G20 committee ready to support visiting media

A government preparatory committee for the Group of 20 summit is busy ensuring they are ready for the influx of journalists from across the globe during the global economic forum, slated for Nov. 11-12 in Seoul.

About 4,000 journalists from more than 60 countries, including 1,700 reporters from overseas, have registered with the Presidential Committee for the G20 summit, which believes they will play a crucial role in helping enhance the country’s global image.

The committee plans to offer a simultaneous interpretation service in press conference and briefing rooms to prevent any inconvenience due to language. 

At the media center, the committee plans to run an information center providing interpretation in 14 languages. It has secured 42 simultaneous interpreters three for each language.

All briefing documents and schedules of major events will be provided online and offline, officials said. As a way to curtail the waiting time for journalists to enter meeting venues, the committee plans to give a Radio Frequency Identification card to registered reporters. 

The government and Seoul City are seeking to capitalize on the fifth summit in the capital to promote Korean culture and present the country to a world audience through the journalists. 

As part of the efforts, the municipality has been preparing a press tour, which will take visiting journalists to a series of historical tourist attractions such as Gyeongbok Palace, a Hanok village filled with traditional Korean houses, the Han River and major shopping areas.

From Nov. 9-11, the city plans to run a four-hour tour program and a two-hour tour program. During the press tour, interpretation services will be provided in English, Chinese and Japanese, officials said. 

“So far, a total of 200 foreign reporters have applied for the tour program. Although it is a short tour program, it would not be insufficient in showing the various facets of the South Korean capital,” said one of the tour organizers on condition of anonymity.

On Nov. 9, the Environment Ministry plans to run a tour program to take journalists to the Demilitarized Zone, the 258-kilometer-long, four-kilometer wide buffer zone dividing the two Koreas.

The committee also plans to offer a press package containing five items, including documents introducing the summit’s agenda and participants, a book on Korea, entitled “Korea at a glance,” and a Seoul City tour guidebook.

To safeguard visitors to the G20 summit, the government has been making all-out efforts to ensure security near commuting roads, hotels and the summit venue.

A total of 40,000 policemen and military forces will be mobilized for security against terrorist threats, while another 20,000 will be dispatched to restrict street rallies, government officials have said.

All areas within a radius of 600 meters of the COEX will be subject to special security measures, including the screening of high-rise buildings and biochemical weapon checks.

During the third G20 summit in Pittsburgh, the U.S. in September, 2009, about 2,500 journalists attended, according to committee officials. During the fourth summit in Toronto, Canada in June, about 3,500 journalists came. 

G20 Summit and Korea's image

By Behzad Shahandeh The designation of South Korea to host the fifth summit meeting of the Group of 20 is, beyond all doubt a diplomatic triumph for the nation, since it will be the biggest international event in contemporary Korean history, and far more important than holding the 1988 Olympics, or the 2002 World Cup. Seeing that the summit convenes and proceeds smoothly will be in itself a success and definitely boost South Korea’s image abroad. The achievement will be augmented if Seoul initiates and instills a number of policy agendas in the final proceedings of the summit, ensuring that they will be included in the deliberations to be followed at the next summit in France. Formalizing the ``go-green” concept initiated by President Lee Myung-bak, to become a Korean brand and be most welcome in a world evermore threatened by environmental degradation. South Korea needs to play an even greater role than it did at the London Summit by depicting itself as an emerging economic power. This entails adopting action programs and balancing agenda items on such divisive issues as the one involving China and the United States in relation to the devalued Chinese yuan. Seoul can become a bridge-maker, as both said countries see Korea as a partner rather than a competitor. Seoul can usher in a moratorium on the issue which can be dubbed as: ``Seoul Moratorium,” a brand-maker for Korea. The ``Miracle of the Han River” which has led Korea to rank 13th in world economic might, was achieved after a brutal colonial period followed by a destructive three-year war on the Korean Peninsula. This rapid economic development, when combined with the previously-mentioned assets, will be a winning ticket for Korea, and will do away with its negative stereotyping as just a hard power. The summit will provide a window of opportunity to reintroduce South Korea’s rich past and enviable present, and to revitalize its ``Visit Korea 2010-2020” slogan. A concerted and sustained effort in promoting Korea’s image globally is indeed a long process, but the summit is a golden opportunity to reintroduce the nation’s richness, both soft and hard, and to revitalize it. First and foremost, Korea needs to be more involved in voluntary humanitarian endeavors abroad, to play a larger role in ODA activities, to participate more actively in addressing global crisis situations, and to have a bigger share in international civic responsibilities. As an example of the positive image that South Korea already has ushered in is its contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, which is a plus for the nation’s image, and must be duplicated in other areas of international voluntary work. An important effort to ponder upon here is to enhance Seoul’s economic and humanitarian help to North Korea regardless of any other considerations, as rising above politics will go long a distance in presenting the real Korea and its rich heritage of caring for others. The Seoul G20 meeting will enable Korea to present its soft power based on a long history, rich civilization, cultural values ― especially the family ties so rare in a world confronted with family crisis ― and bountiful natural scenery. The beauty of Korea’s natural sceneries could be promoted through international tours through which foreign visitors would be able to discover this well-preserved environment, while at the same time experiencing the deeply-rooted sense of hospitality of the people. To the same effect, the cultural sector must promote the country’s rich history, civilization, and culture through numerous venues. A good example would be to continue presenting historical Korean family values through such television productions as ``Jumong” and ``Dae Jang Geum.” This must be accompanied by producing such modern dramas as ``Winter Sonata”. South Korea indeed has much more clout than a mere merchant nation and the G20 Summit in Seoul can contribute to revitalizing these assets while the world focuses on this event. A golden opportunity thus awaits Korea, an opportunity which must not be lost. The writer teaches at Graduate School of International Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He is the author of ``Economy and Politics in Korea.” He can be reached at: shahandeh2001@yahoo.com.

G20 to aim for sustainable, balanced growth

Six days are left before the G20 Seoul Summit, where leaders of key economies will gather to discuss global economic issues.

President Lee Myung-bak announced the four main agendas of next week’s G20 summit on November 1: resolving currency disputes, creating a global financial safety net, reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and development for underdeveloped countries.

In his 51st Radio and Internet Address to the nation on Nov. 1, President Lee expressed satisfaction with the results of the G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies' Meeting & G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting, saying it showed great promise for the success of the G20 Seoul Summit. The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting was held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on October 23.

President Lee Myung-bak at a press conference for domestic and foreign journalists covering the G20 Seoul Summit on Nov. 3

"The meeting produced good outcomes, thanks to a common understanding that international cooperation is essential for the world economy to continue its recovery and achieve balanced, sustainable growth," he added.

He also said that world leaders will seek concrete guidelines in order to solve currency disputes and reduce trade imbalances. The proposed currency guidelines are based on the results of the Gyeongju G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.

The president said that the world needs to cooperate to build a strong global financial security network in order to prevent future economic problems.  He cited Korea’s experiences in the 1998 financial crisis, when 20,000 firms went bankrupt and more than 1 million people lost their jobs, as an example of overcoming economic difficulty.

President Lee pointed out that the International Monetary Fund has been run mainly by advanced countries in the past. Lee proposed that the IMF should let emerging economies like Korea, China, India and Brazil have a greater say.

Lee further spoke of the need for a new approach to helping develop the economies of poorer nations.  He said, "Instead of giving them fish, the international community should teach them how to catch fish, in order to create a fair economic and global community."

On Nov. 3, President Lee held a press conference with domestic and overseas journalists at Cheong Wa Dae to announce Korea’s continued efforts to achieve concrete outcomes at the upcoming gathering, especially the establishment of a global financial  safety network.  He also designated development issues as an area of particular concern for Korea. Lee said, "Now is the time for the G20 to translate what has been agreed upon at the previous summits into concrete action."

One of the proposed ways to strengthen the global financial security is a change in the IMF assistance system, Lee explained to journalists. "We are now living in an era when a crisis in one country immediately affects other countries. Against this backdrop, the IMF assistance system is being reformed to allow it to provide necessary funds to nations as a precautionary measure before a crisis hits," he said.  "This will count as one of the most significant achievements of the upcoming G20 Seoul Summit," he added.

The president also said that the world needs to adopt concrete action plans to help developing countries stand on their own by fostering growth potential. "Korea will help create action plans on the basis of its own development experiences," Lee added. He also said that he hopes that developing countries give a sustainable boost to the global economy, contributing to balanced development.

The G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies' Meeting & G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meetingwere held in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on Oct. 23

The president praised the G20 summit for evolving from a response to the global financial crisis into "a permanent forum that finds the proper direction and builds a frame to support the world economy." He also urged the wholehearted support of the country, so that the upcoming G20 will "lay a milestone in the global march for 'Shared Growth, Beyond Crisis.'"

Meanwhile, vice financial ministers from G20 countries will gather in Seoul on Nov. 8 to fine-tune the final draft of the Seoul Declaration, which G20 leaders will adopt at the summit. The draft is expected to contain a "standstill" proposal, anti-protectionism commitment, and support for market-determined exchange rate policies, which were agreed upon at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Gyeongju.

Korea's Hyosung to announce re-entry into India by Oct-end

Korean two-wheeler major Hyosung is set announce its plans to re-enter India by the end of this month. CNBC-TV18's Swati Khandelwal-Jain has learnt from sources that Hyosung has tied up with Garware Motors and will have its 650cc bikes assembled at Pune.

Hyosung will be looking at bringing in the GT 650R and the ST7 Cruiser. The company is going to make an announcement by the month-end i.e. on October 27.

Hyosung, sources said, would assemble the bikes in Pune. Hence, cost is expected to be quite competitive. They will compete with Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki in India. Hyosung had earlier come to India under the Kinetic-Hyosung alliance and had brought in then the 250cc bikes - the Comet and Aquila. But now they are bringing in the more powerful bikes, the 650cc bikes, a segment that is still untapped in the Indian market.

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 

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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)