The Korean daily media headlines and humor
Tuesday March 28, 2017
Your Excellency:
Here are The Korea Post notices and a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media of Korea today:
Very Respectfully Yours
/s/
Lee Kyung-sik
Publisher-Chairman
Korea Post Media
Invitation:
I hope Your Excellency and Madam will not miss the most interesting
The Gala Gaya Culture Festival of Gimhae City on Sunday April 9, 2017!
--Chairman Lee of The Korea Post media
Ambassadors and Madam are invited to the famed 2017 Grand Gaya Culture Festival of the Gimhae City on Sunday April 9, 2017.
As the suzerain state of six Gaya Kingdoms and royal capital of Geumgwan-Gaya founded in 42 A.D., Gimhae is the cradle of the Gaya culture. These small ancient states include Ara Gaya, Goryeong Gaya, Dae Gaya, Seongsan Gaya, Bihwa Gaya and Geumgwan Gaya, which formed a confederation dominated by Geumgwan Gaya. With a 500-year long history, Gaya Kingdoms created ingenious and brilliant pottery and ironware culture based on affluent iron products and outstanding iron-making technology. Taking geographical advantages, these Gaya Kingdoms actively traded with China, Japan and Nakrang as the center of international trade in Northeast Asia. Active international marine trade and exchange of these ancient states with foreign countries can be well explained by the international marriage between King Suro, the founding king of Geumgwan-Gaya, and Princess Heo Hwang-ok of Ayodhya Kingdom in India. (Scroll down to the bottom for more information and invitation.)
Royal procession of King Suro of the Gaya Kingdom.
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What’s ticking in Korea today? Here is a quick roundup of important news stories from the major Korean news media today:
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Yonhap (http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
S. Korea's economy expands 2.8 pct in 2016
South Korea's economy expanded 2.8 percent in 2016 from a year earlier on increased private and government spending, the country's central bank said Tuesday. The revised expansion is slightly higher than a 2.7 percent gain previously estimated by the Bank of Korea (BOK). In 2015, the economy also grew 2.8 percent.
N. Korea 50 pct likely to conduct nuclear or missile test in next 30 days
North Korea is 50 percent likely to conduct a nuclear test or a missile launch in the next 30 days, a U.S. think tank has predicted based on analysis of big data on the communist nation. "Beyond Parallel," a North Korea analysis project of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), made the prediction after analyzing how often the North is discussed on the Internet in an effort to predict future possibilities, with a higher frequency meaning stronger "signals." "The prediction is showing that within the next 14 days the likelihood of North Korean WMD activity is 22 percent while within the next 30 days the likelihood of such activity is 50 percent," CSIS said in the report, adding that WMD activity refers to nuclear or missile tests.
Banks step up downsizing amid growing mobile, Internet banking
Banks in South Korea sharply downsized their headcounts, branches and automated instruments in 2016 to cut costs amid rapid growth in mobile and Internet banking, government data showed Tuesday. The combined workforce of lenders operating in the country stood at 114,775 as of the end of last year, down 2,248 employees from a year earlier and the largest on-year decline since 2010, according to the data by the Financial Supervisory Service.
Players want to send off veteran with postseason berth
As the Samsung Lions prepare to bid farewell to veteran slugger Lee Seung-yuop after the 2017 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season, his teammates would like nothing more than to send him off in style. Team captain Kim Sang-su and third-year star Koo Ja-wook, in particular, are hoping Lee's last game will come in the postseason. The Lions were four consecutive titles from 2011 to 2014 but lost in the Korean Series to the Doosan Bears in 2015 and missed out on the postseason last season.
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The Korea Herald (http://www.koreaherald.com)
Arrest warrant sought for ousted Park
South Korean prosecutors on Monday sought an arrest warrant for former President Park Geun-hye on charges including bribery and abuse of authority in connection with the corruption scandal that led to her impeachment. Whether Park will be taken into custody now depends on the Seoul Central District Court, which will hold a hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday to review the application. The ruling is expected early Friday.
Moon wins first primary in landslide
Moon Jae-in of the nation’s biggest Democratic Party of Korea scored a landslide victory in the party’s first primary race Monday, taking the first major step to becoming the official liberal standard-bearer in the May 9 presidential election. The former party chief won 60.2 percent of the primary vote in the first round of the party’s four planned primaries, held in the traditional liberal stronghold of Gwangju.
China launches anti-dumping probe against S. Korean solvent
China's commerce ministry said Monday it has launched an anti-dumping probe into South Korean exports of a chemical product amid Chinese economic retaliation against South Korea. China also said methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) imported from Japan or South Africa is also subject to the probe that could last up to Sept. 27, 2018. MIBK is used as a chemical intermediate, a solvent for manufacturing paints, rubbers, pharmaceuticals, other chemicals, and industrial cleaners, according to the American Chemistry Council.
Kim Jong-nam to be cremated, sent to NK
Despite a series of unresolved mysteries surrounding his assassination, the remains of Kim Jong-nam appear to be set for a cremation and return to the homeland he had been unable to visit for years.
Malaysian and Japanese news reports said Monday that the body of Kim, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was transferred to a crematorium outside Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, and the remains will be handed over to Pyongyang envoys who are visiting the country for secret talks with Malaysian authorities.
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The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr )
Moon Jae-in wins in first major primary
Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) scored landslide victories in the party's first primaries in the Jeolla region, paving his way to become the nominee of the largest parliamentary party, Monday. The leading contender gained 60.2 percent in the liberals' traditional stronghold, followed by South Chungcheong Gov. An Hee-jung with 20 percent, and Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung with 19.4 percent, according to poll results released at 6:50 p.m.
Prosecution seeks arrest warrant for Park Geun-hye
The prosecution requested an arrest warrant for former President Park Geun-hye on bribery and other corruption charges, Monday. Headed by Prosecutor General Kim Soo-nam, it decided to seek a warrant to arrest Park as part of its investigation into the influence-peddling scandal which led to her impeachment and removal from office. The move comes five days after Park was questioned for more than 21 hours at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul.
`Emotional voters' overseas to rush to polls
As South Korea gears up for an unprecedented presidential election in May, the number of overseas voters who have long been considered a passive bloc is expected to reach a record high. More than 23,000 voters have registered on the first day of registration, a seven-fold jump compared to the first day figure during the most recent presidential election, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).
Shinhan Financial seeks to become Asian leader
New Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Cho Yong-byoung demonstrated his plan on Monday to raise the group as the leader in the Asian financial market by 2020. "I recognize that there is a gap between the group's current status and our goal. I will draw out detailed action plans to narrow the gap," Cho told a press conference at the group's headquarters in central Seoul. During the shareholders' meeting last week, Cho was appointed as the chief of Korea's largest financial holding firm in terms of assets. He will serve a three-year term.
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DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com)
Korea to seek a free trade deal with Egypt
The Korean government seeks to have a free trade deal with Egypt, which would be the first African country if the deal is struck. It appears to be one of its efforts to diversify export destinations for the country that faces China’s retaliation against the THAAD anti-missile system. Egypt is a strategic hub connecting Africa, the Middle East and Europe with the largest population of 92 million in Arab nations.
SK Hynix certifies 18 semiconductor tech masters
A production line employ of SK Hynix was designated as master. This marks the first time that a production worker in semiconductor industry has earned the title of a master in Korea. On Monday, SK Hynix selected 18 men with more than 15 years of on the ground experiences in semiconductor manufacturing to endow them with the title of a tech master. “You are not only an expert with the highest levels of skills and experiences but also a role model held in high regard by colleagues,” said SK Hynix Vice President Park Seong-wook, encouraging them to grow further into semiconductor experts by harnessing opportunities provided by the company and tapping into their potential capacities.
A happy ex-president rarely seen in Korea
“I have to excuse myself. If I don’t get back to Michelle early, I’m going to be in trouble.” Two months out of office, former U.S. President Barack Obama left the dinner event with this joke. He is now getting used to be an ex-president. In his tweeter profile, he introduced himself as “Dad, husband, (ex-)President, citizen.” The Washington Post and American media reported on Sunday (local time) that A post-presidency of Barack Obama is nonetheless shaping up to be busier, but not that special comparing the days when he was the president of the U.S.
Samsung suspends reform of its governance structure
Samsung Electronics has decided to temporarily suspend its plan to reform corporate governance structure. Samsung has reviewed many options to reform its governance structure including switching to a holding company since last year. It seems that the company’s decision is due to all the pressure of the arrest of Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and a revised bill of the Commercial Act, which is recently introduced to the National Assembly and includes unfavorable provisions on Samsung’s efforts to reform its governance structure.
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Chosun Ilbo (http://english.chosun.com)
Over 2 Million Households Can't Meet Loan Repayments
One in five indebted household in Korea is unable to repay loans on time, according to a study by credit rating firm Korea Investors Service. That is more than 2 million households, raising serious concerns of a financial crisis in Korea. KIS said Tuesday that the number of so-called "marginal households," whose debt-to-disposable income ratio stands at over 40 percent, accounted for 19.9 percent or 2.16 million households out of the 10.9 million indebted households last year. That was up from 17.6 percent in 2013.
U.S. Stealth Fighters Conduct Precision Bombing Drill
U.S. F-35B fighter jets conducted a precision bombing drill over the Korean Peninsula last week as part of a huge contingent of special forces taking part in this year's joint exercises with South Korea, U.S military officials said Saturday. South Korean and U.S. militaries are putting on their biggest show of force against the North since early this month, including the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and B-1 bombers.
Hyundai, Kia Issue Recall Due to Faulty Parts
Hyundai and affiliate Kia have been ordered to recall their new Grandeur and K7 sedans due to defective brakes. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Sunday it issued the order as the brakes on the two vehicles were found to lack stopping power due to defects. The affected vehicles are 4,310 Grandeur models manufactured from Jan. 12 to March 1 of this year and 2,221 K7 sedans manufactured from Jan. 19 to March 6.
Jeju in Efforts to Revive Tourism
The Jeju provincial government is rolling up its sleeves to revive the tourism industry on the resort island amid declining Chinese tourist numbers due to tensions caused by the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery here. The island government will hold massive bargain sales throughout April where some 630 businesses will take part. It will open the gates to a total of 28 public tourist destinations on the island for free. Visitors can also enjoy a 5 to 65 percent discount at hotels, tourist attractions, souvenir shops, golf courses and restaurants.
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HanKyoRehShinmoon (http://english.hani.co.kr)
Sewol ferry emerges in its entirety after nearly three years under the sea
Preparation underway to transport ferry to port on the mainland, as experts try to figure out precise cause of sinking. The Sewol ferry has become visible in its entirety for the first time in 1,075 days. Even its left side, which had previously been out of view, has been partially revealed. The blue hull first came into view at 11:20 am on Mar. 26 on board the Jeonnam 201, a South Jeolla Province fishery inspection boat departing Swimi Harbor in South Jeolla’s Jindo County. The Sewol had been mounted on a semi-submersible vessel. Stains of white and black were visible on its blue bottom, testifying to the passage of nearly three years underwater. Even through the passage from neap to mean tide, the sea remained calm.
ILO asks S. Korean gov’t for notification about Prosecutors’ investigation into Samsung union busting
The International Labour Organization (ILO) recommended that the South Korean government promptly notify it about the findings of the Prosecutors‘ investigation into the “S Group Labor Relations Strategy,” a document about union busting by the Samsung Group. The ILO also recommended that the government devise ways to better guarantee the freedom of association for workers who are indirectly employed. This is the first time that the ILO has make recommendations about Samsung’s suppression of labor unions.
Relations with US and Japan stalled with no ambassadors for over two months
South Korea hasn’t had ambassadors from the US and Japan for well over two months now, and this situation is almost sure to continue for some time. The position of US ambassador to South Korea has been vacant since Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20. As of Mar. 26, this vacancy has lasted for 65 days, since the former ambassador, Mark Lippert, returned to the US. But not only has no one been nominated to replace Lippert, there’s not even any speculation about who the eventual nominee might be. For more than two months, the US Embassy to South Korea has been supervised by Charg? d‘Affaires ad interim Marc Knapper.
North Korean military threatens “preemptive special operations”
The North Korean military threatened “our method of preemptive special operations” on Mar. 26 in response to special operations exercises by the South Korean and US militaries.
The South Korean military countered that they would “punish any provocations.” In a warning issued on Mar. 26 in the name of a Peoples‘ Army General Staff Department spokesperson, Pyongyang was quoted by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying, “Now that the heinous scheme of ‘special operations’ by the American empire and the belligerent fanatics of the puppet [South Korean] military has become apparent and their ideas for a dangerous preemptive strike have been revealed, we proclaim our military’s position that it will ruthlessly crush all such machinations with our own method of preemptive special operations and our own method of preemptive strike warfare.”
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JoongAngIlbo (http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/)
Prosecutors ask to arrest former President Park
Prosecutors applied for a warrant to take former President Park Geun-hye into custody to investigate and prosecute her over allegations that she received bribes and abused her presidential power.
A special investigation team of the prosecution said Monday morning that it submitted a warrant application to the Seoul Central District Court. “The decision serves law and principles,” it said. “Before making the decision, the team thoroughly reviewed the outcome of the initial probe by prosecutors, the records of an independent counsel and the prosecution’s questioning of Park last week.”
Moon clinches early lead for DP’s nomination
Democratic Party frontrunner Moon Jae-in handily won the party’s first primary Monday with 60.2 percent of votes, bringing him a step closer to becoming the nominee in the May 9 presidential election. Moon won 142,343 votes from both Democratic Party (DP) members and those without DP membership in Gwangju and the two Jeolla provinces, boosting his chances of winning the DP nomination amid rising prospects that liberals will reclaim the Blue House it surrendered to conservatives in 2007 and failed to recapture thereafter.
Fate of Kumho Tire sale is still up in the air
Final approval of the sale of Kumho Tire continues to be pushed back as creditors continue to mull an offer by a consortium backed by Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo for the country’s second-largest tire company. Woori Bank, which has a 33.7 percent stake in the company, was expected to make a decision Monday, which was delayed by a day. It is not certain that Woori Bank will come to a conclusion today.
Gov’t pledges 113.5 billion won for bio start-ups
The Korean government will establish a 113.5 billion won ($102.2 million) fund for start-ups in the bio sector in hopes of attracting more entrepreneurs to the industry and helping them through the early stages of their business. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, currently serving as acting president of the country, finalized the plan at a meeting with government ministers on Monday in central Seoul.
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The KyungHyangShinmoon(http://english.khan.co.kr/)
Choi Soon-sil's Trial on March 27, A Turning Point for Former President Park Geun-hye
Prosecutors continue to struggle with whether or not to request an arrest warrant for former President Park Geun-hye (65). Prosecutors are delaying further action claiming they are still reviewing the investigation records and evidence after questioning the former president on March 21. One of the prosecutors' concerns is whether or not to charge the former president for bribery in connection to the funds that the large businesses coughed up for the MI-R Foundation and the K-Sports Foundation. Prosecutors are expected to announce their position on this issue as early as March 27, in the trial of Choi Soon-sil (61, arrested), and this is expected to be a turning point in their handling of the former president.
Rudder Turned Towards the Right: Will the Rudder Point to the Truth?
Why did the Sewol sink? Prosecutors concluded that the Sewol rolled over due to layers of problems including the poor condition of the ferry, the decreased stability of the ship from excessive extensions, overloading, lack of ballast water, and the negligence of the steersman. However, the court did not accept this conclusion. The court stated that the Sewol should be salvaged, and an investigation should be conducted on defects in the hull including the steering gear and the propellers.
Where Are the 9 Missing Victims? Likely to Be Inside the Cabin
The hull of the Sewol revealed itself for the first time in three years, and now all eyes are on how the government will inspect the hull and in what condition the missing victims and the keepsake of the deceased left behind in the hull will be. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries held a press briefing in front of the Jindo Gun Office in Jeollanam-do on the morning of March 23 and announced, "The special act for the committee to investigate the Sewol hull was announced in the cabinet meeting on March 21. The members of the committee will be appointed after a vote in the National Assembly and the investigation method will be determined as early as the end of this month after the committee members engage in a prior discussion with the families of the victims and missing victims of the Sewol accident."
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The Korea Economic Daily (http://english.hankyung.com/)
Moon Jae-in Wins Jeolla Primaries with 60% Votes
Moon Jae-in, former head of the opposition Minjoo Party, won the primary on March 27 in the Honam region (Korea's southwest including Gwangju and Jeonju) by a large margin, cementing his position as the undisputed candidate for the May 9 election. As Moon gained more than 60 percent of the vote, outcompeting other rivals like Ahn Hee-jung and Lee Jae-myung, his odds of becoming the 12th President of South Korea have gotten closer.
Eugene Raises Target Price on POSCO ICT
Eugene Investment & Securities raised its target price on POSCO ICT from 8,000 won to 9,000 won on March 27, saying that the company's sales would pick up as it accelerates investment in existing and new capacities. Eugene maintained its investment rating for POSCO ICT at "buy." Han Byung-hwa, analyst at Eugene, said, "Along with the normalizing profit of its parent POSCO, POSCO ICT is expanding its investment in existing capacities, while accelerating new investment in smart factories."
Department Stores and Premium Outlets Face Mixed Fortune
Shinsegae is set to open a new premium outlet in Shiheung in Gyeonggi Province on April 6. This will be the first outlet in Shiheung, a city where four new residential towns are under construction simultaneously. Hyundai Department Store also plans to open a new Garden Five outlet in Jamsil in southeast Seoul within the first half of this year. Lotte Shopping will follow suit by opening a premium outlet in Wonheung in the northwestern outskirts of Seoul within the second half of this year.
Lotte Confectionery to Move into 4 Tril. Won Hair Loss Prevention Market
Lotte Confectionery will enter into the hair loss prevention market whose market size is estimated at 4 trillion won. This is a move by the confectioner to look for new growth engines in a situation where competition is getting fiercer and uncertainties are increasing. The company said on March 27 that it would move into the market for hair loss prevention products by launching a "Health One" unit specializing in healthy functional food items. The company's hair loss management product brand is called "Golden Catch." The first batch of products Lotte Confectionery will unveil is food and shampoo.
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AJU Business Daily (http://eng.ajunews.com/korea)
Recovered ferry will be ready for transport to dock this week
The Sewol ferry that was raised from the seabed three years after it sank with the loss of more than 300 lives, most of them schoolchildren, will be carried to a port this week after a salvage team finished the drainage of water from the wreck, officials said Monday. The work will take a couple of more days, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in charge of the salvage operation said, adding it could be ready for transport to the southeastern port of Mokpo on Thursday.
Security loopholes in S. Korea's IoT security on the surge
Going along with rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) market, security loopholes reported by the users of IoT devices have also seen a sharp rise in South Korea, official data showed Monday.
The IoT system, usually established at homes and offices, connects devices together to help users control them even when they are physically away. Personal CCTVs known as IP cams and mobile internet routers are typical IoT devices.
S. Korean scientists succeed in weaving thread-like memory material
South Korean scientists have developed a memory material which can be weaved like fabric. The new material does not need electricity to keep its data intact, making it an ideal material for wearable devices and smart clothing. The research was led by Lee Mi-jung, a professor at Kookmin University's School of Advanced Materials Engineering, and Hwang Cheol-seong, a professor at Seoul National University's School of Electronic Materials. They claimed to have succeeded in creating a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) weaved in a form of a fabric.
S. Korea beings commercial production of crab-like seabed exploring machine
South Korea goes into the commercial production of a new seabed walking machine that mimics the design of crabs to enable stable movements along the sea floor in strong currents and harsh conditions. The maritime ministry said Kyeongin Tech, the producer of precision equipment for military use and actuator, would be licensed to produce Crabsters developed by the state-controlled Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering. A contract would be signed on Tuesday.
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Maeil Business News Korea (http://www.pulsenews.co.kr/)
Korean prosecutors seek arrest warrant for ex pres Park Geun-hye
Former president Park Geun-hye is set to become the third ex-Korean president to face arrest on criminal charges after prosecutors on Monday filed for a court warrant for pretrial detention citing gravity of the crimes she is accused of and fear of destruction of evidence. State prosecutors reportedly seeking a maximum prison term of 10 years or more for bribery and 12 other criminal charges made the announcement for an arrest a week after returning Park home following a full-day probe.
Korean financial authorities under fire for inflating economic toll from DSME fall
The Korean government can hardly win rationale and public support in its proposal for another multibillion-dollar bailout package for Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME) when it cannot even agree on the simple estimate of economic toll from the shipbuilder’s collapse, industry watchers said. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the shipbuilder’s main creditor Korea Development Bank (KDB) argue strongly for a near $6 billion rescue program that includes fresh loan of 2.9 trillion won and swap in its existing debt into equity as well as haircut and rescheduling from private lenders and bondholders by warning the economy would have to shoulder losses worth 59 trillion won ($53 billion) if the shipbuilder is left to go under.
KT accelerates upgrades on AI service on TV set-top box
South Korea’s leading telecommunications company KT Corp. is accelerating its drive on artificial intelligence business through its IPTV platform GiGA Genie. According to business sources on Sunday, KT chairman Hwang Chang-kyu ordered the company to come up with Genie service beyond the existing voice-activated speaker, while meanwhile concentrating on selling 500,000 units of GiGA Genie this year.
AMCHAM chief urges Korean firms to actively seek opportunities in Trump agenda
South Korean businesses should be more proactive in dealing with the U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic and trade agenda, said James Kim, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) and head of GM Korea, the Korean unit of U.S. carmaker General Motors. Kim said in a recent interview with Maeil Business Newspaper that Korean businesses should actively seek investment opportunities in the U.S. infrastructure projects that the Trump Administration is aggressive in promoting in the country.
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To preserve the local culture as an outstanding world cultural asset
Gimhae City hosts a gala Gaya Culture Festival on April9
Invites Ambassadors and Madams to grace the Opening Ceremony on April 9, 2017
As the suzerain state of six Gaya Kingdoms and royal capital of Geumgwan-Gaya founded in 42 A.D., Gimhae is the cradle of the Gaya culture. These small ancient states include Ara Gaya, Goryeong Gaya, Dae Gaya, Seongsan Gaya, Bihwa Gaya and Geumgwan Gaya, which formed a confederation dominated by Geumgwan Gaya. With a 500-year long history, Gaya Kingdoms created ingenious and brilliant pottery and ironware culture based on affluent iron products and outstanding iron-making technology. Taking geographical advantages, these Gaya Kingdoms actively traded with China, Japan and Nakrang as the center of international trade in Northeast Asia. Active international marine trade and exchange of these ancient states with foreign countries can be well explained by the international marriage between King Suro, the founding king of Geumgwan-Gaya, and Princess Heo Hwang-ok of Ayodhya Kingdom in India.
Royal procession of King Suro of the Gaya Kingdom
In an effort to preserve the Gaya culture as one of world cultural heritages and widely publicize excellence of the ancient culture, the Gimhae City government has been hosting the annual Gaya Culture Festival since 1962 on the occasion of the memorial service for King Suro in spring. As ever, the municipal government will host the 41st Gaya Culture Festival for 5 days from April 7th to 11th, 2017 to include the memorial service for the King set to be held on the last day of the Festival. With the concept of ‘Gaya in the World and United Gimhae’, the Festival will be highlighted by the ‘tug-of-war’ game and ‘procession parade of King Suro’.
Different teams of the Gaya farmers’ bands are reading to present demonstrations.
Colorful programs will be provided during the Festival at the Daeseong-dong Ancient Tombs, Gimhae National Museum and Tomb of King Suro. In addition to the tug-of-war game and king’s procession parade, programs will include folk art performances, experiences of ancient ironworks, voyage routes sailed by King Suro and Princess Heo Hwang-ok, excavation of historical relics and riding on rare horses, as well as art installation events, performance of martial arts on horseback, wish lamps with Gaya patterns, and multi-cultural social gatherings of youths. Among others, visitors will have an exotic experience of boarding a traditional Indian boat ‘Dhoni’ by sailing the voyage routes taken by King Suro and Queen Heo.
A tug of war joined by hundreds of citizens.
In connection with the Festival, a number of other events will also be held simultaneously, including a local foods fair, international conference on Gaya history, contest of native foods, and folk arts festival of Gyeongsangnam-do region. The regional folk arts festival will include performances of intangible cultural property holders and performances of traditional art troupes from sister cities in Korea and other countries.
Gimhae Stone Fight is now a favorite game of merriment.
To help visitors have more enjoyable and exciting experiences, the festival organizing committee will deploy advanced information and communication technology installations in the venue. Using their smart phones or tablet PCs, visitors and tourists can get access to detailed information, statistical data, publicity materials and results of survey on the Festival by searching its QR code at information centers. It will also introduce an augmented reality (AR) game ‘Royal Capital of Gaya GO’, similar to ‘PocketMon Go’ game. If any visitors find out various historical treasures or relics through the game, they will be rewarded with due gifts.
Grand Rite of Chaste Woman Chunhyang offered to King Suro of the Garak State and his Queen Heo
The 40th Gaya Culture Festival held in April last year attracted as many as over 1.45 million visitors from Korea and other countries, and the Festival in this year is expected to attract even more visitors thanks to addition of varied new programs. The Gimhae City government seeks to register these cultural heritages as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritages.
Night view of the Old Tombs in Daeseong-dong Village and the Daeseong History Museum. A grand opening ceremony is held at a special stage at the Daeseong-dong Tumuli.
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INVITATION
Your Excellency and Madam are cordially invited to the 2017 Grand Gaya Culture Festival on Sunday April 9
Your Excellency areMadarm are cordinaly invited to the above festival.
For details of the Festival, please visit: http://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3007.
It is a bit far, but a deluxe KTX Train travel is much more comfortable than bus ride. Here is the schedule:
0845 hours: Meet at the Seoul Railroad Station VIP Room, 3rd Floor of the Main Building.
0905-1147 hours: Move by Deluxe KTX train from Seoul to Gimhae.
1200-1230 hours: Move to the Ice Square Hotel for luncheon.
1230-1400 hours: Attend welcome ceremony, presentation of Plaques of Appreciation.
1400-1430 hours: Watch mounted Gaya Warrior performances, have personal experience in horse-riding.
1510-1700 hours: Join the Gimhae Tug-of-War match
1700-1800 hours: Watch traditional Korean music-dance performances based on Intangible National Cultural Properties
1800-2040 hours: Move from Gimhae back to the Seoul Railroad Station.
(A slight change could occur to the schedule depending on the traffic situation of the day.)