December 10, 2013

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

   

Good morning, Excellency!
Here are The Korea Post news, African proverbs, humor from Korean-language economic dailies, and a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media this morning:
/s/
        
Lee Kyung-sik
Publisher-Chairman
Korea Post Media
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The Korea Post news

'One of Seven Wonders of Winter' for a 22-day run

Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival opens Jan. 4

Named one of the 'even Wonders of Winter' by CNN and Lonely Planet, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival is probably the most famous winter event in Korea. During the month of January every year, more than 1,000,000 people swarm Hwacheon in Gangwon province hoping to catch mountain trout bare-hand or ice fishing.

Mayor Chung Gap-cheol invites the Ambassadors and families to attend of Festival on Thursday January 17, 2014 and The Korea Post is transmitting the Invitation of Mayor Chung to the Excellencies with a detailed schedule of the Festival. (Further details and photos are toward the end of this Headlines.)

Who said Hwacheon offers only ice-fishing? You can land mountain trouts also from the water standing on the river bank (top left). Koreans, expats, young and old, all enjoy various events of the Festival.
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At the KUK Cultural Foundation Building behind Ritz Carlton Hotel

KUP hosts Year-end Concert with famed World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea

The Korea United Pharmaceutical Co. (KUP), hosts a Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert at the Cultural Foundation Building of the Company in Seoul (located behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel) on Dec. 26, 2013. It is presented by the famed World Vision of Korea Children’s Choir. Chairman Kang Duk-yung of the KUP invites the ambassadors and madams to the prestigious concert.
(See invitation and full details of the Concert at the end of this Article.)

Famed Sunmyung-hoe World Vision Children’s Choi of Korea presenting a performance overseas. They are presenting a year-end pre-Sentation at the Korea United Pharma Cultural Center in Gangnam behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Thursday 26 Dec. 2013 where Ambassadors and Madams are invited. (Individual invitation to the Excellencies have already been faxed and email, but in case of our Transmission failures, please call 2298-1740/2 for re-transmission of the Invitation.)
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Dr. Sang-Ki Hahn's African wise-sayings:

The left hand washes the right hand and the right washes the left.
- A Ghanaian proverb

Many axes in one basket must hit against each other.
- A Kenyan proverb 

The picking up of only the good things dose not fill one’s barn.
- A Kenyan proverb
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Humor from Korean-language economic dailies this morning:

Seoul Kyungje

After a woman gave birth to her baby, the doctor stood solemnly beside her bed. "There is something I must tell you about your baby."
"What's wrong?" the alarmed mother asked.
"Your baby is a hermaphrodite."
"What's that?"
"It means your baby has both male and female parts."
"That's wonderful!" the mother said. "You mean it has a penis and a brain?"

Hankuk Kyungje
Racing Sperms
In a place where little sperms grow, there was a super sperm who spent all his time working out.
He made running his most important duty. All the other sperms were very curious about his pastimes.
“Why do you do working out so hard?” they asked.
“Of all us sperms,” he said, “only one of us is going to make it to the egg. And that is going to be me.”
When that important moment came, all those sperms were racing along and far out in front of them was the super sperm. Then, away in the distance, they heard a loud scream. The super sperm, heading back, was screaming with all his might. “Go back. Go back! It’s an oral job!”
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KBS (
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Security Officials Remove Jang from Worker's Party Meeting
North Korean state-run TV has shown Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Jang Song-thaek, being removed from the latest Worker's Party meeting.

'Yang's Words Amount to Verbal Killing of President'
The presidential office has denounced an opposition lawmaker for saying President Park Geun-hye could end up following the footsteps of her assassinated father.

S. Korea to Increase Patrols in New Air Defense Zone
Anchor: The government is planning to increase patrols and surveillance in its newly established air defense zone. The measures follow South Korea’s announcement on Sunday to expand the zone in response to China’s unilateral decision to expand its own zone toward the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Our Kim In-kyung has more.

Bipartisan Lawmakers' Group Drafting Constitutional Amendment
A bipartisan group of 109 lawmakers will propose a constitutional amendment later this month to diffuse some of the powers of the presidency.

Korea Expected to Export Record No. of Cars This Year
South Korea is expected to export a record number of cars next year on the back of a recovery in major economies.
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Yonhap (
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
N. Korea confirms purge of leader's powerful uncle
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's powerful uncle has been dismissed from all posts for trying to form his own faction within the ruling party, Pyongyang's state media reported Monday, in the latest purge that could be designed to consolidate Kim's power.

Park says air zone expansion aims to guarantee national interests
President Park Geun-hye said Monday South Korea's decision to expand its air defense zone was part of efforts to protect the country's national interests.

U.S. gov't mum on ouster of N. Korean leader's uncle
While speculation is rampant over North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's intentions behind the sacking of his powerful uncle from all of his posts, the U.S. government kept mum Monday on the issue.

China calls purge of N. Korean leader's uncle 'internal affair'
China said Monday that the purge of the powerful uncle of North Korea's leader is the North's "internal affair," but added that it wants to see "national stability" in the reclusive state.

S. Korea recoups 62.9 pct of bailout funds
The government has recouped 62.9 percent of the public funds it spent to bail out troubled financial firms during the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, the financial regulator said Wednesday.

Railway workers strike over suspected privatization plan
The state-run rail operator stripped thousands of unionized rail workers of their positions Monday after they began a strike against what they suspect is a first step toward privatization, escalating a labor dispute that has disrupted some train services.
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The Korea Herald (
http://www.koreaherald.com)

N.K. broadcasts arrest of leader’s powerful uncle
North Korea said Monday its leader’s powerful uncle was purged for “anti-party, anti-revolution activities” including...

Rail workers protest privatization
Unionized rail workers launched a general strike Monday against a plan to launch a subsidiary f...

KDB cautious on GM pullout
The state-run Korea Development Bank, the second-largest shareholder of GM Korea, said Monday that it had asked the Detroit-based carmaker to submit additional financial data that ...

Winner to make return to the small screen
YG Entertainment’s much-anticipated new boy band Winner will be making its return to the small...

Obama to pay tribute to Mandela in South Africa
President Barack Obama will pay tribute this week to Nelson Mandela, making the long trip from Washington to South Africa Monday to attend a national memorial service for the anti-apartheid icon.

Thai PM dissolves Parliament, calls elections

S. Korea, U.S. to revise guidelines on USFK patrols

Georgian deputy FM pushes for Korean embassy

Park's office slams assassination remarks

Kakao denies plan to purchase T Store

Hyosung chairman faces fraud, tax evasion grilling

China regrets Korea’s air zone expansion

China expands presence in large LCD panel market

Prosecution to question official involved in love child scandal leak
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The Korea Times (
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
NK soldiers escort out No. 2 man
The ouster of North Korea’s No. 2 man Jang Song-thaek, the uncle of its leader Kim Jong-un, was confirmed by the country’s state media Monday. The confirmation comes after a week of confusion since the National Intelligence Serv...

China's CCTV goes wild with Korean professor's anti-Abe ad in WSJ
China’s China Central Television (CCTV) broadcasted with rare focus a Korean professor’s anti-Abe ad published on America’s Wall Street Journal homepage. CCTV broadcasted on Sunday a three minute-long interview footage of Sungsh...

Was Biden taken out of context? 
Although U.S. Vice President Joe Biden left the country last weekend after finishing a three-day v... 

KDB, GM engaged in one-upmanship 
GM Korea and its second-largest shareholder Korea Development Bank (KDB) appear engaged in fierce ... 

15,000 railway workers go on strike  
About 15,000 workers of Korea Railway Corp. (KORAIL) went on strike Monday. Unionists of Seoul Met... 

Green tea better than coffee in exhaustion relief  
Green tea has one-fifth the amount of caffeine (15-25mg) as coffee. Caffeine from green tea reliev... 

Galaxy smartphone wins Korea Image Award 
Samsung’s Galaxy smartphone won the 2014 “Korea Image Stepping Stone Award” for promoting the nati... 

FSS under scrutiny over privacy violations 
The human rights watchdog has launched an investigation into claims that financial regulators have... 

Patrols in KADIZ to be boosted  
Korea will beef up patrol and surveillance of its expanded air defense identification zone (ADIZ) ... 

Hyosung chief to be summoned today  
Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Suck-rai was summoned to appear before the prosecution today for questi... 

Won surges to two-year high 
The won’s value against the dollar surged to the highest level in two years and four months Monday...
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Dong A (
http://english.donga.com)
S. Korea readjusts air defense zone for first time in 62 years
South Korea announced a new air defense zone Sunday bolstering its sovereignty over the South-controlled reef of Ieodo and other islands around the Korean Peninsula. It was the first time that South Korea has adjusted...

Encountering innocence at Indonesian village through viewfinder
We had a time for emotional dialogue, in which we communicate through photos by overcoming the barriers of religion and language through the camera viewfinder, another perspective for us to see the world. At the "Photo...
Samsung-LG gear up to catch up Sony’s sole lead in UHD TV
While the overall TV market is expected to shrink this year, there is one product that shows rapid growth. It is the ultra-high-definition (UHD) TV whose resolution is four times higher than the existing full...
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Chosun Ilbo (
http://english.chosun.com)
96% of Teenagers Swear All the Time
Ninety-six percent of teenagers in Korea curse and swear every day, according to a poll by Hankook Research. More than half, or 54.7 percent of the youngsters surveyed said their peer group use language had the most profound effect on their own.

China Stages Drills Near Korean Peninsula
The Chinese military has staged massive military exercises around the Korean Peninsula after it declared a new air defense identification zone late last month that partly overlaps with South Korea's and Japan's. The exercises also came amid reports of the ouster of North Korean eminence grise Jang Song-taek.

Will Korea Benefit from Favorable World Cup Draw?
Korea got off relatively lightly in the group draw for the 2014 World Cup in Costa do Sauipe, Brazil on Friday, but officials from all four teams seemed more than content with the result, even joking later that Group "H" stands for four "happy" teams.

Hundreds Riot in Singapore's Little India
Hundreds of South Asian workers rioted in Singapore after being enraged by a fatal road accident in a rare case of public unrest in the wealthy city-state. The incident started...

U.S. Intelligence Agencies Reportedly Monitor Online Games

World Leaders Head to South Africa for Mandela Tribute

Heavy Winter Storm Hits Much of Western, Central U.S.

To protect hands when doing the dishes
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Hankyoreh (
http://english.hani.co.kr)
North Korea officially confirms purge of Jang Song-thaek
Jang’s image reportedly removed from documentary as N. Korea seeks to erase his presence
A documentary broadcast on North Korean television excised appearances by Jang Song-thaek, Kim Jong-un’s uncle who was recently ousted due to alleged “anti-state acts”. Jang’s ouster was confirmed in a Dec. 9 dispatch by Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency.
The Korea Workers’ Party released a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency that stated, “Jang desperately workers to form a faction with the party. Prompted by his politically motivated ambition, he tried to increase his force and build his base.” Details of Jang’s current whereabouts are not known.

South Korea announces expanded air defense identification zone
The South Korean government officially announced on Dec. 8 that it is expanding the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) to include Ieo Island and Mara Island, along with Hong Island in South Gyeongsang Province.

Watchdog launched for Samsung labor rights
A civic group is being established to protect the rights of workers at Samsung, which has a “no-union” policy. Samsung has thrown up numerous roadblocks to the establishment of labor unions at the company. As a result, the chaebol has been accused of disregarding the basic rights of its workers. This is the first time that a civic group has been set up in South Korea to deal with the labor issues of a single company.

DP lawmaker says Pres. Park should step down after ‘cyber coup’
Jang Ha-na, a young first-term proportional representative Democratic Party lawmaker, caused a stir on Dec. 8 when she declared that last December’s presidential election was rigged as a result of the interference of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Cyber Warfare Command and called on President Park Geun-hye to step down and make way for a special presidential election during the regional elections in June of next year.

Australian gov’t says FTA with S. Korea will work in its favor
The Australian government published analysis suggesting that signing the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) will result in considerable economic benefits, including AUS$5 billion in additional profits between 2015 and 2030.
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Joong Ang (conservative): (
http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)
North confirms Jang’s downfall
Uncle and protector of Kim Jong-un accused of major, minor crimes
North Korea’s state media released photos of leader Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Jang Song-thaek, being arrested at a party meeting that officially decided to purge the second-most powerful man in the country...

Strike at Korail to protest ‘stealthy privatization’
Union members of the state-run railway operator went on strike yesterday, the first walkout in four years, to protest Korea Railroad (Korail) from launching…

Saenuri denounces DP firebrand’s demand
Opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Ha-na’s declaration Sunday that said she can’t accept the “unlawful” presidential election of last year…

Park meets Stanford delegation
President Park Geun-hye yesterday met with a delegation on a visit to Seoul from Stanford University’s Asia-Pacific research center and asked them to share…

Hyosung chairman to be queried over corruption
Prosecutors yesterday called in the chairman of Hyosung Group for questioning on charges that he was behind the company’s massive tax evasions…

Pollution budget boosted ten times
After days of worsening air pollution, the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee agreed to increase next year’s budget for monitoring…

China expresses ‘regret’ over expanded KADIZ
China said it “regrets” the announcement on Sunday that Korea has expanded its air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in response to China’s unilateral declaration on Nov. 23…

Korea, India celebrate 40 years of bilateral ties
Korea and India have a unique bond. The two countries celebrated four decades of bilateral ties this year with an abundance of planned…

No. 1 in Japan, Apple targets China
Samsung Electronics is facing a tougher challenge in the East Asian market as archrival Apple continues to push a more aggressive sales strategy in the region…

Kepco planning new power plant
MANILA - Eighteen years after the Korea Electric Power Corporation launched its first overseas business in the Philippines…

With changes ahead, labor unrest could be size of tsunami
A member of senior management from a local business group met with union leaders recently to explain some big changes coming up…

Rising sales an early gift for retailers
Department stores saw a turnaround in sales during year-end sale events as cold-weather fashion sold like hot cakes. According to the industry yesterday…
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Edaily (
http://eng.edaily.co.kr/Stock/)
[US the closing price]The U.S. Dow Jones Index, 5.33p( 0.03%) slightly up.
The U.S. Dow Jones Index Closing (At 2013.12.09) The Dow closed at 16,025.53p, slightly up 5.33p( 0.03%) ...

[Table]Exchange Rate Quotation
This is Exchange rate Quotation offered by Korea Exchange Bank. [table] Exchange Rate Quotation Offered by KEB ...

[Table]Exchange Rate Currency Crossrate
2013.12.10 08:10(Korean time), this is Currency Crossrate of major 12 countries. [table] FX Cross Currency ...

[Closed] Domestic rate of return of final bid closed. 3-year government bond down -3bp.
This is the rate of return of final bid. Quoted by Korea Financial Investment Association, domestic rate of return of final bid of 3-year government bond recorded at 2.98%, down (-3bp) from yesterday. ... 
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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (
http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)
Foreign R&D brains fleeing from S. Korea
The South Korean government has invested around 700 billion won ($664 million) since 2008 to attract 583 foreign talents.The move was intended to foster the research & development-oriented world class university and establish the world class research institute (WCI). However, most of them have fled from Korea in five years since then. At present, only 84 workers or 14 percent of the total remain in Korea. Eight to nine out of 10 foreign talents immedi..

Home acquisition tax cut to be applied retroactively to Aug 28
South Korea’s National Assembly finally endorsed the bill that permanently lowers the home acquisition tax. Consequently, people who carried out housing transaction since August 28 this year are set to have their acquisition tax payments refunded.

Samsung launches 1-Tb mSATA SSD
Samsung Electronics released the new drive line-up that boosts the notebook performance by more than 10 times.

Gov’t likely to meet $2.5bn tax revenue target by bringing underground economy to light
South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s initiative to bring the underground economy above ground to

fatten state coffers for welfare budget seems to have produced a tangible outcome for a near term.

Chinese display panel makers posing threat to Korean counterparts
Chinese display panel manufacturers are expanding at a daunting pace in the large panel segment.

NIS agent acknowledges illegal online activities upon executives’ order
South Korea’s state spy agency official admitted his online activities meddling in the presidential election via Twitter upon the executives’ orders at the court Monday.

Military beefs up patrolling after KADIZ expansion
South Korea’s military authorities have embarked on follow-up measures after the Defense Ministry’s announcement of the expansion of the country’ air defense air identification zone into the flight information region designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization. 

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'One of Seven Wonders of Winter' for a 22-day run

Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival opens Jan. 4

Named one of the 'even Wonders of Winter' by CNN and Lonely Planet, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival is probably the most famous winter event in Korea. During the month of January every year, more than 1,000,000 people swarm Hwacheon in Gangwon province hoping to catch mountain trout bare-hand or ice fishing.(Mayor Chung Gap-cheol invites the ambassadors and families to attend the Festival on Friday 17, 2014.)

▲1.4 million persons reportedly visited Hwacheon Mountain Trout Festival last year having their fill of the joys of the winter--ice-fishing mountain trouts and treating their eyes to the colorful lanterns of the angels at the Seondeung Candle Light Festival that takes place in the night.

▲Who said Hwacheon offers only ice-fishing? You can land mountain trouts also from the water standing on the river bank (top left). Koreans, expats, young and old, all enjoy various events of the Festival.

▲Left: Visitors pass through the colorfully lit ice tunnel. Right: You can also enjoy a 'sky ride' down the river.

Nestled between the town of Hwacheon and the mountains, the Hwacheon River is not only covered by a thick layer of ice, but also by thousands of festival participants.

The Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival will be taking place in Hwacheon County in Gangwon-do province on Jan. 4-26, 2014. This virtually untouched region is known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the river is covered with a thick layer of ice.

Visitors can try out ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch mountain trout with their bare hands. Along with fun activities and performances, there is also an exhibition of ice sculptures that usually take 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors can sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.

A foreign visitor said: “Unlike some Korean festivals I have been to, there is a lot to do at this festival. You can ride an ATV or go kart on the ice, go sledding, ice skating, push a metal cart on the ice, or do some regular reel fishing.”

The events that are most popular are ice fishing and bare-handed fishing. For the ice fishing, you are provided with a hole in the ice and a bag for putting your catch for 10,000 won of which you get 10,000-won Love Gift, money you can spend around the festival grounds on food and souvenirs. “If you aren’t Korean, make sure to head to the foreigner only section. It is not only less crowded, but there is English-speaking help and you are given a free fishing pole,” said the foreign visitor.

When you get on the ice, pick a hole, let out enough line to get your lure to the bottom of the river. Then, quickly flick your wrist upwards and let it float back to the bottom. Some persistence is required, he stressed.

Hwacheon is considered a “clean region” where mountain trouts and otters live. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is opened in every January under the slogan of “Unfrozen Hearts, Unforgettable Memories” at Hwacheon that has geographical features of the fastest ice freezing in the country because of cold valley wind and clean water.

This is a unique theme experience festival full with good shows and 40 or about various experience programs, such as ice sledding, snow sledding, snow sculpture and ice soccer, Sancheoneo experience programs combined with the image of Hwacheon that has clean natural environment with the first grade clean water in Bukhangang (river) for catching Sancheoneo by hand, Sancheoneo fishing on the ice to catch the fish easily and enjoy the fishing by everybody, breaking the ice with 40cm thickness and above and looking at Sancheoneo in the deep water for your exciting play available for experiencing at Hwacheon only and heart-warm memory in winter.

Winter Sancheoneo! Sancheoneo Fishing! To mention about ice fishing, you need to catch at least one Sancheoneo. It is an elegant fish underneath ice out of comparison to the other fishes due to moderate size and beautiful shape.

Sancheoneo is hard to catch as it is rare but everyone can catch one or two Sancheoneo at Hwacheon with somewhat good luck and knack since 32 or 3 tons of fresh Sancheoneo are being put just under the fishing place every day for visitors for Sancheoneo festival. It is just the reason why a child or young girl without fishing experience is indulged in Sancheoneo ice fishing. K
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At the KUK Cultural Foundation Building behind Ritz Carlton Hotel

KUP hosts Year-end Concert with famed World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea

The Korea United Pharmaceutical Co. (KUP), hosts a Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert at the Cultural Foundation Building of the Company in Seoul (located behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel) on Dec. 26, 2013. It is presented by the famed World Vision of Korea Children’s Choir. Chairman Kang Duk-yung of the KUP invites the ambassadors and madams to the prestigious concert.

The repertoire consists of three parts, which include:

Part I:
Han-River Taryung (arr. Lee, Hyun Chul)
This is an arrangement of Korean folk song 'Han River Taryung' and winner of '2013 Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival' in Folk song category. Using Korean traditional musical techniques and colors, it demonstrates the beauty and prosperity of Han river. Also fan dance emphasizes its beauty.

Surround A-Ri-Rang (arr. Lee, Sun Taek)
One of most famous Korean folk song in Korea would be 'Arirang', and this piece is an arrangement with this song in unique way. Divided into three groups, it starts with echoes and developed more dramatically. The final climax with Arirang is a breathtaking moment in this piece.

Gagopa (arr. Lee, Hyun Chul)
Originally composed by Kim Dong Jin, this famous Korean Art Song is re-arranged to emphasize its beauty. Longing for homeland and old friends, lyrical melody line shows the emotion of sadness and also happiness.

Part II:
Gloria (A. Vivaldi)
This is the first piece from 'Gloria' by baroque composer A. Vivaldi.

Laudate Dominum (W. A. Mozart)
This solemn and holy with full of beauty piece is composed by one of the most famous composer W.A. Mozart. Pure melody line and beautiful harmony fills the air as the song of angels.

As dew in Aprile, This little (B. Britten)
(from 'A Ceremony of Carols')
This two songs are from 'A Ceremony of Carols' by British composer B. Britten. It sings that Jesus was born in mother's womb and came to earth to win a battle with Satan. Rhythmic variety and repetitive pattern emphases the meaning of this carol.

Part III:
When I Sing (B. Henderson)
"When you feel blue or depressed, sing a song, then you will feel much better and be happy"
Bright melody and joyful rhythm makes our face smile.

Champs-Elys?es (M. Wilsh, M. Deighan)
Composed by Mike Wilsh and Mike Deighan, this chanson sings the beauty and free-and-easiness of Champ-elysees avenue in Paris. Many pop singers have sung this chansons and it is arranged for choral to sing in choir.

Blessing
OST Medley (arr. Shin, Sang Woo)
Moon River / Over the Rainbow / Under the Sea / Sing / I Have a Dream
Moon River, Over the Rainbow, Under the Sea, Sing, I have a dream. These are most famous O.S.T. to all. Pianist and composer Shin Sang Woo, who perform in various fields, arrange this piece and he will play piano today.

Blessing (arr. Lee, Hyun Chul)
Famous CCM Artist Twila Paris composed this blessing based on Moses final blessing in Numbers 6 in the bible. Simple, but sincere melody fills with love and blessing.

About the World Vision Korea Children’s Choir
Throughout its 53-year history, various professional musicians in Korea and around the world compliment the Children’s Choir, praising the Choir as “Echoes of the Heaven.” The Choir’s achievement and quality have been proven by thousands of successful worldwide concerts.

World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea (led by Artistic Director Kim Hee-Churl) has been bringing messages of hope and love to children around the world since 1960.

After the Korean War (1950-3), the World Vision Children’s Choir brought aid from foreign sponsors to the orphans and war widows of Korea. Founded by Rev. Dr. Bob Pierce, the Children’s Choir was formed by those helped by the World Vision.

Their mission was to sing on hope and love through God, and to seek more sponsorship. After winning the highest award at the prestigious 'Let the Peoples Sing' competition organized by the BBC of the United Kingdom in 1978, the World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea has gained international fame.

For the past 53 years, the Choir has sun to give hope and love to the helpless and voiceless children in Korea and around the world.

The Choir also performed for combined traditions and fresh ideas to create the best choral music that the Choir is proud as it plays a role model in sharing peace, hope, and love.

About the Artistic Director Kim Hee-Churl
Hee Churl Kim studied choral conducting under worldly renowned conductor Hak Won Yoon in Chung-Ang University. In Georgia State University, he studied with Dr. John Heberlen, who was the president of ACDA. In 1993, Mr. Kim conducted Vancouver Chamber Choir in Eric Ericson Master Class as a representative of Asia in World Choral Symposium held in Canada. From 1995 to 1997, he joined Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus to sing with Robert Show, who was one of the best choral conductors in the world. He conducted Atlanta Korean Children's Choir and Atlanta Master Chorale, and he served as a president of Atlanta Korean Musician Association. From 1994 to 1997, while he was a visiting professor of Georgia Theological Seminary, he had served as a coordinator in 'Music and Worship Conference’ held by PCUSA. After returning to Korea in 1997, he had conducted many choirs, such as, World Vision Korea Children's Choir, Gwang-Myung City Women's Chorale, and Sung-Nam City Teacher's Choir. He also taught in Chung-Ang University. He also served as a board member of the Korean Church Music Association. Currently, he is the conductor of Gwacheon City Women's Choir, which is the only professional women's choir in Korea, had concert tours in Manila, Philippine by invitation of Philippine Madrigal Singers in 2004. Also, the choir was invited from Vancouver to celebrate the Winter Olympic Games in 2009. In 2004, he became an Artistic Director and Administrative Director of World Vision Korea Children's Choir. In 2009, he made a film called 'You and You' with World Vision Korea Children's Choir under director Je Hyun Park, who is one of the famous movie directors in Korea. As an artistic director, he has been hosting International Children's Choir Festival every three years by inviting the most prestige choirs from all around the world to help poor and devastated children in the world. As an opening concert of 2007 ICCF, he conducted a contemporary piece 'Gana and Dara' composed by In Sun Cho, worldly renown contemporary composer who served as a professor in Chung-Ang University. Mr. Kim made several CDs and DVDs, such as, 'Blessings', Songs of Love', 'Winter Sonata', and etc.
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Elder sister of famed ROK Army Lt. Cho Chang-Ho

Late Madam Cho Chang-soo decorated with Order of Cultural Merit, Okgwan

The government of the Republic of Korea has decided to posthumously honour the late former Curator Madam Cho Chang-soo (1925-2009) of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in the United States with an Order of Cultural Merit, Okgwan. Madam Cho dedicated her entire life to the introduction of Korean history and culture to the general public in the US, thus promoting the American people’s understanding of the Korean history and culture. The presentation ceremony will take place at the National Palace Museum on Dec. 10, 2013.

Madam Cho also made great efforts for the return of Eobo (Official Seal) of Emperor Gojong and Emperor Sunjong of the Joseon Dynasty and a total of 93 other Korean cultural treasures and properties to Korea?through fund-raising and donations.

The late Madam Cho Chang-soo (left) and her son, General Manager Eric Swanson of Millennium Seoul Hilton

The late Madam Cho is the mother of General Manager Eric Swanson of the Millennium Seoul Hilton. She is also the elder sister of the widely known late Lieutenant Cho Chang-Ho who succeeded in escaping North Korea and returning to Seoul after 43 years of captivity in North Korea where he got silicosis from forced labor in coal mine pits where he had been sent because of his repeated attempts of escape to the South after his captivity during the Korean.

          Madam Cho at her university graduation ceremony

Madam Cho studied at the universities in Japan and the US and worked as a curator at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum for 44 years from 1965 to 2009--playing an important role in various areas, including exhibitions, research work, publication and education. In 2007, she even succeeded in establishing a Korea Hall at the Smithsonian Museum.

   Madam Cho (seated at center) with fellow workers at the Smithsonian Institute

There are a number of other recipients of the Cultural Orders, who include Director Lee Kang-bak of Gangneung Institute (Order of Cultural Merit, Eungwan) and Professor Yoon Sae-young of Korea University (Order of Cultural Merit, Bogwan).

The late Lt. Cho Chang-Ho.

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