Professional Documents
Culture Documents
JANUARY 2011
JANUARY 2011
GANGWON-DO
ENJOY A SNOW-WHITE WINTER SONATA
HOPE OF A NATION
KOREAN SPORTING SUCCESS BREEDS A NEW GENERATION OF PRODIGIES
KOREA’S
CRAFTS
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JANUARY 2011 VOL. 7 NO. 1
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COVER STORY
KOREA’S
CRAFTS:
OLD
ⓒ DesignHouse Inc. / Tongyeong City; Millennium Jeonju ONN Brand Agency; DesignHouse Inc. / Tongyeong City; DesignHouse Inc. / Tongyeong City; DesignHouse
Inc. / Tongyeong City; Kim Nam-heon; Kim Nam-heon; Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (clockwise from top left); Millennium Jeonju ONN Brand Agency (left)
AND
NEW
In the modern world, the element of
traditional culture that has remained closest
to our daily lives is crafts. As a form of
traditional culture, craft proves its value not
by merely being handed down through
generations, but by reinventing itself as
something relevant in the lives of people
today. Times have changed enormously
and people’s desires vary more than ever,
original but by adapting while maintaining
their spirit, traditional crafts remain a living,
breathing link to Korea’s history. by Lee Se-mi
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well as architectural techniques learned traditional crafts are ceramic craft (earthen-
through building temples, also laid the ware and roof tiles); metal craft (using gold,
groundwork for traditional crafts. silver and other metals to produce tools and
Crafts became important instruments of decorate surfaces); woodcraft (the construc-
statehood, so governments established tion of buildings, furniture and instru-
institutions that created masters. Crafts ments); stone craft; textile craft (weaving
centered around the needs of nobility flour- fabric or making clothes and accessories);
ished during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), leather craft (using animal skins or feathers);
when highly artistic ceramic crafts and and paper craft, which either produces paper
Najeonchilgi (lacquerwork inlaid with or decorates objects with paper.
mother-of-pearl) came to the fore. When the Each niche craft has its masters, including
Joseon Dynasty took power, pragmatism sculptors who decorate the surface of
became more important. Decorative items metallic objects, woodwork masters who
took a back seat to white porcelain, make large frames for construction, cobblers
Buncheongsagi celadon and other straightfor- who craft traditional shoes, and masters in
ward and practical goods. the art of making works of jade.
Crafts mirror the times they are created in. If People we now call “masters” are the first
you want to know more about any given ART FOR LIFE Today, Korea has 50 designated generation of intangible cultural properties
period, all you need to do is look at work traditional crafts in seven broader categories, in craftwork. Even throughout Korea’s
produced from that era. If crafts refer to the with experts in those fields recognized as tumultuous modern history, they were able
skills from which objects are made, tradition jangin or “masters.” However, the term jangin to keep their crafts alive.
can be thought of as the cultural body of doesn’t simply imply a high degree of skill at During Japan’s colonial rule and in the
work created from such skills. building things: it also suggests admiration Cho Chung-ik, a master fan aftermath of the liberation in August 1945,
Traditional crafts develop according to for someone who has made it to an artistic maker, demonstrates his craft Korea’s traditional crafts and craftspeople
(above left). One of Cho’s work
each historical environment. In the level unreachable by others. A master is an Hwangchildanseon fan, also faced constant upheaval. Rapid industrializa-
known as Banggubuchae, is
prehistoric age, crafts developed out of artist who breathes life into craftworks. made of bamboo and hanji
tion brought Western technologies and
necessity, with our ancestors using natural In Korea, artistic activities or skills that paper (left). Cho’s Taegeukseon fashions, which often threatened to over-
fan includes the traditional
materials to make most of the tools they have great historical, artistic or academic Korean symbol, yin and yang whelm traditional crafts completely. Through
needed in their everyday lives. They used clay value have since the 1960s been designated as (top). Cho’s Mugunghwaseon it all, the old masters dedicated their lives to
fan imitates Korea’s national
to make plates, knitted grass to make clothes, intangible cultural properties. Such are flower, Mugunghwa (above). continuing their craft and passing it down to
and cut wood to build homes. divided into state- younger generations. They faced enormous
During Korea’s Bronze and Iron ages, designated hardship, and many simply gave up or
with metal readily available, people started “important turned their hand to more commercial
making accessories and weapons, too. intangible pursuits. And even now, decades later, just
Weapons were for hunting, but they also cultural making a living remains a major challenge
served to symbolize the holder’s status. It properties” for many traditional craftspeople.
was during this era that crafts began to and “intan- Cho Chung-ik, a master of traditional fan
assume true artistic value. gible cultural making, became an intangible cultural prop-
Crafts blossomed during Korea’s dynastic properties,” erty of Jeollabuk-do Province in 1998. He
times, as nations emerged and governments which are began making his fans, adorned with taegeuk
ⓒ Millennium Jeonju ONN Brand Agency
assumed more power. Buddhist culture decided by (the yin-yang) patterns similar to those on
started to take root in people’s lives as well, municipal or the Korean flag, in the 1970s. Today, the fans
exerting a great influence on the develop- provincial govern- are renowned for their beauty and unfailing
ment of crafts. Crowns, earrings and other ments. Sometimes, practicality, and are a constant presence at
accessories that represented the authority of they are also called major events promoting Korean culture.
the royal palace were developed. Buddhist “human cultural assets.” Cho’s work Yunseon fan, Cho says his fans are “the roots of our
a wheel-like shape made of
temple bells and other religious artifacts, as The seven state-designated bamboo on display. people and the faces of Korea.” The fans
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“Cultural art is about creating beauty. A mas-
ter is an artist. The job is to delight people
and to create something new.”
When we say that crafts reflect their times,
it means that craftspeople have to respond to
what people need and want. Today, as in any
other age, crafts must be reborn to reflect the
modern world. Tradition isn’t static, nor is it
built over a short period of time.
ⓒ Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (top); Millennium Jeonju ONN Brand Agency (middle, right)
technique of carving the stone (above).
maintaining the true spirit of his artistry. Korean knot full of layered patterns and There’s hardly any young people who want to body, with strings likely to be left out of studios in the Bukchon region of Seoul are
Bamboo and hanji (traditional paper) are and beautiful color by Kim Hee-jin, a learn traditional crafts. Those who do come position. A computer drill is far more accu- offering various programs year-round for
master of Korean knot (below).
the main materials for fan making, though don’t last more than a couple of months. rate, keep the body intact and saving time. In Koreans and foreign tourists alike. By
silk can be used as well. About 80 to 90 bam- They have to be determined to learn tradi- order to ensure precision and efficiency, the crafting pieces there, visitors gain a genuine
boo ribs are used in creating a taegeuk pat- tional culture but since this doesn’t pay well, modern craftsman have to find the right affinity with traditional culture.
tern, and the peacock fan, which uses an they can’t stay on for too long. Craft is art. blend of machine and traditional handiwork. Elsewhere, masters have collaborated with
astonishing 8,000 bamboo ribs, takes any- You can’t apply economic theories to that.” With the recent growth in interest in all contemporary artists, and architecture or
where between one and six months to make. In the past, fans were indispensable during things traditional, Korea’s old-time crafts are industrial design majors have offered designs
Despite his own success, Cho is worried summer. But with air conditioners and looking as vibrant as they have done for to intangible cultural properties from the
that no one will follow him into the taegeuk electric fans around, traditional fans are now some time. Traditional craftworks are on regions. In their own ways, these
ⓒ Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation
fan craft after he dies. Pay can be very low recognized primarily for their aesthetic value. show all over Korea, and if you’re so inclined, are all examples of
and the future is always uncertain, so govern- So in order to preserve the tradition of fan- you can sign up for lectures or experience tradition
ment support is often needed to keep crafts making, Cho says, creativity and change are programs. Aside from exhibitions, craftworks
such as Cho’s alive. For Cho, making fans absolutely vital. can be found in art shops, department stores
requires dedication to a notion of eternal “What’s important is the creativity. On the or duty free shops in the form of small sou-
beauty, even at the cost of tremendous foundation of pride in our traditions, we venirs right the way up to pricey luxuries.
personal hardship. This is an outlook that, in have to keep creating new pieces,” he says. But even these products don’t guarantee
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08 2011 2011 09
modifying to meet the needs of a different picture of the future of Korean craft as
time. Last October, the Seolhwa Cultural reflected in its essence. Visitors could take a
Exhibition displayed a series of look at craftworks and also purchase handi-
items that combined traditional works at an affordable price, while listening
elements with the work of industrial to masters’ first-hand account of their
designer Mah Young-beom. Cho production. It was a real chance for the
Dae-yong, a master who makes public to get closer to crafts.
bamboo blinds, displayed a piece
that connected optical fibers and bamboo. THE CRAFT OF SOFTWARE In Korea,
Kim Hwan-gyeong, a master of lacquerwork, biennales and festivals offer opportunities for
drew modern patterns on Joseon-era wooden people to get in touch with traditional crafts.
furniture. Song Bang-woong, a master The World Ceramic Biennale, held every
specializing in mother of pearl, made a other year in Gyeonggi-do Province, is the
cosmetics chest with mother-of-pearl pasted largest crafts event devoted to ceramics.
on to metal instead of wooden plate. And Potters from around the world flock to the
Yoon Byung-hoon, a bamboo master, built a show to exchange skills and ideas. The big
Designer Jeong Seok-yeon’s cabinet with tiny cut pieces of black bamboo. increase of these regional festivals in recent
pencil case and measuring tape
are made of wood, reminiscent When they went on display, these utterly years means people can now experience
of tradional Korean craftwork.
(above). Jeong’s furniture art-
unique handiworks by the six masters caused traditional crafts virtually anywhere.
work Sabangtakja table (below a minor sensation. In order to tap into modern consumer
left). Sabangtakja tables,
designed by Kim baek-seon and Crafts, which had long been considered markets — rather than just appeal to rich
made by Jo Seok-jin, produced merely decorative, are increasingly reclaim- collectors or tourists — it’s vital for crafts to
using traditional skills in a
modern style (below right). ing their practical roots, too. While the adopt innovative approaches to sales. Many
Seolhwa Cultural Exhibition mostly show- have tried to take traditional crafts overseas,
cased hardware decorated with traditional but they lacked design or marketing
crafts, the 2010 Craft Trend Fair, which held strategies to compete in the modern global
its fifth show in December last year, aimed to market. One big success, however, is
display the very latest trends in traditional 212Design, which has set up shop in the
and modern crafts. Under the theme “Next Soho of New York. To crack foreign markets,
Craftsmanship — Change from Succession this design company used traditional crafts
to Application,” the exhibition presented a and techniques such as balwoo (bowls for
Buddhist monks) and Najeonchilgi to create
contemporary products.
The Internet has played an important role
in modern craft, and designing and dyeing
have relied heavily on computer program-
ming. Other prime examples of the old using
the new are online exhibitions and online
shopping malls for traditional crafts.
Today, there are many signs that tradition-
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COVER STORY
than just looking at them, makes you experience program is especially popular 1. TRADITIONAL KNOTTING
among foreigners. Hong Gwang-hee, who > Place Haneul Mulbit Studio ed. When a typhoon passes through, a huge
appreciate them all the more. And (Bukchon Cultural Center or
runs the program, says, “In patchwork, number of persimmons accumulate on the
throughout Korea, there’s the opportu- depending on fabric and colors, you can
Jeongdok Public Library
ground, with many going to waste. Then
depending on how many
nity to do just that in a series of craft make a whole range of different products, people sign up) many years ago, Cheongdo native Kim Jong-
shops that show you how to make tradi- so it is never boring.” > Address 23 Gahoe-dong, baek started picking up these persimmons to
tional pottery, knotting, embroidery and It takes up to three months to make a
Jongno-gu, Seoul
> Information +82 10 9155 use as the source of dyes. When farmers
dyeing. This firsthand experience with complete patchwork, so the one-day program 6352 (Reservations required) worried about wasted persimmons, Kim
traditional craftworks, no matter how lets visitors make a hand mirror or a brooch. > Fees 40,000 won (US$36)
for three hours
would teach them how to dye using unripe
brief, will open the door to a far greater The process begins with picking three or four > Items Necklaces,
ones. It was such a success that Kim made a
understanding of the artistry, practical colors of cloth, through the design, then the bracelets living out of it, and in 1998, he opened his
sewing. All the pieces are ready to go on the own studio, Kkokduseoni.
value and history of these remarkable 2. PATCHWORK
same day, making the visit ideal for tourists Dyeing with persimmon is a simple
pieces. by Lee Se-mi | photographs by Kim Nam-heon passing through.
> Place Haneul Mulbit Studio
process. First, you need to wash a handker-
(Bukchon Cultural Center or
Jeongdok Public Library chief or a piece of cloth in water and dry it in
depending on how many
NATURAL DYEING One traditional craftwork people sign up)
the sunlight. Then dip the fabric into the
experience program is for natural dyeing. > Information +82 10 3751 persimmon extract, and work it in gently.
Bukchon, in central Seoul, is the best place in Traditional knotting uses round-shaped Rather than using chemical dyes, traditional 7801 (Reservations required) After 10 or 15 minutes, squeeze all the mois-
> Fees 30,000 won (US$27)
the capital to experience traditional Korean braids to create patterns, which are then used Korean dyeing uses elements from nature to for two hours
ture out and hang it on a line to dry. The
culture. Some 20 studios here run programs to make accessories. Knotting was long used create more natural-looking colors. Sources > Items Hand mirrors, color comes to life as it dries under the sun.
in folk painting, traditional paper, kites and in norigae (ornaments for women), belts, for these dyes include persimmon, indigo, brooches The tannins in persimmon leave a brown
much else. Haneul Mulbit, which focuses on pockets and seonchu (fan ornaments) and the walnut and bamboo. They can also be 3. NATURAL
color when dried in sunlight. Different
traditional knotting, dyeing and patchwork, technique has continued to evolve to this day. extracted from red clay and squid ink — so PERSIMMON DYE shades are achieved by first spraying water
is owned by 75-year-old Cho Soo-hyun, a 40- Involving spinning thread, dyeing it and essentially anything with a color. > Place Kkokduseoni Studio onto the dried cloth then drying for four or
> Address 593-1 Yudeung-ri,
year veteran of knotting. Bucking the staid, then tying it into knots, knotting is slow, Cheongdo-gun in Gyeongsangbuk-do Hwayang-eup, Cheongdo-gun,
five days. Repeating this process three to four
highly secretive world of traditional crafts, painstaking work. Becoming an expert takes Province is home to about 30 studios offer- Gyeongsangbuk-do Province times is the only way to get the full range of
Cho has drawn in a new generation of fans at least a couple of years, but just about any- ing programs in natural dyeing. The county > Information +82 54 persimmon colors.
371 6135 (Reservations
with her passion and openness. Today, her one can make something pretty in an hour produces about a quarter of all persimmons required)
Kkokduseoni also has a gallery of products,
son Lucas Hong, a researcher of traditional or two using ready-made thread. consumed in Korea — but nowadays, much > Fees 10,000 won (US$9) displaying clothes, carpets and more. A video
dyeing, and her daughter Hong Gwang-hee, The easiest knotting technique is known as of the crop has another purpose. for two hours; includes shows other dyestuff, such as tea leaves, and
fabrics
who studies traditional patchwork, help their dongsimgyeol. Dongsim means “the same Traditional Korean patchwork art (top). In July 2010, persimmons start falling from chestnut blossoms. Enjoy traditional arts:
A bronze mirror is made with using a > Items Handkerchiefs
mother run the studio. heart,” and signifies that whichever direction traditional quilt technique (above). the trees, and unripe ones are simply discard- they will even color your heart and soul.
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COVER STORY
sors’ sense of aesthetic balance, at a time sculpture and the Japanese one turned into
when they didn’t even have rulers,” he says. painting, Korea’s Najeonchilgi has remained
Song began producing his own, original true to its original form. In its long heyday,
pieces in the 1980s. In 1985, he won awards Najeonchilgi was decorated with symbols of
at the Korea Annual Traditional Handicraft longevity and prosperity and given as gifts to
Art Exhibition and the Tourism and Folk Art envoys and rulers from overseas.
Work Exhibition, the two largest craft shows In the 1960s and ’70s Najeongchilgi was a
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PEN & BRUSH
FINDING FORM
FROM RESIDUE
The substance that best represents sculptor Kim Jong-ku is “black steel powder,” the
residue from cutting steel bar. In Kim’s works, steel powder gathers on a white canvas
to form mountains and oceans on a traditional Korean landscape painting. Video
cameras are installed above the painting, capturing changes in perception as the
audience walks by. A sculptor, photographer and painter, Kim says that “the mind of
an artist should try to express his own artistic philosophy using as many languages
possible, irrespective of genre.” by Bang Geum-suk | photographs by Kim Nam-heon
16
KOREA
JANUARY
2011
says. “As I recognized the worth of the steel powder, I was able
Steel powder paintings are produced using material collected during the transition
from steel to powder (top). He creates his own style by showing different views
(above). Artist Kim Jong-ku writes poetic inscriptions on his work (opposite).
Kim Jong-ku
were truly extraordinary: Among many other experiences, he anxiety and energy alive 24 hours a day is the best way to
met Mother Teresa and imbibed of the spirit of Gandhi, establish your own artistic philosophy.
thereby learning the amazing power of altruism and nonre- The Grinding Project, another of Kim’s best-known works,
sistance in response to even the harshest of circumstances. turns the actual process of carving steel bar into a work of
Kim’s work the man, on display on the Gwangalli beach in art. Kim is now preparing similar displays for exhibitions in
Busan, is one of the works of his “the boxer” series that aims Korea and the United Kingdom, where he will carve pictures
to express the deceptively powerful spirit of nonresistance. and messages into a tank as spectators look on.
Kim has also imbued the work with a sense of humor by
installing a microscope, so visitors can see one of his largest A NEVERENDING STORY, A GRINDING PROJECT Steel is
works from the smallest possible perspective. one of the strongest substances in the world and is also
Rain Tree, a fountain housed in Mapletree Business City, sometimes portrayed as an expression of war. Kim plans to
Singapore, also shows Kim’s poetic sensitivity and the carve representations of fighting and destruction into the
enormous effort he puts into his work. This work was tank, and while the noise and sparks fly, the audience will
inspired by weeping willows on the riverside of the Hangang be able to watch and imbue the performance with the
River, with 70 main water spouts expanding into 600 smaller meaning they feel it conveys.
water spouts. This seemingly impossible creation took 14 Artists continue their careers because they are not satisfied.
months to complete, and called on all Kim’s artistic and Philosophical anguish is like carving steel, where the artist
technical knowledge. carves his own artistic beliefs. Kim’s own anguish means he
Kim is currently working as a professor at the sculpture will never stop undertaking his own artistic experiments. “I
department in Ewha Womans University in Seoul. To his want to give hope to the barren sensitivity of modern man,”
students just starting to learn sculpting, he emphasizes that he says. Without art, Kim seems to be saying, we are no
they must have “passionate speculation.” He also says that different from robots. And that is one trapping of civilization
artists are by nature filled with anxiety, but keeping this that Kim will never tire of fighting.
Kim with steel powder painting at ONE AND J Gallery (top). Mobile Landscape Korean ink-and-brush paintings and calligraphy using steel powder (above).
Installation at Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas (above).
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PEOPLE
AN ARCHITECT
GUIDED BY
HUMANISM
The name Seung H-sang is synonymous with Korean architecture.
He journeyed through an elite course of architectural education,
studying at the Department of Construction Engineering at Seoul
National University and the Vienna University of Technology. In
1989 he established his own architectural firm, “Iroje Architect &
Planners,” and has since gained ever more admirers of his unique
colors and philosophies. by Oh Kyong-yon | photographs by Park Jeong-roh
Architect Seung H-sang says reading is one of the main sources of his inspiration.
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“The Middle East is a charming and exciting locale for discipline that is basically about filling up empty spaces with
architects,” says Seung. “The desert leaves no traces, just like a new buildings? In explaining his ideas, Seung cites the
clear canvas before a picture is drawn. It is like a dream example of the madang (yards) of traditional Korean style
world, a world of fantasy.” housing known as hanok.
However, Seung’s most famous works are in Korea. One of “The Korean madang is a space of undecided emptiness.
his best-known is Subaekdang (1998) in the city of On its own it is just an incomplete and unstable space, but as
Namyangju, whose blueprints now reside in a permanent the inhabitants use the madang for various pursuits the space
collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York is finally complete.”
(MoMA). Other works that depict Seung’s architectural phi- Seung says that another definition of architecture should
losophy — “the art of emptiness,” as he calls it — include be “anti-ecological.” He says, “The characteristics of
Sujoldang (1992), and Welcomm City (2000), both in Seoul. architecture make it work against nature. If I were to insist
on environmental protection in regards to architecture, it “Architecuture is finite and limited. We must be aware that
BUILDING BOOKCITY At present, Seung’s main focus is the would be in terms of architectural structure applications or the structure will eventually collapse even before we embark
Pajubookcity project in Paju, Gyeonggi-do Province. Seung’s sustainable maintenance. Ultimately, however, the industry on a project. However, the land on which the architecture is
involvement gained international attention in the of architecture cannot be harmonized with nature.” It is for raised is infinite and unlimited. The records and tales of the
architectural community because this project wasn’t just a precisely this reason that Seung is so skeptical of current land is what we must focus on.”
structure, but a loosely defined “book city” that had to be trends toward “environment-friendly architecture.” In Seung’s opinion, architectural design is “an addition
conceived and constructed from the ground up. Because he believes that architecture is by nature anti- upon the records written on the land.” Because of this, his
Seung has invested more than 10 years in the project, environmental, Seung has turned his attention to the greatest inspiration is the land and base on which the
which has been a key factor in his being named an Honorary humanistic aspect of sociocultural ecology. structure will be erected. In coming up with plans, he is less
Fellow at the American Institute of Architects and the first
architect to be named Artist of the Year by the National
Museum of Contemporary Art in Korea. Seung also received
Seung H-sang’s architectural boundaries are not confined to considerable acclaim from international architects when he
the national borders of Korea. He was invited to take part at introduced the Pajubookcity project at the Venice Biennale
the 2002 and 2008 Venice Biennale of Architecture, and held of Architecture.
exhibitions at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003, Gallery “The Pajubookcity project is where the publishing
Ma, Tokyo, in 2004, and Aedes East Berlin in 2005. Seung is industry teamed up with architects to create a large-scale,
also taking part in architectural projects around the world, professional space that catered to their needs,” says Seung. “I
notably in Japan, Germany, the United Arab Emirates(UAE), believe that we had almost complete freedom to design the
Malaysia and China. city, as no personal interests or formal concepts were involved
Of all the international projects Seung has participated in, at the outset.”
the “Commune by the Great Wall” project in Beijing was In such a vast, freeflowing project, it was inevitable that
among his most memorable. In a lot near the Great Wall, 12 some ideas simply wouldn’t get off the ground. Seung had
Asian architects worked together on a hotel complex, for envisaged Pajubookcity being a “Slow City,” with speed limits
which Seung designed the main club house and 11 villas. for cars of 20 kilometers per hour. But due to technical issues,
“With the historical architectural marvel of the Great Wall this was never realized.
in the distance, it was a truly unforgettable and worthy At the end of 2010, construction began on a second
experience,” he says. “But it was also very difficult because we Pajubookcity project near the original site, but Seung
were building a hotel on top of a mountain. Nonetheless, it himself isn’t involved. When asked who is handling that one,
was tremendously exciting to experience the Chinese archi- Seung is reserved, saying only that a younger architect far
tectural scene which is quite different from that of Korea.” more talented than he was in charge.
Another memorable undertaking was the Guggenheim
Abu Dhabi project located on Saadiyat Island, just off the AIMING FOR AN INCONVENIENT LIFESTYLE Seung has
coast of Abu Dhabi. The project enlisted the talents of a articulated his “art of emptiness” concept in works such as
veritable who’s who of the architectural world, including Beauty of Poverty (1996) and Structuring Emptiness (2005).
Jean Nouvel and Frank Gehry. But why does Seung turn “emptiness” into a virtue in a
Seung’s tools for drawing blueprints (top). A building minature (above). Seung draws a rough sketch on a yellow tracing paper (top). He works at his
company’s office, Iroje, designed by himself (above).
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GWANGJU DESIGN BIENNALE 2011 Seung laid out his plans The theme was chosen to simultaneously convey “When I visit ruins of old chogajip (traditional Korean
and tasks for this year at the beginning of 2010. Last March, traditional Asian values and new visions of design at the house where the roof is made from reeds and straw) and
he accepted the general manager’s position for Gwangju heart of major civilizational changes. Seung cites the hanok, they are utterly empty,” he says. “This is because the
Design Biennale 2011, which will be held from September 2 weakening of designer brand concepts and power as a structures were built from 100% natural materials like clay
through October 23. Almost every week, Seung has to find characteristic of modern society, saying, “As today’s society and trees. Because these structures are built with natural
time in his hectic schedule to commute to the city in Jeollado is symbolized with the ‘smart environment,’ designers no materials, traditional Korean architecture harmonizes with
Province. In what is the fourth year for the Gwangju event, longer design. Instead, consumers become the principal the surrounding nature without any feeling that the
Seung is the first architect to be its general manager, a posi- agent of design by creating the designs they want.” structures are intruding. My ultimate goal is to integrate this
tion he is sharing with its first foreign general manager, To draw attention to what he sees as such a fundamental characteristic of naturally ecologic architecture into modern
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. shift, Seung will be asking the question “What is Design?” architecture designs, but this is not a simple task.”
“I am trying to distinguish this Gwangju Design Biennale and giving his answer in his capacity as the general manager The roots of Seung’s emphasis on humanism can also be
from all the ones that have been held before,” says Seung. of Gwangju Design Biennale 2011. found in traditional Korean architecture. “Korea’s traditional
Giving an example, designs will not be divided into sections house are not just residences, but emphasized the importance
within the exhibition, but will instead harmonize within a DREAMING OF KOREA Seung’s ultimate aim is “returning to of ethical relationships between households and people. An
single large pavilion designated as a “city area.” the past,” and starting with truly Korean architectural styles. example is the madang, where many people gathered to
The theme for Gwangju Design Biennale 2011 is “Design is Seung believes that while modern architecture does not have establish relationships.”
design is not design.” This Zen-like slogan is actually inspired a natural ecological point of contact, traditional Korean I ask Seung, now almost 60, what he considers his greatest
by the first sentence of Laozi’s Tao Te Ching, a classic work architecture is built on the foundations of nature making it as work. He mentions Oscar Niemeyer, a Brazilian architect who
from the Taoist religions. “The Way that can be told of is not environmental friendly as any architectural form. He thinks still works despite being over 100. “Most architectural master-
an unvarying way; the names that can be named are not his other great idea, the art of emptiness, is equally true for pieces came about when the architect was between the ages of
unvarying names.” the foundations of traditional Korean architecture. 60 and 70. My major work? It will come soon enough.”
Seung H-sang works on his computer (top). One of Seung’s distinctive designs, One of Seung’s representative architectural works Subaekdang, locates at
Welcomm City, located in Jangchungdong, Seoul (above). Namyangju, is seen (above).
KOREA KOREA
JANUARY JANUARY
24 2011 2011 25
TRAVEL
meters high) through the ski house and Valley Condo, is the
highlight of High 1. Take the 20-minute gondola ride, and
you can ski down a slope with a 645-meter drop in altitude.
High 1 has two authorized slopes for World Cup ski events,
an indication of its future ambitions. It has all the necessary
facilities to host the Disabled Alpine Skiing World Cup and
the Freestyle Ski World Cup. In addition, some 900 guest
rooms, a Korean restaurant and a fusion restaurant, plus an
outdoor spa with a gorgeous view of the province ensure
everyone has a comfortable stay.
If you wanted to know why most of Korea’s ski resorts are
located in Gangwon-do Province, you’d first have to
understand the country’s geographical quirks. Many Koreans
believe their peninsula resembles a rabbit — but more like to
see in it the shape of a gallant Korean tiger.
The highest mountain on the peninsula is Mount
Baekdusan, stretching 2,744 meters into the sky. This magnif-
icent mountain, up in the northern province of Hamgyeong-
do, is the tiger’s face. Stretching down south along the east
Visitors skiing and snowboarding at Alpensia Resort (top). One half of a couple falls
over in a snowfield (middle). People can enjoy winter sports in High 1 Resort (left
above). Woljeongsa Temple in Pyeongchang is famous for the gentle fir trees either
KOREA
JANUARY
side of the road to it (opposite).
28 2011
bell (designated National Treasure No 36) in Korea.
Gangwon-do Province is also well known for its proximity
to the East Sea. Mother Nature has endowed Gangwon-do
with some extraordinary coastal backdrops, which are best
enjoyed on trains that run through stations at Jeongdongjin,
Donghae, Chuam, Samcheok Beach, Samcheok and, at the
end of the line, Gangneung.
Jeongdongjin Station, which is closer to the sea than any
other train station in the country, gained fame after appear-
ing in Sandglass, the most popular Korean TV series of all
time. The name Jeongdongjin is derived from its geographic
location, directly east (jeongdong) from Seoul. In the town,
docked on a mountainside like Noah’s Ark, is what appears to
be a ship, but is actually a hotel called Sun Cruise. Every New
Year’s Day, the hotel is packed with visitors come to get the
perfect view of the first sunrise of the New Year.
In Donghae, Mukho Port is well worth a visit. Markets and
seafood restaurants overflow with fresh fish caught the night
before. Pick the fish you want, and the restaurant owner will
catch them and slice them into hoe (sushi) right before your
eyes. Though it may seem a bit rough and ready for genteel
city types, it is a snapshot of real Korean coastal life.
Time stands still in Chuam and Samcheok Beach stations.
coast, there are Mount Duryusan (2,309 meters), Mount exclusive use of tobogganists and snowboarders. Take your time walking along the seafront there, and then <Information>
GETTING TO HIGH 1 RESORT
Keumgangsan (1,638m), Mount Seoraksan (1,708m), Mount Alpensia, too, has no shortage of places to stay, with about take a taxi to visit Samcheok’s famous Daei-ri cave region.
> Bus The resort runs a seasonal shuttle from Sinchon,
Odaesan (1,563m), Mount Dootasan (1,353m), Mount 900 guest rooms and a smattering of five-star standard hotels. Hwanseongul and Gwaneumgul caves are among the most Jonggak and Jamsil in Seoul. For more info, visit
Taebaeksan (1,567m), Mount Sobaeksan (1,440m), Mount There is also an indoor water park open year round, a 45-hole beautiful limestone caves in the country, their interiors a www.inettour.co.kr or www.buspia.co.kr
> Train Take the train from Cheongnyangni Station to
Deokyusan (1,614m) and Mount Jirisan (1,915m). These golf club, a convention center for 2,500 people, a concert hall, beguiling mix of eeriness and beauty.
Gohan or Sabuk stations, then take the shuttle bus. For
mountains comprise the Baekdudaegan mountain range, a spa and a luxurious sauna. It’s winter in Korea, so the mountains in Gangwon-do are more info, visit http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/
which forms the backbone of Korea and the spine of the tiger. submerged in snow. If you like skiing or snowboarding, Korea eng_index.jsp. For shuttle info, visit www.high1.com/eng/
Hhome/main.high1 or call +82 1588 7789
Right in the middle of the peninsula is Gangwon-do SNOWY RAILWAYS BY THE SEA Gangwon-do Province isn’t may be one of the best places you’ve never tried. Though not
Province, which has more high mountains and steep hills only about the skiing, however. Snow blankets the entire of the same scale, its resorts have a charm that distinguish GETTING TO THE EAST COAST
than any other. It snows often and winters are very cold, province, so if you get tired of roaring downhill, go and see them from those in the Alps or North America. And wherever Take a train bound for Gangneung from Sabuk or Gohan to
arrive at one of East Coast (Donghae) stations. For more,
making it the perfect venue for winter sports. some of Gangwon-do’s more serene wintery beauty. you are, you’re never too far from the embrace of the sea.
visit http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/eng_index.jsp.
The province is surrounded by big mountains, and it has a One way to do so is to visit temples up in the mountains.
beautiful, wide river with plentiful trout and salmon. With Most Korean temples are located on mountainsides, and GANGWON-DO PROVINCE TOURISM INFORMATION
http://en.gangwon.to/page/index.html
four clear-cut seasons, Korean climates produce wondrous when they’re deluged in snow, they assume an even greater
natural scenery, and Gangwon-do sees the best of it all. The air of peaceful beauty. SKI RESORTS IN GANGWON-DO PROVINCE
province is also home to Pyeongchang, which is bidding to Woljeongsa is one of Pyeongchang’s most famous temples. Alpensia www.alpensiaresort.co.kr
Tel +82 33 339 0000
host Korea’s first Winter Olympics. Pyeongchang is blessed Located on Mount Odaesan, Woljeongsa Temple was built in
Hyundai Sungwoo www.hdsungwoo.co.kr
with a wide range of excellent ski resorts, including Hyundai 643 during Korea’s ancient Silla Kingdom. Its famous path Tel +82 33 340 3000
Sungwoo Resort, Yongpyong Resort, Phoenix Park, from the main entrance to the main temple stretches for Yongpyong www.yongpyong.co.kr/eng/index.asp
Tel +82 33 1588 0009
Daemyung Vivaldi Park and O2 Resort, to name just a few. about one kilometer along a valley, and is lined on either side
Phoenix Park www.phoenixpark.co.kr/ global/english/
Alpensia Resort is perhaps the most exclusive of them all. by fir trees. This spectacular trail is named “Passage of a default.aspx Tel +82 1577 0069(#1)
Built to emulate an Alps-style resort, Alpensia is not very big, Thousand Years.” And if your visit to Woljeongsa whets your Daemyung Vivaldi Park www.daemyungresort.com/
asp/language/english/ Tel +82 1588 4888
but aims squarely at top-end business. Its seven slopes cover appetite to see more Korean temples, then try going a little
O2 Resort www.o2resort.com/english/
the range from beginners to expert, as well as slopes for the farther up Odaesan to Sangwonsa, home to the oldest bronze Tel +82 33 580 7000
Jeongdongjin Station is the railway station closest to the sea in Korea (above). Fishermen rolling up their net just after returning to port (top). There are several wind
power plants on Maebongsan Mountain in Taebaek (above).
KOREA KOREA
JANUARY JANUARY
30 2011 2011 31
MY KOREA
THE
LABORS OF about constantly being asked by concerned
LOVE
ajumma (older women) if they are married or
have a boyfriend. I’ve listened to more than one
The first time I stepped foot in Korea was Korean friend lament about her mother’s excessive
in 2001. Skirts were longer, and public concern for her being single.
displays of affection were more unusual. In fact, The idea of becoming an old maid is definitely something
at that time, my biggest clue for figuring out a couple’s to worry about in this country. When a female crosses the age
relationship status was whether or not they were wearing of 30, she is getting close! The average marrying age is 28 for
matching outfits. women and 31 for men. But marriage in Korea isn’t merely
The course of true love, as they say, never runs smooth. And when Ten years later, I walk down the streets and find it common between a man and woman. It’s a marriage between families.
the partners come from countries that are practically cultural for couples to be snuggled up while waiting for a bus, sitting Due to the high value placed on marriage, it is still
opposites, that course becomes even more treacherous. Several in a coffee shop or whispering into each other’s ear. If you ask common for a family to hire a matchmaker to find their son
friends of Ann-Cherise Simmons discovered that lesson for me how I feel about this, I would say I find it refreshing; it’s or daughter a spouse — especially in upper class society. A
themselves when they dated Korean men. But while not, on the whole, openly sexual, but mostly sweet. When I couple could also be introduced through their parents, an
see a man carrying his girlfriend’s purse, I can’t help but arrangement referred to as a seon, which allows pre-screening
the obstacles they faced were so difficult that
smile. However, catch me on a day when I’m painfully aware to be done by the family. However, in both cases the adult
many gave up, the prize for staying the I’m still single and “refreshing” may not be the word that children are not bound if they are uninterested.
course were relationships of true comes to mind. In the last 10 to 20 years, dating and marriage in Korea
devotion. So what’s a single girl to do? In Korea, one of the most have begun to feel the influence of outside thinking. Mindsets
common ways to meet the opposite sex is online. Dating are beginning to broaden with the influx of foreigners
websites such as Duo claim almost 23,000 members. As in moving to Korea, as well as changing attitudes in the media.
most countries, it’s common to meet at work or in school, Things that were considered taboo are becoming openly
while a great many dates are also set up by friends or even acceptable. Tradition that had been firm and unyielding is
family members. I giggle when I hear female friends talk beginning to loosen its grip on the younger generation. Is it
KOREA KOREA
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32 2011 2011 33
good? Is it bad? That depends on who you are talking to. law? How would Karen cope with all the responsibility that is
Before I began writing this assignment, I held a somewhat placed on the daughter-in-law of their eldest son? Would this
blinkered view of Korea’s conservative culture. While I had foreign woman take her son away to another land? They
many Korean friends that I loved, I didn’t understand why weren’t just worried for themselves, and their son — they
Korean parents were so controlling with their adult children. were genuinely concerned for her, too. Several months later,
I didn’t understand why friends were pressured to pay such however, Karen is treated as part of the family.
large amounts for wedding gifts. Why did my friend need to I’ve noticed that many Korean women seem higher
save money for years just to get married? Why were some maintenance than the average American girl. I only say
parents so harsh with foreign daughters American, because I can’t judge for other countries. My
or sons-in law? From my impeccably friend interviewed a male friend of
liberal Western point of view, these hers for me, and he mentioned that
things seemed so unnecessary. as a Korean man, he felt pressure
The main complaint I heard when he dated a girl to buy her
from foreigners who dated presents and do things for her.
Koreans was regarding the family. On a first date, it is not
“What difference should a family’s uncommon for a man to drop a lot
opinion make?” they would demand. I of money for one night. When it
know the passionate side of me would say, comes to paying in a relationship, it is
“If he loves you, he should fight for you normal for a man to pay about 70 percent
— no matter what.” However, I feel and the woman 30 percent. Could it be that
there’s an element to this equation that when a guy has to work harder for a girl and save
many of us, myself certainly included, struggle to ever really money for marriage, he appreciates her more? Is it possible
understand: honor. that in cultures where marriage is no longer regarded as
Honor is laced into every aspect of Korean culture. Because valuable and women insist on meeting men halfway that
Korea is more collectivist in nature than most Western women have unknowingly stolen something of their worth
societies, honoring the family is often regarded as more in a man’s eyes? I have no idea what the answers are, but as I high up my list of priorities. Watching how my Korean So are Korea’s methods for dating, weddings and marriage
important even than one’s own feelings — and this certainly dig into understanding another culture, I increasingly find friends help each other out and honor their families leaves really so unique? To be honest, I don’t know. But in my quest
extends to marriage. myself questioning my own. me thinking: maybe this culture that shares one another’s to learn more about these topics, I found myself growing in
In researching this piece, I had the pleasure of interviewing So what happens when a Korean couple decides to get burdens really does have something on the “my four and no appreciation for this culture, and discovering that there really
an Australian woman engaged to a Korean man. Several of married? Most men and women start saving from the time more” environment that I was been raised in. are many different ways to find true love. by Ann-Cherise
my friends had dated Korean men, and it had often ended they get a job for their future marriage. It is common for a For a person who prioritizes choice, equality and Simmons | illustrations by Jo Seung-yeon | photograph by Park Jeong-roh
suddenly or rather badly. But as I sat down with Karen, I man to save 100 million won and the woman 40 million won. individuality, it’s easy to perceive a culture that values
gained a deeper insight into these international relationships. The 100 million won goes toward the house where they will tradition and honor as narrow-minded. However, taking
Rather than being rejections or expressions of bad will, I live, and the 40 million toward furniture and appliances. time to step back and look at the dating and marriage world
discovered that many of the problems I’d heard about could Scrimp-ing and saving for so long may not sound like much of Korea has caused me to do a lot of my own re-thinking.
have been mere misunderstandings. fun, but when I think of it in the long-term — how much I believe one of the keys to Karen’s success in being able to PROFILE
For my new friend Karen, it took almost two years for her more my husband and I might appreciate the house, and each marry a Korean man comes from her desire to adapt to the
Ann-Cherise Simmons is an
fiance’s family to give their approval. She told me of her frus- other, if we’d saved for so long — it really starts to make sense. Korean culture as well as appreciating the cultural value of American who first came to
tration in the beginning when her boyfriend would leave her Marriage is a huge deal in Korean culture. Family and honor. I found myself admiring her as I realized that what Korea in 2001, and later
received a Bachelor’s degree
to be with his family, or go to family events where she wasn’t friends chip in large amounts of money to bless the new could have embittered her (as it had my other friends), actu- in Psychology from the
welcome. couple. I listened as one of my friends, who I knew wasn’t ally gave her greater respect for the man she was to marry. University of Maryland,
Yongsan Army Post. In 2007,
The night the mother finally gave her approval for exactly rolling in cash, told me she had to provide 100,000 When I asked Karen what she loved about dating a she moved to the US, and is
currently back visiting Korea
marriage, she sat them down and warned them about how won (US$88) for a friend’s wedding. Shocked, I asked why. Korean man, she replied: “I love the way intercultural for a few months. She enjoys
hard it would be for them as a couple. Karen began to realize “It’s to honor and help the new couple.” relationships open up our minds to new possibilities and traveling, meeting people and
going to coffee shops. She
that what had felt like rejection in the past was actually If you come from a country with an ingrained culture of perspectives. I experienced Korea in a deeper way because likes seeing people have a
concern. With family being such a high priority, how would a gift giving, this may seem normal. However, I know when I’m I’ve seen the way Korean families do things, and I’ve fallen deeper understanding of them-
selves and their importance to
mother be able to communicate with a foreign daughter-in- stretched financially, giving wads of cash to newlyweds isn’t in love with Korean culture.” the world around them.
KOREA KOREA
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34 2011 2011 35
SUMMIT DIPLOMACY
It has already been more than a condemning North Korea’s hostile Korea and urged North Korea to halt
month since North Korea fired artillery actions and urging Pyeongyang to its reckless and hostile behavior.
at South Korea’s Yeonpyeongdo Island. refrain from any further provocations. Brazil’s President Lula said that his
Almost as soon as the shelling took In a statement on Nov 23, country was “against any attack on
place last November, countries around Catherine Ashton, the EU’s high another country.”
the world issued statements con- representative for foreign affairs and
demning the attack. Soon afterward, security policy, laid the blame for the RUSSIA ONSIDE IN DIPLOMATIC
South Korea started devising and then incident with North Korea, saying, “I WAR While South Korea was grateful
strengthening a coordinated response call on the North Korean authorities to for all the statements of support, it
with the United States and Japan. refrain from any action that risks was especially pleased by the change
The eyes of the world are on the further escalation and to fully respect in tone from one of its closest neigh-
South Korean government. Though the Korean Armistice Agreement.” bors, Russia. Besides the statement
opinions vary, the overwhelming global Julia Gillard, the prime minister of from its foreign ministry, Prime
consensus is that South Korea must Australia, said the North Korean Minister Vladimir Putin also said: “We
engage in multilateral diplomacy as it attack was a dangerous provocation, should do everything we can to nor-
seeks to pressurize China, and adding that it “threatens strategic malize the situation. China has lever-
ultimately the North itself, into bring- stability in northeast Asia.” age, especially in economic terms.”
ing an end to its provocative behavior. Stephen Harper, the Canadian Russia has taken an increasingly
Against this backdrop, all the major prime minister, also said that the critical line in referring to the attacks
overseas players — Japan, the United Yeonpyeongdo shelling was one of a on Yeonpyeongdo. After concluding
States, Russia and China — are tak- series of hostile and provocative North meetings with visiting North Korean
ing stock of the situation, and figuring Korean acts that “represent a grave Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun in mid-
out just how to respond. threat to international security and December, the Russian foreign min-
With the notable exception of China, stability in northeast Asia.”He reaf- istry said in a statement that “the
the vast majority of the world has firmed Canada’s support of South artillery shelling of South Korean
criticized the North and come out in territory, which resulted in loss of life,
support of Seoul. Within hours of the deserves condemnation.” It tempered
Sunset over the DMZ, demilitarized zone between
attacks, the White House was joined South Korea and North Korea (opposite). Secretary
these remarks, however, by adding
by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, of State Hillary Clinton, middle, gestures during a that tension on the peninsula was
the European Union (EU), the Russian news conference with South Korea’s Foreign minis- “fueled, in particular, by a series of
ter Kim Sung-hwan, right, and Japanese Foreign
foreign ministry and Brazilian Minister Seiji Maehara at the State Department in large-scale military exercises,” an
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Washington, December 2010 (below). allusion to South Korean military
drills, sometimes in conjunction with
the United States and Japan, in the
region. Nonetheless, the overall
response — expressing criticism
SOUTH KOREAN DIPLOMACY AND publicly and also in person to North
Korea’s top diplomat — was unprece-
KOREA KOREA
JANUARY JANUARY
36 2011 2011 37
US and China. Washington and Seoul.
In December, at the summit of the In a telephone conversation with
Organization for Security and Chinese President Hu Jintao on Dec 5,
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in US President Barack Obama heavily
Astana, Kazakhstan, Kim Sung-hwan, criticized North Korea, calling its
Seoul’s foreign minister, sat down for provocations “unacceptable.” Obama
talks with his Russian counterpart, is also reported to have told Hu that if
Sergey Lavrov. Kim expressed his grat- China continues to protect North
itude for Russia’s prompt criticism of Korea, it may be putting its own secu-
the North Korean attack, and the two rity in peril, as well as its standing in
men agreed to keep in close contact the international community.
over the matter. In Seoul, Wi Sung-lac, China doesn’t seem to have shifted
the top nuclear envoy for South Korea, its North Korea policy yet, but it may
met with Grigory Logvinov, the deputy be feeling the heat more than usual.
nuclear envoy for Russia, and held in- In joint South Korea-US military drills
depth talks on North Korea’s uranium in early December, the USS George
enrichment program as well as the Washington, whose previous presence
Yeonpyeongdo shelling. in joint exercises has been a major
In December, Wi traveled to sore point for China, was deployed to
Moscow for a meeting with Alexei Current Chairman of the ROK JCS (Joint Chiefs of unspoken message was that if China the Yellow Sea. On this occasion, how- President Lee holds an urgent inspection confer- face and also some clout in the
Staff) Han Min-gu, right, held a joint press confer- ence regarding security and the economy in
Borodavkin, the chief Russian nuclear continues to side with North Korea, ever, Beijing didn’t issue a statement international community.”
ence with Mike Mullen, Chairman of the US JCS, on November 2010, just after North Korea’s attack on
representative and the deputy foreign the topic of Korean Peninsula’s security (above). then South Korea, Japan and other criticizing the action. China is also Yeonpyeongdo Island (above). US Deputy Assistant President Lee Myung-bak’s
minister, and sought Russia’s support President Lee Myung-bak received Vladimir Zorkin, Asian states would strengthen their said to have refused a recent North Secretary of Defense for East Asia Michael Schiffer, “telephone diplomacy” is reported
Russian Chairman of the Constitutional Court in left, makes a remark at the 27th Korea-US Security
for South Korea’s position on the November last year (below).
ties at the expense of China. Korean request for rice aid. Policy Initiative in Seoul, December 2010 (below).
as prompting the international
Yeonpyeongdo attack and North At the same time, Kim, Clinton and “At this point, China’s role should condemnation of North Korea for
Korea’s uranium enrichment pro- Maehara tried not to provoke China be to quietly deter North Korea from its shelling of Yeonpyeongdo.
grams. Wi also stressed that in order Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, US too much. “What Japan intends to do carrying out any additional provoca- want to move as quietly as possible.”
for the six-party talks to resume, North Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and is bring the five parties together to tions,” said Han Sung-joo, professor “The reason North Korea went ahead A BOUT OF FRIENDLY DIPLOMACY
Korea must first demonstrate its will- Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji deal with North Korea, instead of emeritus of international politics at with the shelling of Yeonpyeongdo On the day of the bombardment,
ingness to forgo its nuclear activities. Maehara issued a joint warning to creating a situation of three (South Korea University in Seoul, and the after sinking the Cheonan is that the President Lee spoke to the the lead-
North Korea and implored China to try Korea, the US and Japan) versus three head of a diplomatic consultancy North had concluded China wouldn’t ers of Britain, the US and Japan. He
PRESSURIZING CHINA TO PRESS and rein in its ally. (China, North Korea and Russia),” group for the Lee administration. “If be able to criticize it for the attack,” expressed gratitude for their condem-
NORTH KOREA Seoul, Washington The three officials, according to the Maehara said. While pressurizing China does anything publicly, then it he added. “By defending North Korea nation of North Korea’s provocations.
and Tokyo held three-way talks in early document “looked forward to China’s China, the ministers stressed they might be seen as giving in to South for building uranium enrichment opera- President Lee’s friendly diplomacy
ⓒ Seoul Economy Daily (left, top, opposite bottom); Yonhap News Agency (opposite top)
December, seeking to strengthen tri- efforts to urge North Korea to adhere want to leave the door open for China Korean pressure and North Korea tions and other provocations toward also helped Russia’s decision to back
lateral cooperation. South Korean to its commitments as articulated in to come on board at any time. would be opposed to that. China will South Korea, China ultimately lost South Korea. Since Dmitry Medvedev
the September 2005 Joint Statement Other North Korean provocations took office in May 2008, Lee and the
of the Six-Party Talks.” This position were discussed at the meeting, includ- Russian president have met every six
basically assumed that North Korea ing its recent admission of having ura- months. Most recently, Medvedev met
has become increasingly hostile nium enrichment programs. The three Lee before the opening of the Group
because of China’s inaction. By countries agreed to remain in close of 20 (G20) Summit in Seoul in
stressing their trilateral cooperation coordination vis-a-vis the North, and November. In September, Lee visited
and a joint response, the foreign their ties are expected to grow Yaroslavl, Russia for a keynote
ministers were making a diplomatic stronger in the months ahead. speech at the Global Policy Forum
protest to China in all but name. Proposed by Secretary Clinton, this hosted by Medvedev.
Additionally, their emphasis of the was the first trilateral foreign ministeri- “When President Lee flew to Russia
importance of the Association of al meeting to be held in Washington, in September, some political oppo-
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in reflecting the US determination to be nents wondered whether he was trying
Asia and their pledge to “enhance actively engaged in developments on to divert attention from the Cheonan
preparatory efforts” for the ASEAN the Korean Peninsula. Admiral Mike sinking,” an official at the Blue House
Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Mullen, the chairman of the US Joint said. “But it was that trip and other
Asia Summit (EAS) also appear to Chiefs of Staff, also traveled to Seoul actions that helped Russia take our
have been aimed at China. The in another show of solidarity between side this time.”
KOREA KOREA
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GLOBAL KOREA
KOREA KOREA
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40 2011 2011 41
The Whimori brand is only applied to and China, which are both geographi-
goods that have passed stringent cally close and have similar interests
quality and safety tests, and to com- and preferences in terms of flowers,”
panies with extensive export experi- says Shin. “Also, the strength of tradi-
ence that are equipped with the latest tional flower exporters such as the
technology and commodity manage- Netherlands makes difficult to export
ment skills. Even after gaining the to Europe too.”
right to use the name, companies will On the flip side, however, this
be subject to frequent government means there is still enormous poten-
inspections to ensure they are main- tial for Korea’s flowers to take root
taining the highest standards in safety further around the world. To take a
and product quality. At present, some story from the cactus industry,
paprika, pears, king oyster mush- between the late 1980s and 2009,
rooms, kimchi and winter mushrooms Korea succeeded in shifting its entire
bear the Whimori brand, as do flower cactus crop to domestically produced
species including the Magic Flower species. Today, Korean cactuses are
and Baekma. exported to more than 30 countries,
Under the Whimori banner, Korean including the Netherlands, the United
roses and chrysanthemums have been States and Australia, and account for
making major inroads into the world more than 70% of the world cactus
market. Along with Korea’s Ministry market. By dancing to the Whimori
for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and rhythm, Korea’s roses and chrysanthe-
Korean chrysanthemums are well known for having Fisheries and the Agricultural and did much to heighten awareness of Korea’s unique chrysanthemum variety, Baekma, mums will hopefully be catching up
been developed into new varieties like Baekma was shown at Intermational Flower Expo Tokyo,
Fishery Marketing Corporation, 14 the Whimori brand. with its cactuses soon.
(above, left). Consumers try to make a flower basket IFEX, in 2010 (above). People look at bunches of
for roses (below). Korean flower producers participated “Besides those activities, we are flowers at aT (below right). Korea’s booth exhibited
in the 2010 International Flower Expo actively promoting in Japan, the several kinds of flowers at IFEX 2010 (bottom).
(IFEX), held in Tokyo from November biggest market for Korean flowering
tributed in order to replace more than 28 to 30 last year. IFEX is Asia’s plants,” says Shin Jae-hun, an assis-
50% of roses grown in Korea with biggest flower exhibition, attracting tant manager at the Agricultural and list, with exports of US$12.35 million
native breeds,” says Go. “We’re mak- more than 1,100 related organizations Fishery Marketing Corporation (AFMC). dollar, leaving major markets such as
ing huge efforts to sell fine Korean and enterprises from over 30 coun- According to Shin, the AFMC last year the United States, Russia and
breeds to foreign markets and bump up tries. By setting up both the official held several promotional seminars in Australia largely untapped.
overseas. With roses alone, the our own income from royalties, too.” Korea Pavilion and a separate promo- Korea and Japan aimed at Japanese “Currently Korea’s floral industry is
Korean flower industry reduced such tional booth, Korea’s representatives flower sellers and producers, while in highly focused on exporting to Japan
ⓒ Rural Development Administration (top); Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corp. (middle, right)
payments by more than 50% between THE WHIMORI WAVE In 2004, the September the Corporation participat-
2005 and 2010, from 7.7 billion won Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade ed in the Moscow International Flower
KOREA KOREA
JANUARY JANUARY
42 2011 2011 43
NOW IN KOREA
Sporting Dreams
TAKING WING ⓒ Yonhap News Agency
The 16th Asian Games’ bronze medalist Son Yeon-jae, one of Korea’s Rhythmic
gymnastics athletes put on an outstanding performance.
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the rink and trains on and off the ice until 8pm. He practices
eight hours a day, six days a week. You might think he’d be all
burned out, but Kim, in his rare moments of rest, looks as
happy as a kid playing in the school yard.
“I started skating at six years old. My dad dragged me out
there at first but from the second grade, I began to really
enjoy it for some reason,” says Kim. “It was fun making
friends from all over the country at competitions, and I love
the speed of the skating the most. Last year, I made the
Gyeonggi-do provincial team and I want to be on the team
again this year. My dream is to be the senior national team
skater like Lee Ho-suk (the Olympic gold medalist in 2006).”
Kim Dae-hwan is only 13 years old, but he’s already a
famous short track skater in Korea. He regularly hits speeds
of 70 kilometers per hour, almost as fast as an adult skater,
and the Korea Skating Union has already tabbed him as the
next big thing. Kim has been picked for the two-week
training programs that run during summer and winter
school breaks, and will travel to Chuncheon in Gangwon-do
Province for a session this winter. There are fewer than 10
short trackers who were selected from around the country
for this program, so Kim has as good a shot as anyone of
representing Korea at the next Winter Olympics.
Young students dream of becoming a big football start like Park Ji-sung at the Park Young skaters put on their skating boots before practicing at Mokdong Ice Rink
Ji-sung Center (above). (top). A skating teacher changes his student’s pose (above).
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sports by their parents, children today often beg to join sports
academies or sign up for school teams.
“I get calls from parents who ask how they can get their
children into archery,” says Lee Dong-min of the Korea
Archery Association. “Today, young students voluntarily pick
up sports that they want to play.”
Thanks to stellar performances by the likes of Park Ji-sung
and Kim Yu-na, soccer and figure skating are perhaps more
popular among Korean kids than they’ve ever been. Since the
2002 FIFA World Cup, soccer academies have sprouted up
across the nation, but demand still exceeds supply. Park’s
football center, which opened last year, is also a popular
destination, with hundreds of children on the waiting list.
“We are running a systematic, European style training
program for six to 13 year olds, and we have students that
come from quite far away,” says Lee Young-hoon, who teaches
at the center. “We have three or four different classes per age
group. There are more than 20 on the waiting list per each
class. After the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Korea Football
Association has worked hard at nurturing coaches. That has
raised quality of teaching at the youth level and made train-
ing programs more systematic. Parents never stop calling.”
The “Kim Yu-na” effect has seen ice rinks around Korea
caught up in a figure skating craze. And Mokdong Ice Rink,
where about 100 short track speed skaters and figure skaters
train, is no exception. “After the Vancouver Winter Olympics,
we received a lot of calls about figure skating,” says Jang Ho-
sung, a coach at Mokdong. “In short track, we have enough
Manchester United, Korea has Park Chu-young at AS coaches for everyone. But in figure skating, we have more
Monaco in the top French league; Lee Chung-yong at Bolton than 50 children waiting to be picked up.”
Wanderers in England; and Ki Sung-yueng and Cha Du-ri Sports academies, where children can experience many
playing for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. different sports, are becoming popular, too. They offer
And these aren’t the only Korean athletes making their swimming, soccer, golf, baseball and inline skating, and they
nation proud overseas. Choo Shin-soo (Cleveland Indians) have separate programs for children showing special talent.
and Park Chan-ho, who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in “We don’t grind children to the ground, trying to make
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