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46 Food

Provincial Delicacies

48 Cultural Figure

A Poet on the Piano Pianist Paik Kun-woo

50 People

Chinese Actress Named Goodwill Ambassador for Korea

Castro Praises Koreas Olympic Baseball Team

52 Topic

Dolphin Funeral in Korea

54 Events

Worlds Top National Theaters Perform in Korea

Pusan Film Fest Aims to Be the Best Yet

Gwangju Biennale Fuses Art and Spectacle

63 Books

Korean Heritage

A New National Strategy for Korea

66 Foreign Viewpoint

Diplomacy in the Internet Age

10 4424

5

6

www.korea.net

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Korean Culture and Information Service

Editing & Printing Herald Media Inc.

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duced in any form without permission from Koreaand the

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The articles published in Koreado not necessarily represent the

views of the publisher. The publisher is not liable for errors or

omissions.

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Letters may be edited for clarity and/or space restrictions.

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A downloadable PDF file of Koreaand a map and glossary with common

Korean words appearing in our text are available by clicking on the

thumbnail of Koreaon the homepage of www.korea.net.

: 11-1110073-000016-06

6 National

Korea Focuses on Green Energy Industry

2008 Ramsar Convention Coming to Korea

13 Diplomacy

Korea Enhances Economic Ties with Romania and Uruguay

Seoul and Moscow Agree on Strategic Economic Cooperation

16 Global Korea

Koreas Public Servants Training Offers Top-notchInternational Program

World-class Ships Coming to Busan

International Tattoo Fest Brings Global Marching Bandsto Korea

Dokdo in the Eyes of Foreign Reporters

30 Sports

Korean Athletes Shine at 2008 Paralympics

34 Culture

The Beauty of Hangeul Transcends Modern Designs

Koreas Dynamic and Unique Megacity

44 Travel

Sea of Autumn Colors Seoraksan National Park

October 2008 VOL. 4 NO. 1Opening a communicative space between Korea and the world

OCTOBER 2008 KOREA4 KOREA OCTOBER 2008

Cover Photo

Uponeup in

Gyeongsangnam-do

34

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OCTOBER 2008 KOREA

The 10th meeting of the con-

tracting parties of Ramsar

Convention will take place in

Changwon, Korea, in October.

Under the theme Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People,

the meeting will be held for eight days from Oct. 28 to Nov.

4 at the Changwon Exhibition Convention Center. More

than 2,000 representatives of contracting parties, profes-

sionals and NGOs devoted to wetlands will participate.

Ramsar Convention was first organized as the

International Environmental Convention in Ramsar, Iran, in

1971. The purpose of the convention is to protect disap-

pearing wetlands. A total of 1,752 lands from 158 countries

are registered on the Ramsar List and are being managed.

Wetlands, known as the Kidney of Nature, are essen-tial for the ecosystem. Wetlands purify water by eliminating

nitrogen and phosphor in it. They prevent floods, droughts

and storms by controlling the amount of water on the land.

Many lives depend on wetlands.

At this years convention, plenary sessions and regional

and standing meetings will take place as usual. Aside from

the official conferences, there will be a world NGO meeting,

exhibition booths of participating countries and an exposi-

tion of IT technology for wetlands.

One of the important goals of this convention is to es-

tablish the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2009-2014. Participants

will discuss 31 different agendas, such as Wetlands a

Human Health, Wetlands and Urbanization and We

lands and Climate Change.

Excursions and ecological tour programs are part of t

program. Famous wetlands in Korea, such as Uponeup an

Junam, are included.

Participants can also learn about Koreas unique cultu

along the way. The official excursion will be held on No

2. For more details, visit www.ramsar2008.go.kr.s

8 KOREA OCTOBER 2008

NATIONAL

2008 Ramsar ConventionComing to Korea

BY PARK MIN-YOUNG

STAFF WRITER

Gyeongnam

Provinc

ial

Office

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OCTOBER 2008 KOREA 10 KOREA OCTOBER 2008

NATIONAL

Junam Wetland ParkA reservoir in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do. This is a famous spot where

migratory birds flock. Area: 2.82 square kilometers.

Mulyeongari-oreumA parasite volcano crater lake in Namjeju-gun, Jeju-do. It is the only wetland in

Korea on the peak of a mountain. It was registered as a Ramsar site in October 2006.

Area: 0.309 square kilometers.

Muan Tidal FlatA mudflat in Muan-gun,

Jeollanam-do. A total of 324

species of birds, animals and

insects are known to live there. Itwas registered as a Ramsar site in

January 2008. Area: 35.59 square

kilometers.

Suncheon BayA mudflat in Suncheon,

Jeollanam-do. It is well know

as the habitat of hooded crane

It was registered as a Ramsar

site in January 2006. Area: 35

square kilometers. s

(Photos courtesy

Gyeongnam Provincial Offi

Yongneup of Mt. DaeamA swamp in Inje-gun,

Gangwon-do. Composed of two

bogs and surrounded by a

deciduous broad-leaved forest, it is

the only swamp in Korea formed

in a high hilly section. It was

registered as a Ramsar site in

March 1997. Area: 1.06 square

kilometers.

Major Wetlands in Korea

UponeupA swamp in Changnyeong-gun,

Gyeongsangnam-do. It is the

oldest natural swamp in Korea. It

was registered as a Ramsar site in

March 1998. Area: 8.54 square

kilometers.

BY PARK MIN-YOUNG

STAFF WRITER

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OCTOBER 2008 KOREA

Amid the nations growing efforts to promote multi-

cultural communities, a three-day event dedicated toVietnam offered citizens a chance to better under-

stand Vietnamese culture.

The National Museum of Korea and Hana Financial

Group hosted My Friend Vietnam event from Sept. 5 to 7

in a bid to provide the public with a place to learn about

Vietnamese culture and traditions.

The events included a famous Vietnamese puppet show

performed by the Thang Long Water Puppet Troupe. The

puppeteers control the puppets underwater during the show,

which farcically demonstrates a Vietnamese farmers life.

Pham Tini Phuong, a Vietnamese who immigrated toKorea for marriage, said, I always heard about the puppet

show back at home but I never had a chance to see it until

now. Im glad I could see it with my son.

Following the puppet show, there was a childrens play

based on the Vietnamese nursery tale Taam va Caum. The

play received positive reaction from Koreans who were

pleasantly surprised to find out how similar Vietnamese

and Korean sentiments are.

Along with other events and performances, classes on

Vietnamese history and culture were offered by renowned

professors.The three-day event was attended by some 3,000 peo-

ple, including Vietnamese immigrants, their families and

local citizens interested in Vietnamese culture.

The National Museum of Korea runs programs dedicat-

ed to multicultural communities through the year. The pro-

grams not only target the foreign community, but also chil-

dren of multiracial parentage.

Each year, the museum hosts three events dedicated to a

particular country. This year, the museum dedicated an event

to Mongolia and a festival for multicultural families. s

(Photos courtesy of the National Museum of Korea)


GLOBAL KOREA

My Friend VietnamBringsKorea, Vietnam CloserBY JEONG HYEON-JI

STAFF WRITER

A scene from a Vietnamese water puppet show

A Vietnamese band performs traditional Vietnamese music

A Vietnamese performer in the Thang Long Water puppet Troupe

Children decorate a board after watching a Vietnamese play

A scene from a water puppet show

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GLOBAL KOREA

World-classShipsComing toBusanBY KIM JI-HYUN

KOREA HERALD STAFF WRITER

An assortment of top-notch naval

vessels, including a Korean

aegis destroyer, will take part in

an international fleet review in Busan

in October.

Around 50 vessels and 30 aircrafts

from up to 12 countries are slated to

show at the fleet review, which will be

held between Oct. 5-10 to mark the

60th anniversary of the foundation of

the Korean Armed Forces this year.

This is the second time Korea has

hosted such an event. The 7,600-tonSejong the Great, a top-of-the-line de-

stroyer equipped with the Aegis com-

bat system, will be among the ships to

take part, along with United States air-

craft carrier George Washington and

its aegis destroyer John S. McCain.

Japan, ranked as owning the

worlds second most powerful navy,

will participate with its 4,650-ton de-

stroyer Suzunami, while from Chin

Harbin, a destroyer, will participa

the Navy said. The October fleet r

view will be Chinas first experience

the international event.

Russia, which hopes to revive

naval powers based on its growi

economic prowess, will participa

with its destroyer the MashShaposhynikov.

The Navy predicted that the revie

will be an opportunity to view a wi

assortment of world-class ships.

More information can be found

its official website at http://fleetr

view.navy.mil.kr. s

(Photos courtesy

the Republic of Korea Na

Koreas Gwanggaeto the Great destroyer

The U.S. aircraft carrier George Washington The Chinese destroyer Harbin The Japanese destroyer Suzunami The Russian destroyer Marshal Shaposhynikov

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dent bands and local musicians.

Both Koreans and immigrants

joined the street parades and festivals,which involved traditional wedding

ceremonies of various countries, tradi-

tional performances of the participat-

ing countries and samulnori perfor-

mances.

Kim Chan-soo, the secretary-gen-

eral of the Wonju International Tattoo

Committee, said the annual festivalwas conceived in Wonju but has truly

become an international event in only

five years.

This years festival featured many

global teams and local citizens. This

has truly added to its uniqueness. It

our goal to make Wonju a center

international culture through the ntions only military marching ban

festival, he said.

More information on the festiv

can be found on its multilingual we

site at www.wonjutattoo.com. s


GLOBAL KOREA

M

usical groups of East and

West became one during a

five-day festival held inWonju, Gangwon-do, in September.

Participants and local citizens of

Wonju city had a great time enjoying

street parades and concerts during the

2008 Wonju Tattoo International

Festival, which was held Sept. 5 to 9.

The annual international military

and marching band festival is famousfor its uniqueness, which range from

Western genres of orchestra and clas-

sical music to Korean traditional mu-

sic gukak, pop music and b-boy per-

formances.

Teams from home and abroad

joined the festival this year OShea

Ryan Irish Dance Team from Australia,Pipe & Drum Marching Band from

Canada, Lampang Kanlayanee student

band from Thailand, the 8th army mil-

itary band from the United States, and

Koreas national military bands, stu-

International Tattoo Fest Brings Global Marching Bands to KoreaBY JEONG HYEON-JI

STAFF WRITER

The opening ceremony of the International Tattoo Festival in Wonju, Gangwon-do on Sept. 5

A street parade in Wonju on Sept. 6

A performance by Koreas Defense Ministry marching band A traditional Korean drum performance

Australias OShea Ryan Irish Dance Team

A traditional Korean drum performance

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CULTURE

To many foreign eyes, Korea is an

iconic country of rapid econom-

ic growth and the home of af-

fordable household electronics and

high-tech gadgets.

The countrys artistic and aesthetic

sides, however, have long been under-

appreciated, partly due to lack of ex-

posure. Recent exhibitions in

Germany, however, have brought

Koreas modern architecture into thespotlight.

The Megacity Network, Contem-

porary Architecture in Korea exhibi-

tion, held in Frankfurt in 2007 and

Berlin earlier this year, showcased the

nations 16 leading architects and

their most significant projects through

the lens of renowned photographer An

Se-kweon.

Ursula Kleefisch-Jobst, a German

architectural historian and critic,

called Seoul a city dominated by

breathtaking diversity.The buildings in Seoul are needles

in a haystack in search of their own

Koreas Dynamic andUnique MegacitySetting a New Trend in ArchitectureBY JEONG HYEON-JI

STAFF WRITER

Megacity by Ahn Se-kweon

Boutique Monaco (right) in southern Seoul

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many travelers seeking an autumn excursion.

15-minute drive from Sokcho City will bring y

to the main ent rance valley to the national par

which contains popular tourist spots.The Yukdam Waterfall and the Biryon

Waterfall on the left side of the valley presen

spectacular view. The Heundeulbawi, a fiv

meter high spherical rock which moves ba

and forth, is also a unique attraction.

Forests of the mountain display vivid f

hues every autumn. Travelers can find strikin

autumn colors on a magnificent drive, whi

meanders along with the cliff of Hangyeryeon

Ridge.

According to the meteorological administrtions forecast, the peak season for the mou

tains colorful autumn foliage is expected

take place on Oct. 20. s


TRAVEL

Around this time every year, mountainsand roadside trees in Korea turn brilliant

red and yellow showing off the beauty of

autumn colors. Among them, it is widely known

that autumn is best appreciated at Seoraksan in

Gangwon-do, eastern Korea.

As the highest mountain located in the

Taebaeksan mountain range, sometimes called

the backbone of the Korean Peninsula,

Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in Korea

after Hallasan on the southern resort island of

Jeju-do and Jirisan in Jeollanam-do. ItsDaecheongbong peak reaches 1,708 meters.

Every year Seoraksan National Park attracts

How to Get There

By bus, it takes four

hours from Seoul toSokcho City. Airlines and

trains are also available.

For more information,

visit the parks

multilingual website at

seorak.knps.or.kr/eng.Sea of Autumn Colors Seoraksan National ParkBY LEE JI-YOON

STAFF WRITER

The tops of Seoraksan are shrouded with cloud

Daecheongbong Peak

Hikers enjoy the autumn colors of Seoraks

Korea

Tour

ism

Organ

ization

Korea

Tour

ism

Organ

izat

ion

The

Korea

Heral

d

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CULTURAL FIGURE 1

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OCTOBER 2008 KOREA

B

orn in Seoul in 1937, virtuoso

Korean pianist Paik Kun-woo

gave his first concert at the ageof 10 with the Korean National

Orchestra (now the Seoul Philharmonic

Orchestra). Later he studied at the

Julliard School in New York, and in

London and Italy with Rosina

Lhevinne, Ivona Kabos, Guido Agosti

and Willhelm Kempff.

Following wins at both the

Naumburg and the Busoni

Competitions he went on to give sig-

nificant debuts at the Lincoln Centerand Carnegie Hall to launch his inter-

national career.

His repertoire is extensive and in-

corporates a wide range of styles and

genres. An artist with a quiet intellect,

straddling the cultures of East and

West, Paik often successfully com-

bines a conventional repertoire with

the more unusual.

He is also well-known for pursuing

the entire music pieces of one compos-er. Starting with the pieces of Ravel at

the age of 26, he has explored the mu-

sic of renowned musicians such

Rachmaninov, Mendelssohn and Li

by performing all their piano pieces. December last year, he performed

32 of Beethovens piano sonatas at t

Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall f

two hours a day over seven consec

tive days.

Paik is also the first Korean pian

to perform in China in 2000. His po

ularity in the country has been grow

ing since he performed with the KB

Symphony Orchestra in Beijing ba

in 2002. Last year he staged a highsuccessful concert with t

Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra

Guangzhou with the more than 1,4

tickets being sold out long before t

concert.

Now living in Paris, he is the artis

director of the Emerald Coast Mus

Festival in Dinard (France) and w

made Chevalier de Iordre des arts

des letters (Order of Arts and Literature

by the French government in 2000. Hwife Yoon Jung-hee is a famous silv

screen star in the 1960s. s

His repertoire is

extensive and

incorporates a

wide range of

styles and

genres. An artist

with a quiet

intellect,straddling the

cultures of East

and West, Paik

often

successfully

combines a

conventionalrepertoire with

the more

unusual.


CULTURAL FIGURE - 1

A Poeton the PianoPianistPaik Kun-woo

Universal

Mus

icKorea

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TOPIC

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OCTOBER 2008 KOREA

Adolphin funeral was recently documented by a na-

tional research team on Koreas eastern coast, provid-

ing valuable information to cetacean studies.

On June 27, while on a routine whale watch, the

National Fisheries Research and Development Institute

(NFRDI) found a school of five common dolphins, 18 kilo-

meters off Jeongja Port in Ulsan, Gyeongsangnam-do.

The marine mammals were helping a dolphin breathe by

bringing it to the surface. The researchers took photos and

video footage of this behavior.

Researchers said this behavior continued for over anhour until the dolphin finally died. The dolphin, some 2

meters long, is believed to have died of natural causes since

it showed no signs of injuries.

The Cetacean Research Institute, which is under t

NFRDI, said dolphins altruistic behavior is common.

Dolphins tend to establish strong bonds with each ot

er. This behavior of bringing a dying individual to the su

face to help it breathe is similar to a human funeral proce

sion, said Kim Jang-geun, the director at the institute.

Such altruistic behavior had only been observed

man-made fish tanks. The video footage and photos provi

precious data to reaffirm the unique social behavior of do

phins, he added.More information can be found at NFRDIs website

www.nfrdi.re.kr. s


TOPIC

The dolphin at right is dying and is being raised for air by other dolphins on

Koreas east coast on June 27

Five dolphins team up in groups of two and three to bring the dying dolphin

to the surface

The dying dolphin stops moving as its companions keep lifting it up above

the water

The rest of the dolphins swim for another hour around the area where th

dead one disappeared

Dolphin Funeralin Korea

BY JEONG HYEON-JI

STAFF WRITER

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BOOKEVENTS

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OCTOBER 2008 KOREA

Publisher: Cultural Heritage Administration

Pages: 45

Not for Sale

The Cultural Heritage Administration, a state-run

organization which is dedicated to the preservation

and introduction of Koreas cultural properties, has

released its quarterly magazines autumn issue.

Containing writings by experts and colorful

photos, this book will be helpful for overseas

readers to better understand Koreas precious

cultural heritage.

In an article on the Sungnaemun, which was

destroyed by an arson attack in February, the au-

thor explains the history and restoration process

of the No. 1 landmark of Seoul, popularly known

as the Namdaemun.

The Photo Gallery section features the royal

graveyards of the Joseon Dynasty. Located in

Seoul and its environs, the royal tombs are har-

monized with modern buildings. And one can find

Korean ancestors sense of humor in their draw-

ings of animals, a unique art genre called min-

wha, or Korean folk paintings.

The on-line version of the magazine is alsoavailable on http://english.cha.go.kr. s

(Photos courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration)

Korean Heritage


The Seoul Drum Festival will be

held from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5 in

Ttukseom, eastern Seoul, at tract-

ing drummers and percussion artists

both in and out of the country.

This year marks the festivals tenth

anniversary since the city of Seoul

started the event to celebrate the new

millennium in 1999. The annual event

has been an exciting opener for im-

portant events such as the Asia-Europe Meeting in 2000 and the 2002

Korea-Japan Soccer World Cup.

During the three-day festival, a

variety of percussion performances

will be put on stage by Korean and in-

ternational drum musicians. Other

programs such as the Percussion Art

Market will offer a good opportunity

for participants to share information

and communicate through music.

Ordinary visitors can learn playing

percussion instruments from around

the world and join surprise perfor-

mances at the festival venue.For more information, visit the

festivals official website at

www.drumfestival.org. s

Make Some Noiseat Seoul Drum Festival

A royal tomb in Seou

The T-shaped Shrine, where the ritual ceremony fo

dead royal family members was performe

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KOREA [2008 VOL. 4 NO. 10]