youngs
servant named Pyong-jo rapes her and leaves in ambitious pursuit of success. She gives birth to a baby and hears a roll of thunder. The baby is secretly
Pyong-jo, who has become a rightist,
blood and capillaries, recalls Kim. probably two writers whose works are untranslatable. The Korean language itself has numerous ambivalent
be trodden by packmen in the old days country. The discovery motivated this
Tradesman, A Skate Fish, and Anchovy. and a revised version came out in
The novel was first published in 1986, 2000. It was translated into English in translated into Russian a decade later. Sound of Thunder is a period beset by last years of Japanese colonial rule. the Korean War, and ideological The historical background of The
communists scour the house in search of him. One of the young men robs given by Sang-mos wife. Kil-nyo of her silver ring she had been
raised by a butcher named Chom-gae
1990 and became the first Korean novel
and his wife. After national liberation leaves, and her mother-in-law passes away. During the mourning period, Pyong-jo returns from Japan, rapes
from Japanese colonial rule, Chom-gae
expressions that can be interpreted in any number of acceptable ways, and the novels and short stories he and I Kim says he has no intention of
volume Tradesman. The first volume of 30 years ago.
the novel was published in 1981, about Novels ought to be touching,
A WRITER ON THE ROAD
Kim Joo-young diligently goes out to
relentless turmoil beginning with the It then runs through national liberation, conflict, always under grinding poverty. painful part of Korean history in the life of the female protagonist named Kil-nyo, and whenever she suffers a
Kil-nyo again, and sells her to a tavern. She runs away with the help of Sangmo, a truck driver, but he also rapes her. To Kil-nyos shock, Chom-gae partisans, and she hears another
witness life first-hand in the field. He that his characters will likely also
write contain many such expressions. jettisoning his style of language to
says, Kim Joo-young. I experience as
exposes himself to real-life experiences experience, hence his nickname Writer on the Road. The novel Tradesman, a byword for this nomadic writer, is a
much as I can, give vent to what I have candor.
render it less untranslatable because from the uniqueness of the Korean language and sentiments. It would
experienced, and state what I vent with That must be the secret of the deep
doing so would be a serious departure
The author embodies this excruciatingly
returns as a leader of the North Korean rumble of thunder. When the Korean War breaks out, Kil-nyo comes back to her parents home only to get a cold
resonance his works have with the reader.
ABoUt NovEliSt Kim Joo-yoUNg

Kim Joo-youngs works fall into different genres, ranging from historical novels marked with wit, obscene volubility, and extensively detailed descriptions of scenes and customs, to novelettes on love pure as snow glittering with delicate sensibility, to fun short stories unfolding at a jaunty pace with witty, surprising twists. Kim was born in a small village in the mountainous region of Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do in 1939. He studied creative writing at Sorabol Arts College and debuted with A Period of Dormancy in 1971, which earned him the New Writer Award by The Literature Monthly.
shocking experience, the clouds above of thunder.
(or deep inside her) release a loud crack Kil-nyo is married to the son of the
His novels and short stories include Tradesman, The Sound of Thunder, A Skate Fish, Anchovy, Hwalbindo, Hwacheok, Arari Nanjang, and Ttongchin Makdaegi. He has received most of Koreas prestigious literary awards including the Korea Culture and Arts Award, the Yi Sang Literary Award, and the Daesan Literary Award. In 2007, he received the Eungwan Cultural Medal from the Korean government.
head family of a clan which is on the
ABoUt tRANSlAtoR CHUN KyUNg-JA

Chun Kyung-ja is a professor emeritus at the Catholic University of Korea. Since 1986 she has translated many Korean literary works for English-speaking readers including Hwang Suk-youngs The Shadow of Arms, Kim Joo-youngs The Sound of Thunder, Choi In-huns A Grey Man, and Jo Jung-raes Playing with Fire. She won the Korean Cultural and Arts Foundation grand prize for Korean literature translation for her translation of Chae Man-siks Peace Under Heaven.
decline. She is soon widowed and must
live alone with her mother-in-law. Nine
15
PEoPlE
Spokesman for Korea
Seo Kyung-duK
While travelling Europe with a rucksack on his back, Seo Kyung-duk fell into shock when he realized that very few people knew about Korea. This experience prompted him to promote the Republic of Korea across the world. Now, 18 years later, hes still promoting Korea globally in many ways. By Lee Jeong-eun / photographs by Lee Min-hui
he year 1996 marked the 600 th anniversary of the designation of Seoul as the capital
World Cup, so he draped himself in the FIFA World Cup flag and attached the Taegeukgi (the national flag of the Republic of Korea) to
of Korea. In celebration, the Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to bury a time capsule to be opened in 2394. The time capsule was best represent Seoul and Seoulites in 1996. loaded with 600 items that were believed to One of the most conspicuous among the 600
his backpack, cap, and T-shirt. I was a walking PR board for Koreas success in its bidding to host the global event, recalls Seo. But, people asked me whether I was Japanese or Chinese. Famous museums and historic monuments didnt provide any Korean service. In shock, promote Korea by whatever means.
items was a table that predicted statistics on live in Korea 400 years later. Most people
the lifestyle of future generations who would naturally considered items that represented club named Fight for Survival came up what Korea would be like in the future.
this young man was imbued with a passion to To begin, Seo planned a small event to
Seoul and Korea of 1996, but a college student with the idea to include an item depicting This incident changed the life course of the professor at Sungshin Womens University, of the Republic of Korea.
celebrate Koreas National Liberation Day in
front of the Eiffel Tower on August 15. He sent a message to the Korean travelers he had met to the tower. Finally, the day broke, and his during the trip and encouraged them to come heart pounded. He went to the tower and was He led them in singing the national anthem of the Republic of Korea, circling the tower
leader of the student club, who is now a guest but prefers to go by his nickname Promoter Seo studied landscape architecture in college.
surprised to see more than 200 Korean travelers.
After graduation, he decided to work for the public interest. He started planning events
hand in hand. They also sang Arirang, a dearly loved Korean traditional folk song. Someone the Republic of Korea), and everybody else chanted Daehanminguk Manse! (lit. Long live followed suit. They developed a sense of unity and patriotism beyond words. Well, according patriot, and it was true. to one saying, Whoever goes abroad becomes a That was the first step he took as a devoted,
In cooperation with www.forthenextgeneration.com
that he thought would benefit Korean society as a whole, and years later he found himself spokesman for Korea. walking a unique life path as a self-appointed In 1996, when Korea and Japan were locked
in fierce competition to win the right to host the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he set out to travel across Europe, carrying only a backpack. He wanted
self-designated spokesman for Korea and is Korea.
to be a small help to Koreas bid to host the FIFA

now opularly dubbed the expert promoter of
17
PEoPlE
a delivery company in Canada made copies of
the ad and attached them to delivery boxes. In
scientific Korean writing system invented by King Sejong (r. 1418-1450). Ik-joong Kang, an artist born in Korea and living and working
fork out money to run
2008, Seo put an ad about Dokdo in the New York Times and the Washington Post with sponsorship by singer Kim Jang-hun, grabbing the attention of the worlds media. Seo also denounced Japans denial of what
his ads for Korea. He sent letters via post and email to 1,800 people including W. Bush, every member
in New York, donated his installation works
themed on Hangeul, which Seo permanently
installed at major buildings around the world including the UNESCO headquarters in Paris the Republic of Korea during World War II in and the office of the Provisional Government of Chongqing, China, in order to show the world renowned museums and galleries including
former US President George of the US Senate and the the governors of 31 US
the Japanese did to other Asians in the first half of the century by running an ad on so-called comfort women, who were de facto sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II. He has placed ads in influential foreign media
House of Representatives, states, the heads of United Nations delegations, and professors who study East the restoration of human
how beautiful Hangeul is. He persuaded worldthe Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City to provide guide services in Korean. He headed the
outlets to call for the restoration of the human rights of old Korean ladies who were dragged apology and compensation for them. to battlefields as comfort women and Japans His ads entitled Error in NYT, Error in
Asian issues and history for rights of the Korean women who were forced to provide sexual service to Japanese soldiers in the name of World War II. comfort women during Whenever I was hit by a
WP, and Error in WSJ ran in the New York Journal and resonated very widely. The ads
publication of an English PR booklet about the Korea Gallery in the Smithsonian Museum of National History in Washington, D.C.
Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street refuted these newspapers referring to the East Sea (the sea off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula) as the Sea of Japan in their articles. BIBIMBAP, ArIrAnG, AND HANGEUL to historic issues. He placed ads for Korean foodsbibimbap and makgeolliin leading
Arirang (a dearly loved Korean traditional folk song, which is widely regarded as Koreas
When China allegedly attempted to register
unofficial national anthem) as a Chinese cultural
brilliant idea, I immediately put it into practice
Seos promotion of Korea is not only confined
newspapers and also on electronic billboards in Times Square in New York City and Piccadilly
Ad on comfort women, who served as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II in the Washington Post
It is to install a billboard exclusive for Korea in Times Square in New York City, as the first of its kind, and run ads on Arirang, Dokdo, the East Sea, and so forth 24-7, 365 days a year. Another idea is to place a surprise ad during a break in the Super Bowl.
property on the grounds that ethnic Koreans living in China sing the song, Seo responded and downtown Tokyo and uploading the ad file on YouTube and tweeting it in real time, world. by placing an ad about Arirang in Times Square regardless of whatever difficulties seemed to be waiting, says Seo.
Circus in London. It is through food that people AN ERROR IN YOUR NEWSPAPER naturally learn about a nation. Bibimbap (rice The year 2005 is unforgettable for Seo. He ran served with colorful natural ingredients, mixed before eating) and makgeolli (unrefined Korean rice wine) are especially loved by non-Koreans
an ad entitled Dokdo Is Korean Territory in the New York Times. Japan had enacted an ordinance to designate February 22 as Takeshima Day its sovereignty over Dokdo. Enraged, Seo (Takeshima is what Japan calls Dokdo) to claim decided to draw the attention of the worlds
Somebody said that was
and were selected as representative Korean fare to help the world better understand what Korea is about. In preparation for an ad on bibimbap, he
especially targeting young people across the
crazy, but I have a fearless
spirit of challenge, without
2 1 Ad on bibimbap in the New York Times 2 Ad on Hangeul in the Washington Post
which I couldnt have done so many things. more than 300 cities throughout the globe and Korea better-known to the world. Since his sophomore year, hes traveled to
media to the issue based on objective information and chose the New York Times as a vehicle to stoke Americans interest in the issue first and thereby pique global interest. He emptied his pockets to run that small ad, which helped bring together Koreans living abroad for the cause. A Korean who was running a laundromat in the the laundromat. A Korean who was operating
learned that most non-Koreans dont like to
A PERSON OF ACTION
is a common practice in Korea. He featured a photo of bibimbap with a fried egg on it, and
have an uncooked egg on their bibimbap, which
For an individual who is plain in every aspect, running an ad in the New York Times and the Washington Post is almost as difficult as
attempted many fun and exciting ways to make I have a dream to achieve on a national level,
it was a success. The key take-away from this experience was that you can better promote your own culture when you understand and respect others cultures as well as your own. Seo also endeavors to promote Hangeul, the
reaching the sky to grab a star. Seo frequented the ad department of those newspapers with his ad drafts for months. Big businesses and
says Seo. It is to install a billboard exclusive for Korea in Times Square in New York City, as the first of its kind, and run ads on Arirang, Dokdo, the East Sea, and so forth 24-7, 365 days a year. break in the Super Bowl. Another idea is to place a surprise ad during a
government offices in Korea were also haunted promoter of Korea, who encouraged them to
United States printed the ad on plastic covers for
day and night by this persistent and passionate
19
gREAt KoREAN
Great Scholar and Calligrapher
and research and pursued factual truth with an unwaveringly upright scholarly spirit. His achievement in epigraphy is especially
you should do so) shows long, thin characters Sehando is one of Koreas official national
Kim Jeong-hui
with greatly varying strokes. His masterpiece treasures. The work features vertical lines of In the work, the composition of the painting
notable. He made rubbings of the inscriptions
Kim Jeong-hui was an outstanding scholar in multiple disciplines and a celebrated poet, calligrapher, and painter. Here is a brief look at his life and art.
by Im Sang-beom / photographs provided by the National Museum of Korea (NMK)
of stone monuments scattered far and wide and interpreted their content and determined when they had been created. His innate talents, tireless efforts, and
text, a scene of four trees, and a small house. and calligraphy is extremely well-balanced and strikes exquisite harmony, and the extensive blank space instills in the viewer a feeling of including Haedongbigo (a book on epigraphy
1 Bojeongsanbang, which means that Kim Jeonghui really values Chung Yak-yong, a contemporary scholar of the Realist School of Confucianism 2 A rubbed copy of Shilla Jinheungwang Sunsubi (monuments commemorating King Jinheungs tour) in Bukhansan Mountain 3 Sehando depicts moral duties among people.
discussions with foreign scholars together admired to this day.
made him a great scholar-artist, whose feats are
quiet solitude. He also authored many books based on his research). His disciples compiled his posthumous books including Wandangjip (a collection of his writings). compelled to lead a lonely Kim Jeong-hui was
SOLITUDE REFINES ARTISTS im Jeong-hui was born into a prestigious family in 1786, the late Joseon period.
In the Joseon Dynasty, calligraphy was believed
to be an act of expressing ones character and an
His genius was obvious even at a young age. calligraphy at the very tender age of three.
indication of scholarly caliber. Kims inner world, in his calligraphic style Chusache.
He is said to have held a brush and practiced He was given the best education of the time
character, and scholarly depth were all expressed His ten years of solitude in exile deepened
life in his old age in the midst of political strife, but his life was still full of books and
and rose to high government posts. For a long time, his life path seemed to extend endlessly upward, but the good times ended in 1840. That year, he was exiled to Jejudo, Koreas
him as an artist. Influenced by the art of Qing painting together in unity, he endeavored to like letters. Muksogeosajachan, one of his
China, which brought poetry, calligraphy, and write letters like paintings and draw paintings calligraphy works (which advises you to keep
ink. The masterpieces he left behind and the footsteps he took as a scholar-artist with
an unyielding noble spirit still have much to tell despite the since his time. many years that have passed
largest island off its southern coast, in the midst of political upheaval, and he spent almost a decade in exile there. He was exiled again in 1851 to Bukcheong, which is in modern-day North Korea, and released the following year. He passed away in 1856 in Gwacheon, which is just south of the Gangnam area of modern Seoul. Kim Jeong-hui is generally called Chusa
silent when you should do so and to laugh when
Kim Jeong-hui or simply by his pen name, called Chusache (lit. Chusas calligraphic
Chusa. His unique style of calligraphy is thus style) and has long been admired by Koreans. However, few Koreans know that he was also one of the best artists and scholars of his day. well as a multidisciplinary scholar who had geography, astronomy, and other fields. He was, in fact, a brilliant poet and painter as profound knowledge of epigraphy, Buddhism, As a young man, Kim travelled to Qing
China with his father, where he was exposed to a new culture and studies. Back home, he established a school named Chusapa (lit. Chusa school) where he emphasized experimentation
21
SEoUl
Jeongdong-gil
by Chung Da-young / photographs by Hong Sang-don
A Walk through Koreas Cultural Heritage

The quaint street of Jeong-dong, popularly known as Jeongdong-gil, in downtown Seoul is full of cultural heritage and bears vestiges of Koreas long and storied history. A walk through Jeongdong-gil is sure to take you far back in time.
eong-dong is a small area in downtown Seoul across the street from Seoul City Hall that
THE HISTORY
stretches from Deoksugung Palace to the Seoul Museum of History. Despite its central location from the bustling streets of the city, escaping in the heart of Seoul, Jeong-dong is tucked away much attention from residents and visitors alike. And yet, the area is most popular for its narrow picturesque street called Jeongdong-gil (lit. wall of Deoksugung Palace. The beautiful Jeong-dong Street) that runs along the stone tree-lined cobblestone streets flanked by the
The quiet street of Jeong-dong, running
along the stone perimeter wall on one side of Deoksugung Palace up to where Seodaemun (Great West Gate) once stood, still resonates
with the history of early modern Korea. During the Joseon era (1392-1910) it was a residential area for court officials and yangban (the upper
class of the Joseon era) due to its close proximity to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace of when the country opened its doors to the the Joseon royal court. In the late 19th century, Western world, the first Westerners settled in
stately palace walls and historical buildings are by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as the first Beautiful Street for Walking in 1999 only made it official. But it is the cultural and Jeongdong-gil so special.
among Seouls most beautiful. Being designated
Jeong-dong and the area increasingly became Quarter.
known as Legation Street or the European Before 1880, foreigners could not live within
Running along the stone wall of Deoksugung Palace, Jeongdong-gil was designated as the first Beautiful Street for Walking in 1999.
23
historical heritage along the street that makes
the city walls of Seoul. The first American envoy to Korea was granted land in 1884. The opening
SEoUl
of the U.S. Legation brought a rush of foreign settlement to the area from France, Germany, and Russia, and two red brick buildings were constructed for the British Embassy
including Koreas first president and independence activist Ji Cheong-cheon.
Syngman Rhee, poet Kim Sowol,
Legation, and on the right is the Central Hall building remains the headquarters for the
of the Salvation Army. Completed in 1928, the Korean Salvation Army and houses a chapel, gallery, caf, and cultural center for visitors. The red-brick building with its sturdy
soon after. Along with the diplomacy Jeong-dong was where the country was first introduced to Western education, religion, and medicine. for Western diplomacy, the base
of the great world powers at the time,
of Art is Chung Dong First
Across from the Seoul Museum
Methodist Church built in 1898. Appenzeller, it was Koreas first Methodist church. The single-
Also founded by Henry Gerhard
symmetrical pillars designed in a neoclassical architecture.
style is one of Seouls finest examples of colonial The main section of Jeongdong-gil continues
The area gradually became the center for Christian missionaries, and the
story red-brick church, built in an American-Gothic style, was very symbolic of the introduction of
on the road to the right of Chung Dong First Methodist Church. The Canadian Embassy is located on the right, and right before the
birthplace of modern education. The rich architectural heritage of Jeongof early modern Korea. THE HERITAGE dong is still redolent with the history
1
American culture to Korea. It also published Koreas first monthly magazine, Gyohoe (lit. church), and opened Koreas first summer Bible school in 1922.
1 The white tower is all that remains of the original Russian Legation. 2 Small charming parks, such as the Jeongdong Park, can be found along the roads. 3 The Seoul Museum of Art was formerly the Supreme Court of Korea. 4 Ewha Girls High School remains as one of the most prestigious schools for young women in Korea. 5 Jeongdong-gil is visited by many locals and foreigners alike.
embassy there is a small sign that leads to the site of the former Russian Legation built in 1890. The Russian Legation was the scene of an of the Joseon Dynasty. When Queen Min was assassinated in 1895 inside Gyeongbokgung Palace., King Gojong and the crown prince and resided there for a year. At that time, fled to the Russian Legation for their safety pro-Japanese members of the royal cabinet were sacked and pro-Russian ones installed. After returning to Deoksugung Palace, King Gojong and proclaimed the country an independent
important incident during the political turmoil

4
Jeongdong-gil begins at the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, Daehanmun, and follows along the stone
the roundabout is a narrow road that is lined by old stone On the left is the
To the right of
walls of the palace. It is a
walls on both sides. U.S. ambassadors on the original
pedestrianfriendly street with wide sidewalks, and its curves and one-way roads limit traffic speed.
residence, still located site of the first U.S.
renamed the nation as the Great Korean Empire nation. The Russian Legation was a two-story most of it was destroyed during the Korean
The street leads to a small
roundabout with a fountain in the middle. To formerly the Supreme Court of Korea. Built Colonial Period, the Romanesque edifice
brick building built in a Renaissance style, but War. Today, only the white three-story tower modern Russian Embassy is located nearby. Back to Jeongdong-gil, pedestrians will
the left up the hill is the Seoul Museum of Art, in 1928 as a courthouse during the Japanese stands over the hill about six meters above its after national liberation and turned into the and national exhibits all year round.
remains on the site, as majestic as ever. The new

5
surroundings. It was used as the Supreme Court museum in 2002, now featuring international Further down the street is the original
come to a cluster of large red brick buildings
most prestigious in higher education for women in Korea to this day. Jeongdong-gil ends at the Kyunghyang Daily
to the left. This is Ewha Girls High School and first modern school for women in Korea, Ewha Hakdang. The school was founded in 1886 by Mary F. Scranton, an American missionary to Korea. The school opened with only one student and later expanded over the years
Simpson Hall, which are built on the site of the
News Building, where it meets a busy six-lane roadway. After walking along the quiet street
HoW to gEt tHERE

The neighborhood of Jeong-dong can be reached on foot from City Hall Station, Line 1 or 2, or from Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5. Look for the main entrance of Deoksugung Palace and just follow the road to the left along the palace wall.
shaded by ginkgo trees and bearing the solemn the sight of tall office buildings seem jarring and almost uncomfortable, making oneself
building of Paiehai Hakdang, a school founded by the missionary Henry Gerhard Appenzeller in 1885. It was the first modern school for boys. King Gojong himself named the school and wrote the calligraphy for the wooden sign at influential men in Koreas modern history,
weight of history, the sound of heavy traffic and
into kindergarten, pre-school, middle school, on campus is Simpson Hall, built in 1915 as a school house for the growing number of
3
and a womens university. The oldest building
want to turn around and go back. Within this relentlessly modern city, the quiet peace and timeless comfort of Jeongdong-gil comes as reassurance and a very welcome respite.
its gate. The graduates were some of the most
students. The name Ewha remains one of the
25
tRAvEl
Lanterns Glittering on the Water
Jinju has long been famous for its refined taste in the arts as well as its delicious cuisine. As if that werent enough, the city has even more to show every October, when the Namgang River becomes a long strip of gems strewn under the night sky. Lets look into the spectacular Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival and other attractions to see and taste. by Lee Jeong-eun/ photographs by Moon Duk-gwan
JINJU
27
tRAvEl
was an exception as the soaring cliffs raise the fortress well away from the danger of floods own right. and were excellent defensive structures in their
JINJUSEONG FORTRESS AND RAW BEEF BIBIMBAP Jinjuseong Fortress is a sacred site of Jinju,
encapsulating the history and culture of the
city. The fortress is where General Kim Si-min scored a major victory against the Japanese in 1592. Sadly, General Kim fell in battle at the soldiers, officials, and peasants when the head of an army of more than 70,000 Korean Japanese managed to breach the outer defenses of the city a second time. After this second battle, a lady entertainer named Nongae was called to a party for Japanese officers, where she embraced a Japanese general and threw
1 1 Jinjuseong Fortress was filled with various lights. 2 Jinjuseong Fortress keeps the tragic and bitter moment of history.
numerous different foodstuffs, and it naturally developed its own unique cuisine. One of the (lit. raw beef bibimbap). Topped with slices of representative dishes of Jinju is yukhoe bibimbap raw beef and mung bean sprouts, among other ingredients, yukhoe bibimbap is enjoyable both to the eyes and palate. The story of this dish begins with General Kim Si-mins first battle meals for the officers and were wise enough in each bowl to efficiently serve such a huge include Jinju naengmyeon (cold buckwheat
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival hosted various programs.
herself into the Namgang River, taking him with her. Both drowned, but she has ever patriotic deed.
inju in southwestern Korea has a long-
culture. Every October, the city glitters like a Festival. Marking its tenth year, this years
standing reputation as a center of arts and
Si-mins use of lanterns in October 1592 as a
The festival finds its origin in General Kim
after been remembered for her heartbreaking, The most conspicuous feature of Jinjuseong
against the Japanese. Ladies of the city brought to put all sorts of herbs and beef on top of rice number of men. Other famous dishes of Jinju noodles), Jinju Hanjeongsik (full course Korean meal), and Namgang jangeo gui (broiled eel).
gem when it hosts the Jinju Namgang Yudeung festival commenced on October 1. Some 12,000 yudeung (lit. floating lanterns) floated on the Namgang River (a river running through Jinju). The area along the river assumed an air of a seen before. fairy tale land like no other place you have ever
means of communication with assisting forces of defense during a raging battle against invading Japanese forces.
outside Jinjuseong Fortress and also as a means
Fortress is Chokseongnu, which is considered one of the three best pavilions of Korea together with the Yeongnamnu Pavilion of Miryang and the Bubyeongnu Pavilion of Pyongyang. Chokseongnu is one of the 50
year is even larger and features more colorful, intricate lanterns. It is even being held for two more days, lasting a full two weeks. This year, Traditional and modern Korean lanterns as well as lanterns from 31 foreign countries
The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival this
must-see destinations in Korea recommended by CNNGo. Uiam (lit. Rock of Righteousness, and the Japanese general into the Namgang) is enshrined) are both highly recommended sites for your visit to Chokseongnu. a 400 m2 rock from which Nongae threw herself and Uigisa (a shrine where a portrait of Nongae
tRAvEl iNfoRmAtioN
what to eat Jinju Naengmyeon The stock for the Jinju naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) is made by simmering cow bones and such seafoods as anchovies, shrimp, hwangtae (pollock naturally freeze-dried in the cold of winter through repeated freezing and thawing), mussels, and short-neck clams. The clean and light taste of Jinju naengmyeon has long captivated countless gourmets. This dish is garnished with beef Seoul slices coated in egg wash and pan-fried. how to get there Bus Buses run between Seoul Nambu Terminal and Jinju Intercity Bus Terminal at 20-minute intervals. The trip between Seoul and Jinju takes three and a half hours. Car Seoul Gyeongbu Expressway Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway Seojinju Interchange. It takes less than three and a half hours.
the festival features more than 12,000 lanterns.
made the festival a true feast of art. Both the filled with light.
Namgang River and Jinjuseong Fortress were The Namgang is a river that represents the
Jinyangho Lake was formed in 1970 when
Jinyangho Park is another must-see in Jinju.
city of Jinju. Finer than the texture of silk and deeper than indigo blue, the Namgang River snakes its way below the walls of Jinjuseong Fortress and along rocky cliffs until it meets
Namgang Dam was built. Despite the fact that banks and has been featured in many Korean movies, TV dramas, and commercials.
it is an artificial lake, it is beautiful with curvy
Chokseongnu, a pavilion majestically perched on a sheer cliff that affords a sweeping view.
2
was the center of the southwestern region of mountains, lakes, and plainsall within a
During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Jinju

Jinju
Few Korean fortresses were built near rivers due to the risk of flooding, but Jinjuseong Fortress
the country. It had easy access to the sea, rivers, one-hour distance. It was a major producer of
29
fEStivAl
Project (PPP; a joint puppet project by Snuff
Puppets of Australia and residents of Jongnocolorful procession by Vernisseurs of France).
gu, Seoul), and Merry Urban Mess (a cheerful and At 8 p.m., the night air of Seoul bloomed with
fireworks and the spectators were bewitched by Magic Night, a street performance by the Xarxa Teatre of Spain. This dynamic performance
covered every nook and cranny of Taepyeongno and featured unique fireworks, flaring to the spectators in wonder and emotion. exciting percussion rhythms and enthralling the At 9 p.m., Seoul Plaza hosted the official
opening ceremony of the tenth Hi Seoul
Festival. It commenced with Seoul Fantasia Project Nalda of Korea, a choir of more than
jointly performed by Transe Express of France, 200 citizens, and some 200 Korean traditional
percussionists. The grand finale of the opening
ceremony was Ganggangsullae, a representative and foreign alikejoined hands in a big circle
1
Korean folk activity where participantsKorean and swirled around under the moonlight,
chanting the chorus, ganggangsullae, to the exciting performance of Korean traditional percussionists.
Korea while working with Koreans, says
Ive had a wonderful time observing
A Street Festival of Art
an artist with Snuff Puppets. Working with local communities, weve had a really good experience helping and learning from one another.
3 Children enjoyed the performances as well as adults. 4 Magic Night, a street firework performance by the Xarxa Teatre of Spain
The Hi Seoul Festival 2012

The tenth Hi Seoul Festival unfolded in the autumn of 2012, transforming the streets of Seoul into mobile stages and turning the city center into a work of art. by Lee Jeong-eun
2
A FESTIVAL TO WATCH AND TO BE PART OF For the seven days following the opening strewn with 41 performances by Momggol and Creative Grou
ceremony, the streets of downtown Seoul were Korean groups including Theatre NONI as well as 24 performances
Parker from the United States. Every
The artists were fantastic, said Sienna
performance was brilliant and dynamic.
1 A scene of Looking for the Fairy Wings, a large-scale puppet play by Art Stage SAN of Korea 2 A poster of the Hi Seoul Festival 2012
eoul hosted a grand street festival of art for Seoulites and global villagers alike,
year, this years Hi Seoul Festival was themed
mingling in vitality and jubilation. One could hardly be faulted for believing that this was Dresden, Firenze, or Paris, all renowned global for one and all to enjoy!
on Gestures That Set the City in Motion and including parades, street theatre, circus acts, and dances.
by foreign groups such as Generik Vapeur of France and La Fura dels Baus of Spain. The 2012 Hi Seoul Festival
featured many different types of performances
centers of art. The Hi Seoul Festival 2012 was on Co-organized by the Seoul Metropolitan
six in the evening with a cheerful parade led by amateur percussionists from Seoul. At 7 p.m., the street of Sejong-daero became saturated
The festival began in spectacular fashion at
was especially unique, featuring
many participatory performances in which spectators could mingle with the professional artists as the performances unfolded. in nine projects including the
Government and the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, the Hi Seoul Festival 2012 took place in downtown Seoulin and around Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza, and Gwanghwamun Squarefrom October 1 to 7. Marking its tenth
a Korean traditional percussion band of over 200
in a festive mood as crowds gathered to watch
Looking for the Fairy Wings (a large-scale puppet
Some 3,000 Seoulites participated opening and closing ceremonies.

4
play by Art Stage SAN of Korea), Peoples Puppet
31
NoW iN KoREA
Travel to Gyeongju by K-sh
uttle
K-Shuttle has been well rece ived by the 50 visitors who ha 0 foreign ve used it.
on the Suncheon course
southwest
Jeonju, Yeosu, and Busan, Southeast Course A to Busan, Gyeongju, Andong, Wonju, Gangneung, and Pyeongchang, and Southeast Course B to
with any questions or problems that they
may have. When the bus stops at a city, the
the same cities as Course A but in reverse order.
passengers are free to explore the area on their the departure time.
ahoe Folk Village in Andong, Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, and the 1,500 year
All three packages depart from Dongwha Duty Free Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul and return to the same location. At KRW 290,000 or around USD 260 per
own. They only need to return to the bus before Another great feature of the K-Shuttle is
old astronomical observatory Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju are just some of Koreas popular tourist destinations. But for those who are new to the country and have limited time, it can be quite difficult and confusing to find the right local transportation and accommodations in rural Korea.
the flexible boarding option. At a lower fee, of a route of their choice or get off at any
person, the packages include the shuttle bus two breakfasts), and admission tickets to
passengers can purchase bus tickets for a part stop they want. So far, the K-Shuttle has been well-received by the 500 foreign visitors who have used it. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and
fare, accommodations for two nights (including some of the tourist attractions. A professional English-speaking tour guide will accompany the passengers on the bus all three days. The tour guide is also emergency first response (EFR) certified to ensure the safety and wellbeing of travelers at all times. The guide not only provides detailed explanations of the
Bus Tour Package for Foreigners
K-Shuttle
offering the K-Shuttle service, the perfect
The Seoul Metropolitan Government began
regional government offices offer the K-Shuttle service as a safe and convenient travel option for foreign visitors to see the less-frequented parts of Korea, and they hope that it boosts
For more information visit www.k-shuttle.com.
transportation travel package for such foreign tourists this past July. Together with the Visit Korea Committee, the Seoul Metropolitan
Would you like to explore the southern parts of Korea but only have a few days to spare? We suggest you travel with K-Shuttle, the all-inclusive bus tour package offered by the Korean government, so you can relax all the way.
by Chung Da-young / photographs provided by Visit Korea Committee
Government created an all-inclusive bus tour
locations en route, but also helps the travelers
tourism and the economy in provincial areas.
package to the three cities mentioned above and several other popular tourist hotspots in Korea such as Busan (Koreas second biggest city) and Jeonju (the gourmet capital of Korea). The
K-SHUttlE RoUtES
Route Southwest Course Southeast Course A Southeast Course B
K-SHUttlE SERviCE iNfoRmAtioN

Departure Day Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun Tue Sat Itinerary Seoul Buyeo Jeonju Yeosu Suncheon Busan Seoul Seoul Busan Gyeongju Andong Wonju Gangneung Pyeongchang Seoul Seoul Pyeongchang Gangneung - Wonju Andong Gyeongju Busan Seoul
K-Shuttle packages take travelers to six must-see cities in three days, letting them enjoy the trip without having to worry about transportation and accommodations. There are three routes that travelers can
choose from: the Southwest Course to Buyeo,

* All buses depart from Dongwha Duty Free Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul at 8:30am. Ticket Price: KRW 290,000 for full package Reservations : K-Shuttle website: www.k-shuttle.com telephone reservation: +82-1899-2508
33
SPoRtS
outh Korea had long struggled in
demonstrated through a series of thrilling
womens volleyball, but its national team
let alone whether she even liked volleyball.
Today, volleyball is her only life pursuit. She E&C Hillstate Volleyball Team in 2007. She
matches at the London Olympics this summer
went pro when she joined the Suwon Hyundai received the Best Blocker Award at the 2009 She was dubbed the player of the year in
that the country was making a strong comeback. The womens national volleyball team of South the Japanese team in a preliminary round at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, though this was followed by 22 defeats by the Japanese. The Koreans had long been underdogs, but they went up against traditionally strong teams like the Americans, Brazilians, and Italians. The Koreans scored one win after another and advanced to the Olympic semi-finals for the a medal, but they impressed volleyball fans worldwide. Yang Hyo-jin (22) was on the team. Only first time in 36 years. The team failed to win Korea tasted the joy of victory when it defeated
FIVB Womens World Grand Champions Cup. womens volleyball by the 2010 DongA Sports Awards. Her solid performance coupled with Whenever the name Yang Hyo-jin is her cute appearance has won her plenty of fans. mentioned, the phrase, a hope for womens not, which clearly shows how well she is
volleyball of Korea, follows more often than actually faring. Committed to playing her role perfectly on any team she belongs to, Yang make that dream come true, she is keen to hopes to play on a foreign team someday. To make herself stronger and wait for the right
ten centimeters shy of two meters, this tall
center played her role to the fullest in every
time to come, when she will feel ready not to be disappointed even if such an attempt ends in failure.
match she fought in London. Yang was also on the team when it failed to secure a spot in the in the Olympics for the first time in her life, Beijing Olympics in 2008. This year competing her determination was as firm as ever. Simply touching enough for a young athlete like her; she felt as if she had achieved her life dream. The cheering spectators and breathtaking
2013 Asian Games to be held in Incheon, Korea. The South Korean team clinched silver at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, and she hopes to win gold in 2013. Fans out there, will bring volleyball glory to Korea. cheer for her so that this young, hopeful player
For the present, she is spurring herself for the

1 Yang Hyo-jin shows her transcendent blocking abilities at the London 2012 Olympics. 2 Yang Hyo-jin is emerging as a new hope for womens volleyball in Korea.
playing on the Olympic court was exciting and
matches with the worlds top teams stirred her fighting spirit. The team as a whole showed were also determined to make up for their four years ago.
1
perfect teamwork, as the other team members failure to break into the Olympic tournament At the London Olympics, Yang keenly sensed
her weaknesses as an athlete, and she will train with even greater focus on her offensive skills and agility to respond better to unexpected situations in the future.
A Hope for Korean Womens Volleyball
YANG HYO-JIN
EMERGING AS A NEW HOPE
During the London 2012 Olympics, the volleyball court witnessed a series of incredible matches between the South Korean womens national volleyball team and the traditional volleyball powerhouses. Team center Yang Hyo-jin, who blocked numerous attacks, says her life is only about volleyball. by Im Sang-beom/ photographs by Ha Ji-yeong and Hyundai E&C Hillstate Volleyball Team
When Yang was in school, the volleyball coach spotted her because of her height. Her family didnt like the idea of her playing volleyball,
and she wasnt sure whether she was talented,
35
SPECiAl iSSUE
movie Pieta with rapt attention when Korea
he film industry worldwide watched
Korean director Kim Ki-duks controversial
was still beset by scorching summer heat, and it was September 8 when the film was finally announced as the winner of the Leone dOro (Golden Lion) for Best Film at the closing
Festival. This was the first Korean movie to
ceremony of the 69th Venice International Film
receive the top honor at any of the worlds three major film festivals, held in Berlin, Cannes, and mother-son relationship, also garnered three Venice. The movie, telling the story of a twisted
Honored with the Golden Lion in Venice
collateral awards: the Leoncino dOro Agiscuola (Golden Lion Cub), the Mouse dOro (Golden Mouse), and the P. Nazareno Taddei.
Pieta by Kim Ki-duk

Korean director Kim Ki-duks shocking movie Pieta won the Golden Lion for Best Film at the 69th Venice International Film Festival in September this year. Here is the story of Kim Ki-duks life and films and the implications of Pieta to the world of Korean movies.
by Yang In-sil
movie Birdcage Inn was screened as an opening film in the Panorama section of the 1999 Berlin Isle won the Netpac AwardSpecial Mention The same year, his Real Fiction was presented in the competition category of the Moscow International Film Festival. His 2001 movies Address Unknown and Bad Guy were invited to the competition category of the Venice International Film Festival, respectively. International Film Festival and the Berlin In an interview after winning the Leone International Film Festival. His next movie The at the 2000 Venice International Film Festival.
Kim debuted with Crocodile in 1996. His 1998
and wrath, feelings that in turn damage and and bitter tragedy.
destroy human beings, giving birth to a brutal Kims films have been well-received abroad,
but they have not generally fared so well at
home. Using biting symbols and metaphors and delving deep into uncomfortable truths, his films feel unfamiliar to Korean audiences and make them feel ill at ease, especially after all Kim has largely been ignored by the Korean public, but remains as committed as ever to these years of conditioning to commercial films.
dOro this September, Kim said that he could feel the intense interest and affection of both audiences and critics for Pieta since its premiere and that the Leone dOro was not only for him but also for all those involved in the movies in supported him.
his chosen course. Certainly, he must consider this Septembers Leone dOro a validation of lonely as it may be. his decision to walk his own way, as solitary or Even if Kim has garnered many awards
Korea. He then thanked all the people who had
A GOLDEN ROAR OF
from prestigious international film festivals, of the Korean film industry because of the idiosyncratic nature of his movies and the multiplex theatre chains and distributors.
THE NONMAINSTREAM
he has always been outside of the mainstream
The film Pieta is a story about todays extreme capitalism. One day, a woman appears to a devil-like man named Gang-do and claims that while a terrible secret gradually comes to light. According to Kim, the film shows how money,
oligopolistic dominance by a handful of large In Chungmuro, the Korean counterpart to
she is his mother. The two experience confusion
Hollywood, Kim is called an outsider. Both Korean society and the Korean film industry are tightly closed and only embrace mainstream
37
the heart of capitalism, creates mistrust, hatred,

SPECiAl iSSUE
conviction that theatrical screens should not
be monopolized by successful movies, wanting to share the opportunity with less successful movies. This declaration was not completely
realized because 22 theaters ran the movie 46 more times, adding another 1,511 to the total number of tickets sold nationwide. At the 2012 on October 3, Pieta was screened five times at
Busan International Film Festival which opened five different theaters on five different days, and all were resounding successes. All 1,100 seats of the Sohyang Musical Center, the largest of the five theaters, sold out.
Pieta was produced according to a very tight schedule and on an even tighter budget. Its USD 136,400), the shooting was done in a
Now, brace yourself for a surprise. The movie
Korea rushed to give it more showings, though they did not do so out of a newfound love of and Me, which premiered on September 27, theaters across the country. independent films. The documentary film Jinsuk managed to secure show-time slots at only five Another low-budget film, Grape Candy, has
Leone dOro, multiplex theater chains in
Following Pietas winning of the
of screens.
investment and the number
opportunities in
films more
MORE SUPPORT FOR INDIE FILMS
The Korean government is rolling up its
sleeves to provide more support for low-
budget, independent art films. They will be
Still shots from low-budget films Two Doors and Grape Candy.
shown at more than 150 cultural and art centers across the country, and they will receive more funding. The Korean Film Council (KOFIC), promoting Korean films by the Ministry of an organization charged with supporting and Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced at a
production cost only KRW 150 million (approx. month with only 15 people on staff. The male in Korea, but not exactly major draws at the
press conference on September 19 that it would the KRW 17 billion today to KRW 50 billion by 2015. KOFIC also announced that it will invest
and female protagonists are quite well-known box office. Actress Jo Min-soo, who played the part of the mother in the film, was soaked in emotion and well-earned pride when she said she was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to hear that the film had been seen by nearly received at the film festival.
Kim Ki-duk poses with the main actors of Pieta at the 69th Venice International Film Festival.
increase the funds it manages for art films from
managed to sell 1,000 tickets nationwide since popular actors and actresses including Park Nae-sang and received the Artreon Award Womens Film Festival in Seoul last year.
its premiere on September 6, though it features Jin-hee, Park Ji-yoon, Kim Jeong-nan, and Ahn and Audience Award at the 13th International
heavily in films that are produced on budgets of less than KRW 2 billion. In fact, Pieta received KRW 400 million from the councils art film fund for marketing and promotion. KOFIC
600,000 Korean movie-goers and was so well
Produced on a stringent budget of KRW 200 million, the film was first screened in more than 20 theaters, but in the second week the each. This cold reception at home contrasts markedly with its myriad invitations from
th
has primarily invested in films that are in the
making or are already made, but it now plans
culture. Kims winning the Leone dOro has shaken both to their very foundations.
STERN CHALLENGES AHEAD
to invest more at the stage of ideation in order to
Those involved in the Korean movie industry believe that Kims Pieta not only raised the stature of Korean movies globally but also
number was below ten with one show a day
facilitate the realization of creative ideas into real stage funds from the current KRW 36 billion to KRW 70 billion by the end of 2015. The councils support program for the
films. To this end, the council will grow the early
LOW-BUDGET FILMS WHIP UP A STORM of the worlds movie-goers and critics because right. However, nobody could be assured that the Korean film would succeed in Korea, and happen.
Kim believed that Pieta would arrest the hearts
posed stern challenges to them, considering
the film was so Korean, and he turned out to be
what the low-budget film has achieved. Voices demanding the diversification of the Korean film market are getting louder.
international film festivals. Grape Candy has Film Festival (October) and the competition section of the Tokyo FILMeX, a film festival films (November).
been invited to the 28 Warsaw International
production of independent films will be more substantially funded next year to provide support for more films. The budget will grow from this years KRW 700 million to KRW 1.2 films will benefit, about ten more than the 40 films this year. billion next year, and more than 50 independent
many were watching closely to see what would The film premiered in Korea on September 6,
films will receive more interest and support
Kim also expresses his hope that independent
aimed at the promotion of Asian independent The documentary film Two Doors addresses
from the Korean movie industry. Many of the now work with major studios worked on lowsays Kim. We were all poor and hungry, but
attracting some 200,000 movie-goers in eight the breaking-even point, in ten days. It then that he would end the theatrical run of the film on October 3 in order to honor his
famous directors and actors and actresses who budget, independent films with me years ago, full of passion. Thinking of the Korean movie
a tragedy that happened in January 2009, in
days nationwide. The number rose to 300,000, surpassed 500,000 in 18 days, and Kim declared
the process of evicting residents from an area slated for redevelopment in Yongsan, central Seoul. Kim Il-gwon, head of the distributor of the film, feels the bitter reality of independent films in Korea once again as the 72,000 tickets sold are widely viewed as a mark of unexpected success.
enjoy independent films and art films, the 14
In order to help people living in remote areas
regional video media centers and more than 150 municipal cultural and art centers throughout the country will be used as theaters for such films.
industry of a century later, investors and movie theaters should give low-budget, independent
39
SUmmit diPlomACy
take the lead in global green growth efforts ranging from financing and strategies to technologies, with both the Global Green
Growth Institution (GGGI) and the Green
Technology Center (GTC) located in the nation. SOUTH KOREA JOINS UNITED NATIONS
THE SECOND TIME
SECURITY COUNCIL FOR
On October 19, 2012, South Korea won a nonCouncil (UNSC) for the second time since it begin in January 2013.
permanent seat on the United Nations Security joined the UN in 1991. The two-year term will The UNSC consists of five veto-wielding
permanent members including the U.S., UK, permanent members with two-year terms. The council is responsible for maintaining
France, China, and Russia and ten elected non-
international peace and security and has the
South Korea Paves the Way for Success in International Diplomacy

This October, South Korea celebrated two major international triumphs, the hosting of the headquarters of the United Nations Green Climate Fund and joining the United Nations Security Council, as well as meeting the president of Myanmar to forge economic ties. by Julianna Chung
power to set up peacekeeping operations,
implement economic sanctions, and authorize military action that threatens global peace or Korea is expected to have a stronger voice on the UNSCs sanctions. engages in acts of aggression. As such, South North Korea security issues that are subject to South Korea became a UN member state
reciprocate President Lee Myung-baks visit to Naypyidaw in May. During his visit, the Myanmar leader
The GCF will launch the official secretariat in Songdo next year.
expressed great interest in learning from Seouls development history. The first place he visited in Korea was the Central Training Institute of Saemaul Undong, which focuses on training foreign officials in charge of the agricultural
at the same time as North Korea in 1991 and served as a non-permanent member on the UNSC for 1996-1997. South Korea held the
th
sector and modernizing rural villages. Sein also visited the STX shipyard in Jinhae and had a soo to discuss business cooperation in areas meeting with STX Group Chairman Kang Duksuch as energy development, power generation, and shipbuilding. STX Group is one of South Koreas major industrial business groups.
Myanmar President Thein Sein met President Lee Myung-bak to build economic relations between the two countries.
outh Korea hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Green Climate Fund.
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference to December 7.
First proposed in 2009 and established in
be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 26 to It is said President Lee Myung-bak played an
Presidency of the 56 Session of the General Assembly in 2001. In 2006, former Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon was elected as the 2011.
December 2011, the 190-member Green Climate Fund (GCF) aims to help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight problems associated with climate change. The by 2020.
extensive role in winning this bid. He placed
Secretary-General of the UN and re-elected in The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
phone calls to other heads of state in the run-up been Lees key initiative from the start of his presidency.
GCF is projected to reach above USD 100 billion On October 20, 2012, the 24 board members
to a GCF board meeting. Green growth has also
stated the results of the election reflect the
Sein agreed to launch negotiations to forge an investment guarantee pact between the two countries to lay the foundation for greater a framework agreement on grant aid.
On October 9, President Lee and President
international community's high expectations for South Korea with the country's past efforts and contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and world peace.
of the GCF voted for Songdo International Business District in Incheon as its the
of the GCF in Bonn will move to a 33-story
Starting next February, the temporary bureau
economic cooperation. The two sides also signed About three times the size of the Korean
headquarters. Korea beat strong competitors
building in Songdo that is being built specifically for use by international organizations. Using 15 floors of the building, the GCF secretariat will launch next year. By hosting the GCF secretariat, Korea will
such as Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Mexico, and Namibia for the seat. The selection will be endorsed at the UN Framework Convention
Myanmar President Thein Sein made a three-
TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC TIES
SOUTH KOREA AND MYANMAR AGREE
Peninsula, Myanmar has one of the worlds of iron ore, zinc, nickel, and other mineral an emerging market for investors.
largest natural gas reserves and big deposits resources. The resource-rich nation is viewed as
day visit to Seoul from October 8 to 10, 2012, to
41
gloBAl KoREA
EMPOWERING THE KOREA BRAND
The landscape of the broadcasting industry in
gugak (Korean traditional music) from a novel perspective, and Rock on! Korea, which shows the footsteps rock music has taken in Korea. Talk shows on Korea such as Heart to Heart, INNERview, and Insight are also popular. FORWARD-LOOKING
Korea in the mid-1990s was already beginning satellite broadcasting. Back then, the demand for a channel to promote the country across the world reached a fevered pitch, leading to the establishment of the Korea International Broadcasting Foundation in April 1996. In March 1997, Arirang TV launched a
to transform with the introduction of cable and
The Korea International Broadcasting
Foundation has invested in its equipment for years in order to incorporate high-definition (HD) technology into its broadcasting system in tandem with the convergence of broadcasting and communication and the accelerating transition of broadcasting from analogue to HD TV services by the end of this year.
domestic cable TV channel, and in August
1999, it embarked on overseas broadcasting
for the Asia-Pacific region. In September 2000, it established a true global reach by sending In January 2012, the Korea International signals to Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Broadcasting Foundation launched a channel named Korea Today through Sirius XM Radio, an American satellite radio platform that has
1
digital technology. Arirang will start providing The foundation is also keen to air the same
content through multiple channels via social
more than 200 paid channels and 22.5 million
networking services (which are being fervently embraced as a new type of media) and smart phones. In particular, on the four YouTube channels (YouTube Arirang World, YouTube
subscribers in all 50 US states. The foundation companies in 50 countries to boost bilateral exchange.
has also inked agreements with 76 broadcasting
Arirang News, YouTube Arirang Korean, and more than 4,000 videos which are enjoyed
YouTube Korea Today), Arirang has uploaded by more than 140,000 subscribers around the
Reaching 100 Million Homes
COMPETITIVE CONTENT
ArirAng TV
G
Foundation has achieved many important feats. It has been the main broadcasting company for the overseas promotion of major international events including the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit and the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.
world. Smartphone users can watch and listen
to Arirang TV & RADIO programs by installing
1 Arirang News has been sending Koreas perspective across the world for the last 16 years. 2 Arirang TV news program department. Staffs are busy with delivering Korean news to all around the world.
The Korea International Broadcasting Foundation was founded in 1996 to promote Korea to foreigners at home and abroad. Arirang TV now has a worldwide viewer base of over 100 million homes. by Yang In-sil / photographs by Lee Min-hui
overnments around the world are heavily promoting their countries through the Broadcasting Foundation reported that 103
Its crews have accompanied top leaders to cover their diplomatic activities at the APEC, G8, and OECD summits. It also produced and aired
media, and the competition between them is
million homes in 188 countries, or more than 330 million viewers around the world, were watching Arirang TV.
programs on national policies and international issues. The two flagship English programs of Arirang are Arirang News (a news show that
fierce. They capitalize on global broadcasting in their interest and improve their national
channels in order to lead international opinion image. Some of the examples of national media outlets are France 24 (France), Russia Today (Russia), CCTV News (China), and NHK World (Japan). Koreas leading counterpart is Arirang TV.
that reaches more than 100 million homes
Now that Korea has a broadcasting channel
has broadcast Korean perspectives on current events to the world for the past 16 years) and Korea Today (a live news magazine program that gives a glimpse into todays Koreaits
around the world, it can better promote its
culture and spread news about Korea. Global
fans of Hallyu, or the Korean wave, can more
economy, industrial trends, cultural trends, and more). Showbiz Korea, Pops in Seoul, and Simply K-Pop are all must-see programs for Hallyu fans note include The Sensation, a music program on
easily hear the latest news about their favorite Korean stars and see more of their shows and performances.
In October this year, the Korea International
at home and abroad. Other Arirang programs to
43
gloBAl KoREA
flAvoR
app developed by Arirang.
Foundation plans to develop programs for all quality through a program assessment
CHANNElS to viEW ARiRANg

Country Singapore Japan Hong Kong UAE France Germany Italy Spain United States Brazil Argentina Chile Service Provider StarHub Inter Local TV I-Cable DU(TELCOM) Canal Plus Kabel BW Sky Italia Digital Plus KXLA(LA) WRNN(New York) TV Coreia do Brasil Cablevision&Multicanal GTD manquehue
kinds of viewers and improve its broadcasting system and surveys on the effectiveness of its broadcasting. It seems that you may get your hopes high for Arirang as a promoter of the Korea brand and a window through which global villagers look into Korea.
Yukgaejang
Spicy Beef Soup

This spicy soup is a mix of beef, gosari (bracken fern), spring onions, and oyster mushrooms simmered together for a long time in a beef brisket broth. With white rice, it is the perfect hearty meal for a chilly day in November. Yukgaejang is also a popular summer time dish for
TALKING ABOUT ARIRANG
SOHN JIE-AE, CEO OF ARIRANG We wonder what changes you are making to Arirang as a young and energetic female CEO perspectives. with your leadership and I worked as a CNN
broadcasting only in French, but after the
Gulf War, it established France 24, an English more loudly in the international community. The success of Al Jazeera, the Arabic broadcaster, is very telling. The age of the
days (the three days of the Lunar calendar that mark the heat, which means control and soothe heat with more the heat is rejuvenating and cools down the body.
enduring the sultry, oppressive chobok, jungbok, and malbok
channel, in order to make Frances voices heard
hottest days of summer). Like the saying fight heat with heat, it is believed that eating hot soup and sweating from To make yukgaejang, beef brisket is boiled in water for
absolute power of Western media has gone. In the world watch the CCTV English channel of and Japan to establish FTAs and the issues
order to hear Asian perspectives, people around China. In light of the mad dash by Korea, China, like Dokdo, we shouldnt simply sit back and of the world through news and programs on
at least an hour. The liquid is set aside as broth, and the boiled beef is torn into small pieces and seasoned with chili powder, light soy sauce, sesame oil, chopped garlic,
correspondent for 15
and spring onions. The seasoned beef is added to the broth with julienned spring onions, gosari, and mushrooms and boiled until all the ingredients are well cooked.
by Chung Da-young photographs by Lee Jae-hui food & styling by Kim Young-bin
years and served as a spokesperson for the Presidential Committee
watch, but communicate with the other parts Korea, including Hallyu. By doing so, Arirang will cement its status as the major promotion channel for Korea.
for the G-20 Summit in Seoul. In doing so, I
developed my own opinions and knowhow
in promoting Korea through the media. Since I took office, Ive addressed a range of issues through communication with employees. We have bolstered its function to convey current events news and information in order to better Were also reinforcing our K-culture programs including an innovative gugak show and a K-pop programs. program about Korean rock music as well as
Tell us why peopleKoreans and non-
Koreans alikeMUST watch Arirang TV?
fulfill the fundamental raison-dtre of Arirang.
What are the unique merits of Arirang TV? Korea is rising in stature in the international community diplomatically, economically, and culturally. This is a strong enough reason for everyone to take note of Korea. Arirang TV is community can look into Korea. It is also an effective vehicle for Korea to promote itself to the worlds since Arirang has produced broadcasting content for foreigners for the
like a window through which the international
You said Arirang TV will take the lead in the diplomatic competition among nations in the media to represent Korea. What roles do you envision for Arirang TV? What do you hope Arirang TV will achieve internationally? The international competitors today include Russia Today, NHK World, CCTV News, and many more. France had long clung to
past 16 years. A range of programs on Arirang TV are useful means for foreigners in Korea and abroad to learn about the nation. Arirang TV has the best experience and knowhow in the unique strength of Arirang TV. making Korea known to the world, and thats
45
my KoREA
AuTumn SceneS of JeollAnAm-do

Jeollanam-do, the southwest of Korea, is full of beautiful attractions and scenic spots to enjoy all year round. But it is during the autumn months when you can appreciate the true beauty of this region. Derek Stelma thought so too as he journeyed to Hwaeomsa Temple and Suncheonman Bay last November.
by Derek Stelma / illustrations by Yoon Joo-ya
N Seoul Tower, Cheonggyecheon Stream,
heres no shortage of great tourist
attractions in the greater Seoul area.
and must see attractions. Two of the stops and highlights of the trip were Hwaeomsa Temple and Suncheonman Bay. Hwaeomsa Temple is located inside Jirisan
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Kimchi Museum, a few to name. If youre someone that enjoys of the countryside, then perhaps you should and Suncheonman Bay in Jeollanam-do. In locations.
and the Myeongdong shopping district are just the peace, quiet, uniqueness, and pure beauty consider paying a visit to Hwaeomsa Temple November last year, I had a chance to visit both My trip down south was all part of a trip to produce an episode of a program called of the many programs Korea Top 10. Korea Top 10 is one produced by Arirang TV.
Mountain National Park which is located in
Jeollanam-do. The main temple of the Jogye
Order of Korean Buddhism, it was originally Unfortunately, the temple was burned down it has been rebuilt and undergone several
constructed during the Silla Kingdom in 544. during the Imjin War in the 1590s. Since then renovations. Some parts of the temple area
were under renovation when I visited. Ive been to several Buddhist temples throughout Korea, but Hwaeomsa Temple stood out to me more than others. Hwaeomsa Temple doesnt have the largest marble statue of Buddha that can be found at Seokguram in Gyeongsangnam-
stops were made along the way for famous
places where one can ride a bike in Korea,
While the main focus was based on
was bicycle tours in Korea.
The theme of the episode
do, nor is it the largest Buddhist temple in all
of Asia like the Yakcheonsa Temple that can be found on Jejudo Island, but it does offer a very unique arrangement and overall layout and beauty that other temples just dont have. Upon entering the temple area, one will
notice that the layout is very similar to a giant staircase. As you make your way towards the inside and back part of the temple area, you On each of the levels are buildings, statues, continue to go up level after level after level. and monuments. Over the past several years, much of the temple area and buildings have been renovated and restored, giving it all a very are available for people who want to experience the life of a Buddhist. Moreover, one can also sample the green tea that grows wildly in the area surrounding the temple. I had the honor
fresh new look. Like other temples, temple stays
47
my KoREA
lEARN KoREAN
Hello, THis is naoko.
Have you ever called a friend in Korean? Lets call and answer the phone in Korean!
A: . B: . ?
Hello? yeoboseyo.
A: , . ?
Hello, is this a Yeong-sus home? annyeonghaseyo. yeongsune jibijyo?

B: .
Yes, it is. May I ask who is calling? ne, geureondeyo. nuguseyo?

A: , .
This is Naoko, Yeong-sus friend. jeoneun yeongsu chingu naokoindeyo.

?
Yes, hold on a second, please. ne, jamsiman gidariseyo.
May I speak to Yeong-su? yeongsu bakkwo jusigedtsseoyo?
and privilege to have a cup of tea and a nice conversation with Monk Moon. All of these other Buddhist temples in Korea. things make Hwaeomsa Temple stand out from If you are a bird- and nature-lover then
spotted at Suncheonman Bay. To get up close and personal, wooden walking paths have been constructed inside the reed fields which allow visitors to see and feel all of the reeds. The reeds, bay, mountains, and wildlife offer
-()/ -()/ has the effect of making the sentence sound a little softer than - or - when explaining the situation. Its also used when the speaker expects a response from the listener. - is attached to the adjective stem ending in a consonant, and is attached to the adjective stem ending in a vowel. - is attached to the verb stem, /.
more formal -/ I want to know. algo sipsseumnida * Yes, it is. geureosseumnida He is not in now. jigeum an gyesimnida more informal -/ I want to know. algo sipeoyo Yes, it is. geuraeyo He is not in now. jigeum an gyeseyo softer -()/ I want to know. algo sipeundeyo Yes, it is. geureondeyo He is not in now. jigeum an gyesineundeyo
Suncheonman Bay located in Jeollanam-do is

ABoUt tHE WRitER
Derek Stelma is a Korean American born to a Korean mother and American father. He originally came to Korea in 2008 to study Korean and teach English. For two years he taught at a small English academy in Seoul and is currently finishing his second year of teaching at Chung-Ang University. Last year he began doing small roles as a reporter working with several broadcast networks and has also made several cameo appearances in Korean dramas. Next year he hopes to do more work as a reporter and an actor.
a must-see. Before entering Suncheonman Bay, youll first walk through an ecological park full of trees and grass. As an American I truly
photographers excellent opportunities to take a drama or movie.
pictures fit for paintings and scenes right out of I rode with the Korea Top 10 main producer
enjoyed that sight, as trees, grass, and lakes are some of the things I miss the most about home and Suncheonman Bay helped cure a little of that homesickness. Suncheonman Bay is most famous for the huge reed fields that surround that migrate to that area. The whole area is a the bay and also for the large number of birds large wetland that covers almost 5,500 acres.
and cameraman in a car together, though
there are several means of transportation that one can take south to Jeollanam-do. Highway buses are readily available that depart both from Gangnam Central City and Dong Seoul to Suncheon can also be taken from both
Bus Terminal roughly every 20 minutes. Trains Yeongdeungpo and Yongsan stations. Bus rides to Suncheon will take approximately four and take roughly three to four and a half hours a half hours, while train rides to Suncheon will depending on whether you take the KTX or
* Some verb or adjective that ends in dont go by a regular conjugation rule. When adjective are followed by an ending beginning with a vowel, is delete.
Boat rides are available and will allow you to
Lets practice
Lets call your friends home as the upper conversation

To Yeong-su yeongsuege To Mi-ra miraege
take in the beautiful sites of the reed fields, bay, surrounding mountains, and migrating birds. Due to the abundant resources of food and droves.
proximity to the sea, birds flock to this area in According to one park guide, on any
Mugunghwa. The next time you visit Korea, you may want to consider getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience the peace, quiet, uniqueness, and sheer beauty that to offer. Hwaeomsa Temple and Suncheonman Bay have
Naoko
given day, one can see up to 400 birds in
Suncheonman Bay area. Several species of birds including herrings, ducks, and cranes can all be
Yeong-sus father yeongsu abeoji
Chris
Mi-ras mother mira eomeoni
49
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KOREA (2012 VOL.8 No.11)

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november 2012 vol.8 no.11

Healthy and Tasty

12 Pen & brush the Sound of thunder by Kim Joo-young

16 People Spokesman for Korea Seo Kyung-duk

20 Great Korean Great Scholar and Calligrapher Kim Jeong-hui

22 Seoul a Walk through Koreas Cultural heritage Jeongdong-gil

26 Travel Lanterns Glittering on the Water Jinju

30 festival the hi Seoul Festival 2012

32 Now in Korea bus tour package for Foreigners K-Shuttle

34 Sports a hope for Korean Womens Volleyball Yang hyo-jin

40 Summit Diplomacy paves the Way for Success in International Diplomacy

42 Global Korea Reaching 100 million homes arirang tV

45 flavor Yukgaejang Spicy beef Soup

46 My Korea autumn Scenes of Jeollanam-do

49 Learn Korean hello, this is naoko.

Healthy and Tasty

2 korea november 2012

titled "Kimchi: Korea's affordable

im Carmen of The Washington

Post wrote an article about kimchi

once but twice. Kimchi is believed to vegetable dish.

be the worlds only double-fermented Lets follow the process of making

the most common type of kimchi.

First, kimchi cabbage and radishes

yogurt, Indian lentils, and Japanese

rinsed, a process that gets rid of many

the sauce called kimchi yangnyeom to

ingredients of kimchi are

fresh vegetables like kimchi

and a variety of minerals, so it elasticity.

slows aging and improves skin Kimchi also helps counter

obesity and hypertension. The Rural Development

Administration of Korea and

through the vegetables, harmful

yangnyeom and garnishes percolates

progresses, what oozes out of the

the yangnyeom for better

massaged to evenly distribute

cabbage and radishes are then

according to their kimchi intake and

Kimchi is welcomed around the

in kimchi number more than 200,

LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

and the major lactic acid bacterium

What makes kimchi so healthy? It is

have tried to create their own versions

explain the sudden popularity kimchi

recently come to light including its

4 korea november 2012

by Yi Gyu-bo (1168-1241), Dongguk

affection for the country when he

admitted that he was a kimchi-lover.

eat kimchi every day. I think Ive eaten

vegetables in winter, so when autumn

in early winter, the whole process in

Although the gimjang kimchi was made

fact covered the entire year. Koreans

The custom of gimjang is still alive,

enjoyed explosive popularity in New

York City this year, tweets its location

lifestyle has changed. Not as many

the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New