Republic of Korea leaders visit India to learn about the HIV epidemic and response

A high-level delegation of parliamentary and private sector leaders from the Republic of Korea visited India from 10 to 15 September to learn about the impact that HIV has on communities and how the country is responding to the AIDS epidemic.
The delegation was led by the recently formed Korean Women against AIDS (KOWA) organization, which works through women parliamentarians and senior business leaders to advocate for greater engagement in the Republic of Korea for ending the AIDS epidemic in Asia, Africa and across the globe.
While in New Delhi, the group met with Indian parliamentarians and visited the HIV Vaccine Translational Research Laboratory. As part of the fact-finding mission, the group also visited nongovernmental organizations providing counselling, care and support services to women and children living with HIV, as well as the K. B. Bhabha Hospital in Mumbai, which has a prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission centre. The leaders spoke with women living with HIV, learning how antiretroviral treatment can prevent babies from being born with HIV and keep their mothers alive.
While India has the largest HIV epidemic in Asia, with an estimated 2.1 million people living with HIV in 2013, the country has made significant progress. New HIV infections have dropped by 19% since 2005, about a third (36%) of people living with HIV are receiving life-saving treatment and AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 38% since 2005.

The mission came to India at the suggestion of UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, who, during a recent visit to the Republic of Korea, encouraged KOWA members to experience the AIDS response first-hand.

source:unaids.org

Fall Foliage Destinations in the City

Every fall, sightseers flock to Korea's beautiful rural destinations to enjoy the fiery colors of autumn. For some Seoul residents, however, traveling to other regions in the autumn season is out of reach. The following sites are known as the best places to see rich fall foliage in the city. They offer a place for peaceful walks among colorful leaves that are also located near popular tourist sites. A Romantic Stroll along Deoksugung Palace's Stone Wall Road Also known as ‘Jeongdong-gil road,’ Deoksugung Doldam-gil (Deoksugung Stone Wall Road) is the road along Deoksugung Palace’s stone wall and is a popular place for romantic strolls. In the fall, yellow ginkgo leaves add to the romantic ambience. This elegant road is about 900 meters long and stretches from Deoksugung Palace by Seoul City Hall to Chongdong Theater. There are numerous cultural sites and traditional and modern structures along the way that make the trip all the more worthwhile. The first place to visit is the Seoul Museum of Art. The leaves of a 500-year-old maple tree in the garden are rich in color. Sit down in the quiet, cozy garden and enjoy the sunlight, or visit one of the exhibitions in the gallery. Then, move on to Chongdong Theater (venue for traditional Korean stage performances) and Kyunghyang Art Hill (venue for contemporary performances such as Fanta-Stick and KIM JIN KYU Original Drawing Show). You can select a performance to suit the autumn mood. Other famous tourist attractions nearby include the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung and the royal palaces including Deoksugung Palace and Gyeonghuigung Palace. The location is also popular for its proximity to Myeong-dong and Namdaemun Market. More Info ☞ Location: 5-1, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul ☞ Directions: City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1–Exit 2 or Line 2–Exit 12) / Turn left upon exiting and walk straight for 30 meters ☞ Nearby Attractions: Deoksugung Palace National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung Seoul Museum of Art Gyeonghuigung Palace Chongdong Theater ☞ Regular performances at Kyunghyang Art Hill: Fanta-Stick KIM JIN KYU Original Drawing Show ☞ Related Article: Deoksugung-gil and Nokhwa Street A Cultural Walk along the Streets of Samcheong-dong The unique stone wall road that runs beside the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace is called Samcheongdong-gil Road. The site is highly recommended in the fall, as many enjoy passing through the gates of the palace, visiting the National Folk Museum of Korea, and going for a scenic walk along the road. The ginkgo trees paint the area with striking yellow hues, and sightseers can travel down the path through the autumn atmosphere. Also called Gallery Road, this street is dotted with small galleries, restaurants and shops selling paintings and accessories. Visitors can stop in during their leisurely walk on the way to their final destination of Samcheong Park. This park was a filming location for My Lovely Samsoon and Doctor Gang and is also ideal for leisurely walks. It is believed that if you go there with a special someone, you are sure to one day get married. Take a stroll through Samcheong Park, and/or consider making it the site of a romantic marriage proposal. More Info ☞ Location: Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul ☞ Directions: Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 1 / Walk straight for 150m and turn right into the Jongno Culture Center alley. ☞ Nearby Attractions: Samcheongdong-gil Road National Folk Museum of Korea Gyeongbokgung Palace Samcheong Park The Street in front of the Cheongwadae (Blue House) Cheongwadae Sarangchae Bukchon Hanok Village Bukchon Art Museum Owl Art & Craft Museum Namsan Mountain: Experience Seoul from a Different Perspective The routes that stretch from Namdaemun Market to Namsan Library and the path from Namsan Library down to Grand Hyatt Seoul offer a landscape rich in autumn colors, notably lined with dense forest areas on each side. As you walk along the road, you can look down at the houses sitting on the hill below and see Seoul from another perspective. As you walk up from Namdaemun Market to Namsan Mountain, you will also find a number of notable sites such as the Goethe-Institut Korea, Namsan Library, and Namsan Botanical Garden. Take the walking path from Namsan Library to the mountain for about 10 minutes, and you will arrive at the popular N Seoul Tower. The N Seoul Tower observatory is a must-visit attraction for a unique view of fall foliage in Seoul. The observatory has a glass façade and offers a panoramic view of the city. As the sun sets, sit at the café with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the dramatic cityscape from the tower. More Info ☞ Location: Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul ☞ Directions: Chungmuro Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 4 / Take Yellow Bus 02 and get off at N Seoul Tower (Travel time: 20minutes / Fare: 950 won / First Bus: 07:00, Last Bus 23:30) ☞ Nearby Attractions N Seoul Tower Namsan Botanical Garden Goethe-Institut Korea Namdaemun Market Namsangol Hanok Village The Korea House Jangchungdong Jokbal Street Myeong-dong ☞ Related Articles: N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain - A Must-See Landmark of Seoul Take a walk down ‘Seoul-gil,’ pathways full of living, breathing history!-Bukchon Hanok-gil Night View of Seoul: N Seoul Tower Path lined with Redwood Trees, Metasequoia at Haneul (Sky) Park World Cup Park is made up of five parks: Haneul Park, Pyeonghwa (Peace) Park, Noeul (Sunset) Park, Nanjicheon Park, and Nanji Hangang Park. Haneul Park derives its name, which means ‘sky’ in Korean, from its status as the park with the highest elevation in the area. To get to the top you must first climb 290 steps or take the hiking trail. The top of the park offers impressive views of the city. The redwood tree path at Haneul Park is about 900 meters long. This popular path is lined with tall redwood trees and the path is in harmony with the thick groves and trees in the park. To reach the path, take the road to the left of the stairway that leads to the park. Walk straight and then follow the road to the right until you reach the information center. Pass the information center to arrive at the unpaved redwood lined path. In autumn every year, the Seoul Eulalia Festival is held at the top of the park to highlight the magnificent field of reeds. Walk among the reeds that move with the wind like silver waves to feel autumn at its fullest. More Info ☞ Location: Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul ☞ Directions: World Cup Stadium Station (Seoul Subway Line 6), Exit 1 / Walk for about 20 minutes toward Haneul Park and cross the bridge. Once you arrive at the stairs, turn left and go straight till you get to the Redwood Tree Path. ☞ World Cup Park Website: http://worldcuppark.seoul.go.kr (Korean) ☞ Nearby Attractions: World Cup Park Nanji Hangang Park Seoul World Cup Stadium 600-year old Bugaksan Mountain Fortress Wall Photo courtesy of the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation The Fortress Wall of Bugaksan Mountain is a popular tourist destination in Seoul and one of the best trails in the city. The road is surrounded by a scenic natural landscape and is visited by people of every age and gender. The hiking trail was closed to the public in 1968, and was finally reopened in 2006. Since then, it has become a major tourist site with more than 200,000 visitors a year. It is a popular trail course in every season because of the old fortress road and the view of Seoul over the fortress. Sightseers can enjoy a view of Seoul and autumn foliage on both sides of the trail. When visiting the fortress wall, make sure to bring proper identification (resident registration card, Korean driver's license, or passport) as this area is under military control. Note that photos can only be taken where officially permitted. More Info ☞ Location: Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul ☞ Directions: Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2 / Take Bus 02 and get off at Waryong Park. Walk for about 10 minutes to get to Waryong Park and walk along the fortress wall from there. After 20 minutes of walking, if you pass the Malbawi Information Center (+82-2-765-0297~8 (Korean, English)), the trail starts. ☞ Operating Hours: March to October (09:00–16:00) / November to February (10:00–15:00) ☞ Website: http://www.bukak.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) ☞ Nearby Attractions: Bugaksan Mountain Daelim Museum Cheongwadae Sarangchae Buam-dong From Seoul Forest to Gwangjingyo Bridge, overlooking the Hangang River Cloud Bridge in Seoul Forest, which boasts beautiful autumn scenery, takes you to the Hangang riverside area. Walk along the road on the upper side of the river, and you will reach Ttukseom Hangang Park under Cheongdamdaegyo Bridge. Ttukseom Hangang Park is a large riverside park spanning 11.5 kilometers in length. The park features various facilities including a music fountain and swimming pools. The music fountain behind the park plaza spouts jets of water 15 meters high, and the water dances along with the music. When you reach Gwangjingyo Bridge, make sure to go up the bridge. Along both sides of the street you will find wide sidewalks. Midway on the bridge, there are observatories and gardens where you can rest while taking in the view of the Hangang River. Located under the bridge is a café called Riverview 8th Avenue. The name derives from the fact that the café is located on the eighth pillar of the bridge. The cafe is also popular among fans of Korean dramas as it is one of the filming locations of Iris. Tourism Information * Seoul Forest Location: Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul Directions: Seoul Forest Station (Bundang Line, Exit 3) or Ttukseom Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, Exit 8) / Turn left at the intersection. It is a 15-minute walk from the station. Website: http://parks.seoul.go.kr/eng/ (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) * Ttukseom Hangang Park Location: Jayangdong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Directions: Ttukseom Resort Station (Seoul Subway Line 7), Exit 2,3 / 2 minute-walk from the station. Website: http://hangang.seoul.go.kr (Korean) * Riverview 8th Avenue Location: Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul Directions: Gwangnaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit2 or Cheonho Station (Seoul Subway Line 8), Exit2 / 15-minute walk from the station Website: http://www.riverview8.co.kr (Korean) ☞ Nearby Attractions: Waterworks Museum Children's Grand Park A Leisurely Walk through Nakseongdae's Garosu-gil Road Just outside of Nakseongdae Station (Seoul Subway Line 2) is a one-kilometer-long road to Nakseongdae (Shrine of Goryeo General Kang Kam-chan). Named Garosu-gil, the road is covered with yellow ginkgo leaves and crimson maple leaves in the fall. Nakseongdae Park is big, but it is relatively lesser known so it is a good spot for a stroll outdoors. Inside, there is a shrine called Anguksa with small flower trees around the cozy and quaint crossroad. The road to the left of Seoul Science Park nearby leads to top-tier Seoul National University. Nestled in Gwanaksan Mountain, Seoul National University is renowned for its beautiful campus. The road between the dormitory and the art museum is notably lined with a wide variety of trees and flowers. Museum of Art, Seoul National University, which was designed by world-renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, is also a must-visit site. The road from the main gate of Seoul National University to Seoul National University Subway Station also offers scenic views of Gwanaksan Mountain. More Info ☞ Location: Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul ☞ Directions: Nakseongdae Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 4 / 20m from the station ☞ Nearby Attractions: Seoul National University, Museum of Art Seoul National University Nakseongdae Park Seoul Science Park Embracing Nature at Seoul Grand Park's 'Forest Bath' Photo courtesy of Seoul Grand ParkSeoul Grand Park Forest Park is a narrow path that takes visitors up and down the park’s trails. “Forest bathing” is the act of taking a leisurely walk in the woods while breathing in the aromatic scent of trees and nature. The trail’s entrance points are found in two areas: one behind the Forest Exhibition Center (to the right side of the main entrance of the Seoul Zoo in Seoul Grand Park), and the other behind the Australian Pavilion. For both starting points, the trail goes back to the main entrance of the Seoul Zoo in Seoul Grand Park. Within the zoo, the path is divided into five sections by type of tree, which includes groves of acacia, chestnuts, and pine trees. Visitors will enjoy 11 different themes such as ‘forest with nature,’ ‘forest for meditation,’ and ‘forest for rest.’ Walking through the forest bathing area takes as little as 50 minutes or as long as 2.5 hours. More Info ☞ Location: Makgye-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do ☞ Directions: Seoul Grand Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 2 / Walk for about 20 minutes toward Seoul Grand Park Zoo till you get to the entrance of the forest bathing area (as the area is inside the zoo, admission will be charged). ☞ Website: http://grandpark.seoul.go.kr/Eng/html/main/main.jsp (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) ☞ Nearby Attractions: Seoul Zoo in Seoul Grand Park Cheonggyesan Mountain Seoul Land Hobby In World National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art ☞ Related article: Best Spring-time Destinations ☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) source:visitkorea.or.kr

India's Labour & Employment Minister Meets his Counterparts from United States, Korea and Australia - See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=53448#sthash.8KNiguMH.dpuf

Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar met his counterparts from United States of America, Republic of Korea and Australia on the sidelines of G20 Labour Ministerial conference. They deliberated on the issues of mutual interest pertaining to labour and employment scenario, in these meetings held on September 11, 2014.

Meeting with the United States of America

US Secretary of Labour Shri Thomas Perez mentioned that the two largest and oldest democracies of the world have a number of things in common. He recalled that the MoU between the two countries, signed 3 years back, has been particularly successful in ensuring co-operation in the area of occupational safety. He expressed the view that the two countries can widen the scope of co-operation and work together in the field of skill development under the MoU. The US Secretary of Labour, while appreciating the efforts made by India in this direction, expressed his desire to learn from India`s experience on meeting the challenge of job creation and increasing labour force participation rate on such a large scale. He offered full cooperation to India in its skill development efforts.

Shri Tomar apprised the US Secretary of Labour about the efforts made by India for creating employment and increasing employability of India’s youth through skill development. He mentioned that under the new government, a new Skill Development Ministry has been created to focus on the task of skill development, and the government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has started a Skill India program. Minister apprised the US Secretary that new ITIs are being opened up in underserved areas under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode. In order to create skills matching the needs of the industry, Ministry is entering into flexi-MoUs with industry and designing customized training courses.

Both sides agreed to take the MoU forward and scale up their level of co-operation in the field of labour in the coming days.

Meeting with Republic of Korea

Union Minister Shri Tomar had a bilateral meeting with Minister of Employment and Labour, Republic of Korea Shri Lee Ki-kweon. Korean Minister appreciated the initiatives of India in skill development, especially the need-based skill development program, details of which were shared by Shri Tomar in his G-20 address. Korea proposed to have a MoU in distance learning program and showed interest in need-based training initiated by India under flexi-MoU. Minister of Labour, Korea proposed that Hyundai can train youth who live or work around industrial locations of Hyundai in India, for enhancing their employability. Both ministers agreed for enhanced and sustained engagement at bilateral level.

Meeting with Australia

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar also met Minister of Employment, Australia Shri Eric Abetz on the sidelines of G-20 Ministerial Summit.  Shri Abetz proposed signing of MoU between two countries for taking forward the cooperation on labour issues, especially to match the skill requirements of Australian industry. If a planned programme can be conceptualized to synchronise the skill requirements of Australian industry and the skill training in India, more Indians can come to Australia for work and it will be a win-win situation, he added. 

India seeks cooperation from US, South Korea and Australia for youth skills programme

MELBOURNE: As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Skill India' programme, India has reached out to the US, South Korea and Australia for securing their cooperation in skilling the youth for enhancing employment opportunities.

Labour Minister Narendra Singh Tomar met his counterparts of the three nations on the sidelines of the Labour and Employment Ministerial Conference of G20 nations here and deliberated various issues of mutual interest pertaining to labour and employment scenario.

As part of Modi's 'Skill India' programme, India has reached out to the US, South Korea and Australia for securing cooperation in skilling the youth.

Appraising US Secretary of Labour Thomas Perez during his meeting about the 'Skill India' programme initiated by Prime Minister Modi, Tomar said that new ITIs are being opened up in unserved areas under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode.

He said that to create skills matching the needs of the industry, the ministry is entering into flexi-MoUs with industry and designing customised training courses and added that under the new government, a new Skill Ministry has been created to focus on the task of skill development.

Observing that MoU between the two countries signed three years back has been particularly successful in ensuring cooperation in the area of occupational safety, Perez said the two countries can widen the scope of cooperation and work together in the field of skill development under the MoU.

"Both sides agreed to take the MoU forward and scale up their level of cooperation in the field of labour in the coming days," a ministry press statement said.

Perez also expressed his desire to learn from India's experience on meeting the challenge of job creation and increasing labour force participation rate on such a large scale. He offered full cooperation to India in its skill development efforts, the statement said.

Perez said that that the two largest and oldest democracies of the world have a number of things in common.

Tomar also met Minister of Employment and Labour of South Korea Lee Ki-kweon who proposed to have an MoU with India in distance learning programme and showed interest in need-based training initiated by India under flexi-MoU.

"Minister of Labour, Korea proposed that Hyundai can train youth who live or work around industrial locations of Hyundai in India, for enhancing their employability. Both ministers agreed for enhanced and sustained engagement at bilateral level," the statement said.

Tomar also met Australian Minister of Employment Eric Abetz who proposed signing of MoU between the two countries for taking forward the cooperation on labour issues especially to match the skill requirements of Australian industry.

"If a planned programme can be conceptualised to synchronise the skill requirements of Australian industry and the skill training in India, more Indians can come to Australia for work and it will be a win-win situation," he added.
source:economic times

N-Sonic Enlarges its K-Pop Driven Territory to India

Korean boy band N-Sonic wowed K-pop fans in India. N-Sonic is the first ever K-pop band to visit India, where the globally popular K-pop or K-wave does not have a great hold over, compared with other markets.
On last August 30, N-Sonic performed at “K-POP Festival 2014 India” in Delhi, India, which was cohosted by the Korea Culture Centre India (KCCI) and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). A couple of thousand K-pop fans thronged into the festival, completely filling up the seats at the venue. Hundreds of fans who could not make it for the concert were forced to wait the band outside.
At the concert, N-Sonic enchanted concrete attendees with dazzling performances and great charisma, decorating the concert with its hit songs like “Pop Beyond,” “Run & Run,” and “Television.”
Many leading local media outlets competed fiercely for covering the concert and interviewing the band members. Following the concert, it was slated to hold a fan signing event; unfortunately, it was concealed so as to insulate the crowds from an unexpected accident caused by them flocking into the band members at once.

Even N-Sonic members were surprised to see thousands of fans rush to the concert hall in India. (image: C2K Entertainment )

Director Kim Kum-pyung of KCCI said, “At first, I was worried about this first Hallyu event here in India, but it turned out to be more than successful. As incredible as it seems, thousands of people flocked into the concert and prestigious Indian media outlets vied for covering the first Hallyu event,” and added, “I can dare to say that I assure the success of K-pop in India, observing it through N-Sonic. Considering the number of its fans, I expect the boy band to become a key distributor for Hallyu.”
CEO Cho Gi-hoon of C2K Entertainment said, “The N-Sonic members are missing Korean fans in the middle of their tight concert schedules in Hong Kong, China and India. They have been working on for their new album from the very day that they came back from the Asian tour concert. Please wait and see them come back to you soon, not later.”
On coming back from the month-long concert tour, N-Sonic is stepping up efforts to make a new album, looking forward to performing on a Korean stage.
source:koreabizwire.com

Indian and travelling to Seoul: Things you must do

From September 19 to October 4, the third most populous city of South Korea — Incheon — will host athletes and officials participating in 439 events spanning 36 sports, as part of the 2014 Asian Games. Indian travel agencies say that they have already started noticing a spike in interest to visit the country, which until a few years ago, didn’t even figure on the bucket-list for most Indian tourists.

“In 2012, 11.1 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, making it the 20th most-visited country in the world. Lately, we have seen a spurt in queries with the Asian Games about to begin,” says Vikram Malhi, MD, Asia, Expedia, adding that bookings have risen by 10 to 15%.
For Indian tourists, South Korea remains a relatively lesser-explored destination with perceptions about language barriers and difficulty in getting a visa being the biggest deterrents. That mindset is changing now.
“The increase [in interest levels and subsequently booking has been around 10% year on year. For the Asiads, we have been getting enquiries from sports fans for athletics, tennis, football and boxing events,” says Karan Anand, head-relationships, Cox And Kings.


In terms of sightseeing, Seoul is the main tourist destination due to its multiple Unesco World Heritage Sites — Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. The Hwaseong Fortress is nearby too. It is also known for its street food, nightlife districts and serene Buddhist temples.

There’s a lot more to see beyond the capital, and the cities of Busan and Incheon.
“As a centre for marine tourism, South Korea enjoys rich off-shore locations — beach cities like Gyeongju to explore great culinary haunts and nightlife, and popular island destinations like Jeju. For those into history and culture, the country has locales with old-style dwellings as well as palaces dedicated to erstwhile ruling dynasties in the Ganghwa region. Andong Hahoe Folk Village offers a view into traditional Korean culture,” says Vicki Parris, national brand leader, India, Flight Shop.



SHOPPING
Koreans are quality conscious and even the flea markets there offer bargain buys with assured product shelf-life. The country is a popular shopping destination for electronics too. Shopaholics can explore districts like the Dongdaemun Market in Seoul. Similarly, BIFF Square in Busan is a street shopper’s delight. South Korea houses some of the biggest luxury brands in the world.

Cheongdam Fashion Street is a shopping destination for luxury purchases. “Gwangjang market in Seoul feels like it’s been frozen in time; food and fabrics are sold here. Doota is one of the largest fashion malls at Dongdaemun Market and is filled with domestic brands. The famous Namdaemun Market (in Seoul) specialises in cheap clothing and accessories. One can get everything here, from food and flowers to spectacles and seaweed,” says Vishal Suri, chief executive officer-tour operating, Kuoni India.




Jeju Island: Also known as the ‘Island Of The Gods’ (like Bali), it is a great place to cherish picturesque beauty. Udo is one of the most-visited spots here — its main attraction is a submarine excursion to two caves, including one to the Dongangyeonggul Cave. One can also vist the Cheonjiyeon Falls and Spirited Garden.



Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak: Hydrovolcanic eruptions formed this majestic volcanic crater 5,000 years ago on Jeju Island. A Unesco World Heritage Site, it is best known for the magnificent view of the sun rising over it.

Andong Hahoe Folk Village: Head here to soak up Korean culture.

Manisan Mountain: Considered one of the most sacred mountains in South Korea, it is also a favourite haunt among trekkers.

Cheomseongdae: It is home to the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia.

Ulleungdo Island: Nicknamed ‘Mysterious Island’, it is a popular weekend getaway spot for locals. Curious rock formations, shore cliffs and numerous waterfalls adorn the island.

Gyeongju: An ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, it is often referred to as “a museum with no walls”. It is home to South Korea’s first nominated Unesco World Heritage site.

The Korean Demilitarised Zone: This strip of land runs across the Korean Peninsula. It acts as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.
source:hindustan times

New strategy for Hyundai’s plants in India, Turkey

For Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo, this year’s Chuseok was just like any other day of work.

While most Koreans went to their hometowns to see relatives and friends, Chung was out of the country, visiting Hyundai Motor’s plants in India and Turkey to check whether the company’s production and sales strategy for its small cars is on the right track.

“Chung’s business trip to India and Turkey is to check the quality of their localized models following the strategic role changes of two plants,” the company said in a statement.

“The India plant, which was the forefront export base to Europe, has changed its role to focus on the domestic market, while the Turkey plant has reinforced its role as a European mini car production base.”

Hyundai has been implementing a two-track localized strategy centered on its plants in India and Turkey. Both make i10 and i20 city cars, but although the vehicles share the same body and design their sizes and various interior features differ. And according to Hyundai, the changes on the new i20 will make them even more distinct.

The world’s fifth-largest automaker said its plant in Chennai, India, stopped shipping to Europe about two months ago. The region used to be Hyundai Motor India’s largest market, with 40 percent of its exports shipped there.

“The best competitiveness comes from thorough localization,” said Chung, who left for India on Saturday. “We also need to secure emerging markets like the Middle East and Africa with the Indian and Turkish plants serving as an axis of localization.”

For the first part of his schedule, Chung visited the production line of the India plant on Sunday to check the quality of the new Elite i20, which began mass production just last month. It was his first time to India since 2010.

Chung said that the Chennai plant should focus on supplying a “market-dominating product” for India in order to expand Hyundai’s presence there.

“The Indian market recently started to recover,” said Chung. “The new i20 is the first product from the India plant with its changed role, and with a localized sales strategy we should secure a clear advantage in this market.”

Expecting economic growth from India’s large population, Hyundai set up a production base there in 1998, churning out models like the Santro, EON, i10 and i20, and becoming the country’s second-largest automaker.

The Indian passenger car market last year suffered a decline for the first time in 11 years because of expensive gas prices, and high interest and currency rates. According to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, passenger car sales dropped 9.6 percent year-on-year to 1.8 million units.

But with the new Indian government extending consumption tax deductions until the end of this year, Hyundai expects that India’s entire auto market will grow by 2.7 percent.

Korea’s largest automaker has had success so far this year after selling 269,025 units in the first eight months, up 7.1 percent from a year ago - far above the industry average of 1.4 percent growth.

After India, Chung visited Hyundai’s Turkish plant in Izmit yesterday, emphasizing that the production base established there in 1997 has been given a more important role. It is now regarded as Hyundai’s forefront production base along with its plant in the Czech Republic.

The automaker invested more than $600 million to double the plant’s annual capacity to 200,000 units last year. The plant is set to roll out a new i20 localized for Europeans next month.

“In order to make the Turkish-made i20 lead the European market, we should put our best effort forward to have premium production quality,” Chung said.

The European-style i20 is scheduled to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show next month. Hyundai said that it will be more “luxurious” than the Indian-made i20. Hyundai is hoping for the new i20 to boost its sales in Europe. The automaker has been struggling in the continent, selling 219,617 vehicles in the first half, down 2.4 percent from a year ago according to European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association data.

“This year, both the plants in India and Turkey are expected to deliver performances better than our original annual goal,” the spokesman from Hyundai said.

“With exports from Korea struggling because of industrial action from the union, expanding sales from overseas will play an important to role in achieving the company’s global sales goal.”

source;korea joongang Ilbo