Experiencing and Mastering Skii in Korea and unearthing some new cultural experiences.

 

Sanjay Kumar from India in Miso Korea on SBS broadcasting Korea 1.

 

 

KTV Interview observing the G-20 Summit held in Seoul, Korea.

 

 

Interview with KTV(Korea Assembly TV, 국회방송) observing the G-20 Summit held in Seoul, Korea.

 

 

 

전국노래자랑 Sanjay Kumar in Korea fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIqajsBLSLQ India

한국을 알리고 싶은 인도인 유학생, 선저이 씨

겨울이 한 뼘 더 다가 온 날씨에 어깨를 움츠리게 된다. 바람하나 들어가지 않을 것 같은 가죽점퍼를 입고 환하게 인사를 건내던 그. 강원대학교 대학원생으로 한국학 석사과정을 밟고 있는 그. 너무나 유창한 한국말에 외국인 같지 않았던 그. 점점 쌀쌀해지는 11월의 어느 날 인도 국비 유학생 선저이 꾸마르씨를 만났다.


"한국, 인도 비슷해요."

Q. 한국학 전공한다고 알고 있는데 어떻게 한국학에 관심을 가지게 된 거에요?
제가 고등학교 2학년 때 신문을 보면서 한국에 대해 알게 되었어요. 식민지 경험, 국토 분단 이러한 면이 인도와 굉장히 비슷해요. 기사 내용 보면서 이러한 비슷한 면이 있다는 걸 알게 되었어요. 그리고 어떻게 한국은 선진국 대열에 올라가게 되었는지 알고 싶어서 한국에 대해 더 공부하게 되었죠. 그렇게 한국에 대해 관심을 가지고 있었는데 인도 네루 대학에 한국어 학과가 있는 것을 알게 되었어요. 네루 대학은 교육비가 거의 무료에요. 이걸 알고 일석이조라고 생각했어요. 제가 관심 있는 한국학을 거의 무료로 배울 수 있으니까요.

Q. 다른 대학에도 한국학 전공이 있는데 어떻게 강원대로 오게 되었나요?
제가 2009년 9월 달에 처음 한국에 왔어요. 그런데 정부 초정 학생이라 1년 동안 어학연수를 해야 해서 원광대에 있었거든요. 원광대에 있으면서 한국학을 가르치는 대학을 많이 찾아보았어요. 그런데 일반 대학에서 외국인 학생을 대상으로 한국학을 가르치는 곳은 강원대 밖에 없었어요. 그래서 이곳으로 오게 되었죠. 여기에는 한국학 협동과정이 있기 때문에 다양한 학문을 접할 수 있어요. 한국의 다양한 면을 볼 수 있어서 더 좋아요.

강원대학교 캠퍼스

Q. 한국에서 생활을 하면서 대한민국이라는 나라를 어떻게 바라보고 있나요?

여기는 부지런한 사람이 많아요. 빨리 빨리하고 부지런한 사람이 많아요. 인도 사람들은 느긋느긋하고 게으른 사람이 많아요. 그리고 인도보다 부정부패 적어요. 뭄바이 같은 대도시 말고 지방에서는 일상생활에서도 부정부패가 만연하거든요. 여권발급 받기위해서 경찰한테 돈 줘야 해요. 이런 부정부패 때문에 인도에 빈부격차가 점점 더 커진다고 생각해요.

Q. 한국 생활하면서 어려웠던 점은 뭐에요?
처음에 음식이 입에 좀 안 맞아서 힘들었어요. 그런데 지금은 소고기 빼고 한국 음식 거의 다 잘 먹어요. 제가 종교가 힌두교라서 소고기는 먹을 수 없거든요. 한국에서 막걸리랑 파전 종종 먹어요. 인도 음식과 파전이 북인도 쪽에 ‘바즈까’라는 음식과 비슷하거든요.. ‘바즈까’는 채소와 밀가루 콩가루로 만들어요. 차랑 오후에 많이 먹는 음식인데 한국에서 파전을 간식으로 먹는 것과 같이 주식으로 먹지는 않지만 즐겨 먹어요.

Q. 한국 생활하면서 이해하기 힘들었던 것이 있었다면 무엇인가요?

술 문화 별로 안 좋아해요. 대학생들이 술 마시면서 쓸모없는 이야기만 하는 것 같아요. 그리고 서양 문화를 지나치게 위로 우러러보는 경향이 있는 것 같아요. 또 저는 그런 차별을 받는 적은 없지만 인종차별이 존재해요. 방송에서도 봤는데 동남아사람, 백인 그리고 아프리카 사람에 대한 이분법적 잣대가 존재해요. 한국은 경제적으로 많이 성장했는데 왜 그런 시선들이 존재하는지 이해하기 힘들어요.


“한국 대학생들 술 많이 마셔요”
Q. 선저이씨가 생각하는 인도 대학과 한국 대학의 차이는 뭐에요?
문화적 차이요. 학생들의 생각의 차이도 있구요. 인도에서는 교수님과 학생들이 같이 술 마시지 않아요. 그래서 여기는 술 문화가 발달된 것을 보고 놀랐어요. 그리고 기숙사에 살고 있을 때 놀란 점이 있었는데요. 인도에서는 샤워 할 때 속옷이라도 입는데 여기는 아무것도 입지 않고 샤워하는 것이 인상적이었어요. 이 두 가지는 기억에 가장 많이 남아요.

Q. 두 나라의 대학에 차이가 있는 것처럼 인도대학생들과 한국대학생들의 공통점과 차이점도 분명 있을 텐데요. 어떤 차이점과 공통점이 있나요?
제가 느꼈던 가장 큰 차이점은 ‘한국 대학생들은 좀 많이 논다’에요. 제가 다녔던 네루 대학을 말하자면, 거기는 술자리 이런 거 많이 안 만들어요. 그리고  술자리에서 정치, 경제, 역사에 대해서 이야기를 많이 나누지 게임하지 않아요. 저도 처음 한두달은 술자리 참가 했었지만 이제는 안가요. 이런 문화가 인도 학생들에게는 적응하기 힘든 점이 될 수 있겠다고 생각해요. 공통점은 청소년이라서 그런 것 같은데요. 불의를 참지 못하는 거요. 한국 학생들은 어떤 사건을 보고 자신의 빨리 자신의 의견을 가지는 것 같아요. 인도 학생들도 그렇거든요. 그리고 취업에 대한 고민도 인도와 한국 학생들의 공통점이에요.

Q. 방금 한국 학생들은 술자리를 자주 가진다고 말씀하셨는데요. 선저이씨가 바라보는 한국대학생은 어때요? 그들의 특징이 있나요?
지금까지 총 4개의 대학에서 공부를 했는데 대학마다 문화가 있고 특징이 있어요. 어떤 학교 학생은 좀 더 놀기를 좋아하고 어떤 학교 학생들은 자신의 의견을 자유롭게 표현해요. 제가 지금 공부하고 있는 강원대 학생들도 특징이 있는데요. 강원대 학생들은 외국인 학생들을 만나는 것을 즐겨하는 것 같지 않는 것 같아요. 그리고 한정된 주제에 대해서만 이야기를 나누는 것 같고 춘천은 재미가 없는 곳이라 생각하는 것 같아요.

Q. 앞으로 어떤 길을 가고 싶어요?
한국을 알리는 역할을 하고 싶어요. 제가 한국어를 할 수 있기 때문에 여기까지 올 수 있었다고 생각해요. 아직 한국에 대해 모르는 인도 사람이 많아요. 한국을 북한이라고 생각하는 사람도 있고 삼성 핸드폰을 쓰면서 어느 나라 회사인지 모르는 사람도 있구요. 저는 한국에 대한 아주 일반적인 지식을 흩뿌리고 싶어요. 한국은 민주주의 국가이고 한국 드라마는 이렇다, 뭐 이런거요. 그리고 인터넷을 접할 수 있고 부유한 사람들 보다는 소외된 계층들에게 한국을 알리고 싶어요. 이렇게 의미 있는 한국 학자가 되고 싶어요.

한국을 알리는 사람이 되고 싶다는 Sanjay 씨

한 시간 남짓의 시간이 어떻게 흘렀는지 몰랐을 정도로 그와의 시간은 유쾌했다. 한국인보다 더 한국에 관심이 많은 그. 인터뷰가 끝나고 강원일보, 강대 신문 등 그동안 여러 매체와 인터뷰를 했지만 인도이야기를 많이 할 수 있어서 좋았다고 조심스레 밝히던 그의 모습이 생각난다. 미래의 어느 날 ‘의미 있는’ 한국 학자가 된 그와 인도에 대해 더 많은 이야기를 나누어보기를 기대하며 그의 꿈을 응원한다.

청년유네스코세계문화유산지킴이 한국문화글로벌화팀장 선저이 꾸마르 씨

 "아시아의 매운 고추, 한국을 세계에 알리고 싶다"

 

청년유네스코세계문화유산지킴이 한국문화글로벌화팀장 선저이 꾸마르 씨

 

 

청년 유네스코 세계유산지킴이단의 한국문화 글로벌화팀장을 맡은 선저이 씨는 지난 7월 4일 발대식에서 국가브랜드위원회 이배용 위원장에게 임명장을 받았다.

한국을 뜨겁게 사랑하는 인도의 젊은이가 우리문화를 세계에 알리는 임무를 맡았다.

지난 7월 4일 청년 유네스코 세계유산 지킴이단(이후 지킴이단) 발대식에 참석한 선저이 꾸마르(24, 강원대 한국학 석사과정) 씨는 둥글둥글한 얼굴에 호기심어린 눈빛을 지닌 쾌활한 청년이다.

인도 네루대학에서 한국어와 문학, 문화를 전공하고 2009년 정부초청 장학생으로 한국에 왔다. 원광대에서 1년간 한국어 어학연수 후 한국학을 전공하고 싶어 강원대에서 석사과정을 밟고 있는 선저이 씨는 유창한 한국말로 한국문화에 대한 관심을 나타냈다.

선저이 씨는 "한국과 한국문화를 널리 세계에 알리는 것이 한국학을 전공하고 한국을 사랑하는 본인의 의무"라고 했다.

그는 "지난 10년 동안 인도에 한국기업이 급속히 증가해 거리를 지나는 학생이나 시민들이 한국 휴대폰을 들고 다니거나 한국산 차가 지나는 모습을 쉽게 볼 수 있다. 신문에서도 '한국은 아시아의 작은 고추인데 아주 맵다. 매우 짧은 시간에 경제 선진국으로 올라간 나라 중 하나이고 특히 아시아에서 발전모델로 배울 점이 많은 나라'라고 소개한 것을 보고 한국에 대한 관심을 갖게 되었다."고 계기를 밝혔다.

"한국에 온 이후 한국문화를 쉽게 접할 수 있고 다양한 사람들의 의식을 알게 되어 한국을 더 깊이 알 수 있는 절호의 기회를 갖게 되었다."는 선저이 씨. 그는 작년 세계외국인말하기대회에서 3등을 차지한 것은 물론 각종 한국어말하기 대회와 외국인 노래대회에도 출전한 경험이 있다. 문화소사이어티에서 개최한 트로트 가요제에서도 1등을 차지한 그는 ‘무조건’ ‘나의 황진이’ 등 트로트를 좋아하고 이승철 노래도 매우 좋아한단다.

선저이 씨는 “한국학 전공자로서 자부심을 갖고 있다. 12억 인도 인구 중에 한국을 잘 모르는 사람이 아직 많다. 프랑스학, 스페인학, 중국학, 일본학은 잘 아는데 비해 한국학에 대해 비교적 아는 사람이 적다.”고 안타까워했다. 

그래서 그는 국가브랜드위원회가 주관한 WSK(국내 주요포털을 통해 블로그를 운영해 한국을 알리는 해외블로거(World Students in Korea) 활동을 하고 있다. 영어로 된 자신의 블로그에 한국과 인도에 관련된 자료를 올려서 인도뿐 아니라 세계 여러 나라 사람들에게 전한다.

선저이 씨는 현재 자신이 사는 춘천을 ‘호반의 도시’라고 자랑하며 “이번에 춘천에서 2011 마임축제를 했는데 매우 재미있었다. 자원봉사를 하는 깨비활동을 하며 외국친구들에게 축제를 마음껏 홍보했다.”고 했다.

지킴이단에서 그가 팀장을 맡은 한국문화 글로벌화팀에는 중국학생 1명, 몽골학생 2명이 함께 활동하고 있다고 한다. 그는 "그동안 한국과 인도는 경제적인 협조를 잘 해왔고 집중했다. 한국과 인도는 문화면에서도 비슷한 점이 많아 문화적 교류와 협조가 잘 이루어졌으면 한다. 인도뿐만 아니라 중국, 몽골과도 교류 협력했으면 한다. 한국문화의 글로벌화를 위해 이번 활동이 의미 있고 한국학을 전공한 본인의 의무라고 생각한다." 고 밝혔다.

< 저작권자 © 코리안스피릿 무단전재 및 재배포금지 >

한국을 사랑하고 공부하는 인도에서 온 청년 (Sanjay Kumar,선저이 꾸마르), Korea

한국을 사랑하고 공부하는 인도에서 온 청년

                     

대한민국의 브랜드 가치는 급상승 중이다. 일본에서 불이 붙은 한류는 동남아와 중국으로 번지더니 이제는 미국과 유럽에서도 대박 신화를 만들어 낼 것 같은 분위기이다. 얼마 전 뉴스는 프랑스에서 한국 걸 그룹의 콘서트 표가 완전 매진이 되었고 표를 사지 못한 팬들이 시위를 벌였다는 좀처럼 믿기지 않는 사실을 보도한 바 있다. 대한민국이 만들어 낸 문화 콘텐츠가 전세계를 감동시키고 즐겁게 만드는 역할을 하고 있다는 점에서 마음이 뿌듯하지 않을 수 없다.

 

이런 추세를 반영하듯이 세계 각국의 젊은이들이 한국을 배우러 찾아오고 있다. 이제 대학에서 외국인 학생을 찾는 것은 아주 쉬운 일이며, 한국에 오기 전에 이미 한국어나 한국 문화를 전공하고 들어오는 학생도 많아졌다. 한국에 대한 단순한 흥미가 아닌 한글의 매력에 푹 빠진 것도 모자라 한국 문화에 대해 더 배우고 싶어서 한국에 들어와 사는 학생들마저 있을 정도다. 인도 최고의 명문대학인 JNU(Jawaharlal Nehru University)에서 한국어를 전공하고 현재 한국에서 한국학 석사과정에 재학 중인 산제이 쿠마르 씨를 인터뷰하는 귀중한 시간을 가졌다.

 

Q1 본인 소개를 간단히 해주시기 바랍니다.

 

저는 산제이 쿠마르(Sanjay Kumar)라고 합니다. 1988년 10월 인도 비하르(Bihar) 주의 파트나(Patna)에서 태어났습니다. 현재는 대한민국 춘천에 있는 국립강원대학교에서 한국학을 공부하고 있습니다. 한국이란 어떤 나라인가라는 호기심도 생겼고 한국문화와 언어에 대해 관심이 많았기 때문에 2006년 자와할랄 네루대학교(Jawaharlal Nehru University)에 입학하여 한국어와 한국 문화, 그리고 한국과 관련된 여러 가지 사항에 대해 공부를 시작하였습니다. 인도에서는 한국어를 전공하여 학사학위를 받았고,한국에서는 한국학으로 석사학위를 받을 예정입니다. 2009년에 한국 정부로부터 장학금을 받게 되었고 한국으로 공부하러 오게 되었습니다. 한국에서 3년 동안 공부를 한다고 해서 반만년 역사를 가진 한국의 언어와 문화를 다 이해할 수 있다고 생각하지는 않습니다.그러나 한국에 대한 애정만큼은 누구보다 강합니다.

  

한국을 사랑하는 마음으로 독도에도 갔다

Q2 산제이 씨의 고국인 인도에 대해 간략히 소개해주시기 바랍니다.  

 

인도는 다양한 문화가 공존하는 나라입니다. 힌두교나 불교 등 위대한 세계 종교의 발상지이기도 하고 민주주의를 이룩하고 만들어 가는 과정에서 한국과 많은 점에서 비슷한 나라라고 생각합니다. 이런 점에서 인도와 한국이 함께 한다면 세계를 감동시킬 수 있습니다. 한국과 인도가 양국의 여러 가지 차이점을 극복하고 모범적인 외교관계를 만들어 나가면 좋겠습니다.

 

 

Q3 한국에 와서 공부하게 된 주된 이유와 한국에서 공부를 마친 후에는 어떤 일을 하실 예정인가요.

 

외국의 침입, 식민지 지배, 지역적 분열 등 인도 대륙과 한반도는 많은 면에서 비슷한 경험을 했습니다. 한국의 문화, 역사, 정치에 대해 알게 된 후부터 저의 한국에 대한 관심은 점점 늘어가게 되었고, 한국을 보다 가까이서 배우고 이해하는 것이 큰 의미로 다가왔습니다. 사실, 일반 인도사람들은 아직도 한국에 대해서 잘 모릅니다. 제가 좋아하는 한국을 인도사람들에게 더 알리고 싶은 마음이 생겼고 이런 마음이 저에게 큰 촉매제가 되었다고 생각합니다. 한국을 보다 체계적인 방식으로 연구하고 살펴보고 싶어졌는데, 한국이 21세기에 들어와 국제 사회에서 경제적으로 더 중요해졌기 때문이라고 말할 수 도 있지만 5천 년의 역사를 가진 한국이 만들어 낸 역사와 문화 유산을 알고 싶어진 것이 더 중요한 이유였습니다.

 

인도에서 공부하는 동안 많은 사람은 저에게 한국에 대해 질문했습니다. 그들은 한국과 북한에 대해 혼란을 느꼈습니다. 그런 이유로 어떤 사람은 한국이 핵무기를 가지고 있다고 생각했고, 또 다른 사람은 북한이 올림픽을 치루었다고 생각할 정도였습니다 . 한국은 잘 알려져 있지 않았기 때문에 한국학은 중국학이나 일본학 또는 프랑스학이나 다른 국가학에 비해 저평가 된 것이 사실이었습니다. 그러나 이런 상황이 오히려 저에게는 한국학을 더 공부할 수 있게 하는 원동력이었습니다. 저의 꿈은 한국을 제대로 이해하고 아는 한국학 학자가 되는 것입니다.

  

여행을 좋아하여 한국의 곳곳을 여행하는 산제이

Q4 한국에서 생활하면서 기억에 남는 에피소드를 한가지 소개한다면.  

 

인도에서는 공동으로 목욕을 하거나 샤워할 경우에는 최소한 속옷을 입고 하는데 한국의 대중 목욕탕에서는 옷을 모두 벗고 하는 것을 보고 큰 충격을 받은 적이 있습니다. 물론 2009년도의 일입니다. 그 당시만 해도 저는 한국의 문화에 대해 잘 몰랐던 것이 사실입니다. 물론 지금은 한국식 사우나를 아주 좋아하게 되었습니다. 지금은 한달 한번쯤은 대중 사우나에 갈 정도가 되었습니다.

Q5 일본학이나 중국학에 비해 한국학은 초기 단계라고 생각합니다. 한국학이 보다 경쟁력을 갖추고 세계적인 학문이 될 수 있기 위해서는 어떻게 해야 할 지 의견을 말씀해 주십시오.

 

우리가 잘 알다시피 일본학이나 중국학은 이미 전세계적으로 광범위하게 연구되고 있습니다. 한국학을 보다 보편적으로 알리기 위해서는 첫째, 한국 정부는 단순하게 한국어를 보급하는 수준이 아니라 한국의 역사에 대한 사항을 대대적으로 알리고 관장할 수 있는 부서를 만들어야 합니다. 둘째, 한국 정부는 역사적으로 한반도에 존재했던 각 왕조에 대한 특색을 집중적으로 조명해야 하며, 한국의 전통문화와 사회, 일제시대의 저항 정신, 그리고 한국 전쟁과 현대 한국 문화 등을 중고등학교의 교과서에서 자세하게 기술해야 한다고 생각합니다. 셋째,대학교육에서도 한국의 역사를 아주 의미가 있는 방식으로 가르쳐야 합니다. 입시위주로서의 역사가 아닌 한국문화의 아름다움을 대학생 스스로가 깨닫고 이해할 수 있도록 해주어야 합니다. 넷째, 한국학과 한국어에 정통한 선생님을 전세계적으로 채용해야 합니다. 물론 이것은 제 개인적인 생각입니다만, 한국어와 한국의 역사에 대해 재미있는 강의를 할 수 있는 선생님들은 학생들에게 한국학의 중요성을 잘 설명해줄 수 있다고 생각합니다.

 

꽃과 함께 한 컷

Q6 문화적으로 볼 때, 한국과 인도의 가장 큰 차이점은 무엇이라고 생각하십니까.

 

음식에 있어서 너무 큰 차이점이 있습니다. 인도에서는 쇠고기를 먹지 않지만 한국에서 쇠고기는 물론이거니와 돼지고기를 포함한 다양한 고기가 요리 재료로 사용됩니다. 각종 해산물을 이용한 음식도 인도보다 훨씬 다양합니다. 음주 문화도 차이가 아주 큽니다. 한국에서는 사람들끼리 대화하고 소통하는 데 음주가 아주 보편적인 거 같습니다. 인도에서는 한국 같이 무엇이든 빨리 하는 문화는 없습니다. 빨리 하는 것이 좋을 수도 있지만 반드시 좋지는 않습니다.

 

Q7 마지막으로 한국 사람들에게 하고 싶은 말이 있다면.

 

이제 모두 협력하여 한국을 세계에 알리는 일을 함께 하자고 말하고 싶습니다. 저 같은 인도 사람도 한국에 흥미를 가지고 한국에 와서 살면서 한국에 열광하는데 한국 사람들이라면 저보다 더 잘 할 수 있지 않을 까요. 우리 모두 화이팅!

 

한국에서 여러가지 활동을 하고 있는 산제이

산제이 씨가 마지막으로 한 말은 상당히 인상적이다. 인도인으로서 한국을 좋아하여 한국에 와서 한국학을 공부하며 한국을 전 세계 알리고 싶은 마음인데 한국 사람은 더 잘 할 수 있지 않느냐라는 반문은 많은 것을 생각하게 한다. 산제이 씨를 인터뷰하는 동안 서울의 고궁에 있는 건물 하나하나를 우리는 얼마나 알고 있는지, 외국 사람들에게 자세하게 설명할 수 있는 우리 문화 유산은 몇 개나 되는지, 우리가 매일 먹는 한국 음식에 대한 지식은 얼마나 가지고 있는지에 대한 생각이 머리를 스쳐지나 갔다. 우리가 외치는 대한민국이라는 브랜드는 과연 무엇인가라는 물음에 답을 찾고 싶었다. 한류에 열광하는 외국인들의 모습에 우리가 도취되어 있을 때, 산제이 씨는 우리 스스로가 우리 것이기 때문에 오히려 소홀했던 것에 대해 애정을 가지고 세심하게 바라다보고 있었다. 아름다운 봄날 멋있고 스마트한 인도인 청년을 만난 것은 나에게 큰 행운이었다.

Language and Learning: How Infants Access New Words Across Cultures

According to lead study authors Sandra WaxMan and Louis W. Menk of Northwestern University, they compared how infants acquire Korean nouns and verbs.



Previous studies have long suggested that in "noun friendly" languages such as English, infants' attention is typically focused on objects that are commonly marked by nouns. "Verb friendly" languages including Korean, Japanese and Hindi include a more privileged status that includes infants' attention which is focused more directly on the actions and relations that would typically be marked by verbs.
"Almost all of the research on infants acquiring these "verb-friendly" languages has looked at the nouns and verbs that they produce in their daily lives," said Sudha Arunachalam, lead author of the study and assistant professor of speech and hearing sciences at Boston University, via a press release. "By using an experimental method instead, our approach lets us watch infants acquire new words, so we can get real insight into the mental processes that are at work during learning."
Researchers believe that their new work shows a strong universal connection in language acquisition. However, they also note that real cross-linguistic differences may be observed.
"Like infants acquiring other languages, Korean infants very successfully learn nouns to name objects such as ball, bottle and boy," Waxman said, via the release. "However, when it comes to learning verbs -- names for activities and relations -- like running, hugging, twirling, we see differences across languages."
Previous findings in the English language have shown that 24-month-old infants were better able to learn novel verbs linked with novel actions when the noun phrases specifically mentioned the words.
In contrast, findings also show that in Korean (a language in which noun phrases are typically dropped in conversation, according to background information from the study) 24-year-olds were better able to understand novel verbs with novel actions that surrounded noun phrases when the words were dropped.
"We know that even before infants begin to say many verbs, they begin to understand them," Waxman said, via the release. "What this new research tells us is that the information that infants need to 'get' that understanding varies, depending upon the native language they are learning. This piece of the language acquisition process is not universal; instead, it is 'language-specific.'

More information regarding the study can be found via Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics.
Source:Science World Report

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India culture industry eyes Korea

The Korean wave has proven its potential in India. A total of 126 business meetings took place between twelve Korean firms, including CJ Entertainment and KBS Media, and 50 Indian companies, according to a statement released by the Korea Creative Contents Agency (KOCCA) on March 18. The meetings were held at the latest convention of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Films, Radio, Audio-visual, Music, Events, Shows (FICCI FRAMES), a leading annual convention on India’s culture industry which was held from March 12 to 14 in Mumbai, India.

Indian culture industry leaders and experts showed a strong interest in Korean firms and culture during the three-day convention which took place from March 12 on the theme of “A tryst with destiny -- Engaging a billion consumers.”

FICCI FRAMES has been held since 2001 and is known as one of the largest conventions on the media, entertainment, and information industries in India. Korea became a partner country for FICCI FRAMES 2013 to celebrate the diplomatic relations between Korea and India which mark their 40th anniversary this year. Co-hosted by FICCI, KOCCA and the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this year’s convention focused on finding ways to expand cooperation in cultural, tourism, entertainment, and business exchanges between the two countries.

Korean Deputy Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Soon-tae (second from left) attended the opening ceremony of FICCI FRAMES 2013 as the Guest of Honor on March 12 in Mumbai, India. Other high-ranking attendees included FICCI President Naina Lal Kidwai (left), and Walt Disney International chairman Andy Bird (second from right) (photo: Yonhap News).

Nearly 2,000 people, including attendees not only from India but also from the United States, Europe, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, gathered for the opening ceremony of the convention. High-ranking attendees included FICCI President Naina Lal Kidwai, Walt Disney International chairman Andy Bird, and Korean Deputy Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Soon-tae, the Guest of Honor of the convention.

The opening ceremony was followed by a seminar, a movie screening, and a Korean cultural night program. The story of Kim Il-ho, the CEO of Ocon and creator of popular animation character Pororo, received a particularly high level of attention from Indian animation industry representatives at the seminar, which focused on ways to boost cooperation in the film and animation industries of Korea and India.

The panel of the Korean delegation at the seminar of FICCI FRAMES 2013 on March 12 (photo: Yonhap News).

B-boy dancing and samul nori, (traditional Korean percussion quartet), entertained an audience of about 1,000 delegates at the Korean cultural night program. A movie screening of director Kim Ki-duk’s Pieta which won the Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival in 2012 also received favorable responses from the FICCI FRAMES attendees, proving the potential of Korean culture in India.

Business Wire reports on FICCI FRAMES 2013

The local Indian media showed a lot of interest in the Korean events at FICCI FRAMES 2013. “Korea has transformed itself into one of the world’s most outstanding visual technology centers with CGI and 3D,” said the Indiantelevision.com website in its March 11 report titled “South Korea partner county at FICCI Frames 2013 focus on digitisation” (To see the full text, click here).
“As the partner country at FICCI FRAMES 2013, the Korea wave was visible throughout,” said Business Wire India in its online report titled “Korean entertainment companies eyes big from FICCI FRAMES 2013” on March 14 (To see the full text, click here).

"Indian firms seem to have a high interest in Korean culture as each of the Korean firms at this year's FICCI had more than ten business meetings," said the director of the Korean Cultural Centre India Kim Kum Pyoung in an interview with Korea’s Yonhap News on March 13.

The Indian culture industry has recently been showing a double-digit increase, and its turnover is predicted to exceed USD 42 billion in 2016 according to KOCCA.
source:korea.net

Cultural diversity served up at Seoul Friendship Fair

Over 60 countries came together in downtown two weekends ago for a two-day journey around the world at the Seoul Friendship Fair. Celebrating its 18th year, the multicultural festival spotlighted the delicacies, cultures, and tourism of participant nations from May 4 to 5.

The festival stretched from Seoul Plaza north to Cheonggyecheon, ranging from staged performances to tents offering a variety of multicultural delights to the crowds of visitors and participants representing nations from all around the world.

The Seoul Friendship Fair began in 1996 in celebration of Seoul Citizens’ Day. It was connected with the Hi Seoul Festival from 2003 until 2010, when it separated and extended to two days. In 2011 it attracted 300,000 people, and in 2012 the number reached 400,000 -- 150,000 of which were foreigners.

The opening ceremony took place at 5 p.m. in Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul Metropolitan Library with a street parade and speeches from Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and diplomatic envoys.

The opening ceremony of the Seoul Friendship Fair featured a performance with the Rainbow Choir and the Hand-in-Hand Chorus (photo: Yonhap News).

Seoul Plaza was lined by tents displaying the artistic, cultural, and tourism highlights of the more than 60 countries participating in the World Traditional Folk Art Exhibition and the World Tourism Exhibition. The event especially highlighted the cultures of ASEAN countries. There was also a special playground set up on the grass for children to celebrate Children’s Day, which fell on the second day of the festival.

A stage in the square offered a program of cultural performances from 14 of Seoul’s sister cities from around the world, including Maputo (Mozambique) Minsk (Belarus), Jakarta (Indonesia), and Hokkaido (Japan). As well, a guerrilla K-pop flash dance mob kept the event spontaneous with unannounced performances.

In front of the entrance to City Hall, visitors could see an exhibition of pictures painted by international students attending foreign schools in Seoul. Themed on “How I See Seoul in 2030,” pictures depicted hopeful scenes of Korean unification, lush urban environments with skies populated with flying cars and hoverboards, robots performing a variety of tasks including defense, waiting tables, and even serving as president, and more fantastical images including Seoul as an orbital space station and a dinosaur rampage through the city.

International students submitted paintings themed on "How I see Seoul in 2030" including Sophie Bradshaw's depiction of Seoul (left) as a mountainous region with lots of green parkland between tall highrises (photos: Jon Dunbar).

The road stretching north to Cheonggyecheon through Mugyo-dong was lined with the tents of the World Food Fair offering a variety of national cuisines from around the world. From the more familiar Turkish doner kebabs and Indian curries to more exotic fare including Afghanistani chicken kebabs and Belarusian sausages, the World Food Fair offered a surprise for everybody.

The English-language radio station TBS eFM had a DJ booth set up in Seoul Plaza for live broadcasting. “I was there to co-host The Steve Hatherly show but then stuck around for three hours enjoying it,” said on-air personality Dain Leathem. “I tried Sri Lankan food, very nice, and Egyptian dessert, which was my fav. It was sort of a coconut slice or cake with honey. I also had some Indian which was fantastic as ever and some South American dishes too -- but forgot which country.”

The tents were run by foreign embassies and communities based in Seoul. Visitors had the chance to register in advance of the festival to participate in cooking classes to learn how to make international foods including the popular Japanese snack tacoyaki and Colombian patacones made from a fried banana.

The Afghanistan tent offered up chicken kebabs (left) and the Indian tent had tandoori chicken on offer (right) (photos: Jon Dunbar).

A stage was also set up in the middle of the road for Music Café, which offered musical performances throughout the weekend from countries including Iran, Peru, Azerbaijan, and Sri Lanka.

The World Food Fair extended to Cheonggyecheon, which also offered a variety of other attractions. Visitors could try out different types of traditional clothing from around the world at the World Culture Experience and watch traditional folk plays. There were also tents dedicated to social enterprises and international organizations including the urban development institution Citynet and the One Korea Festival.

“I really thought that the event did a great job of opening up people's eyes to other cultures -- with the parade, booths and food tents being well run,” said Leathem, a New Zealander. “The event is essential for Seoul and Korea as it opens up and becomes more multicultural and I wish more people knew about it. Overall I really enjoyed it, told as many people as I could, and would go again.”

Seoul Plaza was lined with tents presenting information on the traditional cultures and tourism industries of over 60 countries.

The closing ceremony began at 5 p.m. on Sunday, with an awards ceremony given to the outstanding countries participating in the World Food Fair and the traditional folk art exhibition, a farewell ceremony by the sister city performers, and a declaration of closing.

For more information about this year’s Seoul Friendship Fair, visit the official website. 
Source:Korea.net

India thrash South Korea 6-1 in Sultan of Johor Cup

It was a commanding performance from the Indians as they dominated the first half, racing to a comfortable 3-0 lead. (Sultan of Johor Cup Photo)

The Indian colts scored three goal each in either half at the Taman Daya Hockey stadium to continue their unbeaten run in the six-nation tournament.

It was India's fourth win on the trot in the tournament, having defeated England (2-1), Argentina (3-2) and Pakistan (4-0) in their previous matches.

For India, Amit Rohidas (7th minute), Satbir Singh (9th), Talwinder Singh (31st) netted three goals in the first half, while Amon Mirash Tikey (57th), Ramadeep Singh (62nd) and vice-captain Affan Yusof (65th) score three more on the other side of the break.

Korea's lone goal came from the stick of You Seung Ju in the 34th minute.

India will take on hosts Malaysia in Sunday's final. Malaysia also secured its place in the summit clash after defeating Pakistan 4-2, their fourth consecutive win, in the last round-robin match of the day.

Both India and Malaysia, who have 12 points each in their kitty, will play each other in their last round-robin engagement on Saturday.

Against Korea, the Indians came up with a commanding performance and dominated the share of exchanges in the first half with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

It took India just seven minutes to open the scoring through drag-flicker Rohidas who converted a penalty corner with precision that Korean goalkeeper Lee Se Young had no answer.

India doubled their lead two minutes later through a field goal from Satbir after he was set up by Harjeet Singh.

Talwinder made it 3-0 for the Indians four minutes from half time through another field strike.

The Koreans, however, managed to pull one back three minutes later when You Seung Ju scored from a penalty corner.

India slowed down the pace after the lemon break and conceded a few penalty corners but the Koreans failed to utilise the scoring chances.

After a slow start to the second half, India gradually took control of the proceedings and scored three more field goals to run away with the match.

Amon Mirash Tikey scored India's fourth goal in the 57th minute before Ramandeep scored his fifth goal in the tournament five minutes later. Yusof completed the rout for Korea five minutes from the hooter.

India's chief coach Gregg Clark was full of praise for his wards after their sterling performance.

"It was a good performance and this surely gives me a welcome headache as we have several more players back in India that are fighting for a place in the final 18 to the Junior World Cup," Clark said.

"We are playing well and credit to the boys who are executing our tactics and plans well on the pitch. As a coach this is something we look towards hence the performance in the last two matches has been on the rise," he added.

Source:The Times of India

Korea, Taiwan top world earth science Olympiad

Korea walked away the winner at the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2013 which was held in Mysore, India, earlier this month.

The four Korean high school students who represented Korea competed with 101 students from 27 countries for nine days starting on September 11. The latest victory made Korea the IESO winner for three years in a row, a total of three golds and a silver medal at the annual competition, tying Taiwan for first place. A total of ten gold medals, 19 silvers, and 30 bronzes were awarded at this year’s Olympiad.

Korean students pose after winning the IESO 2013 which was held in Mysore, India (photo courtesy of Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity).

Han Sang-woo of Incheon Science High School (second from right) poses for a photo after being awarded the grand prize at the IESO 2013 (photo courtesy of Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity).

Korean students pose for photos after winning IESO 2013 (from left): Han Sang-woo (Incheon Science High School), Lee Juho (Hanseong Science High School), Kim Hee-jun (Busanil Science High School), Lee Min-yeop (Gyeongnam Science High School) (photo courtesy of Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity).

Among the four Korean students, Han Sang-woo of Incheon Science High School was awarded the grand prize for receiving the highest score in astronomy.

From left: Kim Hee-jun, Lee Min-yeop, Lee Juho, Han Sang-woo

The IESO marks its seventh year since its first competition held in 2007 in Korea. Composed of theory and practice tests, the annual Olympiad is designed to assess students’ comprehensive understanding of earth sciences and their capability to interpret natural phenomena, including circulation and changes of the Earth. The IESO includes individual tests and teamwork, requiring students to team up with students from other countries, conduct field research, and discuss the results.

Under the theme “The Earth is indeed a family,” this year’s IESO tests focused on global issues such as natural disasters including climate change, flood, typhoons, and earthquakes, as well as development and abuse of natural resources, and air and seawater pollution. The next IESO will be held in the United States in 2014.

Source:Korea.net

Literacy programs in India, Chad, win Sejong prizes

 

September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO in 1965.

In celebration of the day, UNESCO Headquarters played host to a variety of events on September 9, one of which was the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize awards ceremony.

Inspired by the spirit of Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), who created and promulgated the Korean alphabet Hangeul, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) kicked off the King Sejong Literacy Prize in 1989 to recognize individuals and groups for their dedication to spreading such Sejong spirit and increasing the world’s literacy rate.

The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prizes for 2013 went to two literacy programs in India and Chad.

Two UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize winners for 2013: the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) (left) and the Federation of Associations for the Promotion of Guera Languages (FAPGL) (photo courtesy of UNESCO)

India’s Saakshar Bharat Mission conducted by the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) under the Ministry of Human Resource Development received one of the two UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prizes.

The mission activities include basic education, vocational education, functional literacy, and women’s equality.

Working in 26 languages, the program reaches almost 10 million Indians in 25 regions of the nation annually and works with out-of-school youth, women, and minority groups, addressing issues such as low-level adult literacy and inequality in literacy education.

At the Paris-based UNESCO Headquarters on September 9, UNESCO Direct General Irina Bokova (second from left) awards a UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize to the representative from the Federation of Associations for the Promotion of Guera Languages (FAPGL) (photo courtesy of UNESCO).

The second prize was picked up by the Mother Tongue Literacy program from the Federation of Associations for the Promotion of Guera Languages (FAPGL).

The program was awarded the prize in recognition of its diverse training programs including language education and income-generating activities as well as development and standardization of the Guera languages which has helped promote the literacy of the Guera people.

Since it was initiated in 2012, 13 languages have been taught in 143 literacy centers for 6,577 learners, of whom 5,356 were women and young girls who are even more vulnerable to illiteracy.

2013 King Sejong Literacy Prize laureates (third, fourth from left) (photo courtesy of UNESCO)

Source:Korea.net

Korea, ASEAN have in-depth economic discussion

A series of economic ministerial meetings were held in Brunei from August 19 to 21, including the 10th Korea-ASEAN Summit Meeting, the 16th ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting, the 1st Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the EAS Summit Meeting.

Korean Minister Yoon Sang-jik of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) attended each meeting to exchange views with economic ministers on the economic relationship between Korea and ASEAN countries.

At the 10th Korea-ASEAN Economic Ministerial Meeting on August 20, participating ministers evaluated the current system of origin authentication and trade liberalization for additional products and agreed to fully utilize the Korea-ASEAN FTA by enhancing the quality of services and improving investments.

ASEAN+3 Economic Ministerial Meeting (photo courtesy of MOTIE).

The 16th ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting, a network of ten member countries of ASEAN with China, Japan, and Korea, was held on the same day. Ministers from 13 countries discussed current activities carried out by the East Asia Business Council (EABC), comprised of each nation’s business leaders who work together to provide a private sector perspective.
Inaugurated in 2011, the EABC seeks to strengthen private sector cooperation in Korea, Japan, China, and ASEAN and its chairmanship changes on annual basis.

Korean Economic Minister Yoon Sang-jik (back row, fourth from right) participates in the EAS Summit Meeting in Brunei on August 21 (photo courtesy of MOTIE).

A day ahead of the two ministerial meetings, the 1st Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was held on August 19. Ten ASEAN member states and its FTA partners (Korea, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and India) confirmed their aim to conclude the FTA scheme by the end of 2015 and agreed to hold the tenth and final round of negotiations in September 2015 in Korea.

On August 21, the East Asia Summit (EAS) was held by leaders of ASEAN and RCEP member states along with the U.S. and Russia. Economic leaders from 18 countries agreed at the meeting to turn the informal summit meeting into a formal consultative community starting this year.

The participating ministers talked about how to finalize the current issue of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and exchanged comprehensive views on East Asia economic integration. In addition, the 18 economic leaders confirmed their resolve to cooperate against protectionism that seems to be on the rise during the ongoing economic crisis.

Korean Minister Yoon has a bilateral talk with Indian Minister H.E. Arnand Sharma of Commerce and Industry (top) and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman (bottom) on the sidelines of the economic ministerial summits (photos courtesy of MOTIE).

On the sidelines of the series of economic meetings, Minister Yoon had bilateral talks with other ministers from countries including the U.S., China, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, and New Zealand. The talk with U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman marked the first historic meeting, while Yoon discussed regional integration with Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheong, including issues related to the Korea-China FTA and the direction of RCEP.
Source:Korea.net

Busan International Film Festival opens with ‘Vara’

 

The program for the 18th Busan International Film Festival was unveiled recently. The ten-day festival will open with Vara: A Blessing by Bhutanese director Khyentse Norbu and close with Korean director Kim Dong-hyun’s The Dinner.

The opening film Vara: A Blessing by director Khyentse Norbu (photo courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

Vara: A Blessing tells a story of love, self-sacrifice, and a woman’s strength in adversity. The story, set in rural India, is about a young woman named Lila, who falls in love with Shyam, a low-caste village boy hoping to be a sculptor.

The Dinner starts as the story of an ordinary family but a series of misfortunes leads them to a tragic state. It is the recipient of the 2011 Asian Cinema Fund script development fund.

The festival will take place on 35 screens at seven movie theaters in Busan from October 3 to October 12.

A total of 301 films from 70 countries will be shown. There will be 95 world premiers that are presented to audiences for the first time and 42 international premiers that are shown for the first time outside their home countries.

The closing film The Dinner by director Kim Dong-hyun (photo courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

The Gala Presentation program that introduces recent works by renowned directors or sensational projects will show off six films: Ana Arabia by Israeli director Amos Gitai, Nagima by Kazakhstani director Zhanna Issabayeva, Snowpiercer by Korean director Bong Joon-ho, The X by Korean director Kim Jee-woon, Kadal by Indian director Mani Ratnam, and Unforgiven by Zainichi Korean director Lee Sang-il.

An experimental work, Ana Arabia was filmed in only one take. The film contains a message of peaceful coexistence between Jews and Muslims.

Snowpiercer was already released in Korea in August but it is included in the program. “It will be the first time for Snowpiercer to be shown at a major film festival,” said Nam Dong-chul, a BIFF programmer. “Since it will be reedited for screening in North America, if you want to see the full version, you will have to see it in Busan.”

Unforgiven by Japanese director Lee Sang-il (photo courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

The Korean Cinema Today program will include Kim Ki-duk’s Moebius, which was invited to the ongoing 70th Venice Film Festival’s noncompeting section as well as Hong Sang-soo’s Our Sunhi, which won Hong the Leopard Award for Best Director at the 66th Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland. Nobody’s Daughter Haewon by Hong is also included in the program. For Moebius, the festival will show a version reedited with three minutes cut for general screening.

There are also several special programs -- Unknown New Wave Central Asian cinema and Rogues, Rebels and Romantics: A season of Irish cinema -- focusing on films produced in former Soviet countries and works by Irish filmmakers.

There is also the Korean Cinema Retrospective introducing over 70 films by Korea’s master director Im Kwon-taek.

For the Asian Film Market, a total of 142 institutions from 27 countries will set up promotional booths at BEXCO. Book to Film, a venue for publishers or copyright holders looking to sell original printed work copyrights and producers seeking to purchase them, will include webcomics and graphic novels as well this year.

(From left) BIFF Director Jay Jeon, Festival Director Lee Yong-kwan, Executive Programmer Kim Ji-seok (photo courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

Speaking of what differentiates this year’s event, Festival Director Lee Yong-kwan told journalists on September 3, “We will present a lot of works by young Asian directors. It will be an opportunity to show the identity of the Busan International Film Festival this year.”

Iranian director Rakhshan Bani-E’temad will lead the jury for the New Currents section, BIFF’s competition category.

Korean actress Kang Soo-yeon and Hong Kong actor Aaron Kwok will moderate the opening ceremony. Among the major guests are Japanese actor Ken Watanabe, Taiwanese director Tsai Ming Liang, Chinese director Jia Zhangke, Artistic Director Charles Tesson of Critic’s Week at the Cannes International Film Festival, Irish director Jim Sheridan, and Japanese directors Lee Sang-il, Aoyama Shinji, and Kore-eda Hirokazu.

Poster of the 18th Busan International Film Festival (image courtesy of BIFF organizing committee)

 

Source:Korea.net

President emphasizes shared growth, cooperation

President Park Geun-hye returned to Korea after successfully finishing her eight-day trip which included the G20 Summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and a state visit to Vietnam. Her latest overseas visit is considered her diplomatic debut in the European region since her inauguration. Her state visit to Vietnam, the first Northeast Asian country of her choice, also received favorable marks in strengthening Korea’s cooperation with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.

At the Saint Petersburg G20 Summit, President Park stressed the need to pursue mutual growth among emerging economies and advanced countries in the international community. Through her Vietnam state visit, the president and her Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang held a bilateral summit where the two leaders agreed on enhancing the strategic cooperative partnership and concluding bilateral free trade negotiations by 2014.

President Park Geun-hye (second from left) listens during the second session on September 6 (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

President Park delivered speeches at two working sessions of the G20 Summit, where she stressed the need for G20 countries to cooperate for common growth and pursuit of the creative economy. She also held a series of summit talks while in Saint Petersburg with the summit participating countries -- Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Germany -- to discuss ways to boost cooperation and exchanges with Korea.

In the first working session themed on “The Growth of the Global Economy” on September 5, President Park called for cooperation among G20 countries in order to achieve shared growth, while mentioning mutual dependence among countries in the world economy. In order to ease financial uncertainties among emerging economies due to the U.S. exit strategy on stimulus policy, President Park urged advanced countries to make concerted efforts to minimize the difficulties faced by developing countries.

In the second session themed “Job Creation and Investment” on September 6, the president proposed her creative economy vision as the key to solving unemployment in her lead speech. Pointing out poor growth, economic inequalities, and high unemployment as issues of the world economy, the president proposed her creative economy vision and a disciplined market economy as solutions.

“In the past, the economy used to run on mineral resources, whereas what drives the creative economy I envision is creative ideas,” said President Park, mentioning the worldwide hit song “Gangnam Style” by Korean singer PSY, to help the summit participants’ understanding.

President Park Geun-hye (left) shakes hands with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang during a joint press briefing at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 9 (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

In the five-day state visit to Vietnam from September 7 to 11, President Park held summit talks with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang on September 9 where they announced a joint statement dubbed “joint statement of leaders for co-prosperity." At the summit, the two leaders held in-depth discussions on how to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in economy and culture. Both leaders agreed to finalize the ongoing free trade negotiations, reach an agreement for a comprehensive level of free trade by 2014, and work toward extending the bilateral trade volume to USD 70 billion by 2020 from the current level of USD 20 billion as of 2012.

The two leaders also agreed to cooperate and support Vietnam’s implementation of large-scale projects, including nuclear plant development and power plant construction, with the participation of Korean firms.

Clad in Hanbok, President Park Geun-hye delivers congratulatory remarks at a fashion show on Hanbok and ao dai held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 8 (photo: Jeon Han).

Her five-day itinerary included stops to boost cultural exchange between Korea and Vietnam, including a fashion show on Hanbok and ao dai which involved the designers of the two countries. At the fashion show, President Park showed off the beauty of traditional Korean attire on the runway and expressed her hope that the two countries can build a truly close partnership and artists of the two countries can have more exchanges, while mentioning the beautiful harmony that Hanbok and ao dai create.

President Park (right) visits the residence of former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh on September 9 with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

President Park Geun-hye adjusts the ribbon on a wreath as she pays homage to Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 9 (photo: Cheong Wa Dae).

President Park visited the residence and mausoleum of former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh to pay her respects, and Ho Chi Minh City where a number of Korean firms are operating to help extend cooperation in the economy and culture and build close ties among the peoples of the two countries.
Source:Korea.net