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206. Busan Opens Outdoor Art Museum
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Author : U.E.C.
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Art works of the six artists decorate Gwanganli Beach, Busan
A tremendous outdoor art museum spreading over the entire length of Busan's Gwanganli Beach will open to the public Thursday (April 5).
The museum will display the reproduced works of six great artists -- including Korea's late video artist Paik Nam-june and America's LED conceptual artist Jenny Holzer -- by using light and video imaging
Paik's work ¡°Digitation¡± has been installed in front of the Homers Hotel located at the center of the beach, while Shim Mun-seop's ¡°Road to an Island¡± is on display next to Paik's work.
A Busan official said that once the museum is complete, the Gwanganli area will become a spectacular, rare outdoor art museum, enhancing Busan's landscape and attracting more tourists to the city.
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Article courtesy of Korea.net
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Friday, 6 April 2007, at 10:02 am
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205. Taekwondo Program for Foreigners Offered by Kukkiwon
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Author : U.E.C.
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 Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) is holding a Taekwondo demonstration program for foreigners to experience Taekwondo firsthand in Gyeonghuigung Palace beginning in March. Kukkiwon is also planning to develop a Taekwondo related performance that will be held as a regular performance in the second half of this year.
According to Kukkiwon, a Taekwondo demonstrational hands-on program is scheduled to begin March 21 along with some other cultural events. The program will be ongoing until December, held every Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm to 3pm in the courtyard of Gyeonghuigung Palace. The ¡°Daedongnori¡± event bringing together Kukkiwon members and 40 members of the children¡¯s demonstration team who are currently preparing.
The regular Taekwondo performance and the hands-on program for foreign visitors will be held in the front garden of Taeryeongjeon at Gyeonghuigung Palace 3 times everyday (except Mondays). A Kukkiwon certificate of discipline is given to participants who complete the program.
For further inquiries, call 1330.
1. Taekwondo Cultural Performance
Period: March 21 ~ December 2007
Time: 14:00~15:00, every Wednesday to Saturday
Venue: Gyeonghuigung Palace
2. Taekwondo Experience Program for Foreigners
Period: March 21 ~ December 2007
Time: 3 times a day, 6 days a week (except Monday), takes 90mins.
Venue: Gyeonghuigung Palace
¡æ For more information on the programs
¡æ Pariticpate now!
[Maps]
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Wednesday, 4 April 2007, at 10:17 am
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204. Flower Festivals Blooming All Around Seoul
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Author : U.E.C.
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April is the month of flowers, and that fact should be obvious from all the petals flying around Seoul's parks. Here are some of the highlights you don't want to miss.
Namsan Park opens its cherry blossom festival from April 7-15. In addition, apple, pear, apricot, peach and other fruit trees will be on display in its outdoor botanical garden. Visitors can enjoy the scenery and also visit the nearby N Seoul Tower, for a bird's-eye view of Seoul.
Children's Grand Park will be covered with azaleas, forsythia, pansies, tulips, topiaries and other spring flowers during its spring flower festival slated from March 31 – May 13. Guitar and violin performances will lift the mood together with singing competitions. A grand firework display will adorn the park's sky Saturday night at 8 p.m. on April 7. And don't forget the zoo animals. More and more animals have been crawling out into the sunlight -- newly awakened from their long winter slumber.
Never, ever miss the Yeouido spring flower festival for next five days from April 6-10. The long winding paths of 1,641 cherry trees, as well as 87,859 trees of azaleas, forsythias like those in front of the Children's Grand Park and in Yeouido along Yunjung Road will provide more great spring scenes. For that purpose, the 1.7 km road around Yeouido will be restricted from April 2 -11. For those who wish to join the fun of Nanta performance and fireworks plese take public transportation when going to Yeouido during this time of the month.
The Seoul Forest Park in Ttukseom , a well-known ecological park, has about a dozen deer and elk roaming the area. The place is currently allowing 50 people a day -- both children and adults -- to feed the deer from their hands every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
For those visiting Ttukseom on National Arbor Day (April 5), the park will provide small saplings to plant.
While the Japanese did impart the cult of the cherry blossom to Koreans during their occupation of the country, Koreans still have a soft spot for azaleas. Near the Central Wonmi Park in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, are over 30,000 azaleas that have turned the whole place pink. The Azalea Festival will take place here next Sunday on April 8 featuring kite flying and musical performances. The 78,540-square-meter site has a soccer ground, five tennis courts, two basketball courts, Wonmi mineral spring, Seokwangsa Temple, Hyongchung Pagoda and a forest promenade for hiking.
The Spring Flower Festival in Hantaek Botanical Garden, Yongin, will take place from April 13-29, with tulips, narcissus, hyacinth, and other rare flowers for Korea. Jazz bands, magic shows and other family events will be on hand.
You can also enjoy flowers from upside down on a roller coaster.
Gwacheon Seoul Land has a One Million Tulip Festival until May 13. View a 500-meter-long line of tulips.
Everland in Yongin (http://www.everland.com) will present Flower Carnival until June 10.
Finally, the 13th World Flower Exhibition is just around the corner. Slated to open from April 26 to May 10 in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do. Some 40 local and 10 foreign horticulture companies from eight nations will display their plants and flowers. One of the biggest flower exhibitions in the country, the event gives special focus to creative flower arranging. English interpreters are also available.
[Related Article] Best Spring-time Travel Theme Spots
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Article courtesy of Korea.net
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Tuesday, 3 April 2007, at 10:25 am
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203. Metro Subway Fee Increase Starting from April
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Author : U.E.C.
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 The subway fare will increase by 100won starting in April while the distance determining the fare increase will shorten from 6§° to 5§°.
Korea Railroad Corporation has announced its plan to raise the metro subway fare, which has not been increased since July 2004 by an average of 14.5% starting from April 1st.
This fare hike will be applied simultaneously to the Seoul metropolitan and Incheon subway system since related institutions and officials came to a mutual consensus. The basic fare will increase by 100 won, while additional fares per unit of distance will be shorten from 6§° to 5§°.
According to the new fare system, one-time only tickets will be sold at 1.000won up from 900won. Transportation cards will also charge 900 won for 10§° up from 800won.
Meanwhile, the additional fare per unit of distance will be shortened from 6km to 5km. So now for every 5km you will still be charged 100won similar to 6km. However, distances more than 40km will charge 100 won per 10km.
Therefore, subway fares for the following metro lines will be raised as follows: Seoul-Youngdeungpo from 900won to 1,000won, Seoul- Suwon from 1,400won to 1,600won and Seoul- Cheonan from 2,300won to 2,600won.
Subway fares for Seoul-Deokso will also be increased to 1,300won from 1,200won, Seoul-Incheon to 1,600 won from 1,400won, Seoul-Soyosan to 1,700 won to 1,500won and Seoul-Ansan to 1,700won from 1,500won, respectively.
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Friday, 30 March 2007, at 8:33 am
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202. Daegu for Successfully Hosting 2011 World Championships
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Author : U.E.C.
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 The news of Korea's Daegu selection as host of the 2011 World Championships in Athletics on Tuesday (March 27) sent the city's residents into celebration.
Earlier in the day, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) held meetings in Mombasa, Kenya, and selected the Korean city as the host of the 2011 World Championships.
Daegu will be the third Asian city to host the biennial championships after Japan's Tokyo in 1991 and Osaka this year.
Berlin, Germany will host the championships in 2009.
Most people in Daegu, Korea's fourth-largest city, located 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, hope that the championships will boost the city's sagging economy and increase people's pride in their city as they begin the process of preparing for the championships.
"Now we have a big opportunity to shine before the world, and we cherish the chance," said Lee Jin-taek, a former mid-distance track runner. "We learned that we can do it, like Park Tae-hwan did in the recent World Swimming Championships."
"With hosting the championships, the level of Korean athletics will make quantum leap into the world class," said Park.
Daegu, home to Korea's ailing textile industry, has been hard-hit by globalization, as many firms in the industry have relocated their operations to other countries to take advantage of cheaper labor. The city's economy further down turned when part of its municipal region, Kyeongsan, split from Daegu.
Against that backdrop, Daegu has fallen to fourth place in Korea in terms of its economy and population, conceding its former place to Incheon, the country's second-largest port city.
Daegu, however, is recovering its confidence as it prepares to host the athletics championships after also having successfully hosted the Summer Universiad in 2003, in which hundreds of North Korean young athletes also participated.
A think tank in the city estimated the championships will generate about 500 billion won ($532.2 million) and more than 5,000 jobs for the local economy.
The championships will also attract more than 30,000 tourists from around the world, with a 67 billion won ($71.3 million) being pumped into the tourism industry, the think tank predicted.
"The competition will increase Daegu's image, as the sports events will be broadcast to the world's 6.5 billion people during the nine days of competition," said the institution. "It will also boost the pride of people in Daegu immensely."
During the on-site inspection of the city, Daegu Mayor Kim Bum-il gave the IAAF inspection committee members a book in which about 800,000 people had signed their names, promising to attend the championships if the IAAF chose Daegu as the host.
¡æ For more information on Daegu, click here!
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Article courtesy of Korea.net
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Friday, 30 March 2007, at 8:31 am
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201. Hi Seoul Festival: Feel the Heart Beat of Korea
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Author : U.E.C.
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 A giant festival is expected to consume the capital city of Seoul from late April to early May this year.
This year's Hi Seoul Festival, the fifth of its kind, is expected to be held in a much grander scale than ever before under the theme "Miracle of Seoul to Unite its Tradition with its Future.¡± Various festivals and events will be held from April 28 to May 6, expanding its space from the Seoul Plaza and a couple of palace grounds to six major national parks along the Han River, in order to embrace not just locals but also foreign tourists.
The latest festival falls mainly into two sections: "Seoul History Reproduction Program," whose main events revolve around the reenactment of traditional ceremonies at historical palaces or Hanok villages; and the "The Miracle of the Han River Festival," a Han River experience festival that encourage various ceremonies at the river, including aqua sports and a water-crossing event.
Korea's Hallyu stars and singers will lighten up the moment at the opening ceremony, scheduled for April 27 at a special stage in Yeouido at 8 p.m. Laser shows and fireworks will adorn the sky, together with B-boy, traditional kukak, and other musical performances.
At Bukcheon Hanok Village and Seoul Plaza there will be a revival of colorful court ceremonies, like the procession of King Jeongjo of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) to his father's grave in the late 18th century; the Seoul World DJ Festival, a Three-Day Culture Concert, Flowing Lantern Parade, World Tightrope Walking Contest, Arisu Miracle Festival and more.
With the latest festival the Seoul Metropolitan Government looks to heighten the brand name "Seoul" and attract some 12 million tourists with about 400,000 from abroad. The date of the festival coincides with holiday seasons of both China (May 1- May 7) and Japan (April 26-May 6).
¡æ For more information on Hi Seoul Festival, click here!
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Article courtesy of Korea.net
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Wednesday, 28 March 2007, at 9:11 am
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200. Airport Railway Linking Incheon and Gimpo Opens
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Author : U.E.C.
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 A railway connecting Korea¡¯s two biggest airports – Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport -- goes into service Friday (March 23) after six years of construction.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday morning with senior government and construction officials and citizens attending.
The 37.6-km line from Gimpo to IIA is the first part of the two-phase construction of the country's first private railroad, managed by the Airport Railway Express. This railway will pass Gyeyang, Unseo, Geomam and Incheon International Airport Cargo Terminal on its way to Incheon International Airport.
The other line, linking the IIA-Gimpo section to Seoul Station in the heart of the capital, is expected to open by 2010. This train will also stop at Gongdeok, Hongdae (Hongik Univ.) and Digital Media City.
Trains linking Incheon and Gimpo airports include standard and express service. After the first stage construction is completed, passengers will be able to transport from Gimpo Airport Subway Station (Line 5) to the Incheon International Airport within a half an hour by this train, five minutes faster than limousine bus or taxi on average, with no worry about traffic jams.
The standard trains pass six stations from Gimpo to Incheon airports, carry up to 630 passengers, and appear similar to subway cars with two long benches facing each other. Express trains have two lines of double benches. There are no doors separating the train compartments, making both ends of the train visible when running on straight track.
The fare for an adult passenger is 3,200 won. The price will be halved for a child. Express train charges will be about 7,950 won for an adult.
It takes 33 minutes to reach IIA by regular train from Gimpo -- 28 minutes by direct train. According to the Airport Railway Express staff, this train runs about 110 kilometers per hour, 30 kilometers faster than normal subway trains.
[Related News] Incheon Int'l Airport Ranked World's No. 1 in 2006
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Article courtesy of Korea.net
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Monday, 26 March 2007, at 10:53 am
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199. Seoul Offers Free Walking Tours from March 25
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Author : U.E.C.
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 When you live on a tight budget, it may be difficult for you to spend money on cultural activities. Or when you travel, you may be obsessed with saving money just in case something better than galleries and museums comes along. But now, no need to worry! A great deal awaits you!
For those interested in discovering or rediscovering Seoul, you can do that from now on for free! Starting March 25, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is offering free tours both in Korean and English to give residents and visitors insight into the centuries-old capital.
The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture is offering free walking tours on the last Sunday of each month from 2-5 p.m till the end of October to highlight the city's architecture and arts.
The programs will take visitors to Seoul's historic and artistic buildings, temples, palaces, and neighborhoods. Participants have five tours to choose from, such as ones tailored to architecture or cultural artifacts.
For the architecture tour, actual architects will lead the "Walking Tour Seoul 2007" and give tours in English for an inside look at the city. Jo In-sook, a well-known architect who specializes in traditional architecture, will lead groups of about 30 Koreans and foreigners, accompanied by a translator. A foreign expert will also be invited based on the theme of each tour.
The first tour on March 25, called ¡°Heart of Seoul,¡± starts from Namdaemun and goes to Taepyeongno, Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza and Gwanghwamun, all in central Seoul.
Those interested may register for the program by phone (02-3990-7044) or find more information at the foundation's website (www.sfac.or.kr).
Free tours on the arts and artists are also offered. However, no English translation will be available. Participants in these tours can visit the homes of famous Korean artists, including Chang Uk-jin, Kim Hwan-ki and Paik Nam-june, also from 2-5 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month. Please, register with the foundation by phone.
Hosted by art IN CULTURE, a monthly art magazine, another arts tour will be given on the last Sunday as well but from 1-6 p.m. around galleries, art studios and flea markets near Hongik University. Register by phone (02-797-2118).
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Article courtesy of Korea.net
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Monday, 26 March 2007, at 10:50 am
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198. Hanok Village to Extend the Opening Hours
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Author : U.E.C.
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 It started with libraries, art galleries and museums, and now tourists from home and abroad can enjoy evening access to the traditional Korean village located at the foot of Namsan, the mountain in central Seoul, starting from this week.
The city government decided to extend the opening hours of Namsangol Hanok Village to 10 p.m. in the summer and hold culture experience programs each evening. From November to February, winter closing time will be 8 p.m. previously, the village closed at 8 p.m. in the summer and 6 p.m. in the winter.
Namsangol Hanok Village holds replicas of a variety of traditional architecture In addition; traditional dance and samulnori will take place at its Cheonwoogak Square from 7-8 p.m. nightly. Traditional games of ¡°yunnori¡± (a board game with four sticks for dice), ¡°nulttuigi¡± (seesawing), and ¡°tuho¡± (throwing arrows into a narrow barrel) will also be on hand. "pungryu-bang" (room of style) will be opened for tourists out to experience a taste of Korea's tea culture.
In the pungryo-bang, guests can hear traditional music called kukak, enjoy the fragrance of ancient tea and learn a thing or two about the origin of Korean musical instruments, including a performance.
The village's seodang (traditional school) will teach beginner's courses on how to write Korean letters (Hangeul) and Chinese characters. Tourists will also experience the daily life of commoners in the old days of Korea, ironing clothes, making embroidery, spinning a weaving wheel and so forth. People will also see how the noble class spent their dinnertime.
Day programs will continue as before: Tourists can try on various traditional garments from those of commoners to soldiers, nobles and royal family members. Instructors will teach foreigners, dance, etiquette, samulnori, the tea ceremony and other aspects of old Korea.
The village will also help foreign visitors select Korean names for themselves and teach them to write them in Hangeul.
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Article courtesy of Korea.net
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Friday, 23 March 2007, at 10:03 am
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197. Tongyeong¡¯s City Bus Tour Begins Operating on April 7
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Author : U.E.C.
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 A one-day course on the ¡®City Bus Tour¡¯ of Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, begins its operation services this coming April 7, taking its passengers to the major tourist attractions scattered throughout the city. According to Tongyeong City, the circulating tourist bus is operated through a travel agency that received a license to run this tour service. The agency will provide one forty-five-seater bus, which will stop at the major tour sites in the city including Hansan-do Island, a historically important site. A tour guide will be accompanying the tour to provide information on each tour site, and the bus will be equipped with a guide that offers different foreign languages spoken.
The regular tour service runs daily from 9:30am except for Mondays, leaving from the Gangguan Culture Plaza at Jungang-dong, and stopping at the International Ferry Terminal, Jeseungdang in Hasan-do Island, Tongyeong Canal (Underwater Tunnel, Changnyangmyo Tomb), Gangguan Turtle Boat, Sebyeonggwan, Tongyeong Traditional Craftwork House, Sanyang Ring Road, Tongyeong Fishery Science Pavilion, and back to Gangguan. The city tour takes a total of 7 hours to complete.
If a group of more-than-15 persons requests a tour additional itineraries are offered which include a night tour of the city, a tour of Yokji-do and Hansan-do Island as well as a coordinated tour course. ¡®City Bus Tours¡¯ cost 15,000won for adults, and 10,000won for children between the ages of 4 and 12.
Tongyeong City remarked, ¡°We have decided to implement this system in order to provide the most comfortable and convenient tourism experience for our tourists. Everything is on schedule, and we will begin this service on April 7 as planned.¡±
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Friday, 23 March 2007, at 10:00 am
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