Sunday, 7 November 2010

Saemaul Training for foreign students in Korea

Thanks Korea for Never Lasting Friendship



Welcome speech by the President of Saemaul Training Institute in Korea

Participants of Saemaul training  


Foreign students Exploring the Saemaul training Institute Campus


Exploring the Saemaul Museum










Foreign Students getting information about Saemaul Undong



"Samul Nori" on the ocasion of Saemaul Training

Students from different parts of Africa enjoying on the tunes of African Music


Participants from Nepal enjoying on the tunes of Nepali Music


Particiapnts 



Visit Korea



Polish TV introduces Korean food

Poland's national TV network Telewizja Polska (TVP) introduced Korean food, also known as Hansik, on one of its food programs recently.

Chef Karol Okrasa introduced Korean dishes like kimchi, bulgogi, and miyeokguk to Polish audiences on his weekly Saturday program, "Kuchnia z Okrasa (Kitchen with Okrasa)" on October 23.

Former Polish sprinter and current member of the International Olympic Committee Irena Szewinska also appeared on the show to give her impressions of bulgogi and kimchi.
Host Karol Okrasa (right), Irena Szewinska (center) and a Korean food expert enjoying traditional Korean tea. (Photo: Yonhap News)


Host Karol Okrasa (right) talks about Korean food with a Korean food expert. (Photo: Yonhap News)

Polish TV introduces Korean food

Poland's national TV network Telewizja Polska (TVP) introduced Korean food, also known as Hansik, on one of its food programs recently.

Chef Karol Okrasa introduced Korean dishes like kimchi, bulgogi, and miyeokguk to Polish audiences on his weekly Saturday program, "Kuchnia z Okrasa (Kitchen with Okrasa)" on October 23.

Former Polish sprinter and current member of the International Olympic Committee Irena Szewinska also appeared on the show to give her impressions of bulgogi and kimchi.
Host Karol Okrasa (right), Irena Szewinska (center) and a Korean food expert enjoying traditional Korean tea. (Photo: Yonhap News)

Host Karol Okrasa (right) talks about Korean food with a Korean food expert. (Photo: Yonhap News)

Zip-wire to run between Jaraseom and Namiseom Islands


Gapyeong County Office in Gyeonggi-do announced that a zip-wire spanning from Jaraseom to Namiseom Islands will open on November 5th. A zip-wire consists of a pulley suspended on a steel cable (wire) that connects one point to another. The zip-wire (a.k.a. zip-line, zip-track) enables riders to traverse from a higher elevation to a lower elevation propelled by gravity.

Riders begin in a chair-shaped carriage that takes off from a tower suspended 80 meters up. The first span to Jaraseom Island is 640 meters followed by another 940 meters to Namiseom. Speeds range from 40 to 80 km/hr and passengers zoom down along the Bukhangang River from start to finish within a minute. The thrill and heights are similar to a rollercoaster or bungee-jump experience combined with breathtaking views of Jaraseom and Namiseom. Namiseom Island, a popular tourist destination in Korea, is about five minutes by ship from Daljeon-ri wharf in Gapyeong-eup. Jaraseom is easier to access as the island is connected by an auto bridge.

The zip-wire leisure activity was made possible by a partnership between the Gapyeong County Office, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization and Namiseom Inc. The three entities created JANA-Line, Co., Ltd. to oversee the installation and operation of the facility. 

Thursday, 4 November 2010

KTX brings ancient and modern capitals closer

KTX (Photo: KORAIL)

A newly opened KTX line between Seoul and Gyeongju is helping to bridge both distance and time, bringing more visitors to the ancient capital of the Silla kingdom.

The city of Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province has long been a premier tourism destination in Korea, offering visitors and tourists an impressive number of archaeological and historical sites, museums, and resort areas, in addition to scenes of stunning natural beauty.  Whether taking a romantic stroll along the shores of Bomun Lake, hiking Mt. Namsan, or taking in an exhibit at the Gyeongju National Museum, this small city offers big entertainment to suit every preference.

Previously, visiting Gyeongju from Seoul meant four to five hours on a train or bus.  Now that Korea’s high speed rail line, the KTX, has been extended to the edge of the city, the trip has been reduced to just over two hours in travel time.  What used to be a long weekend can now be a day trip, and a faster trip will allow weekend visitors to spend less time in transit and more time sightseeing.  By increasing accessibility from the nation’s capital, the city hopes to help boost the number of tourists and the quality of their experience in one of Korea’s most scenic and historic places.

As the capital of the Silla kingdom, Gyeongju was at its height one of the largest urban centers in Asia, with a population estimated to have neared one million people.  Although little of its architecture has survived intact, the Silla culture has left its imprint on almost every corner of the city, from the beautiful Buddhist carvings on the granite of the surrounding mountains to the eerie and majestic tomb mounds scattered throughout the city.

Visitors with an interest in Silla history can make a good start by visiting some of the downtown tomb mounds.  Tomb mounds are prominent in all the UNESCO-designated Gyeongju Historic Areas, but the Tumuli Park is the most accessible for most visitors, and offers the opportunity to step inside the “Heavenly Horse” tomb and view some of the relics retrieved from its excavation. A quick stroll across the street brings more impressive tombs, the remains of Banwolseong (Half Moon Palace), Gyerim Forest, and Cheomseongdae.
Anapji (Photo: Yonhap News)

Just a short walk away, Gyeongju National Museum contains one of the finest collections of Silla art and artifacts in the world, including the famous Emile Bell.  Also nearby is Anapji Pond, where tourists can take in a partially reconstructed palace and the charmingly landscaped pond.

Weekend warriors looking for a mountain to climb will be richly rewarded by an excursion to Mt. Namsan. Not only is the low mountain a pleasant and not terribly strenuous climb with wonderful vistas of the surrounding area, it is also home to countless Silla artifacts, including some spectacular Buddhist carvings.
More Buddhist culture is on display at the spectacular Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, both on Mt. Tohamsan. During the fall, the changing leaves make a dramatic background for the famous stone staircase that lead to Bulguksa Temple.  A short climb up the mountain (or a quick bus ride) brings visitors to Seokguram Grotto, a magnificent artificial granite cave with one of the most renowned pieces of Buddhist statuary in the world.
(Seokguram Grotto, left, courtesy Yonhap News)
Visitors looking for a different bit of history can enjoy the relaxing country air at the newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yangdong Village, a remarkably well-preserved village that dates back several hundred years to the Joseon era. 

Of course, for those looking to just relax after a long day of hiking, sightseeing, and soaking in historic knowledge, the Bomun resort area around Bomun Lake is idea for unwinding.  With luxury hotels, parks, and family-friendly entertainment abounding, it offers plenty of ways to unwind at the end of a busy day.

Gyeongju features something for everybody, from the die-hard history buffs and amateur archaeologists to couples looking for a romantic getaway and families wanting to spend quality time together away from the bustle of Seoul.  Now, with the speedy KTX zipping passengers back and forth between the ancient and modern capitals, visitors can make the trip with even fewer cares.

M20 highlights Korean artifacts

From left to right: Baekje incense burner, white porcelain with plum and bamboo design in iron-brownunderglaze, and pensive bodhisattva

The National Museum of Korea has selected twenty different masterpieces of Korean arts and crafts from its 260,000 cultural properties to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its 2005 relocation from the grounds of Gyeongbok Palace to Yongsan. The different pieces were chosen by considering the degree to which they represented a particular period of history, their academic and cultural importance, and how well they contributed to the museum’s collection as a whole.  The selected artworks have been christened the “M20,” or “Masterpiece 20.”
(Travel scenes from Songdo)

The artifacts selected represent different periods and ideologies and take different forms, but all are imbued with a distinctively Korean essence.

The selected pieces date from as far back as the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla Periods, and run all the way through the end of the Joseon Dynasty.  The collection includes remarkable examples of pottery and ceramics from all periods, including Silla duck-shaped and comb-patterned pottery, along with Goryeo celadon and Joseon white porcelain vessels. Buddhist art from a variety of periods is represented, while exceptional examples of painting, such as Kim Hong-do’s genre paintings, display the artistry of the Joseon Period.  Silla’s gold crowns and girdles will be part of the display, as will the famed Baekje incense burner decorated with a design of mountains, a dragon, and a phoenix.
Ten-story pagoda from the site of Gyeongcheonsa (left), gold crown from Hwangnamdaechong (top right), and Maebyeong (bottom)

“We selected the M20 to represent Korean beauty.  Each piece is a rare and extraordinary example of the era from which it comes, and together, they show the uniqueness of Korean culture,” said museum director Choe Kwang-sik.

The M20 is also an excellent reason to visit the newly reopened Baekje room, where the “Flowers of Baekje Culture Bloom” exhibit features 530 artifacts from the Baekje Kingdom.

The M20 will be introduced to G20 world leaders and representatives from international organizations on November 11, when the museum hosts the G20 welcome reception. As part of the reception, guests will dine in the special exhibition gallery, taking in the visual splendor of Korea's history and culture with their dinner. 

To see the items selected for the M20, please visit http://www.museum.go.kr/main/index/index001.jsp.

My Trip to some places to know Korean War and Korea's Struggle for Freedom

Flags of Those Countries who helped Korea during The Korean War

Location of Those Countries who helped Korea during the The Korean War

Charter of The United Nations
A picture showing General Mc. Arthur inspecting ROK armed forces 


List if the countries who helped Korea through Military and Medical aid during The Korean War




A statute in front of Independence Memorial 

    
    
wonderful location near Independence Memorial 

Entrance gate of the place with having The Relics of the great  Female Patriot Yu Gwansun. 


                                                        Hats off to this great female patriot. 

कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप का बदलता भू-राजनीतिक परिदृश्य

 कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप पर उत्तर और दक्षिण कोरिया के संबंधों की वर्तमान स्थिति एक नए युग की भू-राजनीतिक प्रतिस्पर्धा का प्रतीक है। यह बदलाव वैश्...