December 13, 2013

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Friday, December 13, 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 preSentation 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:

If the grasshopper breaks the earth, dust goes in to its eyes.
-A Ghanaian proverb

Birds agree when flying down, but do not agree when flying up.
-A Kenyan proverb

The belly is not head.
-A Kenyan proverb
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Humor from Korean-language economic dailies this morning:

Seoul Kyungje

A woman approaches the checkout of a supermarket, in her basket she has the following:
1 bar of soap, 1 toothbrush, 1 tube of toothpaste, 1 loaf of bread, 1 pint of milk, 1 single serving of cereal, 1 single frozen dinner.
The checkout guy looks at her, smiles, and says, “Single, huh?”
The woman smiles sheepishly and replies, “How do you guess?”
“Because you’re ugly.”

Hankuk Kyungje

Facts about Women
-Women are paid less than men, except for one field: Modeling.
-Women love to talk on the phone. A woman can visit her girlfriend for two weeks, and upon returning home, she will call the same woman and they will talk for three hours.
-If a man goes on a seven-day trip, he’ll pack five-day worth of clothes and will wear something twice; if a woman goes on a seven-day trip she’ll pack 21 outfits because she doesn’t know what she’ll feel like wearing each day.
-The average number of items in a typical woman’s bathroom is 437. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.
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KBS (
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

N. Korean Leader's Ousted Uncle Jang Executed
North Korea has announced that leader Kim Jong-un's ousted uncle Jang Song-thaek was executed

S. Korea Signs Deal to Export 24 Fighter Jets to Iraq
South Korea has signed a one-point-one billion U.S. dollar deal to export 24 FA-50 light attack fighter jets to Iraq.

S. Korea Protests Japan for Video on Dokdo
Anchor: The South Korean government is protesting Japan for releasing a video in multiple languages claiming rights to the Dokdo Islets. In response, a Korean, civilian public relations specialist has uploaded an English-language video on YouTube of Dokdo's history. Our Kim In-kyung has more.

S. Korea, US Officials Discuss Timing for OPCON Transfer
South Korea and the U.S. launched working-level talks in Seoul on Thursday over the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON).

N. Korean Leader's Ousted Uncle Jang Executed

Foreign Ministry's Budget for Dokdo Increases 60%

Samsung Wins Patent Infringement Case Against Apple in Germany

KOPSI Ends Lower on Foreign Selling
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Yonhap (
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)

N. Korean leader's uncle Jang Song-thaek executed: KCNA
North Korea announced Friday that the disgraced uncle of its leader, Kim Jong-un, has been executed for anti-Communist Party and "counter-revolutionary" acts.

White House says Jang's fate shows N. Korea's brutality
The White House said Thursday North Korea's reported execution of Jang Song-thaek, once a regent for leader Kim Jong-un, demonstrates the communist regime's "extreme brutality."

S. Korea holding security meeting over N. Korea's execution of leader's uncle
South Korea is holding a security ministers' meeting Friday to discuss the situation in North Korea, an official said, after the communist nation announced that the once-powerful uncle of leader Kim Jong-un has been executed.

Cutler says S. Korea's entry into current TPP talks 'very difficult'
A top U.S. trade official said it would be "very difficult" for South Korea to join the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, which are on the verge of a deal.

U.S. says no change in rejecting China's air zone
The Obama administration made clear again Thursday that China's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) should not be implemented despite South Korea's decision to let its commercial airliners comply with it.

Pilot of ill-fated Asiana flight 'stressed' by manual landing
The pilot of the Asiana passenger jet that crashed at San Francisco International Airport in July found manual landing "very stressful," according to a newly-released document.
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The Korea Herald (
http://www.koreaherald.com)

N. Korean leader's uncle Jang Song-thaek executed: KCNA
North Korea announced Friday that the disgraced uncle of its leader, Kim Jong-un, has been executed for anti-Communist P...

News ListNIS chief proposes laundry list of reforms
The National Intelligence Service on Thursday reported to the National Assembly its reform plan...

Investigators detect trail of celebrity prostitution ring
The prosecution is investigating a large prostitution ring involving female celebrities, it was...

Korea to sell 24 F-50s to Iraq
South Korea scored a $1.1 billion contract with Iraq on Thursday to sell 24 light attack fighte...

Pope urges social 'fraternity' after eco...

Salvation Army campaign

Korea slams Japan’s Dokdo video

Religious leaders speak out against NIS ...

N. Korea slams South Korea's weapons pur...

Korea ranks sixth in world junior scienc...

Six more ministries set to relocate to S...

Rail strike

Is hypotension a disease or not?

Some cancer treatments can be skipped: r...

Mandela farewell turnout speaks to S. Af...

Future artists

State firms expected to increase fees

Hyundai Mobis starts production of advan...

Paris in Shanghai
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The Korea Times (
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

Korea exports 24 attack jets to Iraq
BAGHDAD - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a $1.1 billion (1.1 trillion won) contract to sell 24 FA-50 light attack aircraft to Iraq, Thursday, the most lucrative defense export deal by local players. In Baghdad, KAI CEO ...

Ugly truth behind banknotes
On Sept. 10, the start of the cotton-picking season in Uzbekistan, the temperature in Tashkent soared to a scorching 38 degrees Celsius. As they do each year, citizens took to the fields to pick “white gold.” In the Central Asia...

NIS to keep agents out of politics  
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) will make it obligatory for its employees to sign written ... 

Shinhan chief gets second term, calls for reconciliation 
Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Han Dong-woo, who was approved to lead the group for a second ter... 

Visa, Master Card to cut fees  
Annual fees for international cards, such as Visa and Master Card, may be cut by almost half start... 

What's big deal about Canada Goose?  NEW YORK - If the word Chilliwack comes off as some kind of funky chili dish to you, you’re appare... 

Saenuri attacks 2 DP lawmakers  
The ruling Saenuri Party intensified its attacks against Reps. Chang Ha-na and Yang Seung-jo of th... 

Japanese gov't rapped for double standard 
The Japanese government’s move to present a video clip in multiple languages contesting Korea’s so... 

Civilian aircraft submit flight plans to China  
Korea’s civilian carriers started to submit their flight plans to China, Thursday, when they pass ... 

What will happen to NK leader's aunt? 
The removal from power of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Jang Song-thaek, was confirmed ... 

2PM tops Oricon DVD chart 
K-pop boy band 2PM topped Japan’s Oricon chart in the category of DVD, according to JYP Entertainm...
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Dong A (
http://english.donga.com)

S. Korea signs record deal to export light attackers to Iraq
A South Korean aircraft maker will exports 24 FA-50 light attackers to Iraq in a 1.1-billion-U.S.-dollar deal that would mark the largest ever arms export for South Korea. Ha Sung-yong, chairman of Korea Aerospace... 

Park has first meeting with Singapore prime minister
South Korean President Park Geun-hye shakes hands with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong before a summit in her office Wednesday. ...

Reduction of KTX service is inevitable from next Monday
As the rail strike is protracted, the KTX express train service is expected to be reduced from early next week. Industries such as the cement industry ask the railroad union to call off the strike, saying “(We) have...

`US should have unconditional dialogue with N. Korea
Frank Jannuzi, deputy executive director of deputy executive director of Amnesty International, on Wednesday urged the international community to recognize North Korea`s nuclear possession and start dialogue with the...

Korea is second to last in oil security
According to the analysis by the Korea Energy Economics Institute, Korea was found to be the second most vulnerable nation in terms of oil security. The research institute assessed that among the 32 major nations...

Madonna and her boyfriend break up
Madonna and her boyfriend have gone separate ways. CBS News said on Thursday Madonna and dancer Brahim Zaibat have broken up after three years together. The 55-year-old pop star and Zaibat, 25, started dating in 2010...
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Chosun Ilbo (
http://english.chosun.com)

N.Korean Purge 'All About the Money'
A swathe of stories emerging from North Korea attribute the recent purge surrounding eminence grise Jang Song-taek to prosaic financial motives. The regime is believed to have maintained a slush fund of an estimated US$4 million abroad.

How to Survive End-of-Year Binge Drinking
Parties and gathering celebrating Christmas and the end of the year fill up people's calendars in December, but the pressure to consume vast amounts of alcohol with friends, family members and coworkers can take its toll. Here are some tips to help keep things in moderation and not overtax your body during this festive season.

Korean Air to Offer Full-Course Korean Menu on Long Flights
Korean Air will offer a new full-course menu featuring authentic Korean food for first-class passengers on long-haul flights from January, the airline announced on Wednesday. Fliers will get to enjoy a selection of appetizers.

Another Japanese Video Promotes Dokdo Land Grab

Man Who Managed Kim Jong-il's Coffers 'Executed'

Purge of Jang Song-taek Triggered by Supply Corruption

Hong Kong Starts Automated Immigration for Koreans

Asiana 214 Crash Blamed on Pilot Error

LG Unveils New Google Tablet PC in U.S.

Psy's 'Gangnam Style' Sweeps Billboard's Year-End Charts

Pop Culture Attracts Capital, Tourists to Korea
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Hankyoreh (
http://english.hani.co.kr)

After 40 years, accused spy tells his tragic story
New memoir tells one of many tales of Korean-Japanese caught in the currents of history and unfairly persecuted as spies
“My country caused me pain, but I can neither abandon nor resent it. [. . .] At first, I wasn’t planning to write a book, but my daughter, who grew up as a third-generation Japanese-Korean, my wife, and my friends all urged me to write it, so I did. They said that the only way for people to know that I had finally cleared my name after 40 years of being unfairly regarded as a spy was to publish a book. [. . .] I hope that the book will be a reference for resolving conflict between Korea and Japan, to serve as a guideline for allowing families divided by the Korean War to meet each other freely and for unifying North and South Korea. I also hope that it will be used to teach future generations why an innocent man became a scapegoat of history and had to suffer such a tragedy.”Alleged NK spies found innocent of espionage

Family recalls father driven to suicide by construction on his doorstep
“It’s a crime the way the police and the city government are twisting the facts. What else could it be if not them ignoring the significance of my father’s death and pushing ahead with the electricity transmission tower construction?”

Source: in recent N. Korea purge, it’s all about bloodlines
It is being suggested that the ouster of Jang Song-thaek, former Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) administrative department head, came about when the original power base in North Korea, the direct descendants of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung (known as the Baekdu line) and the descendants of the guerillas that fought the Japanese (called princelings), moved to check the power that Jang had been gathering since the death of Kim Jong-il.

KORAIL suspends 807 more striking workers, for a total of 6,748
KORAIL took strong measures against railroad workers as their strike reached its third day on Dec. 11, defining the strike as illegal.
Meanwhile, the union continued calling for a halt to railway privatization, issuing five demands to block it.
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Joong Ang (conservative): (
http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)

NIS proposes its own reform idea
But both Saenuri and Democratic parties mull altering the law
Nam Jae-joon, director of the National Intelligence Service, submitted to the National Assembly yesterday a plan for reforms at the agency amid growing demand from both the opposition Democratic Party and the general public for more political neutrality…

Iraq buys $2.1B worth of Korean jets
Korea signed its largest weapons export contract to deliver 24 FA-50 fighters, lightweight attack jets based on the indigenously built T-50 Golden Eagle…

Celebrity sex-for-money is probed
Prosecutors are investigating accusations that as many as 30 female celebrities, some very well known, were paid by influential businessmen to provide sexual services…

Seoul court rules against Samsung on three patents
A Seoul court denied Samsung’s claim yesterday that Apple violated three of its mobile patents related to short message services.Samsung Electronics lost…

Prosecutors go after head of Hyosung
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday requested a court to grant a pre-trial detention warrant for Cho Suck-rai, chairman of the nation’s 26th-largest…

Ruling party lawmaker is found guilty of buying seat
Representative Kim Young-joo of the Saenuri Party was stripped of his post after he was found guilty by the Supreme Court of buying his candidacy…

Saenuri takes to streets over insults by DP reps
The ruling Saenuri Party says it’s outraged by insulting remarks about President Park Geun-hye by two opposition Democratic Party lawmakers…

School, officials tried to cover up sexual misconduct
The Ministry of Education ordered a municipal education office to impose serious disciplinary action against a teacher who had inappropriate sexual contact…

Fate of Jang’s wife hangs in balance
With the ouster of Jang Song-thaek, the powerful uncle of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un, all eyes are on his only remaining guardian, Kim Kyong-hui…

Critics wary of program to levy new carbon tax
A plan to levy a carbon tax to encourage the purchase of fuel-efficient cars is being criticized by industry insiders, with some experts arguing that the amount is too high…

Korea denounces Japan over video on Dokdo
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs unveiled multi-language YouTube video clips asserting its claim over the Dokdo Islets…

Seminar about North to be held in Washington
The Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), which is under the Ministry of Unification, will hold a workshop today with the National Bureau of Asian Research…

Chevy Trax drives off with top safety award
Chevrolet TraxThe Chevrolet Trax, a compact sport utility vehicle made by GM Korea, was chosen as the safest car of the year by the Ministry of Land…
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Edaily (
http://eng.edaily.co.kr/Stock/)

[US the closing price]The U.S. Dow Jones Index, -104.10p(-0.66%) slightly down.
The U.S. Dow Jones Index Closing (At 2013.12.12) The Dow closed at 15,739.43p, slightly down -104.10p(-0....

[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
2013.12.13 08:10(Korean time), this is Currency Crossrate of major 12 countries. [table] FX Cross Currency ...

[Closed]KOSPI 1,967.92p(-10.05p) slightly down, KOSDAQ 495.68p( 0.90p) slightly up
KOSPI & KOSDAQ Index Closed KOSPI closed slightly down -10.05p(-0.51%) at 1,967.92p from yesterday. ...  
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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (
http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)

Labor costs drive foreign carmakers out of Korea
French carmaker Renault appears to be following suit of General Motors which recently decided to shift production of newer models away from South Korea. Industry sources said Thursday that Renault, the parent company of Renault Samsung Motors, is likely to shift the production of 30,000 sports utility vehicles (SUV) bound for China from its Busan plant. Renault recently won approval from Beijing authorities to build a manufacturing plant in China in a...

S. Korean film viewers reach close to 200 mn this year
The number of South Korean viewers watching films this year is expected to surpass the 200 million mark.

S. Korea to export 24 “T-50” trainer aircrafts to Iraq 
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will export 24 units of “T-50,” a trainer aircraft produced in the country, to Iraq.

Labor costs drive foreign carmakers out of Korea
French carmaker Renault appears to be following suit of General Motors which recently decided to shift production of newer models away from South Korea.

Samsung loses patent lawsuit in S. Korea against Apple
Samsung Electronics lost second round of lawsuit over patented technology in its home turf of South Korea with its archrival Apple.

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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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November 27, 2013

Invitation to Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert

I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that Chairman Dr. and Mrs. Kang Duk-young of Korea United Pharmaceutical Co. cordially invite Your Excellency and Madam, together with other Ambassadors and Madams, to a Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert presented by the famed World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea at the Culture Foundation Building of the United Pharma in Seoul at 6:30 p.m. Thursday December 26, 2013. The repertoire includes a Christmas Carol by the famed World Vision Sunmyung-hoe Children’s Choir. The details are as follows:

Venue: Concert Hall of the Culture Foundation of the United Pharma Co., 616-12 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 3 blocks southward from the Grand Hannam Bridge (behind Ritz Carlton Hotel).

Time/Date: 6:30 p.m. Thursday December 26, 2013

Schedule of Event:-

6:30-7:30 p.m.: Dinner hosted by Chairman and Mrs. Kang at the Banquet Hall.
7:30-7:40 p.m.: View exhibits at the Art Gallery and Handicraft Exhibition Hall
7:40-9:00 p.m.: Grand Year-end Concert

Repertoire:-Part I: ‘Han River Taryung,’ winner of 2013 Andre O. Veneration International Choral Festival (arr. Lee Hyun-Chul); ‘Surround Arirang’ (arr. Lee Sun-Taek); ‘Gagopa--Yearning for Home’ (arr. Lee Hyun-Chul).
Part II: ‘Gloriva’ (A. Vivaldi); ‘audate Dominum’ (W.A. Mozart); As dew in Aprile, this little babe’ (B. Britten).
Part III:
‘When I Sing’ (B. Henderson), ‘ Hamps-Elysees (M. Wilsh, M. Deighan); ‘OST Medely’ (arr. Shin Sang-woo); and ‘Blessing’ (arr. Lee Hyun-Chul)).
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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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