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SONGDOKoreas city o the uture is smart, connected, and adapting

Written by Don Southerton

V E R S T O R Y

The futuristic cityscape of Songdo reflects its underlying, cutting-edge urban design. Kim Sungjin

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StatsTotal area: 5.72 million square

Population: 65,747 people (May

Distance from Seoul: 64 km

Total green space: 2.4 million sA

tlantis o the Far East

Tats how infuential British dailyTe

Independentdescribed Songdo, one o the most

mbitious urban development projects in the history o

umankind. Here, just 65 km west o Seoul, is a cityscape like

o other in Korea. Gone is the cacophony o urban Koreas

ustle and bustle. In its place are amilies at play in vast, green

arks; iconic pieces o modern architecture built by globally

enowned architects; and high-tech apartments with the latest

ubiquitous technology. Te UKs Metro put it best when

wrote, Te metropolis needs to adapt i it is to cope, and

ongdo in South Korea is leading the charge to become a

lueprint or the city o the uture.

Smart International City

ongdo International Business District (Songdo IBD) rises

rom reclaimed land on the western coast o South Korea.

ongdos advanced technology and international character

as attracted global attention since its inception, rom the

Discovery ChannelsMegaWorld, which showcased the

roject on its South Korea episode, to recent coverage by the

Washington Postand BBC World Services Click, along with a

wide range o other publications including Business raveler,

Popular Mechanics, and Popular Science. All spotlight Songdo

BD as the smart city o the uture.

Many also see Songdo as the uture economic hub or East

Asia. Tis was strengthened with Songdos recent 2012 selection

s host city o the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Moreover, with

s mission to support developing countries to limit or reduce

heir greenhouse gas emissions, the GCF saw Songdo aligning

well with its own goals. Te move by the GCF strongly hints

hat South Korea and Songdo will gain increasing importance

n the elds o nance and international relations.

As a world-class venue, Songdo has recently provided

media, housing, and event acilities or the 4th Asian Indoor

nd Martial Arts Games Incheon 2013 (AIMAG). Te

ongdo Convensia served as the events Main Media Center

or journalists rom across Asia. Likewise, Incheon will host

he upcoming 2014 Asian Games with venues in and around

he Incheon Metropolitan City that Songdo calls home. Te

Games are expected to draw about 13,000 athletes and ocials

nd about 7,000 members o the media rom the 45 Olympic

Council o Asia member states.

Songdos strong design appeal has attracted not only the

international community and media but also production

companies interested in lming cutting-edge V commercials.

Even portions o K-pop phenomenon Psys music videos were

lmed in Songdo.

V E R S T O R Y

Future-Oriented International City

As a showcase or innovation and technology, Songdos

inrastructure continues to draw considerable attention in

books, too. For example, in their orward-looking view o

cities, John D. Kasarda and Greg Lindsay predicted in their

well-received 2011 workAerotropolis: Te Way We'll Live Next

that the urban centers o tomorrow will be built around large,

busy airports. Tey lauded Songdo, located near Inch

International Airport, not only or its sustainability

a carbon ootprint signicantly less than that o other

comparable size and embraces the latest in technology

also or being a new city, arguably the nicest in Korea

In his 2009 controversial best seller $20 Per Gallon:

Inevitable Rise in the Price of Gasoline Will Change Ou

Cruise boat on the seawater canal of Songdos Central Park. The landmark Northeast Asia Trade Tower looms i

Incheon Metropolitan Government Incheon Development & Tourism Corp

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he Better, uturist Christopher Steiner oretells a grim global

conomic uture in which the mounting cost o gas will orce

ultural change on a wide scale. On a positive note, Steiner

ees Songdo as an improvement over traditional approaches to

rban development and a model to be duplicated elsewhere.

Steiner points out, Whereas Dubai has been an unbridled

rgy built on excess, buildings and roads sprouting where

money lands, New Songdo City has been planned in the

meticulous tradition o Pierre-Charles L'Enant's 1791 scheme

or Washington, DC.

What stands out in both books is the strong, positive

ndorsement o Songdo and what it representsa city built rom

cratch that addresses 21st-century concerns over sustainability

nd quality o lie while serving as a roadmap or other similarentures increasingly being planned in other countries.

Moreover, although originally targeted to attract oreign

nvestment, Songdo is potentially a model or an ideal city that

an also resolve Seouls excessive population concentration,

ousing shortage, trac congestion, and environmental

ollution through technology and innovation.

oday, Songdo IBD boasts 1.27 million square meters o

LEED-certied space. Along with continued plans to meet

LEED standards or new construction within the greater

Incheon Free Economic Zone, a state-o-the-art cogeneration

plant or electricity collects waste heat, which is used to warm

buildings within the city.

With a robust recycling program relying heavily on

technology, Songdo has a pneumatic waste collection system

that draws garbage rom across the city into a network o large

underground pipes to central acilities. Tis eliminates the need

or the feet o garbage trucks seen making morning collections

in most cities and results in a reduction o trac, related noise,

and carbon emissions. Visiting the collection center, one

quickly appreciates the complexity in the consolidating process,

treatment, and management o waste.Per the Kohn Pederson Fox-designed Master Plan, 40 percent

o Songdo IBD has been designated as open space. Looking

down rom the Northeast Asia rade ower observation foor,

the strong commitment to providing open space is apparent

rom the 41-hectare Central Park, canals, and walking and bike

pathsa contrast with the high urban density one nds across

much o the greater Seoul metropolitan region.

V E R S T O R Y

Cutting-Edge Smart City

One critical dimension o Songdo IBDs vision is the project's

strategic partnership with and commitment rom American

multinational corporation Cisco. Wim Elrink, Ciscos Chie

Globalization Ocer and a longtime supporter o Songdo,

sees the city as a test bed or their technology and what they

call IoE, the Internet o Everything [sic]. Cisco describes

IoE as bringing together people, process, data, and things

to make networked connections more relevant and valuable

than ever beore. Via a joint venture between Cisco, Gale

International, POSCO E&C, and LG CNS, a citywide citizen

services network will serve as the platorm or innovative, lie-

enabling technologies . Te joint venture company is called

u.Lie Solutions, and it will provide integrated applications or

organizations and residents living and working in Songdo IBD.

Tis includes integrated building and acility management,

on-premise saety and security, home networking, local

government services, ubiquitous healthcare (U-Healthcare),

and virtual concierge services.

In addition to technology linking and sharing data across

an integrated network, buildings and residents will be able

to ne-tune energy demands and monitor and contro

residential lighting and temperature. Tere will be con

IP connectivity across Songdo IBD. State-o-the-art C

elePresence video conerencing units located in hom

and businesses across Songdo will enable high-denit

person-to-person interactions in areas such as educat

security, virtual learning, and concierge services. Cha

International School Songdo has integrated elePrese

into its curriculum and boasts regular classroom use

elePresence to connect with its sister school, Chadw

in Palos Verdes, Caliornia, as well as other classroom

Foreign Investment and Adapting

From the beginning, the master plan developer Gale

International and its Korean partner POSCO E&C set

standards or design, sustainability and, most importa

unparalleled liestyle. Specically, the developer boldl

to transorm and reshape what has become the global

or urban communities.

Te global recession o 2007 had an impact on simi

projects both in Korea and worldwide, stalling some o

1. One of the worlds first aerotropolises, Songdo is just 15 minutes from Incheon International Airport and a three-hour flight from one-third of the worlds population.

Incheon International Airport 2. Chadwick International School is one of Songdos many facilities set up for the benefit of foreign residents. Chadwick International Sc

3. Designed by renowned global stadium architects Populous, Incheon Asiad Main Stadium will serve as the main venue for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

1 2

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Scott Summers, Gale Internationals vice president or

investment and marketing, oresees big things or Songdo,

especially since the UNs Green Climate Fund (GCF) moved

in. Most dramatically, itll have 300400 oreigners living

and working in Songdo, he says. Tis will have a hugeimpact since more local businesses will cater to oreign

needs. Businesses and services already aimed at the expatriate

community, most notably Chadwick International School, will

also benet. But according to Summers, this may be just the tip

o the iceberg.

We imagine nancial service companies may play a role in

administering and assisting the GCF, he says. Its taken some

time to get companies in Seoul to leave the comorts o home.

Tis might give Songdo some traction.

What makes Songdo such a great place to host the GCF? For

starters, the city provides an example or the und to showcase

to other nations. Summers explains, Songdo has been around

or less than 15 years, so you cant compare city to city. But

what Songdo oered the secretariat o the GCF was a master

plan o a sustainable city. Sustainability was the DNA o the

master plan.

Songdo also oered the und a true plug-and-play

No other city in the world could oer 500 employees

to work, a place to live, and a place to play all within a

o a 15-minute walk, says Summers. Te oce to hou

the und is nearly complete, and the amenities are alrin place, including the landmark Songdo Convensia, a

piece o inrastructure or a und expected to host aro

conventions a year.

For Summers, Songdos chie selling points are its

environmentally riendly design, its access to open sp

its green and clean living environment. Tere are m

ways to get to workeverywhere is just a 15-minute w

and the citys 25 km o bike paths make cycling a real

Songdos other major advantage is its proximity to I

International Airport. Songdo is 20 minutes rom th

thats been voted the worlds best airport or the last ei

years, Summers notes. What this allows is that we ca

one third o the worlds population in three and a hal

Te GCFwith its special concern or Asias growing

increasingly resource-hungry middle classlikely too

into consideration, too, he said.

TIP OF THE ICEBERGGale International Vice President Scott Summersdiscusses what the GCF means to Songdo

most ambitious development projects. Songdo, too, dialed back

s aggressive development plan, but it remains on a consistent

rowth trajectory. When completed in 2017, Songdo IBD will

e home to over 65,000 residents and employ 300,000 workers.

Equally encouraging, the halls o Chadwick International

chool Korea now ring with the sound o children, each o

whom carries a school-provided laptop. Enrollment over the

ext three years is expected to grow rom the current 700

tudents to 1,200.

Overall, Songdo IBD is making good on its promises and

ledges. As expected with any project the size and scale o

ongdo IBD, some adaptation is occurring to meet new trends.

One modication rom the early vision o the project is a shi

rom commercial oce and residential apartments ocused on

oreign investors and development to a more knowledge-based

ommunity with international university campuses and biotech

esearch centers.

With the Yellow Sea region ast becoming a major economic

ub, attracting oreign investors remains a Songdo goal.

Spurred by the Green Climate Fund and an improving

oreign investment environment, the city and its developers

have renewed and reocused eorts to attract oreign direct

investment. Te GCF is expected to bring a permanent sta

o several hundred in the initial phases, with estimates that

number in the thousands in the long term. Real estate agents

report that since Songdo won the bid to become home to the

GCF, over 1,000 new apartments have been sold.

O course, sustaining the vision over time will require the

continued support o government, institutions, businesses,

and residents. However, visitors to Songdo, both Koreans and

oreigners, will appreciate the communitys new urbanism

ocus and envy a liestyle rare in Korea, a liestyle in which

one can live, walk to work, and stroll through Central Park. O

even greater signicance, moves by the GCF, UN-APCIC, UN

ESCAP, and other global organizations to locate their oces in

Songdo conrm the vision o developer Gale International

build it, stay the course, and they will come.

0

V E R S T O R Y

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Songdos Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, designed by gold legend Jack Nicklauss design firm Nicklaus Design.

Written by Robert Koehler

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Tomorrow City

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V R Y

2

SONGDO,A UNIQUE MODELncheon Free Economic Zone commissioner

Lee Jong-cheol says the uture is bright orKoreas city o the uture

o, why is Songdo getting so much global attention?

Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) commissioner Lee

ong-cheol thinks its the unique model Songdo presents. I

hink Songdo is getting the attention o the world because

s considered a development model or the city o the uture

nd a ront-runner or planned eco-riendly cities, he says.

I think it will receive even more attention in the uture,

oo, as an alternative or the city o the uture, as greenhouse

as reduction and climate change become global topics o

onversation.

As youd expect, Lee is keen on Songdo as a place in which

o invest and live. Some ten international organizations

including, o course, the UNs Green Climate Fundnow

call Songdo home. As they say, its all about location, location,

location, beginning with the citys proximity to Incheon

International Airport, the worlds nest air terminal. Tere

are 61 cities o 1 million people and more and 2 billion people

living within three hours fight, he boasts. Located close to

such a great airport, Songdo is now becoming a global hub

linking the world. O course, its proximity to the port o

Incheona springboard to the China marketand the 25

million people o the greater Seoul area doesnt hurt, either.

Te oreigner-riendly inrastructure is a draw, too, Lee

says, citing the educational environment in particular.

Chadwick International School is already open or classes,

and the State University o New York (SUNY) Songdo

campus just graduated its rst class.

Lee says the citys compact, smart, and green design make

it very attractive to oreigners. Te Compact City means

a sel-contained city where all the necessary unctions o a

city can be carried out within a 3040 minute walk, he says.

Tis is to say, all the acilities you need in lieor business,

leisure, education, medicine, shopping, conventionsare

located within a 5 km radius. Te citys smart ubiquitous

inrastructure allows users to plug into networks regardless

o location and make use o services in real time. Te eco-

riendly green design goes a long way in creating a pleasant

living environment.

Lee sees big things or the citys uture. Im sure that in

the uture, Songdo will become a global hub city leading

Koreas service industry and pulling along economic growth

and job creation, he says. I will do

everything I can to turn Songdo

into an advanced base o Koreas

service industry by attracting

high value-added services

such as education, medicine,

distribution, tourism,

entertainment, and leisure.

Songdo was designed to be explored on oot. Te citys Future Road takes you into the heart oo the uture, showing o some o its impressive architectural and cultural landmarks.

SONGDO FUTURE ROADWALKING TOUR

Songdo I-Tower, the headquarters of both

IFEZ and the U N Green Climate Fund.

IFEZ

IFEZ

Photographs courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan Government,

Incheon Development & Tourism Corporation, and IFEZ

Written by Robert Koehler

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4

N & B R U S H

Back in the 1960s, when sculpture playing second ddle

to painting in the Korean, Shim Moon-seup, who was

a high school student back then, decided to pursue a

career in sculpture aer merely heeding advice rom his smart

older sister, who told him that sculpture will become the ocus

o art in the uture.

Whether his sisters prophesy was right or wrong is yet to be

seen, but believing in it allowed the 70-year-old Shim to make a

name or himsel as one o the most highly acclaimed sculptors

both at home and abroad.

Art has been Shims avorite subject since his elementary

school days; however, as he got older, the common belie that

artists are doomed to lives o poverty and struggle made him

hesitant to speak out about his dreams. But, noticing his talent,

his older sister suggested he study sculpture.

My amily was really poor back then so it was really surprising

or meeven now I am quite shockedto have had my sister

advising me to live the lie o an artist and become a sculptor,

said Shim. She was a smart student, so I guess I trusted her. I

just ollowed her advice. I never imagined that there would ever

be such an increase in the number o sculptors in Korea today,

said Shim. She passed away in the 1970s, but i she were alive,

I want to ask her why she advised me to take up sculpture. I eel

like she knew me better than I knew mysel.

Countryside Roots

Growing up in the countryside, Shim says his childhood

experience allowed him to have a delicate view o nature,

which is expressed through his works. Te artist is known to

work mostly with natural materials.

Although Ive lived in cities or many years aerwards, the

infuences rom my experiences in the countryside, the eeling

o conorming to nature and respecting it, are stronger than the

infuences drawn rom city lie, said Shim.

In Shims works, he uses diverse materials, including metal,

earth, wood, iron, and stone. I think the charm o sculpture is

in the variety o materials, Shim said, urther explaining that

the best way or him to display his thoughts is to simply allow

them to become one with a certain material.

In the 1990s, I used things that were more readily available,

creating works out o materials in their natural state. I use

my hands more now. When I rst decided to do sculpture, I

selected things I ound in nature. For example, when

stone, I tried using the pure orms o stones rather tha

ones that were articially shaped. But these didnt allo

eel the so-called fow o time. So I tried using soil. So

in the passage o time, but the strength o the material

too great, and thus it proved dicult to use as a mediu

thoughts. So I then moved on to wood. Wood posses

that is ancient, that reminds me o orgotten memorie

has a human quality. But it lacks reshness. Meanwhil

made by men and can be used to express the contemp

said Shim.

International Recognition

Aer graduating rom Seoul National University with

in plastic arts, the artist whipped himsel into action,

with winning the top prize at the Korean Art Exhibiti

1970. He then launched into a furry o activities or t

SHIM MOON-SEUPVeteran sculptor turns natural materials into spaces where people can meetand mingle

Written by Yim Seung-hye

hotographs courtesy of Shim Moon-seup

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6

our years, getting invited to the Paris Youth Biennale three

mes between 1971 and 1975. It was there that he began to get

nternational recognition.

I was lucky to go there three times. Te rst time was

n 1971, then in 1973 and in 1975, said Shim. I especially

emember my works in 1971. Tere were three plans. Te rst

was paper stuck on the wall, which I then tore into pieces,

eaving a third o the paper stuck on the wall and the rest

railing on the foor, onto which I then placed rocks. Another

ne was two iron sheets onto which I poured cement, and

hen I extracted the cement to see what it expressed. For the

hird, I attached wires to iron pipes or an on-site eect. Tese

works highlighted the structure o reality and the surrounding

nvironment born rom the relation between materials.

As illustrated in many o the artists works, Shims concept

sculpture has been somewhat dierent rom the existing

atterns o sculpture that his seniors or colleagues ollowed.

Shim explained that it was in 1969, when he joined the

Avant-Garde Association, that he began setting up his own

ystem o sculpture aer doing some sel-searching with other

members o the association.

Te artist started o by showing naturalness o the materials

without manipulation. His rst sculpture or the Avant-Garde

Association exhibition in 1970 was an acrylic barrel lled with

water. Te next year, he cut live trees to show the relationship

between tree and tree in a sort o antastic way that was also

very site-specic.

It was interpreted as a new world and I elt like I was born

again, said Shim.

As the characteristics in Shims works became more and more

distinctive, he got busier with schedules abroad, participating

in numerous exhibitionsthe So Paulo Biennale, India

riennale, Sydney Biennale, and many moreas well getting

invited to hold solo exhibitions in galleries around the world.

O the 40 solo exhibitions Shim has held, 30 o them were

held overseas in countries ranging rom France and Italy to

Japan and China.

Ive shown my work more oen in oreign countries than in

Korea. I think thats partially because my work hasnt been as

recognized at home as overseas. Te condition was better there

or me to introduce my new works, said Shim. Moreover, the

situation has become better today, but when I was more active,

there wasnt much support in Korea in the eld o arts and

culture. So I had to use oreign countries cultural channels to

enable cultural exchange as well as or sel-verication.

Among the artists solo exhibitions so ar, Shim says the one

that he held in 2007 in the gardens o Palais Royal was the most

memorable.

Holding the exhibition in the beautiul gardens in the heart

o Paris, I was deeply moved by the whole atmosphere. I was

invited by the Culture Ministry o France, said Shim. He

exhibited 10 works made o water, wood, iron, and stone in the

exhibit, named owards an Island.

Witnessing the scene where people who come to see my

works naturally mingle with the works, I was deeply moved.

Communication with people is an important key phrase or

all my works. I remember working hard to create a scene where

people mingle and communicate harmoniously around my

works or that exhibition, said Shim.

Where People Can Meet and Mingle

Like most artists, Shim also expresses his thoughts to the

world through his works. For Shim, thats communicating with

people and creating a space where people can meet and mingle.I speak to the world through all my works. For example,

with my works likeMokshin, which is the project where

I worked with wood, I wanted to give people a eeling o

proundity. I wanted them to see it as they would see a large

orest. I want my works to exist as a structure in which it can

share space with people, where people can meet at a vertex, a

meeting point where they can mingle together reely without

any resistance, said Shim.

But whether the masses understand his works and c

not that important.

Once I nish a work or a project, I dont really have

concerns about how it will be received by others. In ac

really eel the need to explain or persuade. I already ee

by the act that Ive brought up new questions, said Sh

Currently residing in ongyeong, Gyeongsangnam

artists next exhibition will be in Germany.

From March to May next year, Shim will be holding

exhibition at the Domaine de Kerguehennec, a conte

art center in Frances Brittany. Under the theme Te

Presentation, Shim will be exhibiting 11 works hes cre

using wood, stone, earth, and iron.

N & B R U S H

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Based on Koreas near-iconic obsession with

smartphonesand the technology that goes withthemit might appear to some that I giant SK

elecom really doesnt need to do much more to remain in the

ood graces o its consumers. However, their unprecedented

orporate social responsibility program suggests theyre willing

o go the extra mile to make everyone happy. Teir website

emblazoned with a simple byword, happiness, and their

bjective is plainly stated: Make everyone happy and create a

happy generation.

But how exactly SK elecom plans on attaining such anambitious goal requires a little more explanation, and SK

elecoms CSR program manager, Kim Yu Su, has stepped

up to ll in the gaps, discuss the rms vision o happiness,

and lay out the details o their latest social benet project

modernizing traditional markets with cutting-edge I

and giving its members the tools or urther success via a

sustainability management program.

HELPING IS CREATINGKim Yu Su o SK elecoms CSR Program is assisting traditional market toadjust to the creative economy

Written by Max Soeun Kim

Growth and Mutual Happiness

According to Kim, the reasons or embarking on such an

ambitious project are grounded in SK elecoms charitable

corporate philosophy, which recognizes the symbiotic nature

o success.

SK elecom believes in a mutual happiness with its social

neighbors. We believe that in order or a company to sustain

long-term growth, it has to do so in phase with the nation and

society to which it belongs, says Kim. We have been heading

several mutual growth projects that address these points, and

in September 2012, SK elecom partnered up with Junggok Jeil

Market in a collaborative e ort to stimulate traditional markets.

Tough depressed traditional markets are just one o many

social hurdles in an age o constant change, it is one that SK

elecom is particularly well equipped to handle. Inormationtechnology and streamlined, up-to-date management strategies

are SK elecoms proven strengths, and according to Kim, these

areas are exactly where depressed traditional markets need a

little boost.

Weve seen many eorts in the past that temporarily

mitigated this problem, but most o these eorts ailed to make

a lasting impact, says Kim. We recognized the necessity

o strengthening the undamental competitiveness o the

traditional marketplace, and as a solution SK elecom sought

to integrate its IC resources into these markets.

In the case o Junggok Jeil Market, though its members

showed an innovative drive to manuacture and sell their sel-

made ood products under their original brand, Aricheongjeong,

they were alling behind in online sales. Judging that IC-savvy

marketing was the much-needed x, SK elecom drew upon its

own business strategies to produce tailored IC solutions based

on Junggok Jeil Markets needs,

trying and testing products on 27 million consumers via

successul SK-brand online stores such as Myshop and 11Street.

Using their comprehensive database marketing strategies,

which aims to capitalize on lasting and direct relationships with

customers using digitally stored consumer inormation, SK

elecom has been sharing the secret o their success, expanding

Junggok Jeil Markets digital consumer base and providing

sustainable communication channels rom the market to its

consumers. Tis is the crux o their sustainability management

programthe installation o an outreach system that

merchants themselves can operate and maintain. As a

statistics go, the numbers suggest its working, and Kim

use o such IC marketing has resulted in an approxim

percent increase in Junggok Jeil Markets total prots.

Given such success, its no surprise that SK elecom

hailed as a orerunner in President Parks vision o a

economy, and or SK elecom and Junggok Jeil Mark

due to a constructive partnership, the strategic mergin

and new.

We worked together to nd a solution that enabled

Jeil Market to adopt up-to-date methods o marketing

accounting while preserving the traditional elements,

Kim. Fusing preexisting elements and creating added

that is really the bottom line o a creative economy.

8

E O P L E

1. SK Telecoms Kim Yu Su demonstrates how tablet computers

can help at Junggok Jeil Market.

1. A tailor-made smart phone app allows credit card payments at traditiona

1

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Written by Robert Koehler

Beautiul scenery abounds in Koreas lake country

Chuncheon

Chuncheons Uiamho Lake is covered with mist in the predawn

R A V E L

Chuncheon is just what every Seoulite needs on the weeken

air, beautiul scenery, and great ood just a day trips distan

the capital. Te capital o the rugged province o Gangwo

town is also the primary staging ground or exploring Koreas lake

a picturesque landscape o emerald lakes and verdant hills that draw

millions o visitors a year. Te recent commencement o the Intercit

Express (IX) service between Seoul and Chuncheon makes this re

destination even more accessible.

0

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R A V E L

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minutes).

MOR

Seoul

Jejudo

Chuncheon

ayout

A medium-sized city o 270,000 people, Chuncheon was, not

o long ago, an inland mountain town. Beginning in the 1960s,

owever, Korean civil engineers began erecting some o Asias

argest dams in the region, including the truly massive Soyang

Dam. Tese dams produced massive reservoirs, including

Uiamho Lake and Soyangho Lake, the latter so large it almost

ualies as an inland sea. Tese lakes dramatically transormed

he regional landscape and introduced a range o new sports

nd leisure possibilities.

Downtown Chuncheon sits on the shore o Uiamho Lake;

n act, the entire lakeside is lined with pleasant walking and

iking paths. Te lake is home to several small islands, the

most noteworthy o which is Jungdo, a popular water sports

nd leisure destination. Te town is pleasant enough, with a

ouple o Korean War memorials (including an Ethiopian-style

museum dedicated to the Kagnew Battalion, the Ethiopian

roops sent to support South Korea in the Korean War) and an

ld Catholic cathedral built by Irish missionaries in the mid-

0th century. Most o what youll want to see, however, is ound

n the surrounding countryside. Worth checking out is the

Gongjicheon district, a popular lakeside entertainment district.

Soyangho Lake

Just to the northeast o town is the behemoth Soyang Dam, the

largest rock-lled dam in Asia. Completed in 1973, this wonder

o Korean 20th century engineering greatly promoted regional

development and still serves a number o important roles,

including food control, water supply, and power generation.

Behind the massive wall is Soyangho Lake, one o Koreas

largest inland bodies o water. Stretching over 60 km eastward

to the town o Inje, the lake is popular with Korean anglers.

Many Korean restaurants and cas have gathered near the dam

to take advantage o the scenery.

In the hills overlooking the lake is the small but pretty Buddhist

temple o Cheongpyeongsa. Reaching the temple requires a

short erry trip over the lake and a 4 km hikethis is hal the

un. Be sure to note the architecturally signicant ront gate o

the temple. Te best part o the temple is the atmospherethis is

almost as ar removed rom civilization as it gets.

Namiseom Island

echnically speaking, the riverine island o Namiseom is not

part o Chuncheon but o the neighboring town o Gapyeong.

Still, its just 30 minutes rom Chuncheon and a requent stop o tourists

revisiting the region. Te island is a private arboretum ounded by

late governor o the Bank o Korea Minn Byeong-do (19162006)

in 1965. Its crisscrossed by beautiul tree-lined walking pathsits

metasequouia are especially picturesqueand home to restaurants and

cultural acilities. Te island is reached either by erry or, or the more

adventurous traveler, a zip line that transports you a kilometer over the

Bukhangang River at speeds o 80 km an hour.

Canoeing Chuncheon

Te best way to experience Chuncheons lake scenery is by canoe.

Chuncheons Mulle-gil (Water Road) is a series o canoeing courses

operated jointly by Chuncheon City Government and Blue Clover,

Koreas only producer o handcraed wooden canoes. Tis isnt the

Canadian outdoorstrips are accompanied by guides, and youll

usually be rowing with several other crabut its an exhilarating way

to take in the scenery nonetheless. rips are preceded by a 20-minute

class. wo-hour trips cost KRW 30,000; call . 070-4150-9463 to make

a reservation.

Created by the massive Soyang Dam, Soyangho Lake is one of Koreas largest inland bodies of water and a popular leisure destination. Chuncheon City

Canoeing on Chuncheons Mulle-gil Peter DeMarco 3. Beautiful metasequoia-lined walking path of Namiseom Island Chuncheon City

1 2

3

C

D

D

H

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Jin Jong-oh is oozing with the condence o a man who

knows that, purely and simply, hes the best in the world

right now. Its this lack o sel-doubt that hints that the best

may be yet to come or the 33-year-old, who is already Koreas

reatest athlete in shooting sports.

Jin won both the mens 50m and 10m air pistol events at

ecent World Cup competition in Granada, Spain, continuing

torrid streak that started with his double-gold perormance

at the 2012 London

Olympics. His 200.7

points in the 50m event

was a staggering 10.9

points above the score

o Portuguese runner-

up Joao Costa.

I have been training

mysel to adjust to the

new rules since the start

o the year, so [it eels

good] to shoot or 200-

plus, Jin told Korean reporters aer the event.

Te International Shooting Sport Federation adopted new

competition rules or 2013 to strengthen shootings standing as

an Olympic sport and improve spectator appeal.

Te most interesting change is the playo-type nals, where

eight shooters start with a zero score with no carryover. Te last

two shooters standing will settle the winner in a two-shot duel.

I think the new rules are great or spectators but add that much

more pressure to the shooters. I guess we are going in the right

direction to make the sport more popular, Jin said.

Te success o Jin, a three-time Olympic gold winner,

has been critical in inspiring what appears to be a golden

generation o Korean sharpshooters.

Te current abundance o local talent is notable, as Koreas

presence in shooting was rather obscure beore Lee Eun-

chul won the gold in the mens 50m rife competition in the

1992 Barcelona Olympics. And the country didnt get another

Olympic gold in the sport until Jin won the 50m air pistol event

16 years later in Beijing.

Te possibility o the country going through another lengthy

drought like that seems signicantly lower now. Jin is condent

about deending his London titles in the 2016 Games in Rio de

Janeiro. Some o the competition may come rom his younger

compatriots, who entered the sport to emulate his success.

A Wide Field

Te National Shooting Championship held in Changwon,

Gyeongsangbuk-do, in June produced seven new national

records and some potential candidates to battle Jin or the title

as the countrys best marksman.

Te Kyungnam University duo o Choi Yong-hoo and

Lee Hyeon-yong each won our golds in the college mens

pistol combination to emerge as top prospects. In the senior

competition, Kim ae-young, a 24-year-old with hearing

disabilities who nished third behind Jin and Mok Jin-moon inthe 10m pistol, solidied his reputation as the next big thing.

Not that Jin should be involved in any talks about passing

the torch. Why should he? For all his accomplishments, he has

been shooting better than ever.

It was always obvious that Jin had the type o talent that

justied earlessness. He started the sport in high school and was

able to establish himsel as an elite marksman by his early 20s

despite a devastating car accident that nearly derailed his career.

But it seems Jin didnt always perorm with conviction in

pressure situations. Fairly or unairly, he developed a reputation

as a shooter who was calm and ocused in the buildup, only to

be shaky in the moment that determined the outcome o the

match.

He seemed to be

cruising toward a gold

medal at the 2004

Athens Olympics when

a atal error occurred

during a gamehe

red but the electric

gun didnt respond.

He was given another

chance but blew it

by shooting in haste,

managing a 6.9, his

worst score, to settle or silver.

Four years later in Beijing, Jin rebounded with a go

in the 50m air pistol event. But he nearly managed to

one slip away on the last shot, a disappointing 8.2, bar

enough to beat North Korean Kim Jong-su, who nis

points behind.

However, Jins impressive ghtback to retain his 50m

title in London seemed to be a mental turning point. H

entered the nal 7 points behind compatriot Choi Yo

but gradually cut into his teammates lead and got wit

points with one shot remaining. Jin was unfappable t

in his last attempt, nailing a 10.2 to dramatically claim

as Choi managed a lowly 8.1, his nerves betraying him

In international competitions since then, Jin has be

displaying the swagger worthy o his talent. So perhap

still more great stu to come rom him.

4

P O R T S

Written by Kim Tong-hyungWritten by Kim Tong-hyung

nleadsgoldengenerationofKoreansharpshooters

nleadsgoldengenerationofKoreansharpsho

SHOOTINGFORTHEBEST 1

Korean sharpshooter Jin Jong-oh is currently not only the worlds best shooter but also Koreas greatest shooter ever. 2.Jin won two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympic Games,

dding to his previous gold from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. 3. Rifle shooter Lee Eun-chul won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics 4. Air pistol event at the 2012 London

ummer Olympics.

2

3

8/22/2019 KOREA [2013 VOL.9 No.08]

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BREAKINGFOR RESPECTR16 Korea World B-boy Masters Championship was a showcase o

passion and athleticism

Written by Loren Cotter

ERTAINMENT

B-boying is an urban perormance art rooted in hip-hop culture, said to have originated

at house parties in New Yorks Bronx during the 1970s. Also known as breaking or

breakdancing, b-boy purists reject the latter name, arguing that its a media-constructed term

hat no true b-boy or b-girl would use. B-boying or breaking is the preerred name and reers to the

ction itsel, while b-boys or b-girls reer to the dancers.

B-boying started out in the US, becoming mainstream during the 70s, reportedly spreading to

Korea with help rom American soldiers in the 1980s. However, the b-boying rage didnt truly kick in

n the peninsula until the 90s, with the trend gathering speed aer Korean-American John Jay Chon

isited amily in Seoul, bringing video ootage o an LA b-boying contest, Radiotron, with him. He

assed the video on to Expression Crew and it went viral in a retro sense, the VHS tape being copied

manuallyand watched repeatedlyby young Koreans hooked on b-boying and b-boy culture.

Te early adoption o the Internet in South Korea also helped urther interest in b-boying. B-boys

ungry to experiment and learn new tricks were suddenly able to access reams o ootage online,nspiring their cultivation o the craa cra Korean crews have now mastered.

R16 Korea

ince 2002, Korean b-boy crews have won the prestigious Battle o the Year, a b-boy competition

eerred to as the World Cup o B-Boying, no less than six times. Tey have also eatured heavily

s runners-up. Its largely due to these successes that Korea has pioneered its own R16 World B-Boy

Masters Championship, launched in 2007 and held annually at Seouls Olympic Park. Comprised

over 300 participants rom all over the world, with a hey chunk o the solo b-boys and crews

6

joining rom Asian nations, R16 is an esteemed estival held over our days, tou

international celebration o b-boy and hip-hop culture.

Although the 2013 Saturday night solo contests proved popular, the pinnacle o

Ministry o Culture, Sports and ourism-sponsored event was on Sunday night

the crews come out to battle against one another. Te night melded perormanc

acts such as R&B singer Jay Park and six- and nine-year-old b-girls erra and E

competing b-boy crews. Te winner o the B-Boy Crew Perormance Battle was

Carnival (Japan), while Suwon-based Morning o Owl took the B-Boy Crew Ba

with their dynamic battling skills, using traditional Korean dress with modern

skills in a resh take on the sport.

B-boying is largely dominated by men, and R16 is no dierent. However, B-gi

also represented at the event, with the Saturday night solo locking nale ending

showdown between Luna and Nao; Nao took the rst-place $3,000 prize. Te ti

robotic movements o the perormers at the popping contest were also a pleasu

watch, although popping judge Salah rom France stole the show with his mid-

set, eaturing awe-inspiring bellyrolls that practically dey human anatomy.

Power moves, techniques that are more reminiscent o high-level gymnastics, al

garner audible gasps rom audiences, and the majestic airfares rom Australian n

Blond did just this. It was Issei, the 2012 deending champion rom Japan, who rea

impressed the judges, however, with his he ad-spinning prowess being a highlight o

solo B-boy battle, leading to hi m being crowned champion or a second consecuti

Te R in R16 stands or respect. Te perormers, organizers, and participan

unique cultural sport deserve it in abundance or the dedication and expertise t

during this subcultural event.

1. With over 300 participants,

the R16 World B-Boy Masters

Championship is one of the

biggest events on the b-boy

calendar. Korea R16

2. A b-boy artist

3. Olympic Parks Olympic Hall,

the main venue of the R16 World

B-Boy Masters Championship

1

2

8/22/2019 KOREA [2013 VOL.9 No.08]

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I you try to die, you will live. I you try to live, you

will die.

Tese are the amous words o the legendary

Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin (15451598) who brought victory

o Korea during the Japanese invasions o 15921598.

Yi le those amous words in his diary on Sept 15, 1597.

He was hoping that his men would have courage and high

pirits in the imminent naval battle in which Japanese vessels

reatly outnumbered their Korean counterparts. Te next

ay, Admiral Yis feet o 13 ships deeated a orce o 133

Japanese vessels. Tat battle is known in Korea as the Battle o

Myeongnyang, as it was ought on the Myeongnyang Strait.

Te 16th-century diary kept by Yi, named Nanjung Ilgi

(ilgi translates to diary) has been added to UNESCOs

International Memory o the World Register, the Cultural

Heritage Administration (CHA) conrmed on June 19.

Te decision was made at the 11th meeting o the

International Advisory Committee (IAC) o the UNESCO

Memory o the World Register. Te our-day meeting

attended by 14 members o the committeetook place in

Gwangju, Korea, between June 18 and 21

to deliberate on 84 documentary heritage

nominations rom 54 countries.

Also added to the list was the archive o

Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement),

the government-led campaign in the 1970s

designed to develop rural areas and help

people out o chronic poverty.

Old and Modern History

UNESCO ocials sayNanjung Ilgi is a rare

record o the battle written by the commander

himsel. Te diary is without equal in world

history as a commanders battleeld accounts.

Written as a personal journal, it describes in

detail the daily combat situations, the admirals

personal views and eelings, observations on the

weather, topographical eatures o battleelds,

and the lives o common people, UNESCO

explains on its website. Te style is simple and

elegant. Tis war diary has been widely used in

modern Western countries as well as in Korea to

study the sea battles during the seven-year war.

Te archives o Saemaul Undong, meanwhile,

consists o some 22,000 presidential speeches,

documents, photographs, video clips, and

more that document each and every step

o the 19701979 campaign. Te archive is

meaningul in that it concerns the movement

recognized by the UN as an exemplary

initiative to ght poverty and revitalize

rural areas. Te archive is the collection o

government and civilian documents, photos

and videos o the campaign that has been

recognized as a development model or

developing countries and is being picked up by

underdeveloped countries in Arica and Asia,

the CHA said.

UNESCOs Memory o the World Program,

which began in 1992, seeks to preserve and

make accessible documentary heritages

around the world. Te International Advisory

Committee meets every two years to

nominations rom UN member coun

Te current list238 items rom 96

countriesincludes items like Te W

Oz(Victor Fleming 1939) produced b

Goldwyn-Mayer (US), Anne Franks

(the Netherlands), andJikji Simche Yo

(Korea), the worlds oldest book mad

movable metal type.

In todays digital era, written record

lost their ooting.

But the ancient Korean people valu

keeping records o things in writing,

evidenced by relics like the theAnna

the Joseon Dynasty, which detailed th

history o the 500-year-old dynasty, a

Uigwe books, which detail the protoc

Joseon Dynasty royal ceremonies and

Korea has nine artiacts on the list.

include the Annals o the Joseon Dyn

Uigwe books,Jikji Simche Yojeol, the E

medicine encyclopedia Donguibogam

printing woodblocks o the ripitaka

It has the h-highest number o item

the list, aer Germany, Austria, Russi

Poland.

C I A L I S S U E

6th-centuryNanjung Ilgi and archives o 20th-century Saemaul Undong movement

are testaments to human drive and ingenuity

Written by Kim Hyung-eun

UNESCO RECOGNIZESKOREAN HISTORICAL RECORDS

1

8

2

Koreas UNESCOMemory of the World

2013

Nanjung Ilgi8BS%JBSZPG

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1. The Nanjung Ilgi, the wartime diary of 16th century

Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin.

2. The Saemaeul Undong is a leading example of ru

8/22/2019 KOREA [2013 VOL.9 No.08]

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R E N T K O R E A

A NEW ECONOMIC ERAAer our decades o successul catching up, Korea looks tocreativity or the utureWritten by Ben Jackson

he year 2013 is barely hal over, but the Korean

Peninsula has already been visited by many o the

worlds top creative economy bigwigs. In January,

Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt few into North

Korea, apparently on a mission to spread the good news

bout the power o the Internet. In April, Microso ounder

Bill Gates and Google CEO Larry Page ollowed in Schmidts

ootsteps, this time in South Korea. In June, it was Facebook

CEO Mark Zuckerbergs turn to drop in on the South. Gates,

age, and Zuckerberg all met Korean president Park Geun-

ye, an indicator o the signicance accorded to their visits.

Observers were quick to draw links between these high-prole

isits and Parks promotion o a creative economy, rst made

n the context o calls or economic revival as part o her

nauguration speech in late February.

deas = Profit

But what does this term actually mean? John Howkins,

uthor o the 2001 bookTe Creative Economy, oers a

broad and simple denition: Making money out o ideas.

Parks inauguration speech went into more detail, saying, A

creative economy is dened by the convergence o science and

technology with industry, the usion o culture with industry,

and the blossoming o creativity in the very borders that were

once permeated by barriers. On June 5, Parks administration

released the Creative Economy Action Plan, giving a similar

denition o the concept: Korean creativity and imagination

will be combined with science, technology, and IC to create

new industries and markets and to make existing industries

stronger and thus create good jobs. Te background to the

plans creation, according to the Ministry o Strategy and

Finance, was a perception that the Korean economy has

reached the limits o its catch-up strategy, which had driven

economic growth or the last 40 years. In an interview in a

Arirang V broadcast the ollowing day, Howkins oered his

own country-specic advice, saying, Korea, without losing

what it has, also has to give an opportunity to new companies,

smaller companies . . . companies organized in a dierent

way, not big hierarchies but rather loose conglomerations o

individuals working at what they want to do.

Despite the emphasis placed on start-ups and small and medium-

sized enterprises by both the Korean government and Howkins,

the schedules o Gates, Page, Zuckerberg, and even Facebook COO

Sheryl Sandberg, who dropped by Korea in early July, suggested a

dierent priority on the part o these creative economy gurus: all

o them met with high-ranking executives at Samsung, the very

largest o the chaebol conglomerates that dominate the countrys

business ecosystem. Nonetheless, all three men are said to have

discussed ways o developing Koreas creative economy during their

meetings with President Park (Sandberg did not meet the president

on her visit). Teir visit signies that Korea plays an important

role in the global market when it comes to the creative economy,

says Lee Jangwoo, president o the Institute o Creative Economy, a

body ounded in 2009 to research the role o the creative economy

in Korea.

Building on Success

Koreas economy is not completely devoid o small, cre

ups. One notable local success story is Kakaoalk, the m

messaging application that recently passed the 100 mill

user mark. Other examples can be ound on Creative K

a website created by the Ministry o Science, IC & Fut

Planning to oer support, provide an open platorm o

participation, and help publicize creative start-up comp

Tese include MANNA Controlled Environment Agri

a portable ruit and vegetable cultivation device design

students; Golzone, a company that began with highly r

gol simulators and evolved into a highly successul com

o gol, I, and culture; Looen, a multiple award-winn

manuacturer o ood waste handling machines; and m

Korea appears to be in a unique position to exploit tpotential o the creative economy: it has a highly educ

population, extremely active sharing o inormation t

social media, and strong will on the part o its governm

create a positive environment or creative companies.

chaebol, meanwhile, are able to oster a more creative

internally, their huge resources and capacities or rese

development may even help produce a new, Korean, m

creative economy. Te role o large companies is esse

argues Lee. As well as achieving innovation and creat

internally, they provide markets or SMEs and create p

overseas expansion. Whatever shape the creative eco

ends up taking in Korea, i past development is anythi

by, we may be seeing more rapid and impressive chan

long.

0

1. President Park meets with Microsoft founder Bill Gates (left), Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (middle), and Google CEO Larry Page (right).

2. The World IT Show, Koreas largest consumer electronics and technology convention.

1

8/22/2019 KOREA [2013 VOL.9 No.08]

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MIT DIPLOMACY

On July 2, President Park Geun-hye met with

Australian Minister o Foreign Aairs Bob Carr and

Deence Minister Stephen Smith at Cheong Wa Dae

o discuss ways to bolster Korea-Australia ties and upgrade

ilateral cooperation and exchanges in security and deense

nd cooperation on issues pertaining to North Korea.

Ministers Carr and Smith were in Korea to attend the rst

ROK-Australia Foreign and Deense Ministers (2+2) Meeting

where the oreign and deense minister o the two countries

gather to discuss joint responses to issues o common interest

and ways to strengthen the two nations strategic partnership

in oreign aairs and deense. First agreed upon by the leaders

o Korea and Australia at a bilateral summit in April 2011, the

meeting took place on July 4.

President Park stressed the importance in Koreas diplomatic

history o holding the rst ROK-Australia Foreign and

Deense Ministers (2+2) Meeting, noting this year is the 60th

anniversary o the Korean War Armistice. She said, Australia

was the second nation to enter the Korean War aer the United

States to protect the reedom and democracy o Korea. She

also thanked Australia or its support in participating in the

international investigation o the sinking o the Korean warship

Cheonan.

Minister Carr said the ROK-Australia Foreign and Deense

Ministers Meeting would bolster bilateral ties and contribute

to not only cooperation in deense and security but also to the

stability o the Korean Peninsula and regional peace. He also

voiced Australias support or South Koreas North Korea policy,

which urges Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program and

hold talks with the South.

President Park said, Te South Korean government

continues to make eort with the international community to

persuade the North to give up its nuclear program and become

a responsible member o the international community. She

added, Seoul will help Pyongyang with the international

community i it makes the right decision. As both countries

became nonpermanent members o the UN Security Council,

I hope the two sides can closely cooperate in international

security. She also expressed hope that Australias prep

or next years G20 summit, to be held in the city o Br

will proceed smoothly. She said her government woul

necessary support or the preparation.

Australian Deence Minister Stephen Smith said the b

2+2 ministerial meeting evidenced the close relations K

Australia share, as Australia is the only nation with whi

has held a 2+2 meeting since Korea held its rst such m

with the United States. He added that at his meeting wi

Deense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, the two ministers agr

cooperate in marine security. He added that the two co

agreed to extend cooperation in cybersecurity. He said

relations between the leaders o Korea and Australia an

universal values like human rights and democracy will

arm uture-oriented Korea-Australia ties.

1. President Park meets with Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr (righ

Minister Stephen Smith (left). Jeon Han of Korea.net 2. Australian an

troops salute at a memorial ceremony to mark ANZAC Day at the War Mem

in Seoul, April 25, 2011.3. Korean sailors welcome the Australian guided

HMAS Ballarat as it enters the port of Busan on May 24, 2012 to participa

drills with the

2

1

3

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr, Deence Minister Stephen Smith visit Korea or 2+2 meeting

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4

President Park Geun-hye met with Shivshankar Menon,

Indian National Security Advisor and a Special Envoy

rom the Prime Minister o the Republic o India, on

uly 2 at Cheong Wa Dae. At the meeting, the two exchanged

iews on how to promote riendship and cooperation and

olster substantive collaboration on the occasion o the 40th

nniversary o diplomatic ties between Korea and India. North

Korea issues were discussed as well.

Special Envoy Menon oered President Park special regards

rom Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He handed toresident Park a personal letter rom Prime Minister Singh

nviting her to visit India and expressing the hope to see her at

he earliest possible date to urther promote Korea-India ties.

President Park thanked Prime Minister Singh or the

nvitation and asked Special Envoy Menon to give her best

egards to the Prime Minister. She said that considering the

mportance o Korea-India relations, consultations should be

carried out through diplomatic channels so that her visit to

India could be realized as early as possible.

Special Envoy Menon told President Park that Prime Minister

Singh had entrusted him with two important missions. Te

rst was to deliver the Prime Ministers personal letter inviting

President Park to India. Te second, meanwhile, was to make

eorts to bolster the strategic aspects o Korea-India relations.

He said there great potential or bilateral cooperation in

national security since Korea and India have similar stances

on and goals or economic development, regional security, andmaritime security. He added that he hoped Korea and India

would work together in the deense industry sector in order

to make possible coproduction and codevelopment that went

beyond simply trade.

President Park said it was signicant to witness bilateral

cooperation being urther strengthened in the economy and

trade as well as on the global stage through the UN, G20, and

President Park meets with Indian Special Envoy Shivshankar Menon

EAS this year, the 40th anniversary o the establishment o

diplomatic ties between Korea and India. She also expressed

hope that bilateral cooperation in politics and security would

be enhanced.

Special Envoy Menon also congratulated President Park

on her successul visit to China. He noted that he had been

at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing while President

Park was in China. He told President Park that not only the

Chinese government but also the Chinese people had been

exceptionally interested in her visit.

Shared Understanding about North Korea

Speaking about her visit to China, President Park said the

Chinese leadership shared with her a common understanding

that North Koreas possession o nuclear weapons could not be

tolerated or the sake o regional peace and security. Additionally,

she thanked the Indian government or issuing statements

denouncing North Koreas nuclear tests and missile launches.

Explaining Seouls North Korea policy to Special Envoy

Menon, President Park said the Korean government was trying

to bring about substantive denuclearization o the North

and working together with the international community to

help Pyongyang choose to become a responsible member.

President Park added that i the North Koreans chose wisely,

South Korea would redouble eorts to help Pyongyang change

by actively implementing the trust-building process on the

Korean Peninsula with the goal o laying the oundation or the

common progress o the two Koreas.

President Park also stressed the importance o the int

community speaking out in one clear and united voice

or North Korea to change, and expressed hope or coo

rom the Indian government in making this happen.

Special Envoy Menon assured President Park that In

position with regards to the issue was clear and that t

cycle o North Korean provocations eliciting concessi

could not be tolerated. He said all eorts would be ma

realize North Korean denuclearization and induce the

become a responsible member o the international com

He added this was especially important to India becau

implications or nonprolieration objectives.

President Park also noted the blossoming economic

relationship between Korea and India. She noted that

economic cooperation has expanded steadily since th

o the signing o the Comprehensive Economic Partn

Agreement (CEPA) in 2009. She expressed hope that

countries would continue to work together to expand

volume to USD 40 billion by 2015. She said ew coun

oered as much potential or cooperation as India, m

deense, inrastructure construction, and nuclear ene

Special Envoy Menon agreed that the potential or

cooperation was considerable and expressed high exp

or Koreas partnership, especially in light o Indias cu

plan to invest a total o USD$1 trillion in inrastructu

development over the next ve years.

1. President Park meets with Indian Special Envoy Shivshankar Menon at Cheong Wa Dae on July 2. Jeon Han of Korea.net

2. Visitors take a look at a Samsung smart TV at the 2013 Southwest Asia Forum in Hyderabad, India. 3. Assembly line of Hyundai Motor plant near Chennai, India.

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MIT DIPLOMACY

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I C Y R E V I E W

As part o its eort to boost the countrys employment rate, the Park Geun-hye administration

is expected to oer more incentives to oreign investors that help create jobs. Te move is in

line with the administrations goal o raising the employment rate to 70 percent over the next

ve years, up rom 65.1 percent as o June 2013.

Te top administrative priority o the Park Geun-hye administration is job creation, said Hyun Oh-

eok, deputy prime minister or economic aairs and also nance and strategy minister. Based on that,

ur policy on oreign investment promotion will be ocused on creating high-quality jobs.

Hyun made his comments in early July at a luncheon with members o the American Chamber o

Commerce in Korea. He also urged AmCham members to expand investment in Korea.

CREATING JOBS

Written by Lee Eun-joo

Government striving to create an even morewelcoming foreign investment environment

For Korea to depart rom the low economic growth

trend and to reach a 70 percent employment rate, there

should be a boost in corporate investment, Hyun said.

In May, the Ministry o rade, Industry and Energy had

also draed out measures to lure more oreign investment

into Korea to boost job creation and economic growth

in general. Te ministry pointed out that it will oster

investment particularly in the high value-added service

sector and the components and materials sector, which

tend to hire more employees. It will also aim to bring

more nancial investment into local small and medium-

sized enterprises so that theyre able to grow in size and

make more investments into regional projects, the trade

ministry stated.

Under the plan, the ministry will announce how

many jobs have been created as a result o oreign direct

investment every year to keep track o and also revise

the investor evaluation standard so that it is based on

contributions to boosting employment. Until now, oreign

direct investment in Korea has been evaluated based on

investment volume, and dierent incentives were oered

accordingly.

Siemens Korea: an Ideal Model

What the ministry sees as an ideal example o oreign

investment is Siemens Korea, a German electrical

engineering company. In May, Siemens Korea said that

it will set up the headquarters o its energy solutions

business in Korea, which will be in charge o operations

covering not only Korea but also the Asia-Pacic region

and the Middle East. With the establishment o its

headquarters, it plans to hire 500 employees by 2017, the

company said.

Meanwhile, the trade ministry is expected to come up

with a detailed proposal beore the end o July that will

include a policy revision in oreign investment incentives

and a nal proposal within this year.

As o the rst quarter o 2013, conditions regarding

oreign direct investment were quite avorable, said an

ocial rom the trade ministry. But we need to put out

eorts to make sure were able to continuously allure

oreign investment, especially in times o economic

uncertainty.

In the rst three months o this year, according

trade ministry, oreign direct investment in Kore

USD 3.4 billion, up 44.7 percent compared to th

years USD 2.4 billion. Te increase was mainly d

investment boost in the service sector.

Ever since the Park Geun-hye government wa

inaugurated in February, there have been contin

eorts to create an investor-riendly environmen

President Park said in early July that the domes

market is heavily regulated and that the govern

should make a major regulatory reorm to impro

investment environment.

She also noted that compared to other develop

countries, Korea lags behind in terms o attractin

investment. For example, Park said that while Ko

o oreign investment to gross domestic product

percent, the ratio is much higher in other nation

US, Germany, and Singapore.

1. A Korean gets information at

the 2012 Job Fair for Foreign-Invested Companies. 2. 2012

Job Fair for Foreign-Invested

Companies

1

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1

2

Boasting o its highly creative technological expertise, the nations

construction industry is stepping up its eorts to enhance its

competitive edge both domestically and globally. Equipped

with improved design capabilities and the spirit o challenge to move

aggressively into new emerging markets, Koreas overseas construction

industry has grown rapidly in the past ve years.

Domestically, perhaps two o the most ambitious projects in recent

years are the Yi Sun-sin Bridge and Lotte World ower, the latter

currently under construction. Some noteworthy examples o overseas

construction projects include the 829.8 meter Burj Khalia in the United

Arab Emiratesbuilt by Samsung C& Corporation over almost 47

months and recorded as the worlds tallest man-made structurethe

Petronas win owers in Malaysia built by Samsung C& Corp oration,

and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore by Ssangyong Engineering

and Construction.

Lotte World Tower

Upon its completion in 2015, Lotte World ower will be the tallest

skyscraper in the OECD, with six basement levels and 123 foors above

ground. Te groundbreaking at the construction site was in 2010.

Built by Lotte Construction Management, the tower is the brainchild

o Shin Kyuk-ho, chairman o Lotte Group, who thought that the nation

could not just rely on showing ancient palaces to oreign tourists.

Located near the Hangang River, the tower will have a conceptual design

calling or an observation deck, a six-star hotel, a luxury department

store, and sports and leisure acilities, as well as oces and residences.

Yi Sun-sin Bridge

Yi Sun-sin Bridge, which ocially opened to the public in February

2013, is the nations longest and the world's ourth longest suspension

bridge in terms o its main span length (1,545 meters). It was built by

8

Korean engineering rm Daelim.

Located in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, Yi Sun-sin Bridge is a suspension

bridge linking Myodo in Yeosu and Geumho-dong in the neighboring

city o Gwangyang. Te bridge was constructed as part o a plan to build

an access road to Yeosu Industrial Complex.

Petronas Towers

Te Petronas owers, a.k.a. Petronas win owers, are th e worlds

tallest twin towers and the anchor project o Kuala Lumpur City Center

(KLCC). Standing at 451.9 meters high, the project is composed o two

88-story oce buildings.

A 58.4-meter double-decker sky bridge links the Petronas win

owers at the 41st and 42nd foors. Right next to the Petronas win

owers is a premier shopping mall named Kuala Lumpur City Center.

Te huge crescent-shaped shopping mall contains specialty stores,

department stores, ashion boutiques, movie theaters, and more.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Te Marina Bay Sands Hotel stands out as Singapores most prestigious

landmark. Fronting Marina Bay, the integrated resort is a complex

o luxurious towers oering rst-class accommodation and is living

evidence o the Singaporean-style creative economy, observers say.

Te resort also eatures a 2,561-room hotel, a convention/exhibition

center, a shopping mall, a museum, two large theatres, seven restaurants,

an ice skating rink, and the worlds largest atrium casino. Te grand

opening was on February 17, 2011.

Burj Khalifa

Te Burj Khalia towerknown as Burj Dubai, literally ower Dubai,

prior to its inaugurationopened in sun-soaked United Arab Emirates

on January 4, 2010, as the world's tallest building. Burj Khalia is a needle-

shaped skyscraper that stands more than 800 meters tall and can b e seen

rom 95 kilometers away. Te tower also houses 900 residences, 37 foors

o oce space, a ne dining restaurant, and an observation deck.Te Burj Khalia brings a number o records to the UAE. In addition to

being ranked as the world's tallest structure in the world, it also has the

highest number o stories and the highest occupied foor in the world.

1. At 123 stories, Seouls Lotte World Tower will be the tallest building in the OECD. Kohn

Pedersen Fox Associates 2. The Yi Sun-sin Bridge is the worlds fourth-longest suspension

bridge in the world. 3. Singapores landmark Marina Bay Sands Hotel, built by Koreas

Ssangyong Engineering and Construction 4. The worlds tallest building at over 800 m high,

Dubais Burj Khalifa was constructed by Samsung C&T Corporation.

Koreas creative technology highlighted

in construction projects both at home and abroad

Building aBetter World

Written by Sohn Tae-soo

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B A L K O R E A

Since Korea made the landmark transition

rom net recipient to net donor o oreign aid

a ew years ago, the country has been playing

an increasingly active role in the East Asian region

and the wider world. Te recent heading o several

international organizations by Koreans, including the

World Health Organization by Lee Jong-wook (2003

2006) and the United Nations by Ban Ki-moon (2007

present), has urther helped raise the country's prole

as an international player in the humanitarian eld.

Several Korean doctors, however, have been active

overseas or much longer, bringing the benets o the

country's medical expertise to countries less ar along

the path o economic development.

Restoring Smiles

Proessor Baek Rong-min, a plastic surgeon at

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, began

volunteering in rural Korea in 1989 as part o an

inormal gathering o doctors. He discovered that

many children with cle lip and cle palate disorders

were not receiving treatment, oen because their

parents did not have the means to take them to Seoul

or were ashamed. In 1996, the organization Smile or

Children was ormed, and Korean volunteers began

looking at the possibility o working overseas, too.

Korea was just reaching the point where it was ready

to give help internationally rather than receive it,

Baek recalls. At the same time, diplomatic relations

with Vietnam were restored. I met the Vietnamese

ambassador at an event, and he was very positive

about the idea o us volunteering in Vietnam. He

introduced us to Vietnam's surgeon general.

Tus began a highly successul collaboration that

has seen Baek and his colleagues treat thousands o

Vietnamese children or cle lip and palate and other

disorders. Our team or overseas visits consists o

4550 Korean surgeons, anesthetists, and assistants,

he says. Were joined by around 10 Vietnamese

doctors that we trained. Te team runs six operating

theaters and treats around 200 patients a week.

Baek attributes the success o the volunteer work in

KOREA HELPSHEAL THE WORLDMedical volunteers devote time and expertise

o benefit patients in developing nations

Written by Ben Jackson

Vietnam not only to the surgery itsel, but to the education

and training provided to local sta and to the act that the

team takes all the equipment necessary to build the operating

theaters rom Korea or each visit and leaves it in Vietnam

upon returning.

I've started looking at other countries, too, continues Baek.

I've traveled to Uzbekistan and Indonesia, and we've fown

in children rom Mongolia and Myanmar or treatment in

Seoul. In mid-July, Baek traveled to Myanmar to examine the

possibilities o extending Smile or Childrens volunteer activity

to the Southeast Asian nation as it begins opening up to the

outside world. We want to help North Korea, he adds. We

keep trying to approach the North and we're ready to go there

as soon as we get permission.

Multiple Projects

Baek and Smile or Children are ar rom alone in their eorts.

In March this year, or e xample, Kwon Hyeon-ok, a gynecologist

based in the southeastern city o Jinju, was awarded Boryung

Pharmaceutical Company's prize or medical volunteering in

recognition o her eorts to provide care to patients in remote

areas o Nepal, Southeast Asia, and Arica over eight years.

Kwon was one o 249 medical practitioners to have received

the award since its creation in 1985. Other Korean doct

medical school academics are involved in projects as d

as developing emergency response medical services in

Democratic Republic o the Congo and arranging the d

Korean-donated medical supplies to Madagascar.

Te scale o overseas volunteer activity is such that

Foundation or International Healthcare now publish

country-specic guides or volunteer medical groups,

one or Mongolia and one or Cambodia.

As Korea takes an increasingly active role in providin

care, education, training, and equipment in East Asia an

the direct and indirect benets look set to urther streng

between nations and help eradicate diseases and disord

now rely on nothing more than poverty or their surviv

1

3

0

1. Smile for Children specializes in correcting cleft lip and cleft pa

among children in the developing world. Sm

2. Gynecologist Kwon Hyeon-ok has provided medical care in

Nepal, Southeast Asia, and Africa f

3. Smile for Children founder B

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E A T K O R E A N

Written by Charles Luskin

YOON BONG-GILIndependence activist inspired resistance to

colonial oppression

Japan ocially annexed Korea in 1910,

occupying it until 1945. Korea changed rapidly

during this tumultuous time. Tis annexation

ushered in a period o industrialization, exploitation,

and brutal physical and cultural repression. Koreans

experienced ood shortages and suered under

authoritarian and humiliating programs designed

to eradicate Korean nationalism and culture.

Needless to say, the occupation generated many

discontents. Aer nationwide peaceul protests in

March 1919 were violently suppressed, exiled Korean

nationalists redoubled their eorts to restore Korean

independencethis time, through whatever means

necessary. It was against this desperate backdrop

that Yoon Bong-gil threw a homemade bomb killing

the Japanese supreme commander in China and

wounding several other high-ranking members o

the Japanese government and military. Tis attack

and his subsequent death at the hands o the Japanese

military have made him a national hero.

Yoon Bong-gil was born in 1908 in the province

o Chungcheongnam-do. He was precocious and

rebellious. He reused to take part in the Japanese

public education system and, in his teenage years,

attempted to educate and radicalize local peasant

populations. Increasing political repression, however,

rustrated his eorts. In 1930 Yoon le his wie andchildren and went to China to meet the prominent

Korean independence activist Kim Gu. Kim

advocated violent attacks on prominent Japanese

targets in the service o independence. In 1932,

working with Kim Gu, Yoon Bong-gil created a plan

to attack a military celebration on Emperor Hirohitos

birthday, April 29, in Shanghais Hongkou Park.

2

1

A Patriotic Martyr

Yoon prepared two bombs, which he disguised as a lunchbox

and a canteen o water. He threw his rst bomb into the crowd

o military ocials and dignitaries, wounding seven. Te bomb

seriously injured Mamoru Shigemitsu, the uture Japanese

chie negotiator and oreign minister, and killed Commander

Shiragawa, the supreme military commander in China. Yoon

was apprehended beore he could detonate his second device.

He was taken to Japan, where he was convicted in a military

trial and executed on December 19, 1932. Tough the attack

ailed to bring about immediate independence, it drew theNationalist Chinese governments attention and raised the

prole o the Korean independence movement.

Yoon Bong-gil has become a Korean national hero. Te

success o his attack and his death at the hands the Japanese

military or the cause o Korean independence make him an

appealing patriota patriotic martyr who sacriced himsel to

help achieve Korean independence. He has been portrayed in

dramas and his ace has appeared on postage stamps.

Te sometimes uneasy confuence o the nobility o

ends and the violence o his means can be seen in his

in history in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean narrative

revered as he is in Korea, he is less popular in Japan. I

the shrine established to honor the place o his death

is the target o protests and vandalism by Japans right

Conversely, he is regarded avorably in China, where o

o the attack, Chinese donors constructed a large mon

to Yoon. In Korea, Yoons position is unimpeachable.

when a visiting American proessor suggested that YoBong-gil and Kim Gu were terrorists, it motivated st

condemnation rom intellectuals and the press. Toug

Yoons attack was launched rom the position o a vict

against representatives o a dominant and repressive r

His death at the hands o that regime cements his posi

patriot.

1. Photo of Yoon taken right befo

on Japanese military personnel in

April 29, 1932.

2. Chunguisa Shrine, the memori

Yoon Bong-gil in Yesan, Chungch

3. Yoons famous proclamation o

of his direct action in Shanghai on

1932.

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K O R E A

Koreas outdoor bazaars are treasure troves of food and culture

4

Staring at the grocery store produce, my

mind begins to wander. I am thinking o

how my experience would be dierent i I

were able to shop at