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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
BY PARK MIN-YOUNG
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
BY PARK MIN-YOUNG
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.
NOVEMBER 2008 KOREA 17