April. 2, 2015
The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Your Excellency:
Here are The Korea Post notices, humor from a generous former Asian ambassador and a Korean business daily as well as a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media this morning:
Lee Kyung-sik
Publisher-Chairman
Korea Post Media
P.S.: 1. To see the desired site, press down the Control key and click the blue URL of the media.
2. If received by a person other than the intended recipient, please kindly convey the mail to His/Her Excellency.
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The Korea Post notices:
Invitation to the world’s largest Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Culture Festival
Your Excellecency:
There are only seven days left to the world’s largest tug-of-war event, the Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Culture Festival, on Friday 10th April 2015. As an invitation letter has already been sent to each Excellency, Mayor Kim Hong-jang of the Dangjin City of Chungcheongnam-do Province cordially invites Your Excellency and Madam, together with other Ambassadors and Madams, to the Opening Ceremony of the Festival and a tour of the Cultural Assets of the Dangjin City, Hands-on Experience in various folk events plus a tour of the Hyundai Steel Mill.
Please visit: /news/view.html?section=165&category=192&no=879
Most comfortable Deluxe 28-seat Limousine Buses have been reserved for the Excellencies and Madams for a comfortable traveling. Please scroll down to the bottom for further details and an invitation letter.
Partly cloudy skies are forecast for the area on that day (April 10) with a high of 16 degrees centigrade and a low of 7 degrees.
If the Invitation has failed to reach Your Excellency, please advise us at 010-5201-1740 or email edt@koreapost.com or korpost@chol.com.
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Today’s humor:
Humor from a generous former Asian ambassador
Smart answers...!!!
Smart answer by a female...
On a flight, a guy asked a beautiful lady sitting next to him...
'Nice perfume...which one is it?...I want to gift it to my wife..!!'
Lady: 'Don't buy it for her....some idiot will find an excuse to talk to her...!!'
A letter from a teacher to a parent:
Dear parent: Kumar doesn't smell nice in class. Please try to bathe him.
Parent's answer: Dear teacher, Kumar is not a rose, Don't smell him, Teach him......
Mother to Son: Who was Tipu Sultan?
Son: Don't know.
Mother: Sometimes you should give attention to your studies as well.
Son to Mother: Do you know Auntie Chinky?
Mother: Don't know.
Son: Sometimes you should give attention to Dad as well.
A cute excuse:
Teacher- Y -- r u late?
Student- Mom and dad were fighting.
Teacher- So what makes you late if they were fighting?
Student- One shoe was in mom's hand and the other in dad's…
Girl: What's the price of Galaxy Grand??
Salesman: Rs.18,000/-
Girl: OMG...!!!
Girl: And the iPhone?? . .
Salesman: OMG OMG OMG
Wife: I hate that beggar.
Husband: Why?
Wife: Rascal, yesterday I gave him food, today he gave me a book "How to Cook"!!!
Hankuk Kyungje
Hooked Golf Ball
The fairway ran along a road fenced off on the left. The first golfer teed off and hooked the ball.
It soared over the fence and bounced onto the street, where it hit the tire of a moving bus and bounced back onto the fairway.
As they stood in amazement, one of his partners asked, “Wow! Quite a feat. How did you do that?”
“You have to know the bus schedule,” the golfer said proudly.
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Top headlines of major news media of Korea this morning:
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Gov't Announces Compensation Plan for Sewol Victims
The government announced compensation plans for victims of the Sewol ferry sinking nearly a year after the maritime tragedy off the southwestern coast...
Lippert Attacker Indicted for Attempted Murder
N. Korea Declares Boycott of Denuclearization Talks
12 Posts up for Grabs at April 29 By-Elections
Presidential Office Expresses Hope for Compromise on Labor Reform
KOSPI Ends Lower on Wednesday
Gov't Dismisses Deflation Worries amid 0.4% Consumer Price Growth
Young People Allowed to Defer Loans by up to 4 Years
June 15 Committees to Hold Joint Event in Seoul
Gov't to Utilize Diplomatic Channels for Release of Detainees in N. Korea
N. Korea Reveals Images of Domestically Produced Planes
Sung Kim to Visit Russia to Discuss N. Korean Policy
FX Reserves in Emerging Economies Shrinking
Negotiations on Labor Reforms Resumed
Seoul to Introduce Tourist Trolley Buses
Gumi to Clone National Monument Ginkgo Tree
Royal Seal of Deokjong Returns from US Museum
Annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Jinhae to
Gov't to Develop ActiveX Alternatives by 2017
S. Korean Scientists Develop Prognostic Assessment Technology for Leukemia
S. Korea Launches New Multipurpose Satellite into Space
S. Korea Defeats New Zealand 1-0 in Football Friendly
S. Korea's Curling Teams Win 1st Round Games in Deaflympics
Lee Sang-soo Wins Gold in Combat Sambo
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Major automakers to vie for spotlight at Seoul Motor Show
South Korean and foreign automakers will showcase their new vehicles and concept cars at this year's Seoul Motor Show that will officially kick off Friday, with an aim to leave a strong impression on potential buyers.
Parliamentary committee chief calls for efforts to resolve sex slavery issue
The chief of South Korea's parliamentary committee on Wednesday called for Tokyo's efforts to resolve the issue of Japan's wartime enslavement of Korean women as she visited the neighbor amid strained bilateral ties over their shared history.
Ex-Korean Air VP challenges aviation law violation in 'nut rage' case
A former Korean Air executive, who gained global notoriety for throwing a fit on a taxiing plane last year, challenged Wednesday a lower court ruling that she had violated aviation laws.
S. Korea to create task force for indigenous fighter project
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to form an inter-agency team to handle the country's largest-ever acquisition project aimed at developing an indigenous fighter jet, officials here said Wednesday, which is already facing daunting challenges on the budget and technology transfer
THAAD to threaten regional secur..
N. Korean leader visits plane factory
S. Korea not budging on Kaesong wage row
S. Korea urges 'more candid' talks with China on N...
China unaware of reported snub on N. Korea's intent..
15 pct of Samsung Electronics execs quit job amid profit s..
Major automakers to vie for spotlight at Seoul Motor Show
S. Korea's current account surplus slips for 3rd month in ..
S. Korea posts US$6.44 billion current account su..
Park inspects preparations for Summer Universiade
After 76 matches, football defender Cha Du-ri bid..
S. Korea squeaks past New Zealand in veteran's int'..
After 76 matches, football defender Cha Du-ri bids ..
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Embracing vegetarianism
For 50-year-old Lee Won-bok, who has lived as a vegan for more than two decades, not eating meat, eggs and dairy products has become as natural as breathing. He makes his own kimchi without fish sauce, which is accompanied by ot...
Korea Exchange seeks nod from Europe
The Korea Exchange (KRX) is seeking to be officially recognized by the European Commission (EC) to accommodate European investors, the nation’s bourse operato...
Park celebrates new KTX railway
President Park Geun-hye said Wednesday that the new high-speed railway linking Seoul to major citi...
Two Koreas return to confrontation mode
Expectations of a thaw in the icy inter-Korean relations on the back of the suspension of the anti-Pyongyang leaflet distribution campaign are turning out to ...
Hotels try to nudge into school zones
Associations of hotels, casinos and tourism companies have joined forces to demand the scrapping of regulations banning construction of hotels near schools, p...
THAAD emerges as hot issue in Assembly
Whether to deploy THAAD has emerged as a hot potato for the National Assembly’s April session, which will begin from Tuesday.
Disgruntled employees 'Please Fire Me'
Employees are never happy at work and are always finding something to complain about. Despite moan...
'15,000 Koreans drafted by Soviets during World War II'
Almost 15,000 ethnic Koreans who lived in Central Asia were conscripted by the Soviet Union during World War II (1941-1945), a new study claims.
Seoul to develop tailored tourism programs
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) plans to revamp its tourism programs to meet the needs of visitors from China, Japan and other countries.
Seabed crater discovered off Jeju
A seabed crater 16 times the size of a football field has been found off the coast of Jeju Island,...
Flybook in trademark dispute with Facebook
Global social networking service (SNS) giant Facebook has been engaged in a trademark dispute with...
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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)
Korea, China to jointly explore Mt. Baekdu for possible eruption
Geologists from Korea and China will jointly carry out on-site exploration of Mount Baekdu to prepare for its possible eruption. The two parties met on March 23 and 24 in Jeju Island and agreed to dig with drilling...
Japan repeats Dokdo claim in diplomatic blue book, school textbooks
Diplomatic tensions are rising as Japan is said to have maintained in its diplomatic blue book the territorial claim over South Korea`s easternmost islets of Dokdo, which Japan calls Takeshima. Japan`s Kyodo News...
Key presidential aides meet with opposition leadership
Lee Byung-kee, President Park Geun-hye`s chief of staff, had a luncheon meeting with leading members of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) in Seoul on Wednesday for rare direct communication with the main...
Tiger Woods`s practice hints at Masters return
Watchers are raising the possibility that Tiger Woods may return to the field through the Masters Championship, this season’s first major event. Ahead of the Masters’ event that opens on Thursday next week, Woods...
Turtle-shaped royal seal returns to Korea
The Cultural Heritage Administration held a ceremony for the return of the Royal Seal of King Deokjong, or Deokjong Eobo, at the National Palace Museum of Korea on Wednesday. The eyes, nose and mouth of the handle...
China rebuffs N. Korea`s bid to join its development bank
North Korea sought membership in the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to which China rejected. The Radio Free Asia said so quoting Monday report by U.K.-based Internet media Emerging Market....
Controversies over N. Korean leader’s call for ‘highest-level’ talks
Ki Sung-yueng, Son Heung-min as promising Korean soccer players
New year’s wishes change over time
Samsung’s mobile phone beats Apple to top ACSI
Actor Lee Jung-jae reported to be in a relationship with Daesang heiress
N. Korean leader shows willingness to hold inter-Korean summit
U.S. military base in Yongsan bans civilian drones, model aircrafts
Japanese police on 14-year manhunt for cruel murderer
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
100 Million Air Passengers Expected Next Year
Air passenger traffic will reach 91.6 million this year and top 100 million next year, experts predict. Air traffic in and out of Korea has surged more than 10 percent recently. The number of international passengers stood at 5.06 million in February. >> Full Text
Chaebol Chiefs Sneak Out of Revealing Salaries
Rules calling for the disclosure of the salaries of corporate bosses who earn more than W500 million a year are failing to bite. Instead of declaring their earnings, conglomerate owners simply step down from the board of directors, raising concerns that transparency is making no progress at all. >> Full Text
Samsung, LG End Washing-Machine War
Samsung and LG have agreed to end their tragicomic dispute over a broken washing machine ahead of the IFA electronics show in Germany in September. Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, LG Electronics and LG Display in a joint press release on Tuesday said they agreed to end all legal battles between them. >> Full Text
Kim Jong-un Picks New Members for 'Pleasure Squad'
Samsung Embraces Flexitime
Warren Buffet Sold Off POSCO Shares Last Year
17,000 People Still Use Galaxy S1
LG to Launch New G4 Smartphone in Late April
Late Goal Allows Korea to Win Against New Zealand in Friendly
Park Chul-soon on Loan to Sri Lankan Baseball Team for East Asian Cup
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Hankyoreh Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Rare plants bloom in the sun that shines between a prison’s bars
Inmates at an isolated military prison put to work growing rare species and recapturing some emotional peace
“Hope,” read the word in thick Gothic script on the back of the yellow uniform of the prisoner filling the nursery box with soil for a seedbed. The fireweed seeds in the small plastic bottle were so light it seemed that a deep breath might blow them away. Two to three at a time, they were carefully lifted and tenderly placed in each of the box’s 200 spaces. One of the fingers sweeping soil over the box was the same one that had pulled a trigger in desperation at a senior soldier’s repeated harassment.
Court-sanctioned group homes bringing troubled youths off the street
Recently, a Hankyoreh reporter visited the Dudeurim Youth Recovery Center, a court-sanctioned group home. A handful of teenagers were gathered in the living room. Some were playing traditional Korean games. They didn’t look like the young delinquents who, until coming here, had wandered the city streets at night, trolling for booze and cigarettes, and hopping from one internet cafe to another.
AIIB causing a tense war of words between China and the US
Around 47 countries either applied or announced plans to apply by the Mar. 31 closing date to become founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a new international financial institution spearheaded by China. Seen by many as Beijing’s challenge to US dominance of international finance, it has attracted many members not only from Asia but from Europe, South America, and Africa.
US congressman calls on Japan to clearly acknowledge historical misdeeds
On Mar. 30, Gerry Connolly, a Democratic congressman in the US House of Representatives, called on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to “clearly and definitely acknowledge the cruelty perpetrated by the Japanese empire during its colonial rule and the war in the Pacific.” Connelly was talking about Abe’s address to a joint session of Congress, which he is scheduled to deliver at the end of April.
Report: THAAD a hot topic of discussion, but still not fully developed
The deployment of a US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on the Korean Peninsula may be the focus of a fierce debate in South Korea, but the strategic weapon itself is still not fully developed, according to a US Defense Department official.
When asked “Am I a happy CEO?” more than 90% say “yes”
South Korea’s top managers are most concerned about finding new project drivers and take the most pleasure from interpersonal relationships, a recent survey shows. The Federation of Korean Industries International Management Institute released results on Mar. 30 from a survey 90 CEOs and executives attending a breakfast talk.
New sex-ed guidelines forbid teaching about homosexuality
The Ministry of Education introduced standards for sex education at South Korean schools for the first time this year in the hopes of providing systematic education in the subject, but the standards contain controversial sections that block education about homosexuals and other sexual minorities.
One Hyundai worker suffers through 16 piecemeal contracts in 23 months
An irregular worker was kept on staff at Hyundai Motors’ Ulsan plant for 23 months under 16 separate piecemeal contracts before ultimately being let go, it was recently alleged. In the process, the company established contracts for working periods as short as 13 days. The revelations are drawing criticisms of the world‘s fifth-ranked automaker is encouraging unstable labor practices at a time when the issue of piecemeal contracts is the focus of harsh denunciations.
Vietnam War massacre survivors making their first visit to South Korea
Two survivors of civilian massacres in South Korean troop regions during the Vietnam War are coming to South Korea. The visit was announced on Mar. 28 by the Peace Museum, a foundation chaired by Lee Hae-dong.“For the 70th anniversary of South Korean independence and the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, we have invited the war victims Nguyen Tan Lan, 64, and Nguyen Thi Thanh, 55, and Ho Chi Minh City War Remnants Museum director Huynh Ngoc Van, 53,
US official hints at bilateral intelligence sharing agreement between Seoul and Tokyo
A senior Pentagon official hinted that South Korea, the US, and Japan are looking to sign an additional agreement that would go beyond the MOU that the three countries signed in December of last year, in which they agreed to share intelligence about the North Korean nuclear weapons and missile programs
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JoongAng Ilbo (conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)
Playing host is a surefire way to blow tax money
When the Yeosu Expo 2012 wrapped up its three-month run on the southwestern coast of Korea, attracting 8 million visitors from more than 100 countries, the Yeosu city government was confident it could sell around 95 percent of the complex to private investors. It expected 530 billion won…
Posco plummets on Buffet report
Shares of the nation’s leading steelmaker Posco tumbled Wednesday to its lowest price in a year after the local media reported that Berkshire Hathaway Inc., …
North endangers Park’s Silk Road Express plan
North Korea expressed its intention to skip a major meeting of the Organization for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD) to be held in Seoul in May,…
March indicators come in like lambs
Consumer prices and exports both worsened in March, mainly due to low crude oil prices, Statistics Korea reported Wednesday. …
Science Ministry plans solution to ActiveX
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning is set to provide financial aid for 100 major private websites to introduce a standardized web solution …
Hyundai Heavy group comes under tax probe
Hyundai Heavy Industries, the nation’s No. 1 shipbuilder, is being investigated by tax auditors and the probe is likely to extend to its affiliates. …
U.S. envoy’s attacker had intent to kill: Prosecution
A radical Korean activist who attacked U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert last month was indicted on Wednesday for attempted murder, prosecutors said. …
Navy leaders stare down reshuffle
The Navy’s leadership is facing a major reshuffle following a series of massive corruption scandals involving current and former admirals …
Renault Samsung adds new features to SM3 Neo sedan
Renault Samsung has started selling the 2016 edition of the SM3 Neo small sedan that offers more convenient options, including smart mirroring system.…
Defense probe looks into state leaks
Prosecutors investigating the chairman of a major Korean arms dealer, who was indicted Tuesday for embezzling $460 million in 2009…
Bank salaries provoke ire
After the disclosure Tuesday of the annual salaries of chief executives at major conglomerates, the former heads of foreign banks operating in Korea received …
Carriers unveil prices for S6, S6 Edge
The much-anticipated Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge flagship smartphones from Samsung Electronics will carry price tags of 858,000 won ($778) and 979,000 won …
Kospi slips on foreign-institutional selling
The benchmark Kospi index closed 0.62 percent lower Wednesday at 2,028.45 after a selling spree by foreign and institutional investors.…
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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)
Finance minister says will introduce ‘zero base’ budget method
Choi Kyung-hwan, deputy prime minister and finance minister, said, “we would carry out restructuring to boldly abolish or sharply cut budget projects that have shown .. ...
Listed firm net plunges last year
South Korean companies listed on the stock market saw their combined operating profit down 12.69 percent year-on-year (yoy) in 2014 amid economic recession. Their comb.. ...
Honam high speed line is launched
The Honam high speed line that links Seoul’s Yongsan station and Gwangju’s Songjeong station will be open Thursday. The new line is expected to cut the fastest jour.. ...
Tax watchdog vows efforts to clamp down on internal workforce
The National Tax Service (NTS) commissioner Lim Hwan-soo urgently convened a meeting of regional tax bodies’ chiefs at Sejong headquarter Thursday. He presided over.. ...
Officials join campaign for 1 mn signatures for advanced country following..
The South Korean government, the presidential office, local governments and the political community went hand in hand to take the first powerful step toward becoming a.. ...
LG Chem to inject $100mn to ramp up production in China
LG Chem has rolled up its sleeves to cement its position as China’s top polarizer maker through expansion of assembly lines in the country. The company will invest ar.. ...
Consumer prices grow at below zero % in March
South Korea’s consumer price inflation rose at below zero percent for four consecutive months in March. According to the Statistics Korea’s data on ‘consumer price.. ...
Ruling, opposition parties waging all-out war over civil service pension r..
The civil service pension reform, which seemed to make progress, is regressing. On Tuesday, the ruling and opposition parties had a meeting of vice floor leaders to di.. ...
Park renews calls for labor market and pension reforms
President Park Geun-hye urged immediate settlement in efforts to reform the country’s labor market and civil service pensions during a Cabinet meeting held Tuesday. .. ...
S. Korea’s job indicators remain soft
South Korean economic indicators have shown signs of picking up modestly but employment indicators are still in the doldrums. The youth unemployment rate and the numbe.. ...03.31 17:31
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The Kyunghyang Shinmoon (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
North Korea-China Relations Need to Be Restored to Ensure Peace on the Korean Peninsula
The chilly relations between North Korea and China are showing no signs of recovery. Last February, North Korea expressed its wish to join the Asia Infrastructu···
[One Year after the Sewol] "No" to Government Event with No Memorial: A Strong Warning Even from the Ruling Party
Even the ruling party is warning against the government's "response" to the first anniversary of the Sewol tragedy. The ruling party is pulling the brakes on···
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Releases More than 260,000 Pages of Diplomatic Documents from 1984
Reportedly, the South Korean government believed that an apology for the past by the Japanese emperor was a prerequisite for a visit to Japan by its president, ···
Human Rights Commission Approves of 'Monitoring' Labor
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea determined that it was legitimate to use footage from security cameras installed to prevent violence within school···
[Editorial] Head of Foreign Affairs and National Security Kim Kwan-jin, Nowhere to Be Seen
When Cheong Wa Dae announced that it would newly establish the Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC), a task-coordination meeting of the sta···
[Funeral of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew] 'Funeral Diplomacy' Awkward Encounter between President Park and Prime Minister Abe, First Time in 4 Months
President Park Geun-hye attended the state funeral of former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew held at 2 p.m. on March 29 (local time). President Park en···
Supreme Court, 'Invoking the Emergency Measure Was Not Illegal' An Indulgence to Dictatorship
The Supreme Court judged that although the emergency measure was a violation of the Constitution, President Park Chung-hee's issuing of Emergency Measure Numbe···
70% of Senior Officials Increased Their Wealth
While ordinary citizens tightened their belts amid a long-term recession, senior officials and lawmakers apparently were living in another world. In the past ye···
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Invitation to Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Festival
Your Excellecency:
I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that Mayor Kim Hong-jang of the Dangjin City of Chungcheongnam-do Province, 87.5 miles (1 1/2 hours run) southwest of Seoul, cordially invites Your Excellency and Madam, together with other Ambassadors and Madams, to the Opening Ceremony of the Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Culture Festival on Friday April 10, 2015 and a tour of the Cultural Assets of the Dangjin City, Hands-on Experience in various folk events plus a tour of the Hyundai Steel Mill.
Please visit: /news/view.html?section=165&category=192&no=879
Two Deluxe 28-seat Limousine Buses have been reserved for the Excellencies and Madams for comfortable traveling. Here is schedule:
0820 hours Friday April 10, 2015: Meet at Grand Hyatt Hotel (near Water Fountain).
0830-1100 hours: Move by Limousine Bus to Dangjin by picturesque West Coast Expressway, visiting the Hyundai Steel Plant on the way to Dangjin.
1100-1140 hours: Visit the Gijisi Tug-of-War Museum.
1200-1340 hours: Luncheon hosted by Mayor and Mrs. Kim Hong-jang of the Dangjin City.
1400-1420 hours: Wear traditional Korean costumes of the King, General and Court ladies.
1430-1630 hours: Have hands-on experience in various local cultural events, including participation in the Gijisi Tug-of-War and Rice wine- and Sake-making.
1700-1830 hours: Move back to Seoul arriving at Grand Hyatt Seoul by 6:30 p.m.
Very Respectfully Yours
/s/
Lee Kyung-sik
Publisher-Chairman
The Korea Post phones: 2298-1745 or 2298-1740/2, mobiles 010-3388-1682 (Korean) and 010-5201-1740 (Chairman Lee Kyung-sik).
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RSVP: Yes, my spouse and I will attend____. I will attend alone____.
(Please mark the blank spaces above and below with an X or Tick.)
Mobile phone of driver or secretary:____________________. Regrets:____.
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Details of the Tug-of-War Culture Festival:
With citizens’ hope for registration as UNESCO heritage
Dangjin hosts 2015 Gijisi Tug-of-War Culture Festival April 9-12
Mayor Kim Hong-jang of the Dangjin City the Chungcheongnam-do Province, some 87 miles southwest of Seoul, is hosting the 2015 Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Culture Festival for a four-day run on 9-12, 2015.
Designated by the Central Government as Important Cultural Asset No. 75, the Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Game is becoming increasingly popular among the foreign residents in Korea and visitors as well as the Korean people.
Mayor Kim invites ambassadors and their families to attend the Festival on April 10, 2015 for the promotion of understanding and friendship between the Korean people and the members of the Diplomatic Corps.
This year, Mayor Kim has an expanded plan in terms of promotion of the image of the Festival and city to the outside world and for this purpose he plans to also invite foreign students in Korea two days later on April 12.
Dangjin Gijisi Juldarigi was designated also as a promising festival by the Central Government in 2013 for many interesting features, including the fact that the rope used is 200 meters long, 1 meter thick, and weighs 40 tons.
It is the largest rope in the whole world and it takes 30 technicians full 60 days non-stop to make it.
The number of individuals participating in a single game is 300,000 persons who pull the rope in opposite directions at the same time. This makes it the largest folk festival on the planet.
Gijisi Juldarigi (tug of war) contains a variety of cultural significances including, but not limited to, teamwork for harmony and unity, efforts to overcome natural disasters in an agrarian society and the shamanistic beliefs that pray for abundance and prosperity.
Nearly 200,000 citizens of the Dangjin City are known to have applied for registration of this treasure as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity so that more and more people may watch and enjoy this cultural heritage, to which end the citizens of Dangjin are striving.
Elected to the Dangjin City in June last year, Mayor Kim has a strong pride of the Dangjin Region. He says, “We are a central city in the Pan Yellow Sea region. We will relive the hey-day of Dangjin, which was a port city that traded with the Tang Dynasty of China. As a harbor city with an ideal environment for the agricultural, industrial and maritime trade sectors, Dangjin is quickly developing into the hub of Korean-Chinese trade in the Pan Yellow Sea region.”
Then he said that Dangjin is a city where culture and arts are flourishing, whereas the city attracts a stream of visitors annually with its rich culture and fascinating arts and related events.
“We host the Gijisi Tug of War Festival celebrating the 500-year-old game that was played to pray for fecundity and good harvest and to build solidarity and a sense of community among the residents,” Mayor Kim accents the popularity of the representative festival of the city. The Dangjin Gijisi Juldarigi (tug of war) has a history of 500 years.
He says, “There also are a number of historical sites such as the Solmoe Sacred Site, where the first priest of Korea and martyr, Andrew Kim Taegon, was born, as well as the Silli Sacred Site that is considered the cradle of Korean Catholicism.”
Dangjin City is the considered the most vigorously developing area in the Republic of Korea and is as competitive as any city in Korea with unlimited growth potential.
Dangjin has three Industrial complexes, namely, Godae, Bugok and Seokmun, with a Steel Industrial Complex developed near Hyundai Steel Co., Ltd. Dangjin has one port and two highways, giving it excellent conditions for logistics. Quite a few foreign companies prefer to invest here and we would greatly appreciate your keen attention and promotion as well.
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