April. 3, 2015
The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Friday, April 3, 2015
Your Excellency:
Here are The Korea Post notices, humor from a Korean business daily and 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 six 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:
Hankuk Kyungje
Religiosity vs Sex
A deeply religious lady was extremely depressed by her frequent sexual episodes.
Neither daily prayer nor visits to her priest resolved her nymphomania.
Finally she went to a psychiatrist.
After hearing the woman out, he told her that if she committed to twice weekly visits for the next two years, he could help her overcome the compulsive and excessive religiosity.
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Top headlines of major news media of Korea this morning:
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
Park Calls for Swiftly Addressing Victims of Japan's Wartime Sex Slavery
President Park Geun-hye has called for U.S. Congress' support to swiftly address the issue of Japan's wartime sex slavery. During a meeting at the top office...
Rival Parties to Launch Working Group for Pension Reform
Seoul Motor Show Opens Friday
Foreign Minister: Joining AIIB will Help Energize Korean Economy
Opposition Lawmakers Urge Ex-President to Appear in Hearing
Sewol Victim Families Shave Head in Protest to Gov't Compensation Plan
Seoul Motor Show Opens Friday
KOSPI Ends Slightly Higher on Thursday
N. Korea Reiterates Threat Against UN N. Korean Field Office in Seoul
Gov't Urges Gaeseong Firms Not to Accept Wage Demand
N. Korea Launches Online Shopping Mall
German Magazine: N. Korea Silently Testing Capitalism
US Official: THAAD Won't be Discussed during Carter's Seoul Visit
Korean Woman Shot Dead in Mexico City
Gov’t to Strengthen Health Insurance Enrollment Rules for Foreign Residents
Families of Sewol Victims: Truth is More Important than Compensation
Management, Labor, Government Again Fail to Reach Compromise
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)
State Department approves possible missile sale to S. Korea
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale to South Korea of 400 air-to-surface Hellfire missiles as well as related equipment, parts and support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Thursday.
Top S. Korean official calls for greater energy cooperation with U.S.
The combination of South Korea's information-communication technology prowess and the United States' top-notch energy technologies would generate great synergy effects in developing future energy sources, a top South Korean energy official said Thursday.
U.S. defense chief to visit S. Korea for talks on N. Korea
The defense secretary of the United States will visit South Korea next week for talks on pending security issues including how to counter North Korea's threats, Seoul's defense ministry said Friday.
Pelosi urges Abe to apologize over wartime sex slavery
Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. House minority leader, called on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Thursday to apologize for the sexual slavery of Korean and other Asian women during World War II.
Iran deal unlikely to rekindle U.S. interest in N.K..
U.S. defense chief to visit S. Korea for talks on N. Korea
N. Korean officials to visit Gwangju for pre-Universiade m..
Samsung kicks off sales of quantum dot TV in U.S.
Galaxy S6, S6 Edge to sell over 50 mln units in 2015: repo..
S. Korea's FX reserves inch up in March
Billboard gives EXO's new single favorable review
S. Korean VFX firm Dexter wins $10 mln investment f..
Expansion KT Wiz searching for first KBO win as starters s..
Park Chu-young likely to make much-anticipated return this..
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Russian envoy raises concerns over US missile interceptors
Russia is seeking to expand its presence in North East Asia amid a growing confrontation between the United States and China over the advanced U.S. missile de...
'We want truth, not money'
Families of the Sewol ferry disaster victims have refused compensation the government offered for last year’s ferry sinking, which left more than 300 people d...
'Lockheed has provided S. Korea with THAAD information'
U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has given South Korea and the United States information on its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, accord...
Hyundai-Kia sales hit record high in US
Hyundai Automotive Group said Thursday that its U.S. sales rose to an all-time high in March on the back of aggressive marketing and a rebound in the world’s ...
Gyeongju Expo organizers under corruption probe
Organizers of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo are under investigation for allegedly giving favors ...
Japanese firm under graft probe
The Korean unit of SBI Holdings, a Japanese financial firm, is being investigated over allegations that some of its executives took kickbacks.
Daum Kakao strives to reinforce mobile game platform business
Daum Kakao has launched a new mobile game platform service which allows game companies to distribu...
Police to check SNS messages for prompt response to traffic accidents
The National Police Agency (NPA) said Thursday it will check messages posted by Twitter and Facebook users to respond to traffic accidents more quickly.
Dow Chemical loses Samsung QD TV deal
Samsung Electronics agreed with Hansol Chemical to use the latter's advanced cadmium-free quantum dot materials in its upcoming ultra high-definition televisi...
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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)
Pro-volleyball player promoted directly to head coach
Even before the post-season games of South Korea`s 2014-1015 club volleyball competition V-League ended, a rumor was spreading around courts that Shin Young-chul, the head coach of the Suwon KEPCO Vixtorm, would sign a...
A Korean bakery makes baguettes with French wheat
A Korean bakery chain introduced baguettes made with French wheat. Paris Baguette said on Thursday that it would release three types of baguettes made with French wheat ? traditional baguettes, walnut and raisin...
`Enjoy fresh-cooked music,` says SSF artistic director
“I started this, hoping that Korea could have a good festival of chamber music as other countries do. I’m proud that I have continued this for a decade with chamber music alone,” Kang Dong-suk, the artistic director of...
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...
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)
Chinese Tourism to Korea Likely to Keep Growing
Ever-increasing numbers of Chinese tourists are producing a boom for the Korean airline and travel industries, and the trend is likely to continue. According to immigration figures, 12.68 million foreign nationals entered Korea in 2014. >> Full Text
Samsung Electronics Pays Fattest Salaries in Korea
The average annual salaries at Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom surpassed W100 million last year. The Chosun Ilbo analyzed the business statements of 1,351 subsidiaries of the nation's top 47 conglomerates on Wednesday. >> Full Text
Haze, Ozone Boost Suicide Rate
The higher the concentration of air pollutants like fine dust particles, the higher the suicide rate as a result of their harmful effects on respiratory and mental health, according to a study. The study was based on data measured at 251 locations in 79 cities. >> Full Text
W820 Million Payout for Each Young Ferry Disaster Victim
Kim Jong-un Tests 'N.Korean' Light Airplane
Last Korean Embassy Staff Pull Out of Yemen
Exports Decline for 3rd Month
National Football Team to Prepare for World Cup Qualifier
New Trolley Buses Add More Convenience for Travelers in Seoul
Kang Jung-ho Named Among Talented Players
Spring Haze Worse Than Ever
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Hankyoreh Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
The lingering issue of Korean class B and C war criminals
During occupation, Korean soldiers were guilty of abusing prisoners while fighting as part of the Japanese military
Over the last several years, Lee Hak-rae, 90, president of Dongjinhoe (a group whose name means “move forward together”) appears to have grown much weaker. He still looks the same when he walks, his back ramrod straight and a cane in his left hand, but his pace has slowed. Where he was once full of vigor, he now has trouble recognizing his loved ones.
For S. Korean businesses, China patent blitz is a clear and present danger
In 2010, a small South Korean business had just begun selling a touch recognition smartphone glove on the Chinese online shopping mall Alibaba when it unexpectedly started receiving notices of patent infringement. They had been sent all at once by three to four Chinese businesses and individuals who claimed to hold utility model patent rights to the glove.
Delayed Hyundai ceremony may signal shift in China’s investment strategy
A groundbreaking ceremony for a fourth Hyundai Motor factory in the Chinese city of Cangzhou was abruptly moved back from Apr. 2 to Apr. 3.The news is sparking criticism toward China for giving notice just three days before the event that senior local government officials would not be attending, as well as South Korea for agreeing to the change, which required it to delay the schedule of its newly appointed ambassador to China. Hyundai Motor explained on Mar. 31
Labor activist up a smokestack breaks a record that no one wants
Cha Gwang-ho, 45, started working for Korea Synthetic Fiber in 1995, when he was 25 years old. His job was making polyester thread, an ingredient for manufacturing apparel. Korea Synthetic Fiber was in dire financial straits. In 2005, it began restructuring; by 2007, it was bankrupt. When the company was acquired by Starflex in 2010, Cha‘s job was transferred to the new company.
US ambassador attacker charged with attempted murder
On Apr. 1, the special investigation unit (led by Lee Sang-ho) at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office charged Kim Ki-jong, 55, with trying to kill US Ambassador Mark Lippert, 42. Kim was indicted for attempted murder, assaulting a foreign envoy, and obstruction of official business. Kim is alleged to have stabbed Lippert four times at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on Feb. 17.
[Reportage] Rare plants bloom in the sun that shines between a prison’s bars
“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/)
Pelosi leads U.S. congressional delegation to Seoul
A congressional delegation led by U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi met with Korean leaders including President Park Geun-hye on Thursday in Seoul, where they discussed regional and bilateral issues, particularly the outstanding historical issues between Korea and Japan…
Some online shopping for the North Korean elite
A new state-run online shopping mall is gaining popularity in North Korea, according to its propaganda outlets. Pyongyang’s state media flaunted…
Samsung’s main unit weeds out executive suite
Following a lousy performance in the third quarter of 2014, 15 percent of Samsung Electronics executives have left the company either voluntarily or after being squeezed out…
Woman in dock for rape for first time in Korea
A Korean woman is being prosecuted for attempted rape for the first time since the law was revised in June 2013 to extend protection to rape victims who aren’t women.…
Automaker wants new pay model
With labor market reform in limbo, Hyundai Motor has proposed changing its seniority-based wage system to one based on performance.…
Hyundai aims to double sales of Tucson in U.S.
Hyundai Motor is seeking to double U.S. sales for its Tucson to take advantage of growing demand for crossover utility vehicles (CUVs).Dave Zuchowski, …
Samsung, SK Telecom team up in 5 tech areas
Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom, top players in the smartphone and mobile service sectors, reached a memorandum of understanding on Thursday …
Gov’t examines welfare program
Restructuring has begun to rein in massive and rapidly escalating government spending on welfare benefits, with Korea’s prime minister vowing on Wednesday…
Washington shifts focus to Iranian nuclear talks
Nuclear talks among the six world powers and Iran have cast a shadow on the prospect that nuclear talks with North Korea will resume, experts have said,…
A trip to a ‘smart’ poultry farm
I visited Ganong Bio in Pocheon, Gyeonggi, which operates a “smart” poultry farm. I assumed that it wouldn’t be a smelly and noisy conventional farm,…
Account surplus reaches 36 months
The nation’s current account surplus recorded its 36th straight month in February, posting $6.4 billion according to a Bank of Korea report Thursday.…
Koreans lose big on Brazil’s sovereign bonds
Korea’s soccer team was heckled and pelted with sweets when it returned from Brazil’s 2014 World Cup after failing to win a single match. …
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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)
Yh Int’l School, Seoul Foreign Lang High School at risk of losing status ..
Some special purpose high schools are at the risk of losing their status this year. This comes after some private autonomous high schools had their licenses revoked la.. ...
S. Korea retains top perch in high-tech textile
Textile is seen as a declining industry in South Korea. The predominant view is that ‘textile Korea’ has lost its footing as the global textile market is inundated w.. ...
S. Korea exports faltering
South Korea is losing its status as a ‘strong exporter` as its exports, a major growth engine of the economy, are sagging. This year, exports have contracted for thre.. ...
Park meets U.S. house minority leader
South Korean President Park Geun-hye Thursday met with U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is heading up a bipartisan congressional delegation to several Asia.. ...
Ruling, opposition parties kick off efforts to prepare policies for next y..
With the general election due to be held in a year on April 13 next year, the ruling and opposition parties are gearing up to come up with campaign pledges for the ele.. ...
Samsung Heavy breaks record of winning contract of container ships
Samsung Heavy Industries, a South Korean leading shipbuilder, broke its own record of winning the greatest number of contracts of container ships in one month. The s.. ...
Apple opts for Samsung chip for ‘Apple Watch’ as they seek to cement ties
Samsung Electronics would de facto be an exclusive supplier of key chips embedded in ‘Apple Watch,’ Apple’s latest smart watch to be released on March 24, say indus.. ...
Sewol victim students to receive $740,000, teachers $1 mn in compensation
420 million won ($382,409) in compensation is expected to be paid to each of students of Danwon High School and 760 million won to each of teachers, who fell victim to.. ...
S. Korea logs current account surplus for 36th month
South Korea’s current account has been in the black for the 36th straight month. However, concerns are lingering over ‘a slump-driven surplus’ because imports fell .. ...
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 .. ...
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The Kyunghyang Shinmoon (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Government Trying to Cover up the Sewol Tragedy with Money
The upcoming April 16 will mark one year since the Sewol sank into the sea, yet the government rushed to release the amount of compensation it will provide the ···
North Korea Releases First Plane Manufactured in North Korea: Kim Jong-un Goes for a Test Flight
Surprisingly, North Korea released the production process for airplanes and attracted attention by displaying the performance of the light aircraft they produce···
[Editorial] 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, ···
[Exclusive]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···
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Invitation to Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Festival
Your Excellency:
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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