My Impression of Korea - Korea.net

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www.korea.net 

November 2008 VOL. 4 NO. 11 

6 12 

34 

48 

60 

Publisher Yoo Jin-hwan 

Korean Culture and Information Service 

Editing & Printing Herald Media Inc. 

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Cover photo 

Hahoe Mask Dance 

Photo by Back Sung-tae 

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. 

6 Cover 

Korea’s Autumn Festivals 

12 Diplomacy 

President Lee’s Summit Diplomacy in ASEM 

14 Global Korea 

‘Made in Korea’ Shines in Belgium 

The 50th Anniversary of Korea-Thailand Relations 

Heart Surgeries for Six Iraqi Children 

20 National 

Presidential Archives Set to Introduce Korea to the World 

24 Science 

World’s Largest Solar Power Plant 

Korea’s First Rocket Unveiled 

26 Culture 

Joseon Painters Bring Crowds to Gansong Museum 

Animal Paintings Symbolize Folk Belief 

34 Cultural Figure 

Violinist Sarah Chang 

36 People 

Korean Guitar Prodigy Rises as a Star on the Web 

‘Arirang’ Played by N.K. Pianist in Washington 

Diva for Homeland on New Album 

44 Travel 

A Classic Walk around Samcheong-dong 

A Trip Back to Olden Times — Suncheon City 

52 Food 

Jeju’s Traditional Liquor — Omegisul 

54 Events 

Seoul Design Olympiad 

Charity Market Turns into Multicultural Festival 

The Busan Biennale 

62 Books 

Hunminjeongeum Translated into Four Languages 

Chinese Ceramics at the National Museum of Korea 

66 Foreign Viewpoint 

My Impression of Korea 

— Paraguayan Ambassador Ceferino Valdez 

 

26 

4 KOREA NOVEMBER 2008 

NOVEMBER 2008 KOREA 5

COVER 

Unique Festivals 

Add to Korea’s Autumn Flavor 

With its crisp air and crystal 

blue sky, autumn is the season 

most widely loved by locals 

and foreigners. The countryside is particularly 

beautiful, colored in a multitude 

of rustic hues. Mountains and hills 

are ablaze with autumn foliage. 

Rich traditional and unique festivals 

across the nation beckon tourists 

with mild temperatures. The folk festivals 

rooted in ancient agrarian customs 

give flavor to Korea’s autumn. 

Fortress Circumambulation 

in Gochang 

One of the famous autumn festivals is 

the Fortress Circumambulation in 

Gochang, Jeollabuk-do. The fortress, 

called Moyangseong, was built during 

the early Joseon Dynasty. It is surrounded 

by Bandeungsan and has 

three gates, two floodgates and a covering 

tower. 

Fortress Circumambulation has 

been handed down and preserved as a 

unique folk custom. Oral tradition 

states that if you walk around the 

fortress once with a stone on your 

head, all diseases will be cured. If you 

walk around three times, you will go 

to paradise. 

The annual event is generally held 

in early October for five days. 

The Fortress Circumambulation in Gochang 

A farmers’ traditional band heralds the opening of the Moyangseong Festival in Gochang 



COVER 

Information on Autumn 

Festivals 

Gochang Moyangseongje 

http://gochang.go.kr/festival 

Prehistoric Culture Festival 

http://sunsa.ro.to 

Acha Mountain Goguryeo Festival 

http://www.gwangjin.go.kr/english 

Andong Mask Dance Festival 

http://www.maskdance.com 

Pampas Grass Festival 

http://worldcuppark.seoul.go.kr/eng 

http://www.jangheung.go.kr/english 

Prehistoric Culture and 

Goguryeo Festivals in Seoul 

Seoul offers tourists valuable information 

on ancient life in Korea through 

two folk festivals. 

One of the two festivals is the 

Prehistoric Culture Festival, organized 

by Gangdong-gu Office in eastern 

Seoul, which is annually held around 

Oct. 10. The festival is performed in 

and around the Amsa-dong 

Prehistoric Housing Site. 

During the event, participants can 

experience the life of old. Other activities 

include learning old dances and 

musical instruments and making 

earthenware. 

Around the same time, another 

event called the Acha Mountain 

Goguryeo Festival is held on the 

mountain’s historic site. Along with 

Baekje and Silla, Goguryeo (37 B.C.- 

A.D. 668) was one of the Three 

Kingdoms of Korea. 

Ahead of the festival, major streets 

in Neung-dong area of Gwangjin-gu, 

Rendezvous Square of Acha Mountain 

Park and Gwangjin Square are decorated 

with banner flags to create the 

atmosphere for the festival. The festival 

begins with a street parade of about 

500 people, who wear Goguryeo clothing 

and ornaments. Modern-day 

Goguryeo horsemen will also take part. 

Various cultural events are offered 

during the three-day festival, such as 

the Goguryeo Martial Arts Performance, 

which shows the dynamic skills of 

Goguryeo horsemen. 

Acha Mountain 

Goguryeo Festival 

1 A festival organizer holds 

a ritual to open the Acha 

Mountain Goguryeo 

Festival in eastern Seoul 

2 “Gyeongseodo Sorigeuk,” 

a traditional musical, 

being performed as part 

of a cultural event for the 

Goguryeo Festival in 

Seoul 

3 Actors in Goguryeo 

Martial Arts Performance 

1 

2 

Prehistoric Culture Festival 

Children experience Korea’s primitive life at the Prehistoric Culture Festival in Seoul 

3 



COVER 

Pampas Grass 

1 The Bukcheong Saja-nori, a 

lion mask dance 

2 The Hahoe Byeolsin Exorcism 

Mask Dance 

1 

If you want to see Korea’s natural autumn 

beauty, visit Cheongwansan, a 

mountain in Jangheung, Jeollanamdo, 

which offers a magnificent view of 

pampas grass. The scenic beauty of 

the pampas glass field on top of the 

mountain represents the romantic fall 

season. Pampas grass can easily be 

seen growing in Korean suburbs 

throughout the autumn season. Other 

famous pampas grass fields are 

Mindungsan in Gangwon-do and Sky 

Park, located near Seoul World Cup 

Stadium. Jeongseon-gun in 

Gangwon-do holds a pampas grass 

festival every year from late 

September to November. ■ 

3 Foreign tourists experience a 

mask-making event at the 

Andong Hahoe Folk Village 

2 

3 

Andong Mask Dance Festival 

This is a must-see festival for locals 

and foreign tourists. It is held every 

year for about 10 days, between the 

end of September and the beginning 

of October. The world-renowned festival 

was first held in 1997, drawing 

more than 800,000 visitors every year. 

The festival includes domestic and international 

mask dance performances, 

as well as modern performances and 

mime. Mask dances were a way for ordinary 

people to express their views 

on society. 

Yonhap 

The pampas grass field at Sky Park near Seoul World Cup Stadium 



DIPLOMACY 

Yonhap 

Yonhap 

President Lee Myung-bak shakes 

hands with French President Nicolas 

Sarkozy (center) and European 

Commission President Jose Manuel 

Barroso in Beijing on Oct. 25 

Korean President Lee Myung-bak (center, front row) and other leaders from Asian and European countries pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of 

the seventh ASEM summit in Beijing on Oct. 24 

President Lee Seeks Global Efforts to 

Overcome Financial Crisis 

Korean President Lee Myung-bak 

called for overhauling the roles 

and functions of the International 

Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World 

Bank in order for the world to overcome 

the current financial turmoil and 

prevent the recurrence of a similar crisis 

in the future. 

In a keynote speech at the opening 

session of the Asia-Europe Meeting 

(ASEM) summit in Beijing on Oct. 24, 

Lee asserted that emerging Asian 

economies should be allowed to reflect 

their positions in the restructuring of 

the international financial organizations. 

“The existing international financial 

system did not function properly 

because it failed to keep pace with 

globalization, revolutions in information 

and technology, as well as the 

rapidly changing international economic 

environment in general,” said 

Lee. “In light of this, we hope to see 

discussions take place that will 

strengthen the role and function of the 

IMF and the World Bank, whereby we 

will have an improved mechanism 

equipped with an early warning and 

surveillance system, effectively warning 

us of possible dangers.” 

The biennial ASEM summit 

opened in Beijing on Oct. 24, with the 

global financial crisis the key focus of 

attention among participating leaders 

of 43 member nations and heads of 

the European Commission and the 

ASEAN Secretariat. ASEM nations account 

for roughly 60 percent of the 

world’s gross domestic product. 

Earlier, leaders of Korea, China, 

Japan and 10 member states of the 

Association of Southeast Asian 

Nations (ASEAN) met over breakfast 

in Beijing and agreed to create an 

US$80 billion joint fund by next June 

to fight regional financial crises. 

The so-called ASEAN Plus Three 

countries also agreed to push for the 

establishment of a regional economic 

surveillance organization to ensure 

greater financial stability in the region. 

Before concluding the speech, Lee 

expressed high expectations for the 

Group of 20 summit slated for mid- 

November in Washington D.C., saying 

that the upcoming summit meeting 

is expected to generate “substantive 

and productive” results through 

closer consultations between emerging 

and advanced economies. Lee is 

scheduled to attend the Group of 20 

summit. ■ 

A Series of 

Bilateral Summits 

Lee Calls for 

Korea’s Leading Role 

in Global Economic 

Order Change 

Speaking at the World Leaders Forum in Seoul 

on Oct. 30, Korean President Lee Myung-bak 

called for Korea’s leading role in reshaping the 

international economic order. The one-day forum, 

hosted by the South Korean government 

in commemoration of its 60th founding anniversary, 

brought together scores of influential 

world leaders and prominent academics, 

including 15 former heads of state. 

“At the financial crisis summit scheduled in 

Washington on Nov. 15, I will commit myself 

to promoting international cooperation on 

measures to reinvigorate the world economy, 

including the reorganization of the international 

financial system,” Lee said. 

Yonhap 

On the sidelines of the ASEM conference, 

President Lee held separate talks with leaders 

from France, Poland, Denmark, Vietnam and 

Japan. 

President Lee and Japanese Prime Minister 

Taro Aso agreed to cooperate more closely in 

combating the global financial crisis and accelerating 

the denuclearization of North Korea. 

The two leaders also agreed to resume bilateral 

shuttle summit diplomacy, long suspended 

following the outbreak of bilateral territorial 

and historical conflicts earlier this year. 

Korea and Vietnam agreed to further widen 

“comprehensive partnership relations” by intensively 

promoting closer cooperation in the 

fields of economy, investment, education and 

tourism, Korean officials said. 

The agreement was reached at a summit 

between President Lee and Vietnamese 

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. 

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk asked 

for greater Korean participation in its massive 

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir 

bin Mohamad said “Korea emerged only after 

the (1950-53) war and therefore its experience 

is quite new. I am quite sure Koreans remember 

the difficulties they had faced in developing 

their country.” “I think South Korea 

can still play this role to provide the region 

with a model. I am quite sure even China 

must have learned something from Korea's 

development.” 

infrastructure expansion projects, including 

the construction of atomic power plants, Lee’s 

spokesman said. 

Lee’s summit with French President 

Nicolas Sarkozy on Oct. 25 produced an 

agreement to cooperate on concluding ongoing 

free trade agreement negotiations between 

Korea and the European Union by the 

end of this year. 

Lee and Sarkozy also agreed to cooperate 

closely to produce substantive agreements to 

fight the global financial crisis at the Group of 

20 summit slated for mid-November in 

Washington D.C. 

Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the 

European Commission, was also on hand at 

the Lee-Sarkozy meeting to call for a swift 

conclusion of Korea-EU FTA negotiations. ■ 

President Lee attends (center) attends the World Leaders Forum in Seoul on Oct. 30 

Francis Fukuyama of Johns Hopkins 

University said while many have talked about 

Korea's economic miracle, there has been a 

political miracle as well. “Korea has gone from 

a dictatorship to a functioning democracy in a 

single generation,” he said. 

Former U.S. Defense Secretary William S. 

Cohen called on South Korea to continue 

such efforts to weather the financial crisis and 

bring lasting peace to the peninsula. ■ 



GLOBAL KOREA 

Yonhap 

Visitors take a look at a golden crown of the Silla Dynasty 

Yonhap 

Visitors walk past a Korean Buddha 

statue installed at BOZAR 

treasures and eight treasures. 

“Made in Korea” concentrates on 

Korean culture, from traditional foods, 

art and books to plays and performances. 

“Gugak,” or Korean traditional 

music, filled the air on the opening 

day, and the event’s finale will showcase 

B-boy performances. 

Twenty-five Korean films from famous 

directors such as Kim Ki-duk and 

Lee Chang-dong screen during the event. 

The Korean and Belgium governments 

each supported 2.1 billion and 3.2 

billion won, respectively, for this event. 

“There has never been an event 

this big to introduce Korea to the 

world,” said Yu In-chon, the minister 

of culture, sports and tourism, during 

the opening ceremony. “This festival 

will show the world Korea’s power, 

which came to be after dramatic 

growth during the past 60 years.” 

The event is hosted by the Ministry 

of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the 

National Museum of Korea and the 

Belgium BOZAR. 

“The Smile of Buddha” will run 

through Jan. 18, and “Made in Korea” 

will continue until Feb. 28. ■ 

‘Made in Korea’ 

Shines in Belgium 

Yonhap 

The National Orchestra of Korea performs Gugak at the opening ceremony 

BY PARK MIN-YOUNG 

STAFF WRITER 

Yonhap 

Korean Culture Minister Yu In-chon (third from right) and Belgium officials look at the Bangasayusang, 

a Contemplative Bodhiattva statue 

Amega-size event to introduce 

Korean culture to the world officially 

opened at BOZAR, the 

Center for Fine Arts, in Brussels, 

Belgium, on Oct. 9. 

More than 1,200 people visited 

BOZAR on opening day, proving the 

rising popularity of Korean culture. 

The festival is composed of two 

major expositions — “The Smile of 

Buddha” and “Made in Korea.” 

“The Smile of Buddha” is the 

biggest Buddhism exposition in the 

world. It has 209 pieces of Korean 

Buddhism art, including four national 



GLOBAL KOREA 

Gugak performance at the Korea Festival 2008 in Siam Paragon 

Xing, a Korean group of singers, throw a performance 

Celebration for 

50th Anniversary of 

Korea-Thailand Relations 


STAFF WRITER 

Ice, a Thai idol star, performs on stage 

Officials pose at the Korea Festival 2008 in Siam Paragon 

Many Korean cultural events are being held in 

Bangkok, Thailand, to celebrate the 50th anniversary 

of friendship between the two countries. 

A commemorative ceremony took place on Oct. 1 in 

Bangkok in the presence of hundreds of diplomatic and 

cultural officials from both countries. Thailand’s Korean 

residents also took part. 

“Interchanges between the two countries, which were 

insignificant 50 years ago, have now rapidly increased,” 

said President Lee Myung-bak during his congratulatory 

address, which Kim Jang-sil, the vice minister of Ministry 

of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, read by proxy. 

“Both countries should make a new leap into the future 

based on these accomplishments.” 

During the ceremony, “Clown,” a Korean traditional percussion 

quartet, and the National Dance Company of Korea 

gave a celebratory performance called “Korea Fantasy.” 

Various events followed afterwards. The National 

Museum of Contemporary Art ran the exhibition “Daily life in 

Korea” at the Queen’s Gallery in Bangkok from Oct. 2 to 21. 

The Korean Residents Association of Thailand and the 

Korea Thailand Communication Center hosted “Korea 

Festival 2008” in Siam Paragon, a shopping center in 

Bangkok, from Oct. 10 to 12. 

A “Hanbok” (Korean traditional costume) fashion show 

and “Gugak” (Korean traditional music) performances 

were put on for the audience. 

Korean movie star Kim Rae-won made a visit for the 

“Meet a Korean celebrity” event on Oct. 11. He was the ambassador 

of the festival. 

More fun is to be held. The national taekwondo demonstration 

team will perform on Nov. 12, and the Andre Kim 

fashion show is planned for Dec. 13. 

“Nanta,” a famous non-verbal performance, will be 

staged Dec. 12 to 21. 

Korea and Thailand established a bilateral relationship 

on Oct. 1, 1958, based on improved ties during the 1950-53 

Korean War. ■ 

(Photos courtesy of KOIS) 

Officials from 32 countries participate in training and education for the prohibition of chemical weapons 

2008 International Assistance and 

Protection Course 


STAFF WRITER 

The Ministry of National Defense 

and the Organization for the 

Prohibition of Chemical 

Weapons of the Chemical Weapons 

Convention held the “International 

Assistance and Protection Course” 

from Sept. 22 to 26. 

The course offered information on 

defense, materials, science and technology 

— which could be used in case of 

terrorist strikes or chemical accidents. 

Korea is the first Asian country to 

host this program. It normally takes 

place in European countries, but the 

OPCW made a request to host it in 

Seoul in 2005, alluding to Korea’s excellent 

chemical defense skills. It has 

been held in Seoul for the past four 

years. 

This year, 32 officials from 23 

countries participated, including 

Russia, China, Iran and Australia. 

The program focused on education 

for individual and collective protection 

systems in case of chemical accidents 

or terrorist strikes. It also 

touched on detecting the presence of 

narcotics and their use. 

Many institutes in Korea — including 

the National Army Chem, Bio, and 

Radiological Defense Command, Seoul 

City, National Police Agency, National 

Emergency Management Agency, and 

National 119 Rescue Service — participated 

in the course. 

“I believe this CWC education will 

increase exchanges in the chemical 

defense field between member nations,” 

said an official of the Ministry 

of National Defense. “The Ministry of 

National Defense will do its best to be 

prepared for any possible terrorist 

strikes in the future.” ■ 

(Photos courtesy of Defense Ministry) 

The program 

focused on 

education for 

individual and 

collective 

protection 

systems in case of 

chemical 

accidents or 

terrorist strikes. 


GLOBAL KOREA 

Feeling better, children play cards with their mothers 

Six Iraqi children who received heart surgeries and their family make the sign of a heart above their heads 

‘Thank You, Korea’ 

Heart Surgeries 

for Six Iraqi 

Children a Flying 

Success 


STAFF WRITER 

Six Iraqi children returned to 

their country on Oct. 15 after 

having their heart-related diseases 

cured in Korea. 

They arrived in Korea on Sept. 23 

through the invitation of a charity 

foundation made up of Korea Exchange 

Bank and Sejong General Hospital. The 

foundation funded the surgeries after 

Korean peacekeeping troops of the 

Zaytun unit in Iraq diagnosed them 

with congenital forms of heart disease. 

The six suffered from heart diseases 

which can be cured when treated 

early but can be deadly if not. They 

needed prompt treatment but could 

not afford it. 

They were all in serious condition 

by the time they arrived in Korea. Risk 

was high for 6-year-old Ranea Selah, 

who suffered from a congenital malformation 

of the heart. 

“Even doing a close examination 

was dangerous for her, not to mention 

undergoing surgery,” said Dr. Kim Sujin 

of Sejong General Hospital. 

In what was likely a miracle, 

Ranea survived four complex surgeries 

and is rapidly recovering. So are 

the rest of the kids. 

“Compared to the day they first arrived, 

they are incredibly healthy and 

their complexion looks good,” said Dr. 

Kim. “They will be able to live healthy 

lives with their normal hearts now.” 

Now full of energy, the six — from 

the youngest, Hawkar Mujafar, who is 

one and a half, to the oldest, Sana 

Farup, who is 12 — cannot stop giggling 

even for a second. 

“Thank you very much,” Sana said 

with a shy smile. “A million thank 

yous would not be enough, as Korea 

has saved my life. I feel more like a 

Korean than Iraqi now, since they gave 

me a Korean heart.” Sana cannot wait 

to go to school and be with her friends. 

For the younger ones, the moms 

couldn’t wait to send them off to 

kindergarten. 

“I never let him go outside at all before. 

But now, he can attend kindergarten 

when we go back,” said Abdulla 

Najat’s mother, stroking her son’s head. 

“We want to thank the Korean 

government and the Zaytun unit for 

giving us this wonderful opportunity,” 

she added. 

This is not the first time the Korean 

military and hospitals have worked side 

by side to save Iraqi lives. Sejong 

General Hospital, the Zaytun unit and 

other charity foundations co-sponsored 

surgeries in 2007 for Iraq war amputees 

and patients with heart disease. 

The kids toured Seoul on Oct. 14. It 

was a meaningful day for them, as 

they were outdoors without worrying 

about getting sick. 

Getting ready for the big day out, 

12-year-old Sarwar Kadir expresses 

his excitement by running around the 

hospital. He was always optimistic, 

even on the day of his arrival, wearing 

a suit and shiny shoes to commemorate 

his visit to Korea. 

Now that he is healthy, he is a ball 

of energy. 

“Feel like you can run really fast?” 

someone asks him. 

“Of course!” Sarwar answers proudly 

with a mischievous smirk on his face 

— just like any other 12-year-old. ■ 

(Photos by The Korea Herald) 

Sarwar Kadir poses with his doctor 



NATIONAL 

(From top) 

Visitors look around the state exposition hall 

Visitors look around the presidential exposition hall 

Presidential Archives 

Set to Introduce Korea 

to the World 


STAFF WRITER 

Brief records of each president in the presidential exposition hall 

Nara Archive Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 

The Presidential Archives opened 

in the Nara (National State) 

Archive Center in Seongnam, 

Gyeonggi-do, in December 2007. 

The nine-floor — including two 

basement floors — national archive, 

equipped with ultra-modern protection 

systems, is capable of storing 4 

million volumes. It consists of a state 

archive and a presidential one. 

As a part of the state archive which 

holds important documents and records 

of the nation, the Presidential Archive 

was established this April to specially 

manage and preserve the valuable 

recordings related to the presidents. 

It holds more than 8 million pieces 

of data of the former and present presidents 

— from those of the first 

President Syngman Rhee to the present 

President Lee Myung-bak’s presidential 

transition team. 

“Korea is the first country to manage 

the ex-presidents’ archives all together,” 

says Hong Won-ki, a staff 

member of the policy coordination 

team of the Presidential Archives. 

Historical documents, such as the 

14th President Kim Young-sam’s urgent 

announcement regarding the real-name 

accounting system and the 15th 

President Kim Dae-jung’s June 15 

South-North Joint Declaration, are 

found there. 

Some documents are classified and 

will not be open to the public for 15 to 

30 years. 

“This stops many documents from 

being abolished due to sensitive matters,” 

explained Hong. “We will preserve 

them well and after a certain period 

of time the public will be able to 

see them. This is a better way to uphold 

the people’s right to know.” 

The archives are well preserved. 

Sterilization before stocking the documents 

is obligatory, and they also go 

through a deoxidization process considering 

their condition of acidity. 

A restoration team fixes damaged 

documents of high value. It is such 

“Korea is the first 

country to manage 

the ex-presidents’ 

archives all 

together,” says 

Hong Won-ki, 

a staff member of 

the policy 

coordination team 

of the Presidential 

Archives. 



NATIONAL 

A researcher deoxidizes documents before storing them 

A staff member edits a video 

A restoration team fixes damaged documents 

time-consuming work that even the 

well-trained professionals there can 

only amend one item per day. 

“Korea has one of the top skills in 

this field,” says Ko Yeon-suk, a curator 

in the Records Restoration Room. 

The Archive is armed with protection 

systems to prevent theft or corrosion. 

The walls and roof are double 

layered to maintain the right temperature 

and humidity, and the walls of 

the repository are made with copperplate 

on the inside to intercept electromagnetic 

waves. 

In case of a fire, inergen sprays out 

in the repository instead of water to 

protect the documents. A radio-frequency 

identification system keeps 

track of all the documents. 

There are two exposition rooms on 

the first floor, the state exposition 

hall, which briefly exhibits the 

archival history of Korea, and the 

presidential exposition hall. 

The presidential exposition hall has 

six sections. The section called “Presidents 

with the People” shows photos 

and video clips of the presidents being 

with the people. “The Chronological 

Presidential History” introduces brief 

records of each president. 

“Presidents’ National Administration 

Records” exhibits documents and video 

clips of important presidential affairs. 

“Presents from World Leaders” displays 

various souvenirs the presidents received 

from overseas. 

Some corners are for children. At 

the “Be a President” section, the president’s 

office is prepared for children 

to take photos in. “Children, the 

Leaders of the Future” informs children 

about the administrations’ 

processes through flash animation. 

Now that a great amount of presidential 

records are fashioned online, 

the National Archives of Korea constructed 

the Presidential Web Records 

Service last July. It will start service 

next year. 

The National Archives of Korea is 

on its first steps to introduce Korean 

archival culture to the world. It held 

the International Archives Exhibition 

& Conference 2008 from Oct. 30 to 

Nov. 1 at COEX in southern Seoul. It 

is planning on hosting the 

International Archives Culture Expo 

2010 in Korea. 

For more information, visit 

www.pa.go.kr ■ 

(Photos by The Korea Herald) 

(From top) A staff member looks through documents in the repository 

Visitors look at the gifts presidents received from world leaders 



SCIENCE 

World’s Largest Solar Power Plant 

to Go into Operation in Sinan-gun 

The solar power generation modules installed in Sinan-gun 

Engineers assemble the ground test vehicle, a mock-up of the KSLV-1 rocket, at KARI’s assembly complex in Goheung, Jeollanam-do 

The world’s largest solar power 

plant in Sinan-gun, Jeollanamdo, 

will start operating in mid- 

November. Dongyang Engineering 

and Construction Corp. will hold a 

dedication ceremony for the power 

plant with in attendance Prime 

Minister Han Seong-soo and other 

dignitaries on Nov. 15. 

The plant generates a capacity of 

35,000MW annually on a site that is 

670,000 square meters, a size equivalent 

to 93 soccer stadiums. 

It can generate enough electricity 

to power more than 10,000 homes. 

The company invested a total of 200 

billion won for the construction of the 

plant. 

The size of the plant is the largest 

of its kind in Korea, and it is the 

world’s largest in terms of a solar 

power plant using the “1-Axis 

Tracking System,” which makes solar 

modules automatically move toward 

the direction of the sun. ■ 

An aerial view of the 

world’s largest solar 

power plant in Sinan-gun 

Korea’s First Rocket Unveiled 

at Naro Space Center 

The state-run Korea Aerospace 

Research Institute (KARI) has 

unveiled the mock-up of a rocket 

designed to send a domestically 

produced research satellite into orbit 

next year from the country’s spaceport 

in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. 

A successful launch from Naro 

Space Center would make Korea the 

ninth country in the world to launch 

its own satellite on home soil. The 

Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV- 

1) rocket will be launched some time 

during the second quarter of next year. 

The KSLV-1 is a carrier rocket designed 

for transporting satellites. Naro 

Space Center also unveiled a 30-meterlong 

launch pad, which is not stationary. 

The space center represents Korea’s 

first step to become a major player in 

the exploration of space. The center 

consists of facilities for satellite control, 

testing and assembly, press center, 

launch facility, electric power station, 

space experience hall and landing 

field. ■ 

The launch system installed at the Naro Space 

Center in Goheung 

KARI 



CULTURE 

The Gansong Art Museum 

Seongbuk Elementary School 

Hansung University Subway Station, 

Line 4 

4 

How to Get There 

The Gansong Art Museum is located in Seongbuk-dong, 

northern Seoul. To get to the museum take the subway to 

Hansung University Subway Station, Line 4. The museum is a 

five-minute taxi ride away. 

Joseon Painters 

Bring Crowds to Gansong Museum 

BY JEAN OH 

KOREA HERALD STAFF WIRTER 

Gansong Art Museum 

Jeongi’s “Maehwaseook” (A library in the apricot woods) 

Early into the second day of Gansong Art 

Museum’s long-awaited fall exhibition, visitors 

continue to crowd the first and second floors of 

the building. 

Eager to catch a glimpse of the works of some of 

the Joseon Dynasty’s finest artists, viewers wait patiently 

in line, peering into the wavering glass cases. 

Just four months ago on the second day of 

Gansong’s spring exhibition — which showcased a series 

of works by famed painter Jang Seung-up and his contemporaries 

— the museum was comparatively empty. 

No long lines, no need to crane one’s neck to get a 

look at the paintings, Gansong was a temple of peace 

and beauty. This time, however, is an entirely different 

story. 

Choi Wan-su, representative of the museum attributed 

the overwhelming turnout to the popularity 

of late Joseon Dynasty artist Shin Yun-bok, whose art 

was on display. 

“I feel that this year, because Shin Yun-bok is already 

a prominent artist, I think that it had an influence 

on the number of visitors who came,” he said. 

This seems to be the year of Shin: He is the subject 

of the currently-airing SBS drama “The Painter of 

Wind,” a movie about him is slated to hit the big 

screen in November and his art was the center of attention 

at Gansong. 

“Our bestselling art poster is Hyewon’s ‘Miindo,’” 

said the representative, referring to Shin by his pseudonym, 

as well as to one of his masterpieces, “Miindo 

(Portrait of a Beautiful Woman).” 

According to him, the museum did not plan their 

exhibition around Shin Yun-bok or draw inspiration 

from the novel-turned-drama “The Painter of Wind.” 

In fact, both Shin and Kim’s work made up fraction of 

an exhibition brimming with painting and writing 

that span the Joseon Dynasty. 

Titled, “The 70th Anniversary of Bohwagak,” the exhibit 

celebrated the rich history of Gansong, formerly 

called Bohwagak meaning “a house with treasures of 

Joseon,” by taking stock of the research that has been 

conducted over the years and using it to select key 

works from the Joseon Dynasty. 

Though the exhibition as a whole astounded with 

its impressive collection of calligraphic works and elegant 

paintings, one could not help but be drawn to 

both Shin and Kim’s art. 

Shin’s “Miindo (Portrait of a Beautiful Woman),” 

in particular, captivated. This portrait of a woman — 

Kim Hong-do’s “Masangcheongaeng” (Listening to an oriole from atop a horse) 



SBS 

Actors Park Shin-yang 

(left) and Moon 

Geun-young play the 

roles of Kim Hong-do 

and Shin Yun-bok, 

respectively, in the 

drama “The Painter of 

the Wind” 

CULTURE 

Shin Yun-bok’s “Juyucheonggang” (Enjoying boating on a clear river) 

presumably a gisaeng (Korean geisha) — artfully captured 

the nuances of the female heart. 

Expressing a certain poignancy, the painting 

lacked the usual sly coquetry that one attributes to 

gisaeng. The subject’s gaze channel a flitting sadness, 

contained within the butterfly arch of her delicate 

brows. Her willowy hands also clasp the decorative 

beads on her vest in a pensive manner. 

Fellow genre painter Kim’s work, which hung next 

to Shin’s, provided a stark contrast. 

Titled “Listening to a Chinese Oriole from Atop a 

Horse,” Kim’s work left the upper half of the canvas 

empty, subscribing to the traditional use of “void” in 

pre-modern Korean painting. 

His strokes seemed hurried and blurred, soft and 

without boundaries, as he captured a young scholar 

on a late spring day. Kim’s work evoked the season’s 

heady charms through his subjects. 

Unable to withstand the sweet seduction of this 

season of love, the young scholar mounted a horse and 

went in search of inspiration, finding it in a singing 

oriole atop a willow tree. 

Through these two works, one could understand 

why both Kim Hong-do, known as Danwon, and Shin 

Yun-bok a.k.a. Hyewon, were called two of the “Three 

Wons” of the Joseon Dynasty. 

Famed for its dedication to the preservation of national-treasure 

level artifacts, documents and paintings, 

Gansong opens its doors to the public twice a year. 

Its exclusive exhibitions run for less than a month, 

affording visitors a glimpse of the foundation’s treasures. 

Established in 1938 by Jeon Hyeong-pil, Gansong 

dedicated itself to preventing the removal of Korean 

cultural properties by the Japanese during the colonial 

period. As a result, the museum is now home to more 

than 20 national treasures. ■ 

(Photos courtesy of the Gansong Art Museum) 

Shin Yun-bok’s “Miindo” (Portrait of a beautiful woman) 

SBS 

New Drama 

on Joseon’s 

Legendary 

Painters 

Actress Moon Geun-young 

Based on the bestselling novel of the 

same name, SBS-TV’s new drama 

“The Painter of the Wind” reinterprets 

and rewrites the lives of leaves of 

leading Joseon Dynasty painters Kim 

Hong-do and Shin Yu-bok. 

While the series retains the usual elements 

of intrigue and murder, politics 

and warfare take a back seat. Romance 

and the essence of the late Joseon 

Dynasty, an era of reform and cultural 

renaissance, come to the forefront, imbuing 

the period piece with a strong 

sense of humanity and intimacy. 

More importantly, the series takes an 

approach reminiscent of lush period 

pieces like E. J-yong’s “Untold Scandal” 

(2003), by focusing on issues of sexuality 

and gender. 

Posing the classically Shakespearian 

question: “What if the famed painter Shin 

Yun-bok had been a girl pretending to be 

a boy?” the drama — like the original novel 

— toys with themes of homosexuality 

and forbidden love while highlighting the 

inequalities of a male-dominated society. 

Actress Moon Geun-young took up 

the challenge of playing girl-turned-boy 

Shin Yun-bok. And she does a surprisingly 

good job of portraying a confident 

and rebellious girl struggling to make it 

in a world ruled by men. 

“I tried to copy my older male costars,” 

said Moon, 21, at the press conference. 

The precocious actress did more 

than just mimic her male colleagues. 

She managed to convey the mischievous 

and anguished nature of her character, 

at times playing a sweet and innocent 

tomboy, at others, a cocky and 

seductive painter. 

Though there is no evidence that the 

real Shin was a woman, his talent at 

capturing the beauty of women and creating 

exquisite intimate paintings remains 

undisputed. 

While fellow genre painter Kim 

Hong-do a.k.a. Danwon (1745-1806) 

enjoyed a relatively prominent career as 

an artist, painter Shin — who was expelled 

from the royal painting institute, 

Dohwaseo — lived a more obscure life. 

“The Painter of Wind” takes historical 

liberties with the lives of Kim Hongdo 

and Shin Yun-bok, depicting a fullblown 

romance between Kim, played by 

Park Shin-yang, and Moon Geunyoung’s 

character, against the backdrop 

of 18th century Korea. ■ 



CULTURE 

The dragon (yong) 

Animal Paintings 

Symbolize Folk Beliefs 

BY SUH GONG-IM 

PRESIDENT OF THE KOREAN FOLK PAINTING ASSOCIATION 

The tiger (horang-i) 

Paintings that decorated Korean 

homes were not valued solely 

for their artistic beauty. They 

represented popular wishes to fend off 

evil spirits and invoke blessings from 

heaven. Across genres these pictures 

often featured animals. The following 

are some of the animals most often 

depicted in ancient Korean folk paintings 

and what they symbolized in the 

spiritual life of Koreans. 

The tiger (horang-i) was widely 

believed to be a compassionate 

guardian that protected humans and 

even repaid their kindness. Therefore, 

the tiger was usually depicted as a 

gentle and docile creature rather than 

a ferocious beast. Still, the underlying 

belief was that it was a fearless and 

valiant animal that would prevent 

misfortunes such as fire, flood or 

storm, and chase away evil spells. 

Tiger skins or ornaments made of tiger 

claws were considered to have such 

mysterious powers. Tiger paintings 

were put on the gate or other places 

around the house on New Year’s Day 

with hopes they would usher in a 

blissful year. 

The dragon (yong) was an imaginary 

animal that supposedly lived in 

the water before ascending to heaven. 

It was worshiped as an enigmatic and 



CULTURE 

The dog (gae) 

A legendary fire-eating creature, haetae 

dignified creature comparable to emperors 

and kings. Like the rulers the 

dragon was held accountable for protecting 

people and the country as well 

as controlling water. Hence the king’s 

face was called “yong-an,” the throne 

was “yong-sang,” the king’s virtuous 

mind “yong-deok,” the king’s status 

“yong-wi,” and his official garb 

“yong-po.” In folk mythology the blue 

dragon symbolized exorcist powers, 

the yellow or white dragon represented 

the royal authority, and the fish 

dragon was believed to possess rainmaking 

powers. 

The rooster (dak) heralds dawn and 

scatters darkness, so it often appeared 

in paintings posted on middle gates. 

The rooster was seen to have five 

virtues. With its crest symbolizing a 

high post in civil service and sharp 

claws standing for military prowess, the 

rooster was considered valiant enough 

to never retreat from battle, compassionate 

enough to crow when it finds 

feed to share it with others, and credible 

enough to depend on for keeping time. 

Hence it was regarded as a virtuous 

fowl: the rooster, more precisely the sutak, 

would ensure a smooth climb up 

the bureaucratic ladder; the hen, or amtak, 

promised fertility. 

The phoenix(bonghwang) was a 

highly auspicious legendary creature 

often compared to kings (bong) and 

queens (hwang). One of the four 

guardian spirits representing the four 

cardinal directions, the phoenix was 

believed to live only atop paulownia 

trees, eating bamboo seeds and, once 

stretching its wings, it could fly 90,000 

li. Phoenix designs, symbolic of dignity 

and auspiciousness, were used for 

royal emblems, costumes and furniture. 

The Korean presidential emblem 

has a phoenix design. 

The dog (gae) has long been a 

smart and faithful friend of man. From 

ancient times it was highly prized for 

its geniality and loyalty to humans and 

considered useful for hunting and 

guiding as well as guarding homes. 

Also, the dog was believed to be capable 

of protecting humans from evil 

spirits, disease, ghosts and wicked apparitions, 

as well as warning and preventing 

disasters. As white tigers and 

white horses were regarded as sacred 

creatures, white dogs were considered 

indispensable for suppressing inauspicious 

energies lurking around a home. 

Yellow dogs were often raised at farm 

houses as guardians of fertility and 

rich crops. The smart and handsome 

species native to Jin Island, Jindogae 

stands for courage and loyalty, and the 

Korean native poodle, called sapsalgae, 

is believed to chase off evil spirits. 

With its elegant horns stretched 

toward the sky, the deer (saseum) was 

regarded as a sacred creature capable 

of discerning the holy intentions of 

heaven. Consequently, it was believed 

to prevent disease and invoke happiness 

and wealth. The deer were also 

envisaged as vehicles for immortals 

and one of the ten longevity symbols. 

In Chinese the two letters symbolizing 

the deer and public officials’ 

salaries are both pronounced as lu 

(nok in Korean) though they have 

different shapes. Hence, bailu 

(baengnok in Korean), literally “one 

hundred deer,” came to mean “success 

and happiness.” 

The turtle (geobuk), with its round 

domed upper shell and flat under 

shell, symbolized the ancient Korean 

notion of a round domed sky and a 

flat Earth. Thus it was regarded as a 

sacred creature connecting heaven 

and man and an emblem of longevity, 

felicity, stability and strength. A 

stone stele erected on a stone turtle 

back embodied hopes that it would 

last forever. 

An imaginary unicorn named 

girin stood for compassion and mercy. 

Hence its emergence was seen as a 

sign for the emergence of a sage king. 

Ancient Koreans called a young man 

with prominent ability and dignity a 

girin-a, meaning a child prodigy. 

A legendary fire-eating creature, 

haetae, was believed to be a guardian 

of justice that would strike anything 

improper or unjust with its mighty 

horn. Due to its fire-eating nature, 

haetae symbolized water and paintings 

of this creature were often put on 

kitchen walls. In China a similar 

imaginary animal was known as 

xiezhi, or haechi in Korean. ■ 

(Photos by Suh Gong-im) 

(Source: Cultural Heritage 

Administration, Korean Heritage) 



CULTURAL FIGURE - 2 

Credia 

‘For Me, the Stage 

is My Home’ 


BY LEE JI-YOON 

STAFF WRITER 

Sarah Chang reacts after her performance in collaboration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 19 

From time to time geniuses appear 

in the world of classical 

music — and then are easily forgotten. 

But 29-year-old violinist 

Sarah Chang, who debuted as a child 

prodigy at the age of 9, is considered 

one of the most consistent violinists 

active in the international scene. The 

late violinist Yehudin Menuhin once 

called her “the most wonderful, the 

most perfect, the most ideal violinist I 

have ever heard.” 

In 1980, Sarah Chang, also known 

as Chang Young-ju in Korea, was 

born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 

to Korean parents who had moved 

to the United States for study one 

year earlier. Both graduated from 

the Music College of Seoul 

National University, Chang Minsoo, 

her father, is a violinist and 

her mother Chang Myoung-jun 

is a composer. 

Her mother put Chang on 

the piano when she was 3. 

But at 4 she asked for the violin 

because she wanted 

“something smaller and 


Credia 

more portable.” Then she auditioned 

for the Juilliard School in New York at 

6 and was admitted into the studio of 

the late Dorothy DeLay, violin teacher 

to some of the world’s great violinists, 

including Chang’s father. 

At 8 she auditioned with Zubin 

Mehta and Riccardo Muti, who were 

working, respectively, with the New 

York Philharmonic and the 

Philadelphia Orchestra, and both gave 

her immediate engagements. 

She was possibly the youngest violinist 

ever to record — at the age of 9. 

Her first album, entitled “Debut,” quickly 

reached Billboard’s best-sellers. 

She has collaborated with most 

major orchestras, including the New 

York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia 

Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, the 

Boston Symphony, the Berlin 

Philharmonic and the Vienna 

Philharmonic. 

In 2006 Newsweek magazine 

named her one of the eight top achieving 

females in the United States. In the 

article accompanying the announcement, 

she wrote about the early start of 

her social career, saying: “I think having 

a career at such an early age kept 

me focused. We schedule at least two 

to three years in advance in the classical 

industry. I felt so grounded and so 

grateful to already know what it was 

that I wanted to do with my life.” 

She is one of the most sought-after 

musicians in the world, performing 

100 to 150 concerts per year. It is 

a well-known story that she asked 

for a three-month break at 17, and 

took it when she was 20 after her 

agency rearranged her schedule for 

three years. 

“For me, the stage is my home. I 

love the adrenaline rush you get from 

having a live audience in front of 

you,” she said in the Newsweek article. 

In 2002 she performed in 

Pyongyang with South and North 

Korean orchestras. It was an unforgettable 

experience for the Korean- 

American musician. 

“I’m so fortunate to be a musician, 

and at that moment (in Pyongyang), I 

genuinely felt that music is the one and 

only universal language,” she said. ■ 

Her first album 

“Debut” (top) 

and others 



PEOPLE 

Jung Sung-ha 

Korean 

Guitar Prodigy 

Rises as a Star 

on the Web 


STAFF WRITER 

Guitar prodigy Jung Sung-ha 

AKorean guitar prodigy has become a star on the Web 

because of video clips he posted on the U.S. videosharing 

website YouTube (http://youtube.com/ 

user/jwcfree). 

Jung Sung-ha, 12, began learning the guitar just three 

years ago and is already a household name among Koreans 

after he appeared on a TV program playing masterpieces of 

popular musicians such as the Beetles, Eric Clapton and 

Sting with great dexterity. 

Especially Jung’s finger-style guitar makes his performances 

more unique. He plays the guitar by plucking the 

strings directly with his fingertips, fingernails, or picks attached 

to his fingers. Not many guitarists in the world like 

the technique because players have to use each of the right 

hand fingers independently in order to play the multiple 

Yonhap 

parts of a musical arrangement that would normally be 

played by several band members. 

Impressed by Jung’s brilliant performance, despite his 

young age, not only ordinary listeners but also finger-style 

guitarists around the world send seemingly endless streams 

of praise for the boy. With nearly 2.5 million views, his performance 

of U2’s “With or Without You” is the most popular 

among some 100 video clips he posted since 2006. 

Recently the number of visitors has considerably increased 

after Yoko Ono, whose late husband is John 

Lennon, left a positive comment on one of Jung’s videos. 

“I just witnessed your performance of ‘All You Need is 

Love’! Thank you for a beautiful performance. John 

Lennon would have been happy that you performed his 

song so well,” she wrote, posting the video clip on her 

YouTube blog where she posts performance clips of her late 

husband and other famous musicians. 

Jung Woo-chang, father of the child genius, was also 

surprised at her comment. “Even though my son doesn’t 

know much about the Beetles and Yoko Ono, I feel great 

that his performance receives attention from a celebrity like 

her,” he said. 

“Many guitarists are sending e-mails saying they want 

to teach my son and to be a music partner. I hope my son 

improves his guitar skills by communicating with various 

musicians,” he added. 

Last August Jung met Michel Haumont, a well-known 

French finger-style performer, in Paris and played with 

another guitarist Trace Bundy, who held a concert in 

Korea on Oct. 4. ■ 

Yoko Ono poses for a photo shoot 

Pianist Cho Sung-jin holds the awards he won at the Moscow 

International Frederick Chopin Competition for Young Pianists in 

Moscow on Oct. 19 

Korean Wins 

Moscow Chopin Competition 

Middle school student Cho Sung-jin, 14- 

year-old, won first prize at the 6th 

Moscow International Frederick Chopin 

Competition for Young Pianists, one of the most 

prestigious music contests for children. 

Another Korean contestant, Rhu Eun-sil, 16, 

finished fifth. 

A total of 36 finalists from nine countries, including 

five Koreans, competed for awards during 

the two-day competition held in Moscow on Oct. 

18 and 19. 

Along with first prize of $5,000, Cho swept 

other awards for best concerto, best polonaise, 

youngest player and the jury prize. 

“Cho is highly deserving of the first prize for 

his exceptional sense of tone and pianism,” said 

Nikolai Petrov, president of the Russian Academy 

of Arts and head of the jury. 

Cho started the piano at the age of 6 and has 

been educated at Seoul Arts Center’s music academy 

for child prodigies. He currently studies at 

Yewon, a prestigious arts school in Seoul. 

“I’m very happy to win the first prize,” he said, 

“I would like to be a pianist who can move people’s 

hearts through (music).” 

As the winner of the competition, he is scheduled 

to have a recital in Moscow in November. ■ 

Yonhap 



PEOPLE 

Yonhap 

The Korea Herald 

Diva for Homeland on 

New Album 

BY KOH YOUNG-AAH 

KOREA HERALD STAFF WRITER 

Jo’s latest album “Missing You” 

‘Arirang’ Played by N.K. Pianist 

at U.S. State Department 


STAFF WRITER 

North Korean pianist Kim Chul-woong performs at the U.S. State Department in Washington D.C. 

On Oct. 6, “Arirang,” the beloved 

Korean folk song, was played 

in the Benjamin Franklin Room 

at the U.S. State Department in 

Washington. The audience was overwhelmed 

not only by the sad melody 

of the song, but also by the pianist 

Kim Chul-woong, a North Korean who 

defected and now lives in Seoul. 

The 34-year-old pianist has become 

the first North Korean defector 

to have a recital at the center of U.S. 

diplomacy. 

“‘Arirang’ is a song that any South 

and North Korean person can recognize 

immediately,” he explained why 

he chose the song to arrange for the 

concert. 

“I hope my efforts can be helpful 

for people to pay more attention to 

human rights issues in North Korea,” 

said Kim who was on concert tour 

across the United States. 

Another striking moment occurred 

when the pianist played “A Song of 

Joy,” a popular North Korean song, 

which expresses the delights of independence 

after the Japanese colonial 

rule. The Korean media compared the 

moment to when the New York 

Philharmonic played the American 

national anthem in Pyongyang in 

February. 

On the day Kim gave a rendition of 

all four music pieces, the audience applauded 

him after every performance. 

He was educated at the Pyongyang 

Music and Dance Institute and graduated 

from the Tchaikovsky National 

Musical Academy of Russia. From 

1999, he played for the Pyongyang 

National Orchestra. 

He crossed the border to go to 

China in 2001 and arrived in Seoul in 

2003. ■ 

Traveling can be exciting, but it 

also has a way of making the 

traveler feel lonely. 

World-renowned soprano Jo Sumi 

is no exception. Jo says she has felt 

solitary throughout her career, due to 

traveling and spending a lot of time 

alone studying and practicing. 

With 25-years of world-traveling 

experience, Jo has released a new album 

in October titled “Missing You,” 

centered around this theme. 

The crossover album contains 16 

representative love songs from various 

countries, including the all-time-favorite 

Korean nursery song “Ummaya 

Nunaya (Mother, Sister).” 

“I chose to include ‘Ummaya 

Nunaya’ in the album along with numerous 

foreign songs, to say that the 

place that I want to come back to, after 

all the long journeys, is Korea, 

where I can see my mother,” said Jo 

from Italy in a phone interview with 

The Korea Herald. 

The soprano is noted for her excellence 

in classical repertoires, including 

operas. In May, Jo received a Puccini 

Award granted to figures who have 

contributed significantly to the promotion 

of the great Italian composer. 

She has been steadily releasing 

crossover albums as well. 

While most people expect her to be 

conservative just because she is a classical 

musician, Jo said she is actually 

very open-minded regarding different 

cultures, religions, and points of views 

because she went to study in Italy at a 

young age. 

“As an artist I desire to make music 

of different colors once in a while, 

which is like taking a vacation for 

me,” Jo said. “As long as the audience 

can feel relaxed listening to my music, 

I’m happy.” 

All the songs on the album were 

recorded in their original languages, 

meaning Jo sang in 11 different languages. 

Although Jo is known for her 

talent in learning and speaking foreign 

languages, she said it was a big 

challenge and was quite stressful. 

“It required a lot of courage for me 

to sing in languages I have never been 

acquainted with, like Swedish and 

Hebrew,” said Jo. 

Yet Jo stuck to it because she felt it 

was a good opportunity for her to get 

to know different countries, their cultures 

and historical backgrounds. 

Marking 22 years as a classical 

music performer, Jo thinks it is fate 

that has brought her thus far. 

“I think it’s fate. As I get older, I feel 

like I’m destined to do this,” said Jo. 

Even though confidence on stage 

only arises from sufficient rehearsing, 

the soprano said she thinks it is in her 

nature to become excited on stage. 

“Although I’m usually not a very 

outgoing person, I really love the spotlight 

that I get on stage. It almost 

makes me feel like a queen,” she said. 

Jo said she plans to release more 

crossover albums in the near future 

while continuing her tour. 

“I just want to present some healthy 

and joyful music that can appeal not 

only to the domestic audience, but also 

to foreign audiences,” Jo said. 

Jo starts her Asian tour within few 

months. She is set to return home for a 

concert in December. ■ 



PEOPLE 

Yonhap 

Lim performs a traditional 

Korean dance at the Shimogamo 

Shrine in Kyoto, Japan 

Kim Ki-duk’s 

‘Dream’ is 

Provocative, 

Deep 

BY YANG SUNG-JIN 

KOREA HERALD STAFF WRITER 

Director Kim Ki-duk 

Award-winning director Kim Ki-duk has built 

up an international reputation with his films 

that starkly differ from other mainstream 

movies in Korea and elsewhere. He stands 

out largely because of his provocative styles 

and thought-provoking themes. 

For better or worse, Kim did not pull any 

punches in making his 15th feature, “Dream 

(BiMong),” which was released here on Oct. 9. 

The movie has attracted media attention by 

signing up high-profile actors — Lee Na-young 

from Korea and Joe Odagiri from Japan — but 

viewers should be aware of the cinematic puzzles 

director Kim routinely inserts in his films, if 

they want to grasp what is really going on in 

this mixture of reality and fantasy. 

Odagiri plays Jin, an artist who sees himself 

in a dream causing a car crash. What he discovers, 

however, is that his dream is not a 

mere creation of his brain — all the details he 

witnessed while sleeping turn out to be true. 

Or that’s what viewers are supposed to assume, 

given the quirky plot turns provided by 

director Kim, who never shies away from purposeful 

ambiguity and ambivalence. 

Jin encounters a woman named Ran (Lee 

Na-young), a character who has plenty of 

grievances, especially concerning her shattered 

relationship with her ex-boyfriend. 

Strange as it may be, what Jin believes he has 

done in his dream is what Ran has done in reality. 

Although the car accident happens in 

Jin’s dream, the same incident plays out in 

Ran’s life, with police seeing her as the prime 

The poster for the film “Dream” 

suspect. 

The key proposition of the movie is that the 

two main characters are connected through 

dreams in a way that blurs reality and fantasy. 

A butterfly emerges as the core image symbolizing 

the significance of dreams. In fact, 

this metaphor comes from a well-known ancient 

Chinese thinker, and its implication is 

rather straightforward: A person may dream 

about his life and discover that it’s just a 

dream when he wakes up, but how can he be 

sure about the possibility that what appears 

as reality is also another dream? 

Kim’s presentation of the dream’s implications, 

however, is far from straightforward. The 

subplots are utterly confusing. Jin used to 

have a girlfriend, but the relationship is now 

over. But he finds himself dreaming about his 

former girlfriend and he vaguely senses that he 

still loves her. While Jin is struggling in his 

dreams, Ran is visiting her former boyfriend, 

not in her dream but while sleeping, because 

she is a sleepwalker. She hates the man 

deeply and when she realizes what she has 

done, she gets mad at Jin, the man whose 

dream goes in lockstep with her nightly visits. 

To resolve the situation, Jin and Ran attempt 

to do the almost impossible: stay awake 

all the time. The assumption is that if Jin does 

not sleep, Ran does not have to walk around in 

her sleep. Jin can also sleep without his muchdreaded 

dream that generates real events 

when Ran is awake. 

Their struggle to stay awake is, as some of 

director Kim’s fans might correctly predict, 

depicted in a gruesome manner. Self-inflicted 

torture abounds, which will make the audience 

squirm. 

One hint regarding Kim’s message is the 

peculiar existence of Jin. Japanese actor 

Odagiri plays the role in Japanese, while all 

the other characters speak in Korean. 

Strangely enough, Jin communicates perfectly 

with other Koreans, even though he continues 

to speak in Japanese. His otherworldly 

identity that transcends the language barrier 

is certainly unrealistic, but Kim leaves more 

questions than answers about his new cinematic 

dreamland that is so desolate. ■ 

Korean Dance 

Performed at 

Japan’s Oldest Shrine 


STAFF WRITER 

Lim Lee-jo, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre, 

captivated the eyes and minds of Japanese audiences with 

performances presented at Japan’s oldest shrine in Kyoto. 

During the two-day event held on Oct. 2 and 3, Lim staged traditional 

Korean dances including the famous “Seungmu,” which 

is performed by Buddhist monks, and “Salpuri,” a solo dance 

derived from the shamanistic tradition of spiritual cleansing. 

Assumed to be built in the Yayoi period (4 B.C.-A.D. 3), the 

Kamomioya Shrine, better known as the Shimogamo Shrine, 

has more than 50 treasured buildings on its grounds and was 

designated a world’s cultural heritage by UNESCO. It was the 

second time for the respected Japanese shrine to open its space 

to an overseas artist. 

The Japanese traditional performance “No,” which consists 

of masked performers’ dances and songs, opened each day’s 

performance. 

Lim appeared on the stage and danced to music played with 

Korean traditional instruments such as a fiddle and janggu, an 

hourglass-shaped drum. His subtle and refined movements impressed 

the Japanese audience of over 1,000 who gathered at 

the garden. 

Lim, 58, who celebrated 50 years of his traditional dancing 

life last year, is considered one of the most renowned traditional 

dancers in Korea. Now leading the Seoul Dance Theatre, 

he has choreographed a variety of dance works and contributed 

to the success of performing arts in Korea. ■ 

(Photos by Kim Hak-ri) 



THE BEAUTY OF KOREA-16 

Time: Joseon Dynasty 

Material and Size: Color on silk | W.55.3cm, H.150.5cm per panel 

Six-Fold Screen of 

the Sun, Moon and Five Peaks 

Screens as backdrop for the seats of the masters of their rooms traditionally signified the 

nature of their authority or implied their tastes. A screen of the sun, moon and five peaks 

was a symbolic image of the universe which always backed the throne of the Joseon king. 

The components of the painting are natural, long-living things, used as metaphors of the 

royal benevolence in the poem “Tianbao” and Shijing (Book of Odes). The decorative 

depiction of the subjects in bright colors and the panoramic symmetry suitably present the 

divinity of the regime as the perpetual nexus between the earthly and heavenly realms. 

Photo courtesy of National Palace Museum of Korea 



TRAVEL 

Samcheong-dong is a sweet and 

old area in central Seoul. A nice 

afternoon walk there can make 

the rest of your day cozy. 

It is best to start the promenade 

from Pungmoon Girls’ High School. It 

is near the No. 1 exit of Anguk subway 

station. 

Stroll along the stone walls, and 

by the time you reach Jeongdok 

Public Library, petit shops, art galleries, 

delicate cafes and restaurants 

will start to peek out. 

The blocks from there to 

Samcheong Park have become hot 

spots within the last few years for their 

exquisite ambience. Each of the shops 

and cafes has an inimitable look, from 

Korean-traditional forms with tiled 

roofs and wooden doors to very modern 

and artistic ones. The food and 

garments are also known to be unique. 

Take a look at some art pieces on the 

way. The area recently became the new 

art belt in Seoul for its famous art galleries. 

This fall is a good time to visit 

2 

3 

1 

A Classic Walk around 

1, 2 A Korean traditional style cafe 

in Samcheong-dong 

3 Visitors pose in an alley of 

Korean-style homes 

Samcheong-dong 


STAFF WRITER 



TRAVEL 

4 

5 

6 

4 A flower shop 

5 Visitors take pictures in front of 

a unique restaurant 

6 Visitors head for a toy gallery 

them, as they are holding the annual 

contemporary art festival “Platform 

2008 Seoul,” from Oct. 25 to Nov. 23. 

The best charm of Samcheongdong 

is that traditional Korean-style 

homes are hidden in every alley. 

Samcheong-dong is part of 

Bukchon, or north village, for being 

on the northern side of Jongno-gu. It 

is filled with traditional-style homes, 

which have been preserved for more 

than 600 years. During the Joseon 

Dynasty, the place was famous as the 

dwelling site of the royal family and 

aristocrats. 

Today, 49 percent of the homes 

there keep traditional style. If you want 

to get a glimpse of what Seoul was like 

during the Joseon Dynasty, be sure to 

explore every nook and cranny. 

If your legs get sore from all the 

walking, take a rest at Samcheong 

Park before you head back. The grove 

among the high buildings of Seoul 

will give you a pleasant time. 

The walk will take about an hour 

or two. For more information, visit 

http://www.visitseoul.net ■ 

(Photos by Moon Young-doo) 

A cafe with peculiar windows on the second floor 

A traditional-style home 



TRAVEL 

A Trip Back to Olden Times 

Suncheon City 

When the stress of today can be 

too much, an escape to the 

olden times for a day could 

work as the perfect cure. 

Suncheon city presents a guided 

city tour this fall, starting with the 

Suncheon drama set. More than 1,000 

people visit the set every weekend to 

see the set location of “East of Eden,” 

a hit TV series on MBC. 

The set, built in an old army camp 

in Jorei-dong, is a very delicate recreation 

of Seoul in the 1950s to 1980s. It 

has hillside slums, markets and coal 

towns. 

Many other TV series and films — 

“Love and Ambition,” “Once in A 

Summer,” “Mapado 2” and “Sunny” — 

were also shot there. 

For the next stop on the tour, one 

can choose either Seonamsa or 

Songwangsa. Situated near Jogyesan, 

both are Buddhist temples more than 

1,200 years old. 

During this time of the year, when 

the hiking trail that connects the two 

is covered with autumn leaves, the 

natural beauty is beyond description. 

The temples hold many treasures. 

The tour later takes you to Nagan 

Fortress, which is located in the western 

side of the city. It consists of three towns 

with markets, straw-roofed homes and 

castles, which were built in the 1300s. 

The historical area preserves the 

A drama set in Suncheon 

where many TV series and 

films including “East of Eden” 

were shot 

Seonamsa 


STAFF WRITER 

Seung-sun bridge in Seonamsa, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do 



TRAVEL 

original southern living style of Korea, 

from kitchen appliances and household 

goods to the stone walls. More 

than 100 families still live there, continuing 

the tradition. 

Suncheon Bay, a mudflat around 

the southeastern coast of the city, is 

the last stop of the tour. Well known as 

the habitat of hooded cranes, it was selected 

as having ‘the best natural 

scenery’ by the Korea Tourism 

Organization in 2006. It was registered 

as a Ramsar Site on January 2006. 

The tour begins at Suncheon 

Station every day at 9:50 a.m. For 

more information, visit http:// 

www.suncheon.go.kr/home/tour/index.jsp 

■ 

(Photos by Moon Young-doo) 

A folk village at Nagan Fortress 

A wooden road in Suncheon Bay 

How to Get There 

It takes five hours 

from Seoul to 

Suncheon city via 

train or bus. By plane, 

depart at Yeosu and 

take an airport 

limousine bus to 

Suncheon. 

Jogyesan 

Suncheonn 

ama Set 

A folk village at Nagan Fortress 

Suncheon Bay’s sunset 



FOOD 

1 

3 

2 

Omegisul master Kim Eul-jung (right) shows how to 

make omegisul with her daughter 

4 

Jeju’s Traditional Liquor 

Omegisul 


STAFF WRITER 

The traditional liquor makgeolli is 

an alcohol refreshment that 

Koreans have long enjoyed. The 

popular combination of makgeolli and 

pajeon, Korean pancakes made with 

vegetable and wheat flour dough, is 

beloved by visitors as well as Koreans. 

Rice is widely known as the main 

ingredient of makgeolli, but in the 

southernmost island of Jeju-do it is 

made with millet and called “omegisul.” 

Because of the island’s volcanic 

activity in ancient times, the soil is not 

fit for rice farming and farmers have 

grown alternative crops such as millet 

and barley. Especially widely consumed 

were steamed millet cake called 

“omegiddeok,” which is also used for 

making omegisul. 

Ordinary millet liquor is brewed 

from millet with malt, but the traditional 

way of making omegisul contains 

a unique process. Omegiddeok is 

boiled and crushed, and the mash is 

poured into a pot with malt and water 

for fermentation. 

After a week, the first milky color 

of the liquor turns dark yellow. The 

shallow layer on the upper part becomes 

clean liquor called “cheongju,” 

which was used for special occasions 

like ancestral rites, and the muddy 

part on the bottom becomes omegisul 

after being strained through a sieve. 

People on the far island used to 

drink omegisul after a hard day’s work 

in the fields. As Jeju has become a popular 

tourist spot, the traditional liquor 

can now be enjoyed across the nation. 

Currently the production of 

omegisul is mostly done by machines, 

and Kim Eul-jung, 84, is considered 

the only master of the traditional 

liquor living on the island. Visitors 

can taste and buy bottles of omegisul 

made by the master. 

After designating omegisul as the 

third intangible cultural property of 

Jeju in 1990, the local government is 

5 

stepping up efforts to preserve the 

culinary legacy through tour programs 

and tasting promotions. 

For more information on omegisul 

and other folk custom of Jeju, visit the 

multilingual website of Jeju Folk Village 

Museum at www.jejufolk.com. ■ 

(Photos courtesy of 

Jeju Folk Village Museum) 

To make omegisul, omegiddeok 

(1), traditional millet cake, is 

boiled (2) and crushed (3), and 

the mash is poured into a pot 

with malt (4) and water for 

fermentation (5) 



EVENTS 

Yonhap 

Yonhap 

The entrance of Jamsil Sports Complex is decorated with recycled art works 

Visitors look at the creations of Zaha Hadid 

Seoul Design Olympiad 

Yonhap 

President Lee 

Myung-bak 

(right) looks 

around the 

exhibit with 

Seoul Mayor 

Oh Se-hoon 

(far left) 

The city of Seoul celebrated autumn 

with a bang this year. 

Having nabbed the coveted honor 

of World Design Capital 2010, 

Seoul highlighted its role as a hub of 

design in a grand way. 

The gala event, titled Seoul Design 

Olympiad 2008, kicked off on Oct. 10 

with a special concert featuring K-pop 

stars BigBang, Dynamic Duo, Solbi and 

Kim Gun-mo, and ended on Oct. 30. 

Fireworks, design auctions, a 4- 

ton rice cake, fashion shows and b- 

boys carried on the extensive festivities 

throughout October. 

Running the gamut from D.I.Y. activities 

to concerts to exhibitions, the 

Olympiad catered to both families and 

design aficionados. 

On the flipside, design aficionados 

got the opportunity to participate in a 

series of design conferences and exhibitions 

featuring top architects Zaha 

Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and industrial 

designer Ross Lovegrove. Design and 

architecture experts Yao Ying Jia, 

Richard Buchanan and Kazuo 

Sugiyama also delivered session 

speeches. 

A trio of exhibits titled “Design is 

AIR,” “Seoul Design Now” and “Vision 

of Design Seoul” showcased the works 

of top notch designers and eco-friendly 

creations, while also delving into 

the past, present and future of Seoul’s 

architecture. 

Exhibitions presented by Milan, 

Turin, Hanover, New York, Paris, 

Prague, Hong Kong and leading design 

companies and organizations 

mixed things up, while the “2008 

World Design Market_Seoul” exhibit 

turned the spotlight on the works of 

upcoming Korean and foreign designers. 

A special exhibition focusing on 

the creations of Zaha Hadid — the first 

female to win the Pritzker Prize — and 

Zaha Hadid Architects partner Patrik 

Schumacher brought the creme de la 

creme of the design world to Seoul. 

More than 2 million people participated 

in the Olympiad, which took 

place in the Jamsil Sports Complex 

and the Hangang Riverside Park. 


sdo.seoul.go.kr. ■ 

The “Design is AIR” exhibition 

Seoul Metropolitan Government 



EVENTS 

Charity Market Turns into 

Multicultural Festival 

Members of the Seoul 

International Women’s 

Association sell English books 


be used for people who are less fortunate,” 

President Mary Clarke said. 

Grassroots Uganda, an international 

aid group that helps Ugandan 

women suffering from AIDS, displayed 

over 600 hand-made products 

such as colorful accessories and handbags. 

They are planning to use the 

money for education in the region. 

Another aid group, Little Travelers, 

sold doll-shaped hair pins that were 

made by South African women the 

group supports. 

Other groups included Korean 

Mountain Preservation League, a group 

of expats who love Korean mountains; 

COPION, an international NGO of 

young volunteers; and the Seoul Global 

Center, which helps foreign residents 

better adapt to Seoul life. 

Especially crowded with visitors 

was a special booth selling donations 

from ambassadors such as ethnic 

items, wines, books and clothes. 

Marking the fourth anniversary 

this year, the WeAJa Charity Market is 

the biggest of its kind in Korea and 

has been a meaningful event. 

For more information, visit the 

English website at http://weaja. 

joins.com/eng.asp ■ 

Grassroots Uganda 


The annual WeAJa Charity 

Market ended on Oct. 12 with 

more than 400,000 people joining 

the event held across the nation. 

The active participation of expat communities 

turned the charity market into 

a multicultural festival. 

The Seoul International Women’s 

Association, consisting of wives of 

foreign ambassadors to Korea and 

businessman, sold English books, 

DVDs and other goods donated by 

members. 

“I’m very happy the earnings will 


Over 400,000 people across the nation participated in the WeAJA Charity Market on Oct. 12 

Seoul Global Center 

Little Travelers 



EVENTS 

World Tightrope 

Walkers Compete on 

Hangang 

Korean tightrope walker Kwon Won-tae crosses the one-kilometer-long wire across the Han River 

Yonhap 

Aerialists from around the 

world gathered in Seoul from 

Oct. 2 to 4 to participate in 

the Hangang High-wire World 

Championship, an annual event 

sponsored by the Seoul Metropolitan 

Government. 

Twenty-seven performers from 14 

countries — including four women — 

competed to cross the one-kilometerlong 

wire across the Han River in the 

shortest time. The course is considered 

the longest of its kind in the world. 

Participants were walking a tensioned 

wire, maintaining balance, 

trying not to plunge into the murky 

water beneath. The audience 

watched with breathless interest. 

There were well-known names 

in the competition: Shataer 

Wujiabudula, the youngest competitor 

from China who won last year’s 

competition; China’s Adili Wuxiuer 

who has three Guinness records; 

and Jade Kindar-Martin from 

Sweden who also has a Guinness 

record for crossing the River 

Thames in London. 

Korean tightrope walker Kwon 

Won-tae, who led the organizing 

committee, also competed with other 

contestants. Kwon, 41, was a 

member of Namsadang, a traditional 

entertainment troupe established 

during the Joseon Dynasty. 

The first prize of 20 million won 

($16,000) went to Yakefujiang 

Maimitili from China and the special 

prize for women participants was 

awarded to Yeisy Yolima Oabares 

Oquendo from Colombia. 

“Korean traditional tightrope 

walking has been modernized into 

this exciting sports event. Set 

around the beautiful scenery of the 

Han River, this event is expected to 

become a new attraction for Seoul,” 

said a city official. 


www.x-highwire.org. ■ 

Yonhap 

Expo Showcases Korean Ingredients 

Alarge-scale food expo on Korean 

agricultural and fisheries products 

along with traditional dishes 

was held on Oct. 13 for a week. 

The Korea Food Expo 2008 was the 

first food exhibition to be organized by 

the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, 

Forestry and Fisheries, aimed to promote 

Korea’s “safe and good quality” 

products, organizers said. 

The event took place at the Agro- 

Trade Exhibition Center and Citizen’s 

Forest in Yangjae-dong, southern 

Seoul. 

The exposition showcased products 

of agriculture, stock farm, fisheries and 

dairy, as well as food art pieces featuring 

various Korean ingredients. 

One of the two exhibition halls at 

the AT Center presented changing 

trends in Korean dishes. In it, trends 

from the last 40 years of Korea’s popular 

dishes were showcased year by year. 

A food magic show and a “pojangmacha,” 

(outdoor snack stall) where one 

can get food as well as drawings as a 

service, were offered for entertainment. 

By introducing the super pumpkin 

weighing 80 kilograms, the expo also 

aimed to demonstrate the future advancement 

of agricultural technology. 

The second exhibition hall concentrated 

on promoting the taste, flavor 

and color of Korean dishes. 

Inside, there was a two-meter-high 

waterfall made out of sugar, as well as 

food art items using Korea’s traditional 

cookies, cakes and breads featuring 

the four seasons of the country. 

Detailed descriptions of the efficacy 

of ginseng and sun-dried salt, as 

well as the goods that come from fermented 

foods, like bean pastes and 

kimchi were also showcased. 

Events at Citizen’s Forest were 

arranged for public participation and 

hands-on experience. 

Along with a display of 30 agricultural 

products of the highest quality, 

participants can experience feeding 

calves, milking cows and making ice 

cream. 

Other programs included consultations 

on what food to eat during pregnancy, 

a brunch concert, and face 

painting using food items. ■ 

Yonhap 



EVENTS 

Biennale Transforms Busan into 

a Giant Gallery 

BY HAN ARAN 

KOREA.NET STAFF WRITER 

(From top) Hong Hyun-sook’s “The Magic Words of the Wind” 

German artist Irene Hoppenberg’s “Transition” 

Kim Kye-hyeon’s “Bouquet” 

Yang Ju-hae’s art on sand 

Art is everywhere in the southeastern city of Busan as 

the Busan Biennale is underway throughout the 

port city. 

The Busan Biennale kicked off with a large-scale exhibition 

of contemporary art on Sept. 6, only a day after the 

opening of its more internationally renowned rival, the 

Gwangju Biennale. 

However, unlike the Gwangju Biennale, which has no 

particular theme, the Busan Biennale revolves around the 

theme of “Expenditure,” which is based on the concept of 

French philosopher Georges Bataille. 

He argued that the process of squandering could 

translate into something positive. 

In simple words, the theme “expenditure” implies that 

every artwork is a result of emitting and expending energy. 

A total of 77 artists from 27 countries are showing 

sculptures and installation works at Gwangalli Beach and 

the nearby street galleries. 

Twenty-three artists are displaying their works in the 

Gwangalli Beach area, four at Geumryunsan Subway 

Station, and 50 at Minlakdong Me World. 

The Me World exhibition will show a multitude of distinguished 

video works to stimulate audiences’ imaginations. 

At Gwangalli Beach, contemporary and eco-friendly 

works of art made out of environmentally friendly materials 

invite visitors or anyone passing by to indulge and 

interact, as many works displayed this year will only be 

made complete through the participation of spectators. 

This is free of charge. 

Among the works on the beach and the nearby subway 

and cultural centers near Gwangalli are Thai artist 

Nipan Oranniwesna’s “City of Ghosts” and Korean artists 

Oum Jeong-soon’s “Walking in Mandala” and Yang Juhae’s 

art on the sand. Nightly performances will be held 

on the beach throughout the duration of the biennale. 

Making the most of its outdoor space, APEC Naru Park 

in Busan showcases sculpture-centered art pieces placed 

along the lakeside and forest trails in a perfect blend of art 

and nature, aimed at spreading the concept of public art. 

With the theme “Avant-Garden,” it shows 20 sculptures 

by artists from 13 countries. 

One of the interesting works in the park are “Ancestor” 

by American sculptor Robert Morris. 

Visit www.busanbiennale.org (Korean, English) or call 

(051) 888-6601 to 9. ■ 

(Photos courtesy of the Busan Biennale) 



BOOKS 

(From left) 

Korean-English, 

Vietnamese and 

Mongolian versions 

of Hunminjeongeum 

Jiphyeonjeon, meaning the 

hall of worthies in Korean, is 

where Joseon scholars 

created and studied Hangeul 

(top) and the ceremony to 

declare the creation of 

Hangeul 

Hunminjeongeum 

Translated into 

Four Languages 

Author: The National Institute of Korean Language 

Publisher: Thinking Tree 

Pages: 160 

The National Institute of Korean Language 

has launched the Korean document “Hunminjeongeum” 

in four languages: English, 

Chinese, Mongolian and Vietnamese. 

Huminjeongeum, meaning “correct sounds 

to instruct the people,” is Korea’s first instruction 

book on Hangeul, Korean unique writing 

system, published in 1446 by King Sejong the 

Great (1397-1450) who also created the characters. 

Korea celebrated its 562nd anniversary 

of the creation of Hangeul on Oct. 9. 

As the original copy of the book is written 

in classical Chinese characters with Hangeul 

additions, it has been even harder for foreigners 

to approach. The latest editions include 

extra explanation that details the characteristics 

of the book and its value from the per- 

The portrait of King Sejong the Great 

spective of linguistic study. Attached to the 

original text is a modern Korean translation in 

Hangeul. 

The book also includes the “Haeryebon” 

version (explanation and examples of correct 

sounds to teach people), that details how 

each Hangeul character is supposed to be 

pronounced. 

Professor Kim Joo-won and Lee Sang-eok 

of Seoul National University were put in 

charge of writing the explanation for 

Hunmingjeongeum. The Hangeul translation 

of the original was done by honorary professor 

Shin Sang of Chonnam National 

University. 

“Aside from English we have also published 

it in Chinese, Mongolian and 

Vietnamese versions as these countries show 

a big interest in Korean culture and demands 

are higher than in other areas,” one official 

from the institute explained. “In the long run 

we plan to publish books in French, German, 

Russian, Spanish and other languages to 

promote the book that marked the birth of 

Korea’s very own writing system.” 

The English version will be distributed to 

Korean cultural centers worldwide and offered 

to overseas scholars in related fields. It 

is also currently on display at local bookstores. 

■ 



BOOKS 

Korea: 

Impossible to 

Possible 

Publisher: Korean Culture and 

Information Service 

Pages: 255 

Not for Sale 

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 

Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Culture, 

Sports and Tourism has launched a collection 

Chinese Ceramics 

at the National 

Museum of Korea 

Publisher: National Museum of Korea 

Page: 474 

Price: 100,000 won 

The National Museum of Korea has launched 

a book introducing its collection of Chinese 

ceramics. This book will be helpful to look at 

the relationship between Korea and China in 

a cultural perspective. 

Kim Hong-nam, director of the museum, 

wrote in the preface, “There is no doubt that 

these Chinese ceramic objects are invaluable 

materials for study of Korean-Chinese relations 

as well as Korean ceramic history.” This 

book also reveals 254 masterpieces which 

have been partly exposed to public view. 

The book introduces almost 20,000 ceramic 

wares from Goryeo and Joseon periods, 

which had been found in ancient tombs 

around Gaeseong, the old capital of Goryeo, 

and major Buddhist temples around the 

country, and salvaged from under the sea. 

The book presents Chinese ceramics classified 

according to where they were originally 

baked including some famous Chinese imperial 

kilns. English and Chinese explanations 

and articles are available along with photographs 

of each ceramic piece. ■ 

Cizhou Kiln’s “Vase with sgraffito 

in iron black on white slip” 

Longquan Kiln’s “Celadon Vase” 

Intro Korea 

An Electronic Catalog of Information on Korea 

Intro Korea is a comprehensive digital catalog on Korea compiled 

by the Korean Culture and Information Service. This catalogs approximately 

310 public and private publications on every aspect of 

Korea within nine main categories and 21 sub-categories. The 

DVD’s online version is also available on the Korean Government’s 

official English website at www.korea.net. ■ 

of articles on various aspects of Korea that 

were contributed by 21 internationally 

renowned authors. 

French journalist Guy Sorman, who is a 

member of “global advisors” for the Lee 

Myung-bak administration, ponders the national 

identity of Korea from a broad perspective. 

Mikhail Gorbachev, who is the last head 

of state of the USSR and won the Nobel 

Peace Prize in 1990, emphasizes the role of 

Korea in East Asia. 

Also attached are panoramic photographs 

that will be helpful for overseas readers to 

look at the nation’s historic moments during 

the last 60 years. 

For more information on the book, contact 

with the Korean Culture and Information 

Service or visit its website at http:// 

kois.go.kr/kois_main_en.asp. ■ 



FOREIGN VIEWPOINT 

My Impression of Korea 

I arrived in Korea the first time in June 1995 

with some members of the Presidential 

Delegation of Paraguay for an official visit. 

After that, I had various opportunities to visit 

Korea before I was appointed ambassador in 

this country. I also participated in the bilateral 

meeting between Korea and Paraguay in 

2005. In all of my visits, I was always impressed 

by the fact that Korea grew so fast in 

many aspects of its development, and that it 

has become one of the leading countries in 

the global economy. I am very proud of the 

cordial relationship between my country and 

Korea. Moreover, I am truly glad that we enjoy 

a strong relationship in diplomatic, economical, 

commercial and cultural fields. 

A group of Korean immigrants arrived in 

Paraguay in 1965. In order to reach their new 

dwelling place, they needed to leave their 

home country from Busan harbor. For two 

months, they crossed the Pacific Ocean and 

into the Atlantic Ocean. Today, these people 

have contributed substantially to the development 

and well-being of our society. They are 

highly regarded in the fields of industry, politics, 

art, culture, religion and a variety of professions. 

For example, one of the leading 

journalists in Paraguay is Yolanda Park, who 

was born in Korea but grew up in Paraguay. 

She is one of the most famous celebrities in 

Paraguay. Also, there are many Korean 

churches helping our society. All speak the 

native language of Paraguay — Guarani. 

Later on, a new wave of Koreans arrived in 

Paraguay. They included volunteers of organizations 

such as KOICA, IYF, IT and WTO. 

They are helping my people learn about 

health, technology, commerce, sports, etc. As 

one of the volunteers of KOICA said, “For two 

years, there have been over 90 volunteers in 

many locales of Paraguay to share and serve 

the Paraguayan people and their society. 

These volunteers have helped schools, public 

BY CEFERINO VALDEZ 

PARAGUAYAN AMBASSADOR TO KOREA 

health centers and public institutions.” This 

year, we have the first group of the 

Taekwondo Peace Corps. volunteers. 

In Paraguay, we have Korean markets, 

restaurants, karaoke rooms and even jjimjilbang. 

With all this, I truly believe that this relationship 

between the two countries will continue 

as a permanent one. However, it is not 

always easy to adapt in a new country. One of 

the difficult things is language. But with the 

help of my daughter, Adriana, it is getting 

much better. Adriana enrolled in the Korean 

School and is currently part of the Korean 

modeling academy. My wife, who is a veterinary 

doctor and chairwoman of the Mymba 

Kaaguy Wild Life Rescue Center in Paraguay, 

visited a wildlife protection center near the 

Demilitarized Zone. There, injured birds were 

treated and nurtured in Cheorwon, Gangwondo, 

and an exchange program with veterinary 

professors of Korea and Paraguayan veterinarian 

staff was started. There are also programs 

with NGOs dedicated to wildlife and 

environment protection. 

Paraguay is always described as a green, 

flat country. Thus, I am always amazed by the 

beautiful landscape of Korea’s mountains. I 

have been here only 10 months, and I have often 

enjoyed the natural environment of 

Samcheok, including the clean and picturesque 

mountains, beaches, valleys and 

natural caves. Also, I visited many beautiful 

cities of Korea’s countryside. I take pleasure in 

Korean food, such as hobak juk (pumpkin porridge), 

bulgogi (Korean-style barbecued beef), 

samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), etc. 

I am truly fond of Korea’s seasons — the 

beautiful flowers of spring, the wonderful colors 

of summer, the extraordinary mixed colors 

of fall and the white snow of winter. Many 

know that it doesn’t snow in Paraguay. In the 

cultural area, I enjoy all of Korea’s traditional 

activities. The last festival I attended was the 

Aikido Festival in Cheongju with 15 members 

of the Paraguayan government. We truly enjoyed 

the Korean hospitality. 

I must express why I am so impressed with 

Koreans. When I was in Taean, I participated 

in the clean-up effort to help save the beach 

with my friends and colleagues. I was amazed 

by the spirit of cooperation and voluntarism of 

the Korean people — all working together, 

men and women, young and old, children and 

families. They all had one mission: to save the 

environment. 

Many students from Paraguay are now 

studying in Korea. I hope that this exchange 

will continue and increase with the assistance 

and support of the KOICA programs, as well 

as programs from Korean universities such as 

Kyunghee University, Ewha University, 

Konkuk University and Kangnam University. 

These universities have set up sisterhood relations 

with Paraguayan universities. 

One of the wisest Korean traditional 

proverbs is “sangbu-sangjo” (the spirit of mutual 

help). I am sure that our relationship and 

cooperation can grow together with this sprit. 

Thank you. ■ 

66 KOREA NOVEMBER 2008

My Impression of Korea - Korea.net

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