Korean Grafted Cactus Fascinates the World

  

 

Let us pay some attention to the newly developed Korean grafted cactus that comes under such sweet names as “seolhong,” “hoohong,” and “saekdong.”

The usual association with cactus is some thorny, misshapen, rough-looking plant standing under the scorching sun in the desert.

Well, time to shatter that association.

  

The grafted cactus of Korea comes in numerous splash colors (red, pink, yellow, orange….) and sizes (a cute little cauliflower-like thing the size of your fist!).

The Rural Development Administration(RDA) exhibited its newly developed grated cactus at the horticulture fair held last November 11. The Korean grafted cactus has been garnering excellent reviews from the worldwide horticulture market with its annual volume of export exceeding USD 2 million to over 30 countries including the U.S. and the Netherlands, the leading floriculture nation. 

At the flower fair, a series of rigorous eval!uation was conducted on the presented cactuses including how vivid the color is, how firm it is, its capacity to produce “baby” plant, its commercial potential and so on.

  

 
After passing through a set of meticulous tests and screening, 4 qualified cactuses will be selected to be distributed to the farms. Then they will first undergo a test production to be followed by mass cultivation. The RDA aims at USD 3 million annual export by 2012.

Well, at this rate, not reaching for stars!

Korea on the Road to First Class

  

 

Chairwoman Lee Bae-Yong of the Presidential Council on Nation Branding on November 15 gave a lecture for the KBS program “The Road to First Class.”
  

The lecture was on the subject of Korea’s nation brand and the impact of the G20 Seoul Summit.

“Made in Korea” Impact

“Despite the increasing sales of Korean products globally nowadays,” Chairwoman Lee explained, “they still get about a 30% discount compared to similar products made by some other nations because of Korea’s undervalued nation brand.”

Giving examples of French perfume and wine which are products backed up by the country’s strong nation brand, Lee emphasized the importance of nation brand in generating economic profits.

“We need to work on increasing trust and preference for so-called “Made in Korea.” Also, it is getting more and more important nowadays to have strong “software” such as cultural content, human resources and spiritual values as well as hardware.”

Lee also touched upon Korea’s numerous timeless cultural heritages, saying, “I wish to share Korean values and spirits that are imbued in those historic and cultural legacies with the world. Korea’s astounding growth in the 20th century was made possible only because it was backed up by such virtues as harmony, sharing, communication, regards for life and nature.”

“To raise Korea’s nation brand, it is important to have active civic participation. The Council will make best efforts to achieve the goal with 5 major areas of work that we designated which include contributing to the international community, cultivating global citizenship, promoting multiculturalism, developing attractive culture and tourism, and showcasing advanced technology.”

“Korea, as seen in its age-long history and countless cultural relics, has admirable spirits – perseverance, cooperative and pacifist inclination, modesty, warmhearted regards for others. It is important that we remember these timeless virtues of ours,” Lee stressed.

* Chairwoman Lee Bae Yong’s lecture on the program “The Road to First Class” (aired on November 20) can be viewed at the following web page:

 http://www.kbs.co.kr/1tv/sisa/firstclass/vod/

Comienza la mayor feria de videojuegos de Corea del Sur

SEÚL. La mayor feria de videojuegos de Corea del Sur, G-Star, comenzó hoy en la ciudad de Busan con la presencia de más de 300 compañías y la aspiración de convertirse en una de las grandes citas de la industria en Asia.

1 Foto Fuente: Joongang Daily

La feria, que se celebra hasta el domingo próximo, busca resaltar el “valor cultural” de los videojuegos, según la agencia Korea Creative Content, promotora del evento. Por eso el G-Star no solo exhibe las novedades en juegos online, que gozan de una enorme popularidad en Corea del Sur, sino que también deja espacio a los videojuegos educativos y eventos paralelos relacionados con este sector, indicaron los organizadores.

Unas trescientas empresas de una veintena de países están representadas en la feria, que este año espera superar el récord de 240.000 visitantes que logró el año pasado.
 
Entre los grandes nombres figura Sony Computer Entertainment, que entre otras cosas presenta en la feria de Busan su mando alternativo PlayStation Move, que traslada a la pantalla gracias a una pequeña cámara los movimientos del jugador.

Por su parte, Microsoft Corp. muestra en el G-Star su revolucionario periférico Kinect, un dispositivo para la Xbox360 que permite interactuar con los contenidos en pantalla con el simple movimiento de una mano.

Entre los que más expectación ha levantado está el fabricante estadounidense Blizzard Entertainment, autor de StarCraft, el videojuego más popular en Corea del Sur, donde se han llegado a organizar competiciones televisadas entre sus jugadores. En la feria también participan nombres surcoreanos de la industria como NCsoft, NHN, Hangame, Nexon o WeMade.
 
Corea del Sur es uno de los países con mayor afición a los videojuegos del mundo, gracias en parte a la difusión y bajo coste de las conexiones a internet de banda ancha.

Según datos oficiales, más del 50 por ciento de los abonados a internet de banda ancha utilizan la red para conectarse a juegos online.

Jóvenes se organizan en Corea para celebrar el Bicentenario

Becarios paraguayos que estudian en Corea, ex voluntarios de KOIKA y jóvenes de este país interesados en la cultura paraguaya, realizaron una reunión para conformar el grupo “Jóvenes del Bicentenario Paraguayo en Corea”. Programarán las actividades conmemorativas al acontecimiento.


Entre los puntos tratados, los jóvenes abordaron la iluminación de la “Seoul Tower” con los colores patrios, así como la confección de remeras distintivas para los miembros del grupo. 

También acordaron habilitar cuentas en redes sociales para recabar y difundir ideas para las celebraciones. 

En este sentido, habilitaron una fan page en Facebook. Mientras que los contactos se podrán realizar a la dirección de correo electrónico: claudiasnb@hotmail.com.
 
Durante el encuentro de becarios paraguayos, ex voluntarios de KOIKA y jóvenes interesados en el Bicentenario paraguayo también se presentó el libro “Historia de las Relaciones Internacionales del Paraguay”, escrito por Ricardo Scavone Yegros y Liliana M. Brezzo. 

La reunión se realizó en la Residencia del Embajador Paraguayo en Seúl.  

Los festejos del Bicentenario Paraguayo están siendo coordinados por la Embajada del Paraguay en la República de Corea con el apoyo de la Asociación de Amistad Paraguay - Corea, la Asociación de Paraguayos en la República de Corea, la Cámara de Comercio Paraguay - Corea (E.F), los Jóvenes por el Bicentenario Paraguayo, la Fundación KAYA, el Consejo del Bicentenario Paraguayo (que se conformará el próximo 19 de noviembre del corriente) y la empresa Chungbo. Por su parte, la empresa CJ Corporation auspiciará la iluminación de la Torre de Seúl.

Korea’s Women of the Sea (Haenyeo)

The no. 1 search word related to Jeju Island of Korea is hands down the “Ollegil (Olle Road).” Just thinking about taking a walk on Ollegil, especially in the autumn with all this beautiful foliage, lifts one’s mood.

Some while ago, though, before Ollegil came to be such a hot tourist spot, the first thing that came to one’s head thinking about Jeju used to be the “haenyeo,” the sea women; they are female divers in the Korean province of Jeju.

The women born in Jeju had to earn a living either by farming crops or picking sea products. The haenyeo often represents a harsh and strenuous life.

What used to amount to as many as 15,000 haenyeo in 1970 has now plummeted down to a mere third of that number; and most of them are over seventy years of age at that, meaning that haenyeo are fast disappearing.

In light of this sad reality, The LA Times published a feature article on Korean haenyeo, their traditions and current situations. 
    

 

Haenyeo, Epitome of Toughness

The haenyeo is assumed to have first appeared in the primeval! era when people started turning to the sea for food. It goes similar for the haenyeo of Jeju as well, based upon the age of the shrines on the island built for the safety of fishermen and haenyeo. There are several ancient proverbs and old sayings as well that describe Jeju haenyeo’s physical strength and their tough lifestyle.
       

         

There is one saying to the effect that Jeju haenyeo don’t stay in bed for more than three days after giving birth to a child, stressing their toughness. Another saying goes “Born as a Jeju woman, she should be able to support her household, no problem.”

The LA Times introduced the life of Jeju haenyeo in its front page, including in-person interviews that actually took place on the island.

The LA Times Illustrates Korea’s Old Tradition

The article of The LA Times, one of the five major newspapers of the U.S, featured the youngest Jeju haenyeo in Korea under the title “Korean island women carry on diving tradition.” The well-researched numbers and figures in the article point to the fact that the number of haenyeo is decreasing rapidly today in Korea.

The daughters who are handed down the know-how of sea-diving from their mothers (e.g. how to avoid sharks and how to hold breath and stay underwater for a long time) are turning elsewhere for other possibilities of living. Although it is true that not many women are obligated to choose the harsh life of haenyeo nowadays, there still are mothers who take pride in that particular calling, and with that calling, having brought up good daughters.

A Korean newspaper once covered the story of a 69-year-old woman who still hasn’t let go of the life of a haenyeo. She started sea-diving at the age of 11, tutored by her mother, and has since lived with and in the sea for 58 years. She says she still goes out to the sea about ten times a month and proudly adds that she has raised a son and four daughters.

Not for Money, But To Keep a Tradition Alive

The LA Times article contains an interview of the youngest haenyeo, Ms. Jae-Yeon Kim, who is 33 years old. Ms. Kim says she learns to become a haenyeo not to make money but because it connects her to her ancestors. She must learn all there is to learn about sea-diving before the elder haenyeos pass away so that sometime in the future she will be able to pass down the skills and the know-how.

The article, while praising Ms. Kim’s courage in having chosen a lifestyle of such harshness in order to keep a tradition alive, emphasizes the need on a more national level for preserving the traditions of haenyeo. The value and significance of that age-long calling is priceless.

To read the LA Times article : 

Cycling at the National Parks of Korea

Autumn is the perfect time for outdoor activities; a crowd of people head to mountain areas to see the magnificent foliage.

Well, if you missed out on the peak foliage season, then how about going bicycling? If hiking is about getting to the top of a mountain, then with cycling, you get to savor the beautiful scenery and ambience you have so far overlooked.

Touring Korea’s National Parks with a Bicycle

The Korea National Park Service announced that they are going to add four more cycling courses to the existing four, so operating a total eight routes.

  

In the cycling programs offered at the Hallyeohaesang National Park and the Deogyusan National Park, you can rent bicycles for free at the respective park offices.

The Korea National Park Service is planning to create extra cycling courses of 20km at the four parks including Seoraksan, Naejangsan, Jirisan and Woraksan.

Choose a Course that Is Right for Your Capacity

  

When cycling, it is important to choose a course that fits your strength and skills, and also to be mindful of safety instructions.

For example, if you are on a downhill road, you shouldn’t exceed 10km/h by applying hand brakes. As is common sense, you must wear a helmet as well as restrain from using mobile phones or ear plugs to listen to music. And also, should the unfortunate situation happens where on a downhill you’ve lost control of your bicycle, then you should rather let go of the handles instead of holding tight on to them, which is usually the instinct.

Remember, abiding safety rules aren’t only about your own safety; it’s as much about other cyclists and hikers’ who are near you.

If you are one of those who aren’t really into the taxing, energy-consuming hiking business, then you might want to consider trying a cycling program at the national parks!

MUSIC+ 2010

Con la denominacion Music+ 2010 fue organizada por un grupo de estudiante de la ciudad de Asan con el fin de promocionar los talentos de los jovenes en cuanto a la musica y en la ejecucion de varias clases de intrumentos. 

Una cosa muy interesante de todo eso fue que se organizo de una forma bien internacional en donde la gran mayoria de los artistas eran estudiantes extranjeros.

En verdad fue muy interesante, mas que todo la forma en que los jovenes valoran su cultura, tradicion, contumbres y sobre todo la musica que con mucho orgullo transmiten fuera de la frontera de sus paises.

G20 Seoul Summit Special 6 - Final

Implications, Preparations, and Expectations 
        

Implications and Expected Impact of the G20 

The G20 Seoul Summit may be the biggest international event in contemporary Korean history. At this juncture where the developed world needs to build a cooperative system with emerging markets so as to tackle economic crises and set a new order for the global economy, Korea has been chosen as the leading member of the emerging markets club, as a bridge-maker. Successful hosting will lead to an improved global perception of Korea and increased confidence among the Korean people themselves. Also, the summit will be a golden opportunity to promote Korea’s rich past and present – its history, culture, tourism, art, technology– which would help to enhance the country’s international standing and prestige. 

To read related articles : 
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2010/10/137_75228.html  
http://bit.ly/99XuYx  


Getting Ready for the Visiting Media 
   

A government preparatory committee for the G20 Seoul Summit is getting ready for the influx of journalists from across the globe. About 4,000 journalists from more than 60 countries, including 1,700 reporters from overseas, have registered. The committee plans to run an information center providing interpretation in 14 languages. Also, Seoul City and other ministries have been preparing a press tour to a series of historical tourist attractions such as Gyeongbok Palace, the Han River, and DMZ. To safeguard visitors to the G20 summit, a total of 40,000 policemen and military forces will be mobilized, and all areas within a radius of 600 meters of the COEX will be subject to special security measures. 

To read more about it : 
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101102000840  


Korean IT Firms Gearing Up for the G20 

Korea’s telecom and technology firms are making last-minute preparations to use the G20 summit as a way to present their advanced technologies to the global leaders. Some of the features include multi-touch screen technology (visitors will be able to touch and feel the images); virtualization technology; 4-D image room; mobile IPTV services; 3W network wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), Wi-Fi, WiBro; 3D TVs and LED displays and numerous others. Also, the G20 ICT Innovation Forum will be held on November 9-10, which is scheduled to be attended by many prominent CEOs of local and global IT firms such as AT&T, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, KT and LG CNS as well as the OECD and World Bank. 

For a related article : 
http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101028000624  


Works of the Presidential Council on Nation Branding 

   

1. Club of Madrid-Seoul Conference 
Seoul Conference (on “G-20’s Role in the Post-Crisis World”) was held from September 1 to 2 at The Shilla Seoul, co-hosted by the Presidential Council on Nation Branding, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Club of Madrid. Seoul Conference was held to draw upon the knowledge and vision of eminent leaders ahead of the November Summit. The Club of Madrid is an independent organization composed of former heads of state and government, formed to promote democracy and change in the global community. Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, H.E. Wim Kok, is the current president of the Club. 

2. Television Campaigns 
On the occasion of the G20 Seoul Summit, the Council produced a number of television campaigns on global citizenship in partnership with private companies including Samsung, Hyundai Motors, Woori Bank, CJ Media, and YTN. 

3. SNS (Social Network Services) Events
A variety of SNS events were held under the theme of the G20 Seoul Summit, including the UCC Video Contest with YouTube Season 4; “Images Come True” Campaign on Facebook, Twitter, mobile application; Online promotion campaign with Daum etc. 

4. International Forums 
Various international forums and discussions were held to seek ways to successfully host and promote the G20 Seoul Summit such as the Academic Conference on Korea’s Nation Brand (held on October 27), the Council’s International Advisory Forum, Experts Forum, Committee Meetings and other inter-agency meetings. 

5. Others 
Other G20-related projects include the Foreign Textbook Correction project (revising misinformation about Korea contained in the G20 member nations’ textbooks and vice versa); producing television programs on multiculturalism; foreign media outreach (publish feature articles on Korea); holding promotional events etc. 


Check this out !

Korea Communications Commission (KCC) will be hosting the G20 Communications Exhibition with Seoul Metropolitan City at the Seoul Plaza for 9 days from November 5 to 13. The event will provide the people of Korea as well as G20 delegates and the press with opportunities to experience the advanced broadcasting and communications technology of Korea. 

To visit the official web site : 
http://www.g20ce.kr/eng/eng_index.asp  



Thank you for your readership to
the G20 Seoul Summit Special series! 

El ecosistema de la península coreana está cambiando constantemente como resultado del cambio climático. 

El Instituto Nacional de Investigación Medioambiental dio a conocer el miércoles un estudio sobre el entorno natural, que matiza las serias consecuencias que están atravesando la flora y la fauna de esta región asiática.

De acuerdo al informe, desde 1996 hasta el presente año la temperatura promedio de Seúl aumentó 0,34 grados centígrados, haciendo florecer los árboles estacionales entre 15 y 20 días más rápido que el promedio de los años anteriores. 

Asimismo, se ha reducido notablemente la cantidad de árboles que crecen en alturas superiores a los mil metros sobre el nivel del mar. 

Entre tanto, se ha descubierto que la subida del termómetro en la península también afecta a las marismas. Los expertos pronostican que desde 2050 comenzará a reducirse drásticamente la dimensión de las marismas a consecuencia de la subida del nivel del mar.

Con el fin de frenar la subida de temperatura en el territorio nacional, el Instituto Nacional de Investigación Medioambiental propone crear soluciones antes de 2013. 

G20 Seoul Summit Special 5

* The result of the evaluation for the 3rd batch of WSK will be announced early next week on the web site of the Council (http://www.koreabrand.net/en/show/show_event_list.do). You will be notified via email once the result is posted. As you have already been informed, a total of 10 outstanding bloggers will be selected based on their on- and offline activities.

* Date and venue of the awards ceremony for the 3rd batch and the kick-off of the 4th batch will be notified as soon as details are finalized.

* An article on the Conference on Korea's Nation Brand held on October 27 at the Grand Hilton Seoul has been uploaded on the Council's blog. To view the article : 
http://blog.naver.com/korea_brand/10096931116
or http://blog.daum.net/korea_brand/825

G20 Outreach              
Seoul G20 Business Summit 
South Korea will be holding a meeting of global business leaders on November 10 and 11 in Seoul prior to the G20 Seoul Summit. Around 80 chief executives of global companies from G20 member nations and 20 business leaders from non-member countries are expected to participate. Four major issues will be addressed – trade and investment, green growth, finance, and corporate social responsibility – to achieve sustainable and balanced growth. The results of the discussions will be reported and recommended to the Seoul G20 summit. 

To visit the official web site of the Seoul G20 Business Summit : 
http://seoulg20businesssummit.org/en/  


What Is Sherpa? 
   
A Sherpa is the President or Prime Minister’s personal representative responsible for negotiating possible agreements at international events such as the G8 and G20, which reduces the amount of time and resources required at the negotiations of the heads of state at the final summit. The Sherpa is usually a senior diplomat, civil servant or in some cases, politician. 

The name is derived from the Sherpa people who serve as guides and porters in the Himalaya Mountains, a metaphor indicating that the Sherpa clears the way for a head of state at a major summit. 

The last G20 Sherpa meeting was held in Seoul from July 19 to 22 this year. 

To view the list of the G20 Sherpas : 
http://www.sherpatimes.com/resources/62-resources/252-list-of-g20-sherpa.html  


Hanbok Fashion Show to Celebrate the G20
 
       

The G20 Hanbok Fashion Show will be held on November 12 at the Changdeokgung Palace for spouses of G20 national leaders to enjoy the delicate and sophisticated beauty of Korea’s national costume. Korea’s most acclaimed Hanbok designers will present some of their newest designs at the show along with some classic pieces. The show is organized and supported by Kim Yoon-ok, the First Lady of the Republic of Korea. 

To view the related article : 
http://www.korea.net/detail.do?guid=50976  


Check this out! 
        


To view some G20 economy/finance-related statistics, visit the following web site (Korea Statistical Information Service) : 
http://kosis.kr/nsportal/bulletin/html/index_eng.html  


G20 Seoul Summit Special
To be continued in the next issue...