April, 9. 2015
The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Thursday, April 9, 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:
Finally, it is the tomorrow! The opening day of 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 and a 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 17 degrees centigrade and a low of 4 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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Attention the Embassy Education Officers, Community Relations Officers!
The presidents, vice presidents, secretary generals and other leading members of the Student Associations of different countries are taking part in the World’s largest Dangjin Gijisi Tug-of-War Culture Festival on Sunday 12th April 2015, which is two days after the Excelleencies’ attendance at the Festival earlier on Friday 10th April 2015. The student leaders of the different countries will be wearing their colorful traditional costumes representing each country.
The Education Officers, Community Relations Officers are cordially invited by Mayor Kim Hong-jang of the Dangjin City to witness the students’ excellent representation of their country in color national costumes of their country. The time is 0820 hours and the day Sunday 12 April 2015 and the meeting place is the Water Fountain site of Grand Hyatt Seoul. For inquires, please call David at 010 3481-1101 or Chairman Lee at 010-5201-1740.
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Today’s humor:
Hankuk Kyungje
Culprit
A high school teacher has finally discovered the student who had taken the teacher’s edition textbook from his desk.
Going through the papers his students had presented on a recent homework assignment he knew he’d found the culprit by his answer to question 5.
The student wrote, “Answers can vary.”
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Top headlines of major news media of Korea this morning:
KBS (http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)
US Commander: N. Korea Has Nuclear ICBM Capability
The U.S.’ top commander in charge of homeland military defense says that North Korea has the ability to mount nuclear warheads on intercontinental ballistic missiles.
38 North: KN-08 Missile Comprises 3 Stages
Washington: THAAD is "Critical Capabilities"
'THAAD Not on Agenda for S.Korea-US Defense Chiefs' Talks'
Koreas Fail to Narrow Differences on Gaeseong Wage Issue
Park to Hold Separate Bilateral Summits during World Water Forum
World Bank President Expresses Support for AIIB
Employment at Top 30 Groups Inched Up in 2014
N. Korean Universiade Delegation Arriving Friday
N. Korea: Iranian Deal is Irrelevant
38 North: KN-08 Missile Comprises 3 Stages
"Twenty" Coming to Theaters in North America
IMF Warns of Prolonged Slow Growth
British Government Issues Travel Advice on N. Korea
Civic Group to Launch Int'l Campaign Protesting Japanese Textbooks
Gov't Estimates 555 Billion Won Spending over Sewol Tragedy
Smoking Down, Drinking at Record High
Composer of "Our Wish" Dies at 89
Biographical Dictionary of Independence
Spring Flower Festival to Open in Yeouido
S. Korean Scientists Develop World's Best Thermoelectric Alloy
Gov't to Develop ActiveX Alternatives by 2017
S. Korean Scientists Develop Prognostic Assessment Technology for Leukemia
S. Korea Defeats Russia in Women's Football Friendly
Bild: Son Heung-min Most Expensive Player on Bayer Leverkusen
Lydia Ko Ties LPGA Record of 29 Straight Rounds Under Par
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
S. Korea's share in DRAM market hits all-time high in 2014
South Korea's presence in the global market for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) hit a record high last year, data showed Thursday, as Samsung Electronics Co. continued to secure its seat on the throne on the back of its latest 20-nanometer products.
Abe's U.S. trip important chance to address historical tensions: S. Korean official
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's upcoming trip to the United States, including his congressional speech, is an important chance for him to address historical tensions with neighboring countries, a senior South Korean official said Wednesday.
N Korea deports U.S. humanitarian worker
North Korea has deported a U.S. citizen as she was suspected of plotting and propagandizing against the communist regime under the name of doing humanitarian works, the North's official media said Wednesday.
N. Korean military's top political officer becomes No. 2 man in Pyongyang
Hwang Pyong-so, the top political officer of North Korea's military, has been promoted to a member of the politburo presidium at the country's political party, making him again the North's de facto No. 2 man, Pyongyang's media reported Wednesday.
Pentagon stands behind commander's assessment on N.K. nucl..
N Korea deports U.S. humanitarian worker
N. Korean military's top political officer becomes No. 2 m..
Chinese relatives of victims reject N. Korea's compensatio..
N. Korea's trade promotion agency in Beijing goes offline
S. Korea's share in DRAM market hits all-time high in 2014
S. Korea, China agree to boost cooperation under FTA
S. Korea's overseas assistance tops $1.85 bln in 2014: rep..
Two South Koreans at Masters hoping to minimize mistakes
Two S. Korean clubs well positioned for knockout phase at ..
S. Korea blanks Russia in women's football friendly
Number of S. Korea's baptized Catholics grows 5 pct last y..
Girls' Generation tops Japan's Oricon weekly DVD, BD chart..
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Union pulls out of labor reform talks
The tripartite talks for labor market reform failed Wednesday after union representatives withdrew from negotiations due to an inability to narrow the gap on key issues with the government and management. Representatives of the ...
Sungkyunkwan focuses on biomedical engineering
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) President Chung Kyu-sang has vowed to cultivate experts in biomedical engineering, which offers great potential for healthcare services and economic growth. The school launched its Biomedical Engin... Sungkyunkwan vying to become 'truly global'
American musician dives into K-pop scene
Korea is steadily becoming more multi-cultural, but seeing an entirely foreign-looking musician on the K-pop scene would be rare, not to mention one that sings in Korean. Yet Henry Bloomfield, 26, has managed to pull this off. W...
Filmmaker depicts life of expat artists
Like the film he is making - about a foreign musician trying to validate himself in Korea - South African Raoul Dyssell is here to prove himself. The young filmmaker has created shorts, a feature film and established a company t...
Regulator declares war on voice phishing
The nation’s financial regulator said Wednesday it will use all of its resources to crack down on voice phishing and other forms of fraud.
Samsung beats Apple in brand loyalty: survey
Samsung Electronics beat rival Apple in brand loyalty among users, according to a survey disclosed...
Carter expected to give THAAD hard sell
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is expected to give the hard sell on Washington’s drive for deployment of a controversial advanced missile interceptor sy...
World Taekwondo Federation gains $10 mil. in sponsorship
The World Taekwondo Federation and the Booyoung Group signed a global partnership agreement, Wedne...
Anti-smoking research center eyed
The Ministry of Health plans to set up its own research center dedicated to studying the harmful effects of smoking in an apparent bid to win an ongoing legal...
Worldwide Journalists to discuss peaceful unification in Korea
More than 100 journalists from around the world will gather in Seoul next week to discuss ways to promote the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula, an...
Sihwa torso murder suspect nabbed
Police apprehended an ethnic Korean Chinese man Wednesday for allegedly murdering his wife and dis...
Hyundai Motor to merge steelmaking affiliates by July
Hyundai Steel said Wednesday that it has decided to acquire sister company Hyundai Hysco by July 1 to “enhance management efficiency.”
Maestro Chung under embezzlement probe
Police are investigating Chung Myung-whun over suspicions that he embezzled more than 50 million w...
Schools to get teaching materials on 'comfort women'
The government will give teaching materials on sexual slavery instigated by the Japanese military during World War II to elementary, middle and high school te...
Ex-Keangnam chairman denies ties to ex-President
Former Keangnam Enterprises Chairman Sung Woan-jong, who has been at the center of a corruption sc...
Seoul, Washington, Tokyo to hold security meeting next week
Korea and Japan are expected to hold a trilateral security meeting with the United States next week although Tokyo’s recent territorial claims over Dokdo have...
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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)
U.S. envoy to Seoul urges Tokyo to handle history issues through `healing and reconciliation`
The U.S. ambassador to South Korea said Tuesday that his country is urging Japan to handle history issues through "healing and reconciliation." In an exclusive interview with the Dong-A Ilbo, Ambassador Mark Lippert...
Promising Korean female golfer Kim Soo-bin joins LPGA
Rookies are increasingly playing at the U.S. LPGA tour this season. U.S. college No. 1 ranking Kim Soo-bin is one of them. Kim passed in joint 11th the LPGA Tour Qualifying School last year to grab ticket to play in all...
SPC to set up Korean wheat cultivation complex for breadmaking
Korea`s first cultivation complex of Korean wheat used for breadmaking will be set up in South Gyongsang Province. SPC Group said Wednesday that it concluded an agreement for creating a wheat cultivation complex with...
Lifting the sunken ferry Sewol to cost over $110 million
Once a decision is made on salvaging the sunken ferry Sewol, the government would reportedly select either a Dutch or a U.S. company for the salvage operation. The operation is estimated at around 120.5 billion won...
Japan weighs whether to join China-led AIIB
The Japanese government is weighing on whether to join China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank. It will make its final decision after the outcome of the China-Japan financial ministers meeting in June. According...
A hit or a fielder`s choice?
To even the most enthusiastic baseball fans, it is a difficult question what situations a "fielder`s choice" can be applied to. The National Institute of the Korean Language`s Standard Korean Language Dictionary defines...
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)
Only 1 in 3 Quit Smoking, Drink Less, and Walk for Health
Only one in three people have quit smoking, drink less than twice a week and exercise by walking at least 30 minutes a day. Health data for 2014 released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Wednesday showed 29.6 percent of adults doing all three. >> Full Text
Austerity at Samsung Boosts Operating Profit
Samsung Electronics managed a better-than-expected operating profit in the first quarter, typically a slow season for its core businesses. Although sales were lackluster, operating profit was sound thanks to a cost-cutting campaign at Korea's biggest firm. >> Full Text
A Small Hospital with Big Achievements
Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital is regarded as one of the best hospitals for treating cancer outside Seoul. Hwasun is a small town in South Jeolla Province with a population of just 100,000. A new bullet train between Seoul and Gwangju and the southwest has made travel much easier. >> Full Text
Tokyo Puts Dokdo Land Grab on Diplomatic Agenda
Translation App Helps N.Korean Defectors
Competition Heats Up in Market for Smart Devices
Czech President 'Won't Shake Kim Jong-il's Hand'
Korea Gets Its First Double-Deck Elevators
Venue Names for Pyeongchang Olympics Chosen
Gov't Mulls Research Lab to Help People Quit Smoking
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Hankyoreh Shinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
With payday looming, wage hike issue hanging like a dark cloud over Kaesong Complex
North Korea could be trying to seize the reins to fully control complex, as sanctions hinder further S. Korea investment
Storm clouds are once again gathering over the Kaesong Industrial Complex. April 10 marks the beginning of March wage payment for North Korean workers at the complex, for whom Pyongyang has unilaterally demanded a wage hike. On Mar. 11, North Korean authorities single-handedly amended 13 provisions in the complex’s labor regulations. Two of those provisions were applied in late February,
Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook deletes phrase about “shared values” with South Korea
On Apr. 7, the Japanese cabinet adopted a Diplomatic Bluebook for 2015 that deletes a phrase describing South Korea as sharing fundamental values such as “democracy and basic human rights” with Japan and includes a phrase about Dokdo being Japan’s “sovereign territory.” Along with the results of the middle school textbook assessment that Japan published the day before, this bodes ill for relations between Seoul and Tokyo. .
Threats of violence from veterans groups derail Vietnam War event
“They’re going around the whole country trying to make us look like butchers of innocent people.” “It looks like those [censored] found out that we were gathering and moved somewhere else.”On the afternoon of Apr. 7, about 300 members of the Korean Victims of Agent Orange Veterans Association (KAOVA) held a demonstration across from Jogye Buddhist Temple in central Seoul and shouted invectives over a loudspeaker. .
Before ruling on prostitution, masked sex workers to rally in Seoul
Before the Constitutional Court rules on the constitutionality of the Special Law on Prostitution, several thousand female sex workers will join a large masked demonstration in downtown Seoul, the first such demonstration in four years. After the court struck down a law against adultery, female sex workers and related businesses have their hopes up, but feminist organizations argue that a hasty attempt to argue for the law’s unconstitutionality will not help the cause of women‘s rights. .
More Japanese textbooks to refer to Dokdo as Japanese territory
There has been a significant deterioration in the way Dokdo (called Takeshima in Japan) is introduced in the textbooks that will be taught in Japanese middle schools starting next year. Among a total of 18 textbooks in the three subjects that fall under the rubric of social studies - civics, geography, and history - the number of textbooks that refer to Dokdo as the “sovereign territory” of Japan will increase from nine to 15, while the number of textbooks that claim that South Korea is “illegally occupying” the island jumped more than 200% from four to 13. .
Vietnam veterans force cancellation of victims event in Seoul
An event with survivors of civilian massacres by South Korean troops during the Vietnam War is running into difficulties after its original venue was canceled over fierce objections from veterans‘ groups. The groups warned of their plans to “close down” the event, which they called an “act against the nation by subversives who are distorting history.” .
University founding new republic of students hungry for alternatives
“You have to realize what it is you really want to do, what you want to feel.”Instead of an opening address, visitors are greeted by a video of scenes of protagonist John Keating from the movie “Dead Poets Society.” Played by Robin Williams, the teacher is the first president of Sinchon University, which launched on Apr. 3. The president is chosen by a vote, and more fictional characters will be filling the slot going ahead. .
Highest ever sales of imported cars in March
Monthly sales of imported cars in the South Korean market exceeded 20,000 for the first time ever this past March. The Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (KAIDA) announced on Apr. 6 that 22,280 imported cars were newly registered last month, up from 15,733 in Mar. 2014, a 41.6% increase year on year. Imported vehicles held a 17.6% share of South Korea’s domestic car market last month, which was 3.9 percentage points higher than the same month last year (13.7%).
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JoongAng Ilbo (conservative): (http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)
Biggest ICLEI congress in 25 years opens in Seoul
Seoul is hosting the largest-ever congress of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), a global association of local governments and organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development, through Sunday…
Gov’t focuses on infrastructure to boost economy
The government will join private builders to invest in some major infrastructure projects, sharing both costs and risks, as part of its effort to boost the sluggish local economy.…
North’s ICB missile could hit U.S. mainland: Norad
Pyongyang is capable of mounting a miniaturized nuclear warhead on an operational road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile…
Gov’t expands mobile subsidies
Six months after the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act went into effect last October, the Korean government has decided to expand discount benefits…
Samsung’s Gear A takes on Apple’s smartwatch
Samsung Electronics is poised to unveil the latest Gear smartwatch, the “Gear A,” as archrival Apple prepares to start sales of the much anticipated Apple Watch on April 24…
Hyundai steels itself to fight Posco
The nation’s second-largest steelmaker Hyundai Steel said Wednesday it agreed to merge with its affiliate Hyundai Hysco to improve its competitiveness…
S6 debut raises profit expectations
Samsung Electronics’ S6 smartphones debuting Friday are raising analyst expectations for the first profit gain in six quarters as the company battles Apple Inc. …
Ford overtakes Hyundai in Chinese auto market
Ford Motor outsold Hyundai Motor in China for the first time, closing in on its goal to rank among the top three foreign automakers in the world’s largest market.…
No tax hike vow ‘impossible,’ says the Saenuri’s Yoo
Ruling party floor leader Yoo Seong-min on Wednesday called for lawmakers to discuss a tax increase in order to cover funding shortages and widening welfare coverage,…
Pentagon chief won’t discuss Thaad on Seoul trip
There will be no discussion on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system during the new U.S. Defense Secretary’s talks…
Police arrest key suspect in body mutilation case
Police have arrested a key suspect in a case involving a series of discoveries of mutilated body parts found at the Sihwa Seawall in Siheung, Gyeonggi, …
‘Interview’ DVDs are launched to the North
A South Korean activist said Wednesday that he launched balloons carrying thousands of DVDs of a movie depicting a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un …
Surging loans raise debt worries
Household loans issued by commercial banks surged 4.6 trillion won ($4.2 billion) to reach 570.6 trillion won as of March, said a Bank of Korea report…
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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)
Lotte Department Store to run fire sale amid dismal spending
With manufacturers dying to get rid of their inventories amid a prolonged slump in consumption, a department store is preparing for the largest-ever clearance sale eve.. ...04.08 18:02
Gov’t to make teaching aids on Japan’s wartime sex slavery
The government said Wednesday it will soon release teaching aids for school children on Japan’s wartime sex slavery, as Japan angered South Koreans by distorting hist.. ...04.08 17:57
Ruling party floor leader declares paradigm shift
Yoo Seung-min, the floor leader of South Korea’s ruling Saenuri Party, declared a sweeping paradigm shift of the conservative ruling party, making a direct hit at the.. ...04.08 17:46
Labor union group walks away from tripartite talks
The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), one of two umbrella labor unions in Korea, has decided to drop out of the tripartite commission, saying their talks to re.. ...04.08 17:36
All eyes on ‘Galaxy S6’
Following the announcement of an earnings surprise by Samsung Electronics for the January-March period, industry watchers, both global and domestic, are paying attenti.. ...04.08 14:51
5.4 million salaried workers to get tax refund of $73 on average
With the year-end tax readjustment expected to come in May, 5.4 million people are predicted to receive tax refund worth an average of 80,000 won ($73). The government.. ...04.08 11:23
FTC to discipline POSCO, KT for malpractices within first half
POSCO and KT would likely face penalties soon for their unfair business practices, as Chung Jae-chan, head of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), decided to impose sancti.. ...04.08 10:56
Japan seeks to distribute Blue Book on distorted history worldwide
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has decided to translate the whole text of the Blue Book in nine years to distribute it around the world, aiming to promote it.. ...04.08 10:43
‘Income tax bomb’ overblown
Rumors have circulated in South Korea from January-April that a ‘tax bomb’ hit those in the low-income bracket after the income tax filing. The government desperatel.. ...04.07 18:04
Gov’t to slash 200 subsidy projects
The government will remove 200 subsidy projects next year and this represents one tenth of such projects. Long-term R&D projects that lasted for more than 10 years wil.. ...04.07 17:45
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The Kyunghyang Shinmoon (http://english.khan.co.kr/)
[Editorial] The Confirmation Hearing of Park Sang-ok Confirms He Is Not Qualified as a Supreme
Supreme Court justice nominee Park Sang-ok showed no awareness of responsibility or even the slightest pangs of conscience as a member of a team of prosecutors ···
Abe Speeding toward the Right: South Korea Watches on, Hands Tied on Security Cooperation
This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the restoration of relations between South Korea and Japan, but the bilateral relationship is heading downhill makin···
[Japan's Textbooks, 'Provocative' Portrayal of Dokdo] All-around Approach from Geography to Civics as Well as History 'Dokdo Annexed in 1905'
"The Japanese have fished around Dokdo since the early days of the Edo Period, and the islets were annexed to the Shimane Prefecture, Japan in 1905. South Kore···
[Editorial] There Is No Reason to Postpone the Salvaging of the Sewol Any Longer
Discussions on salvaging the Sewol are underway. In a meeting with Cheong Wa Dae senior secretaries yesterday, President Park Geun-hye said, "If salvaging the ···
[A City That Continues to Greet Challenges]
Redevelopment or Renewal? The Question Posed by the Seun Arcade▲ Thirty-six years since the release of the first maintenance plan, the project still remains a mystery--practically neglected. Focus on a solution, "new pur···
What Did the Part-timer Do Wrong?'If the Customer Says It's Salty, It's Salty' Funny But Sad Phrases"
If the Customer Says It's Salty, It's Salty!"The scene is a steakhouse near Gangnam Station in Seoul on April 5. A unique phrase, which appears to be the c···
[Editorial] Using Money to Distract the Public from the Sewol
April is a cruel month. And this isn't just some rhetoric by a poet from a distant land. To the people who had lost their loved ones, the government handed out···
Ambassador to the UN Oh Joon in Seoul, 'Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Has No Intention to Enter Politics'
Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Oh Joon, 60, said on April 2, that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 71, who is being mentioned as a strong presidential c···
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The Korea Economic Daily(http://english.hankyung.com/)
LH Pays down Debt by 9 Tril. Won Thanks to Brisk Sales of Lands and Houses
As prices for lands within housing development districts are rising rapidly, state-run land development companies like the Korea Land and Housing Corp., Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corp., and Incheon Development & Tourism Corp. are seeing their financial conditions improve fast. Korea Land and Housing...
[Market Insight] Doosan Group Makes Irresistible Offer to Bobcat Investors
In order to give added incentives to investors to its U.S. subsidiary Bobcat, Doosan Group made an offer nobody can refuse. The group offered to the potential investors that it would buy back the stake or return all investment money by selling off Bobcat if is is unable to take the construction equi...
S. Chungcheong Province Residents Demand Creation of Coal Power Cluster
The residents of South Chungcheong Province are raising their voices that the government build a coal power generation cluster in areas encompassing Boryeong, Dangjin, Taean, and Seocheon in the West Coast. The total electricity generated from coal-powered plants in this region is 12,400 megawatts (...
Smartphone War Ahead in April for Samsung and LG
A new round of head-on crash is ahead for Korea’s top-two smartphone makersSamsung Electronics and LG Electronicswhich rank No. 2 and 3 in the global smartphone market in terms of smartphone sales behind Apple. Samsung Electronics is set to release its brand-new strategic smartphone models Galaxy...
Hyundai Motor Struggles to Keep on Track
Hyundai Motor is striving to improve its market share and profitability ahead of the releasing of its first-quarter earnings estimates. After passing the 8-million-unit mark in global sales last year, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors suffered a decline in market share in the United States and Korea. The...
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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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