cember 17, 2013

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Tuesday, December 17, 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 

Ambassadors and families are invited to attend the Festival on

Thursday January 17, 2014. (Further details and photos are toward the end of this Headlines.)

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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 (See invitation and full details of the Concert at the end of this Article.)

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Dr. Sang-Ki Hahn's African wise-sayings:

Kamau who is white becomes black.
- A Kenyan proverb

Even if a goat becomes a sheep, his black spots will remain unchanged.
-A Ghanaian proverb

One palm tree (among many) can spoil the taste of the entire palm wine.
-A Ghanaian proverb
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Humor from Korean-language economic dailies this morning:

Seoul Kyungje

A rancher from Central Arizona died and went on to the Great Beyond.
As he approached the great gate, he noticed that the terrain was bare with no greenery.
He remarked to the gate keeper, "Howdy Saint Peter. Say, this looks just like Arizona."
The gatekeeper replied, "First of all, I'm not Saint Peter…and second, you really don't know where you are at all, do you?"

Hankuk Kyungje
Tired Wife
A husband and wife are getting ready to go to bed.
The husband says, “I thought we’d have sex tonight.”
The wife replies, “No, I’m too tired tonight.”
The husband says, “Is that your final answer?”
The wife says, “Yes, it is.”
The husband says, “OK, then, I’d like to get it somewhere else.”
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KBS (
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/
)

Pres. Park Calls Situation on Korean Peninsula Grave, Unpredictable
Anchor: President Park Geun-hye said the situation on the Korean Peninsula has become grave and unpredictable since the execution of Jang Song-thaek, the uncle of Kim Jong-un.

Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Striking Rail Union Officials
The court issued arrest warrants on Monday for key officials of the Korean Railroad Corporation’s labor union as it strikes for an eighth day.

Researchers Develop Cancer Treating Nanorobot
South Korean researchers have developed the world's first medical nanorobot that can detect and actively treat cancer.

N. Korea's Military Pledges Loyalty to Kim Jong-un
The North Korean military has pledged loyalty to Kim Jong-un ahead of the 2nd anniversary on Tuesday of the death of his father Kim Jong-il.

Bitnoriya in Yeosu Chosen as a Key Winter Festival
A local festival in Yeosu has been selected as one of the top 20 winter festival destinations by the Korea National Tourism Organization.

Asia's Largest Climate Change Research Center to be Set Up in Korea
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Yonhap (
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr
)

U.N. chief cautions against 'premature actions' on N. Korea
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday North Korea's reported execution of Jang Song-thaek, once a key player in its leadership, was "very dramatic and surprising," but he cautioned regional powers not to overreact to the new developments on the peninsula.

Arrest warrants issued for 10 KORAIL union leaders
South Korean courts on Monday approved arrest warrants for 10 leaders of unionized state rail workers for refusing to respond to summons by prosecutors as part of an investigation into an ongoing strike.

Former Samsung Electronics president nominated as KT chairman
Former Samsung Electronics president Hwang Chang-gyu has been nominated as the new chairman of KT Corp., South Korea's No. 2 mobile operator, the company said Monday.

N. Korean provocations cannot be ruled out: Park
President Park Geun-hye said Monday South Korea should be fully prepared against possible North Korean hostilities, warning that the communist nation could attempt "reckless provocations" after the execution of leader Kim Jong-un's uncle.
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The Korea Herald (
http://www.koreaherald.com
)

N.K. Military pledges loyalty to Kim Jong-un
Thousands of North Korean soldiers reaffirmed their loyalty to leader Kim Jong-un Monday on the eve of the second annive...

News ListPark urges readiness against possible N.K. provocations
President Park Geun-hye on Monday directed her government to maintain “full readiness” agains...

Police launch clampdown as strike fallout worsens
A passenger was killed Sunday in a subway accident apparently caused by safety failures amid an...

Korean-American writer talks about her debut novel
Korean-American writer Susan Ee worked as a lawyer before turning to fiction writing, but havin...

Two POSCO employees found dead at Pohang...

Argentine footballers to dedicate win to...

South Sudan repulses coup attempt, minis...

Court dismisses demand to change answer ...

Korea to overhaul state firms’ overseas...

Views mixed on exit of Samsung’s first ...

Arirang TV to become available on U.S. s...

Seoul seeks to complement N.K. contingen...

Ministry launches center for Middle East...

Habitual tax defaulters increase

GPS-guided bombs for Korean fighters to ...

Echoes of Cold War color U.S. stand on U...

China bans shellfish imports from U.S. W...

U.S. Navy expands sonar testing despite ...

Australian combat troops leave Afghanist...
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The Korea Times (
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr
)

Ecuador fights Chevron legacy
QUITO, Ecuador- The government of Ecuador invited international journalists to the South American country during the first week of December to show the seriousness of environmental damage in Lago Agrio, an oil-rich area in Ecuad...
New NK hierarchy to be disclosed 
In an authoritarian society, the relationship with the dictator is the most significant for member... 

Park warns of NK moves  
President Park Geun-hye said Monday the government should be ready for any possibilities in the wa... 

Kookmin's Tokyo branch under joint scrutiny 
Financial regulators of Korea and Japan are investigating allegations of illegal lending and the c... 

Passenger killed in railway workers' strike 
The death of an 84-year-old subway passenger Sunday evening is being blamed on a 19-year-old trans... 

Hwasun High junior wins minister's citation 
Jeong Eun-sil, 17, said Monday that she was overjoyed to hear she was the winner of the Ministry o... 

Samsung, Kyobo 'illegally lured' clients  
Samsung Life and Kyobo Life will face disciplinary measures from financial authorities for alleged...

 

MBC brings back college song contest 
Just months after ending its longrunning college song contest, MBC television says it’s bringing i... 

Gov't cautious about Google Maps 
The Korean government remains cautious about giving a license for mapping activities here to the U... 

China may harden stance toward NK  
The execution last week of Jang Song-thaek, the uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is expec... 

'How are you doing?' poster going viral 
A growing number of people, on and outside college campuses, are expressing support for a poster m... 

LG, Huawei may boost cooperation 
LG may consider boosting partnership with China’s Huawei in a bid to create a turnaround for its s... 

'Direct buying' sets new retail trend  Fed up with higher prices of imported goods, a growing number of Koreans have jumped to direct buy... 

Falling gold prices revive old tradition 
The tradition of giving gold rings as a first-birthday gift to infants has made a comeback because... 

'One Sony' strategy in full swing 
Japan’s Sony is making big strides under the leadership of CEO Kazuo Hirai, who has adopted a “One... 
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Dong A (
http://english.donga.com
)

Pres. Park concerns about N. Korea’s possible provocation
President Park Geun-hye said on Monday, “We cannot exclude the possibility of North Korea’s reckless provocation. The National Security Team must take the lead in monitoring its move and get prepared for every possible...

Photo of Jang`s trial suggests torture
North Korea`s official Rodong Sinmun disclosed a photo of Jang Song Thaek standing stands trial before a special military tribunal in Pyongyang on Thursday. In the photo, Jang is standing with a stoop with his hands...

December Jinx
“It’s December again.” This is the reaction from the military community as tensions are mounting in the wake of North Korea’s execution of Jang Song Thaek, the uncle by marriage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. It...

Former Japanese official: Korea is Japan`s close neighbor
 
Foreign students gain valuable memories of Korea at military camp 

Haynes under fire for violent play against Korean basketballer 

----------------------------

Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)

Experts Puzzle Over Jang Song-taek's Ouster
The ouster and execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-taek has laid bare the fault lines running through the secretive regime, where various factions jostle for control of diminishing resources.

More Divorced Women Remarry
The number of divorced women who remarry has grown more than twice as much as the number of men over the last 30 years. The number of couples where the woman is divorced and the man marrying for the first time surged. The reason seems to be that more women gain higher positions in society and the economy.

Samsung Loses Patent Lawsuit in Korea
Samsung has lost a second patent infringement suit against rival Apple in Korea, putting more pressure on the Korean electronics giant after it also lost a similar suit in the U.S. last month. The latest trial began when Samsung filed a suit against Apple at the Seoul Central District Court accusing the U.S. company of infringing three of its patents in March last year.

Kerry Says N.Korea's Leader Reckless, Ruthless
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry described North Korea's Kim Jong Un as reckless and insecure after the execution of the leader's powerful uncle, and said Kim's actions...Dec.

'Lawrence of Arabia' Star Peter O'Toole Dies
British actor Peter O'Toole, who shot to instant stardom as "Lawrence of Arabia" and was nominated eight times for an Academy Award, has died. He was 81. O'Toole's agent said..

Bruno Mars Named Billboard's 2013 Artist of the Year
Singer Bruno Mars was named Billboard's 2013 Artist of the Year by the industry trade magazine on Friday. Hawaiian-born Mars, 28, topped eight of Billboard's year-end music chart..

China Lands Lunar Rover

U.S., Chinese Warships Avert Near-Collision in South China Sea

Ireland Exits Bailout with Last Tranche of IMF Aid

Nelson Mandela Laid to Rest in Ancestral Village

To massage effectively
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Hankyoreh (
http://english.hani.co.kr
)

New student movement asks “How are you nowadays?”
Simple, handwritten message has struck a chord with young people displeased with the more unfair social climate in Korean society
“How are you nowadays?” “I’m not okay!”
When the speaker asked the question, about 300 people responded together in one voice.
Around 3 pm on Dec. 14, the rear gate to the College of Political Science and Economics at Korea University in Seoul was buzzing with people despite the flakes of snow drifting down.
Students and citizens had gathered in support of a large hand-written poster titled “How are you?” which Ju Hyun-u, 27, a business student at Korea University, put up on campus on Dec. 10.

One Korail worker’s story of twenty years of struggle
As of Dec. 15, the seventh day of a Korean Railway Workers’ Union (KRWU) strike against privatization, KORAIL had suspended 8,565 union members from their posts and accused more than 190 of them of obstructing operations. These were the largest such numbers in the history of South Korean railway strikes. One of the suspended workers was Lee Ki-dam, 53, an engineer with more than 23 years of service.
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Joong Ang (conservative): (
http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/
)

Woman fatally dragged by subway
Student filling in during strike ordered train doors to be closed
An 84-year-old woman was killed after her foot got caught in a subway door and she was dragged along a platform late Sunday at Government Complex Gwacheon Station on subway line No. 4.The incident occurred on the seventh day of a railway strike when a 19-year-old substitute worker was in charge…

Samsung vet is appointed to head KT, No. 2 carrier
Former Samsung Electronics chief Hwang Chang-gyu was chosen as the new head of KT. The CEO recommendation committee of the country’s No. 2 mobile service…

After execution, U.S. calls Jong-un ‘ominous,’
‘insecure’The brutal execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s uncle Jang Song-thaek has triggered a harsh reaction from Washington, and Secretary of State John Kerry…

Chun makes list of tax deadbeats
The government yesterday released the names of the biggest tax delinquents, which included former President Chun Doo Hwan. The Ministry of Security and Public Administration…

School uniform industry resists price controls
More than 1,000 workers in the school uniform industry staged a rally on Dec. 13 to protest the government’s policy to lower the cost of school uniforms…

Private day care centers want cash
An association representing private day care centers in Gyeonggi began staging its 12-day rally yesterday to call for shorter working hours…

CSAT’s wrong answer was right, court decides
The Seoul Administrative Court yesterday rejected a petition by high school students to cancel the grading of the College Scholastic Ability Test…

Liberal compares trial of UPP’s Lee to purge of Jang
A political firestorm is looming after a prominent liberal politician compared the treason trial of Representative Lee Seok-ki in South Korea to North Korea’s execution…

3 finalists in Woori securities sale
Three final bidders will compete to buy a package of four securities affiliates of the country’s largest financial group, including Woori Investment and Securities…

Incidents of spear phishing are on the rise
In July, employees of various unification research institutes in Korea received an email with an attached zip file that seemed relevant to their work…

BASF announces plan to build compounding plant in Yesan
BASF, a German-based global chemical company, said yesterday that it will build a compounding plant for engineering plastics, such as polyamide and polybutylene…

Financial groups mix affiliate funds
Nearly half of local financial companies’ capital comes from their affiliates, a lawmaker said yesterday citing data from the Fair Trade Commission…

Part-time popular with employees and SMEs
While studies show more than half of Korean adults are willing to work part-time, small and midsize companies regard hiring part-time employees more positively…
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Edaily (
http://eng.edaily.co.kr/Stock/
)

[US the closing price]The U.S. Dow Jones Index, 129.21p( 0.82%) slightly up.
The U.S. Dow Jones Index Closing (At 2013.12.16) The Dow closed at 15,884.57p, slightly up 129.21p( 0.82%...

[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
2013.12.17 08:10(Korean time), this is Currency Crossrate of major 12 countries. [table] FX Cross Currency ...

[Closed]Dollar-won 1,051.50won, slightly down -1.10won(-0.10%)
15:02, Korean won closed at 1,051.50won per dallar slightly down -1.10(-0.10%) from previous day. [table] currently market of won dollar ...   
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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (
http://news.mk.co.kr/english/
)

Park says N. Korean provocations cannot be ruled out
“When we look at a recent series of developments in North Korea, it is uncertain in which direction the North Korean situation will go. We are in a situation where we cannot rule out contingencies, such as reckless provocations,” President Park Geun-hye said Monday, calling for her government to be fully prepared. It marks the first time that Park officially mentioned the instability of the Stalinist country. Park made the remark during a weekly mee..

S. Korea comes up with deregulation measures to facilitate competition
Drug commission agents in South Korea will be allowed to work with drug wholesalers without employing pharmacists. This will enable some 160 drug commission agents to be spared about four billion ($3.8 million) to five billion won annually. Drug commission agents act as brokers between hospitals/ drug stores which need medicine and large wholesalers.

POSCO gearing up to pick new CEO
POSCO’s board of directors will form a committee to recommend candidates for a new chief executive Friday, who will replace the lame duck Chung Joon-yang early next year.

Execution of N. Korea leader uncle unlikely to spark power struggle in N. Korea: Zakaria 
“The execution of Jang Song-thaek has little chance of provoking a power struggle within North Korea.”

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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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