WOMAN POWER

Te election of Koreas frst female president

is a sign of the rising stature of women in Korean society
Written by Ko Yeon-kyung
C O V E R S T O R Y
L
akshmi Puri, the Assistant Secretary-
General for Intergovernmental Support
and Strategic Partnerships at the
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women (UN Women), visited Seoul on
June 3 to discuss issues of gender equality. Welcoming the
election of Park Geun-hye, Koreas first female president, she
proclaimed that Korea was on the verge of a second gender equality
revolution.
Koreas election of a woman as presidenta landmark event not just for
Korea but for all of East Asiahas focused global attention on the steadily
rising status of women in Korean society. As even the president herself put it,
Korean society accepting a female president could be the start of a big change. And
those big changes are already apparent, especially amongst the younger generation,
where female economic participation now outstrips that of men.
To be sure, theres still much work to be done to close the gender gap in Korea; as Minister
of Gender Equality and Family Cho Yoon-sun admits, Compared to the scale of our economy,
we still have a long way to go. Regardless, the election of Park and the ever-increasing presence of
women in authority has, while not completely shattered the glass ceiling, at least put gaping holes in it.
4 5
Woman ower y the Numers
[conomic parlicipalion rale ol women in lheir 2us 629%
ercenlage ol married women who conlro home linances 677%
ercenlage ol home purchases decided by women 31%
ercenlage ol car purchases decided by women 8u%
$ource: $tatIstIcs Korea
1
2 3
C O V E R S T O R Y
From No Women to a Womans World
On June 14, Lotte Department Store named Kim Ji-yun as head
of its Young Plaza department store in Myeong-dong, while
Lee Ju-yeong was named the head of its Young Plaza branch in
Daegu. Another woman, Lee Min-suk, has headed the Young
Plaza branch in Cheongju since 2011. With its latest moves, the
Lotte Group had placed three of its Young Plaza department
stores in the hands of female managers.
Tis was signifcant as, until recently, the group had been
known for its male-only management culture.
Troughout Korea, womens clout is on the rise. In June,
POSCO asked a woman to head its stainless steel plant in
Qingdao, China, the frst time the Korean steel giant has
entrusted one of its overseas subsidiaries to a woman. Tis
year, females accounted for 40.28% of judicial trainees, the
highest level ever and a major increase from last year (37.2%).
Recently released statistics by Statistics Korea, the national
statistical of ce, revealed that the economic participation rate
of women in their 20s was 62.9% in 2012. Te rate for men
in their 20s was 62.6%. Tis was the frst time ever that the
economic participation rate for women in their 20s outstripped
that of their male counterparts, a development made all the
more impressive by the fact that just 10 years earlier, the gap
stretched nearly 10 percentage points: 70.9% for men and
61.1% for women.
Other developments point clearly to a growing female role.
For the last two years, the valedictorians of the Korea Military
Academy have been female cadets; this year, Jejudo native 2nd
Lt. Yang Ju-hee not only was the academys top graduate
beating out 204 fellow cadetsbut was awarded the Presidents
Award by President Park during a joint commissioning
ceremony in March. In 2010, seven female of cers in the
Korean Air Force Academy were made majors, the frst time
women were promoted to feld-grade of cers. In 2008, Yi
So-yeon became Koreas frst and East Asias second female
astronaut.
Female university attendance surpasses that of males, and has
since 2009, when females recorded 82.4% university attendance
against 81.6% for males. Tis trend mirrors developments in
other developed nations such as the United States, where females
have represented about 57% of university enrollment since
2000. Women have been prominent in Korean sports thanks to
the success of stars such as Korean fgure skater Kim Yu-na and
golfers Pak Se Ri and Park In-bee. In the culture feld, women
such as opera singer Jo Sumi and violinist Chung Kyung-wha
have long been making a name for themselves internationally.
Womens Media
Lady Kyunghyang editor-in-chief Shin Kyung-hee sees
more and more women getting opportunities at the nations
newspapers, at least in part because they are doing better in the
recruitment exams. In fact, there are more women appearing
in the upper ranks in the results of the open recruitment tests
given by newspaper companies, she says. I think its that
women have grown smarter rather than the environment
improving. Since they are getting these visible results, they are
naturally getting opportunities. To be sure, in the media world
there are still bastions of male dominance, but, says Shin, if
2008 2009 2000 2011
Rate of increase over the previous year of women
who make over KRW100 million a year
4.8
9.8
15.8
18.8
2008 2009 2000 2011
Percentage of those who pay earned income
tax in Korea who are women
29.5
31.4
32.0
32.8
2008 2000 2011
Percentage of those who pay capital
gains tax in Korea who are women
35.9
36.9
38.8
International Press on the Election
of President Park Geun-hye
As the rst female President of the Republic of
Korea, Madame Park Geun-hye is an inspiration
for all women trying to break through the glass
ceiling and for all individuals committed to
serving the people.
- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in
TIMEs 2013 TIME 100
Parks election marks a historic breakthrough for
a traditionally Confucian country whose political
and commercial elds are dominated by men, in
both the private and public sectors.
- Agence France-Presse
I believe a lot of the women voters felt that, you
know, its time for Korea to have a woman leader
and that she could bring about greater equality
and rights for the women in Korea. I think
shes going to make a lot of efforts to unify the
country.
- Yonsei University Professor Lee Jung Hoon
on Australia Broadcasting Corporation
6
1. President Park Geun-hye giving her March 1 Independence Movement Day address.
2. 2nd Lt. Yang Ju-hee is the second female cadet in a rowto graduate at the top of her class at Korea Military Academy.
3. Female university enrollment nowexcedes that of men in Korea.
8 9
C O V E R S T O R Y
you look at the percentages, there are more women. Perhaps
not unexpectedly, this is particularly the case at womens
publications like the Lady Kyunghyang, one of Koreas most
infuential womens monthlies, where male editorsonce the
normhave all but disappeared. Observes Shin, As many
magazines, including the Lady Kyunghyang, target female
readers, they more greatly need female editors with greater
sympathy; perhaps in this environment, male editors lef on
their own.
Like most women, Shin points to the double burden of work
and childrearing as an impediment; she notes, however, that
you can sufciently take both on if you consider your place in
society and the work you do as important as family. Te issue
is how much worth you put on the work you do. According to
her, the biggest barrier to women comes not from outside, but
from within. I think the barriers are inside yourself, not just
within the media world but in whatever feld you work, she
says. When women lose out in rough competition with men,
they sometimes give up shortly afer, but at these times, women
need to make use of their delicate side. If women do each
thing delicately, not sofly, they can get results that are even
more complete. An aspiring magazine editor since her youth,
she doesnt immediately recall sufering many difculties on
account of her gender. Of course, there must have been some,
but seeing as I dont recall them, it seems the enjoyment I get
from my work has been greater than the difculties.
Women in Film: Growing Solidarity
Shim Jae-myung, the president of Korean flm production
company Myung Film, thinks the flm industry has come
a long way indeed. Half a century ago, Koreas only female
director cried Action! with a newborn baby strapped to her
back, she explains. Tis is to say she experienced hardship
as she performed her role as wife and mother on the flm
production set, too. When there were extremely few women
on a flm staf and the only job they could do was scripter,
the Korean term script girl was in common use. In the half-
century since, then, however, the number of women in the flm
industry has grown explosively, and their infuence has grown.
Women can be found in decision-making positions throughout
the flmmaking process, including production, marketing,
art, costume design, and makeup. Women even have legally
recognized groups, such as Women in Film Korea, to promote
solidarity amongst female flmmakers and speak for their
collective interest.
Tere is still work to be done, however, according to Shim.
Half the students studying in university flm departments are
women, and there are a surprising number of female directors
in independent flms and documentaries, says Shim. In the
commercial flm sector, however, flms directed by female
directors are still considered nonmainstream, indie, or art
flms, or still face biases.
Women Lawyers:
No Longer a Rare Minority
Kim Yeon-sil of Seoul Central District Prosecutors Ofce
is one of Koreas growing legion of female lawyers. Since
2010, over 40% of those who passed the bar exam have been
women, and over 40% of judicial trainees are female. Women
sometimes earn the highest scores on the bar exam. To Kim,
though, the biggest change is one of atmospherewomen
are no longer regarded as a special minority in the legal
feld. In criminal trials, its no longer a strange sight to see a
courtroom where the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney
are all women, she says. Accordingly, it seems that subjective
and diverse factors that evaluate an individuals ability while
excluding gender prejudices have taken hold.
Women werent always such a presence in the courtroom.
As recently as when I was commissioned in 2005, out of the
roughly 60 prosecutors in the ofce, there were only about six
or seven women, and those women hadnt been on the job for
long, so there were many superiors and colleagues who had no
experience whatsoever working with women, says Kim. Tis
led to difculties. Tere was an atmosphere where working
with female prosecutors was itself unfamiliar, and in that
atmosphere, I was a bit intimidated and at times felt burdened
by showing excessive consideration. As time passed, however,
the newness wore of, and relations between male and female
lawyers became more natural.
Work to Be Done
Experts and ofcials all agree, however, that much remains to
be done. In many sectors, female decision makers are still few.
A 2012 poll by consulting group McKinsey & Co. showed that
overall, female economic participation stood at just 55%, lower
than in China (74%) and Japan (62%). In the 1,787 companies
listed on the Korea Exchange, there are just 13 female CEOs,
and female representation on corporate boards and executive
committees stood at just 1% and 2%, respectively.
Te biggest barrierand the chief target of government
policyis structural. Female workers fnd it difcult, if not
impossible, to balance the responsibilities of the ofce
where long hours have been the norm in Koreawith the
responsibilities of home, where women have traditionally been
responsible for the lions share of childrearing responsibilities.
Te remedying of this structural barrier has been a major
focus of not only Korean gender policy but also national
economic policy. As then presidential candidate Park said on
the campaign trail, A work-life balance is no longer just a
womens issue but the countrys. In particular, boosting female
economic participation is seen as key to the governments
pledge to boost overall economic participation to 70%. Te
only promise that the government made to the people was an
employment rate of 70% for the middle class, said Minister
Cho. To meet the 70% employment rate, we have to enhance
the female employment rate a lot because females are a
resource that is relatively less utilized. In that sense, we can
connect the gender issue in an economic way, connecting the
gender issue with the female employment rate.
Myung Filmpresident ShimJae-myung, producer of many of Koreas best-loved flms.
Judicial trainees take an oath to become judicial offcers. Women nowaccount for over 40%of judicial trainees.
C O V E R S T O R Y
10 11
Koreas Minister of Gender Equality and Family Cho Yoon-sun
is the defnition of female accomplishment. A Columbia Law
School-trained lawyer by profession, Cho served as a lawmaker
and spokesperson of Koreas ruling party before joining Parks
government in March 2013. But even she admits theres plenty
of work to be done. Te trend is that the position of women
in Korean society is improving, she says. But compared to the
scale of our economy, we still have a long way to go.
Cho cites systemic and structural barriers that hinder the
advancement of women in Korean society. Tese barriers
undercut female representation in the economic and political
spheres. In the Korean economic sphere, we work long
hours, and women fnd it difcult to survive in an economic
environment taking care of both work and family, she
says. Accordingly, while women surpass men in their rate
of economic activity in their 20s, that rate drops sharply
as women enter their 30s, and it never recovers. Because
their careers have been so seriously cut, they fnd it difcult
to get work again. Politically, too, Koreas level of female
representation lags behind other advanced nations, she says.
Work-Life Balance
To rectify this gap, the governments top priority is to strike
a work-life balance. Tere are many policies to allow work
and home to coexist, explains Cho. One of the things weve
announced recently is workplace child care centers; we made
these in collaboration with other ministries and departments.
Also key to righting the work-life balance is reducing Koreas
long work hours, building a culture where men assume a
greater share of the childrearing responsibilities, and promoting
greater work fexibility.
Fortunately, men are beginning to embrace the concept of
childrearing. Cho says, When I visit workplace child care
centers, I fnd a lot of men bring their kids to the company and
enjoy bringing them back home. One government initiative
is to encourage men to take paternity leave. Cho notes the
example of France. Tey are making a law that if a certain
period of the paternal leave set aside for new parentssay,
three monthsis not used by the fathers, those three months
are gone, she explains. So youve got to go. I think thats a
good start. Making full use of maternity or paternity leave,
however, is still something frowned upon in many workplaces.
I heard a story from a female reporter that if a female reporter
uses the maternity leave for one or more years, the company
thinks she has no intention to do her best, she says. Tat kind
of perception should be lifed.
Te second priority is to shatter the glass ceiling that has
so far blocked female representation at the higher levels of
the economy. While spring has arrived at the bottom of the
mountain, theres still an ice cap at the summit, says Cho.
Tis is to say, in terms of female representation, theres still
a glass ceiling. As I said before, many women in their 30s
are quitting, and even if they dont quit, they fnd it difcult
to rise. She stresses the need for both the public and private
sectors to encourage womens careers so that they can rise to
decision-making positions, as well as the need for education,
networking, and mentoring for female workers.
First Female President Sign of mature
Democracy
Cho regards the election of Park, Koreas frst female president,
as a signifcant event. Having a female president does not
necessarily mean she broke the entire glass ceiling, but she
made a hole, she says. We have to hit and tap to break it
completely.
Te most important thing about Parks election, she says,
is that she is one of the frst female presidents in Asia to be
directly elected by an electorate. We have a lot of female
leaders, like prime ministers, who were indirectly elected by the
people, she explains. But shes a president. Tere are very few
female presidents elected by all the voters. Tat this happened
in a Confucian nation makes it even more signifcant. I think
this speaks for our collective intelligence and the maturity of
our democracy, she says.
It was the prospect of a female president that encouraged
Cho to join the campaign in the frst place. I thought that if
we have a female president, then the men will voluntarily think
of how to get along with women and how to communicate
well with women, she says. Tats something theyve never
voluntarily thought before.
Bridging the Gap
Koreas unique historical experience allows the nation to be a
bridge between the developed and developing world in relation
to gender issues, says Cho. It took two or three centuries for
advanced countries to go from the industrial revolution to
where they are today, but we developed in 60 years, she says.
I think we can do the same thing in gender issues. By helping
developing nations boost their female education rate and
empower femalesfor example, through UN Women, with
whom Korea works closely, and through a variety of overseas
development assistance projectsKorea can help close gender
gaps in the developing world. My goal is to lessen the amount
of time it takes to close the gender gap so that developing
countries dont have to repeat our trials and errors and other
countries trials and errors, she says.
2
12 13
P E N & B R U S H
HAN KANG
Writers novels explore the full spectrum of
the human experience
Written by Charles Montgomery
W
hat is the goal of your writing? is
the opening question this reporter
asks novelist and poet Han Kang.
Author Han smiles, gathers herself, and in a very quiet
voice replies, It is to make people think. Tis simple
motto, to make people think, has worked itself into
Hans fction, poetry, and even music for the last twenty
years. When asked why she writes, Han is equally
simple and direct. I began writing, and I wanted to
write, because I wanted to fnd the answer to what is
life?
Han was born in 1970 in the southwestern city of
Gwangju and moved to Seoul at age eleven. Her writing
career commenced in 1993 with a poem in Literature
and Society. Te following year her story Red Anchor
won a literary contest, and she was launched as a fction
writer. In 1995, A Convicts Love earned Han attention
for its precise and closely narrated style, and her book
Vegetarian launched Han into the literary stratosphere,
both in Korea and overseas. Hans career has been
controversial, but she has garnered many approbative
reviews and won the Dong-ni Literary Award, Yi Sang
Literary Award, Korean Fiction Prize, and Todays
Young Artist Prize.
Although Kim was born in Gwangju, she notes that
in her writing she has not consciously considered the
history of her hometown, Gwangju, partly because she
living in Seoul during the most important event of the citys modern
history, the Gwangju Democratic Movement. Han admits, however,
that the Gwangju Democratic Movement did infuence her writing.
Afer moving to Seoul, her father showed her some pictures of the
uprising, and she reports that it began to make her think that human
beings could be very scary.
Tis scariness populates her most famous work, Vegetarian.
Vegetarian, a three-part work including the title story, Te
Mongolian Spot, and Fire Tree, has been an international success.
It was nominated for the prestigious Dong-ni Literary Award in
2010 and has already been published in Spanish, Japanese, and
Vietnamese, with French and English versions upcoming. A flm
version of the book was released in February of 2010; it was shown
at the Sundance Film Festival of that year.
Vegetarian is the story of a disturbed young woman who,
desiring purity, believes she is becoming a tree. Vegetarian is a book
essentially about the violence and innocence of a person, explains
Han. Tere is a character in the book who shuns all food, starting
with meat, because she believes she is an innocent. Tis is an attitude
or perspective in which a person can look at others excluding all
violence.
Han is quick to note that the meaning of her fction is universal.
Commenting on the critical perception that her fction dwells on
dark themes, she says, I dont intentionally work with the theme of
pain and sufering. Im a person who looks at the inside of people
as human beings. A person, she explains, can never get around
pain, but that doesnt mean she considers herself to be writing
on pain or painful subjects. I consider myself to be tracing out
particular aspects of human beings in each work that I do, she says.
My fction is about exploring the existence of human beings. Te
human spectrum is broad, she observes: a human being can commit
mass murder in Auschwitz or throw themselves on a railroad track
to save another person who has fallen there.
Hans novel Te Wind is Blowing, which has been sold to a
publisher in France, also focuses on themes of pain and human
confict, but in this case the struggle is between reality and memory.
Seo Inju, the central female character, dies afer a car crash, and her
memory is curated by an art critic and professor who claims to
have been her lover. Te narrator is tasked with unmasking what is
true and what is not, and eventually the narrators life is threatened
by Seo Injus murderer.
Han admits to many infuences, both national and international.
Japanese and Spanish
translations of Vegetarian
P E N & B R U S H
14 15
I had never really liked pushing the envelope. When I was younger, I would boss
around neighborhood kids who were a couple years younger than me; when I got
older, I applied to a university where I knew I could get an adequate scholarship;
and now I was satisfed just to be getting a regular paycheck (though it was nothing
to brag about) at a small company where my mediocre talents were prized. Tis is
why it was only natural for me to choose to marry a woman who could not have
looked more ordinary. Women whom other people talked about because they were
pretty, smart, noticeably sexy, or from a wealthy household had just made me feel
uncomfortable.
Just as I had expected, she had no trouble fulflling the role of an ordinary wife. She
got up every morning at six oclock to prepare a meal of rice, soup, and one fsh, and
she chipped in to the family income through part-time work that she had been doing
since before we got married. She worked as an assistant instructor at the computer
graphics institute where she had studied for a year, and at home she did contract work
for a publisher, inserting dialogue into speech bubbles in comic books.
My wife didnt do a lot of talking. It was rare that she had anything to ask of me,
and no matter how late I came home, she didnt say anything about it. Neither did she
suggest going of somewhere on those days when we both happened to be of work.
While I spent the entire afernoon relaxing with the TV remote in my hand, she shut
herself up in her room. She was probably doing some work or reading a book. (If
she had a hobby at all, it was probably reading, though most of her books looked so
boring that I couldnt even bring myself to open them.) It was not until mealtime that
she opened the door and emerged, preparing the food without speaking. In fact, there
was no chance that it would be much fun to live with a woman like her. However,
it exhausted me just to hear about my coworkers or friends wives ringing up their
mobile phones several times a day, or about wives who nagged their husbands on a
regular basis and provoked boisterous fghts, so I was grateful for her.
If there was one thing about my wife that you might say was peculiar, it was the fact
that she didnt like bras. During our short and uneventful courtship, I once happened
to rest my hand on her back, only to fnd that I could not feel a bra strap underneath
her sweater. Tis got me a little worked up. For a short time, I saw her in a diferent
light. I observed her actions to see if she was sending me some kind of nonverbal
signal. From this observation, I concluded she was defnitely not sending me a signal.
But if it wasnt a signal, was it laziness? Apathy? I didnt understand. In fact, her
unimpressive bust was not even suited for going braless. If she had worn a heavily
padded bra instead, at least I would have been able to hold my head high when I
introduced her to my friends.
(Excerpt from Vegetarian, p. 1012)

Tis is why it was only

natural for me to choose to
marry a woman who could not
have looked more ordinary.
Women whom other people
talked about because they
were pretty, smart, noticeably
sexy, or from a wealthy
household had just made me
feel uncomfortable.
When I was young I read every book that came into my
hands, she recalls. I read Im Chul-woos short stories when I
was very young and found beauty in them. I always wanted to
write short stories that contained the beauty that he expressed.
She also counts amongst her infuences Korean novelist Oh
Jung-hee, Kafa, and several South American writers.
As Han looks toward the future, she is optimistic about her
work. She says that, Ancient Greek Class [her most recent
novel] was my ffh. Personally I like it better than Vegetarian.
Book number six is on the way. I hope to publish it next year
sometime. Han also looks forward in the upcoming year to
the publication of a book of poetry. She started writing poetry
years ago, and bit by bit they began to accumulate. Now I have
about sixty poems that will come out this autumn, she says. Its
my frst book of poetry.
Representative Works
Hans frst story collection was Love in Yeosu, which was
followed in 1998 by her novel Black Deer, the story of a young
woman who has disappeared. Hans second novel Your Cold
Hands, the story of a sculptor and his two love afairs, examines
the diference between our public faces and inner selves. Afer
taking some time of, Han published her most famous work,
Vegetarian, quickly followed by Leave Now and Te Wind is
Blowing. Te latter three works delve deeply into the tragedies
of life. Hans works have been and continue to be translated
into foreign languages, and Korean and international readers
can continue to look forward to Hans touching and dark
explorations intended to make people think.
Scenes and poster fromthe flm
adaptation of Vegetarian
16 17
P E O P L E
I
t,s 2013, and the feld of robotics is more relevant
than ever. Major breakthroughs in robotics
technology are making what used to be the stuf
of pop culture speculation into reality, and according
to Dr. Lee Sang Cheol of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute
of Science and Technology (DGIST), robots are poised
not to take over the world but to better it. Robots are
already well on their way to being integrated into
the industrial, medical, and entertainment sectors
although admittedly not with the same dramatic fourish
depicted in countless sci-f flmsand have been
recognized by the Park administration as the fower of
the creative economy agenda. Tis year and the years to
come constitute a new era of robotics, characterized by
exponential growth and revolutionary ideascertainly
something to look out for.
Dr. Lee is a senior researcher in the Robotics Research
Division at DGIST, and his current project seeks to
replace environmentally unsound fossil fuel energy
sources and imperfect battery-power technology with
sustainable, ef cient, and high-powered energy sources
for intelligent robotsthe new frontier of robotics.
Compared to the past, when robotics research was
concerned primarily with the application of robots
in industrial manufacturing, the present trend in
robotics is geared towards the development of artifcial
intelligencerobots equipped with some degree of
freedom, says Dr. Lee. Such robots are being developed
for domestic, recreational, educational, and public
service purposes.
Tis is an exciting prospect, and this time its not just
factory owners who stand to gain from it. Te universal
application of robots beyond the realm of industry could
mean that robots will be shouldering the repetitive,
everyday tasks that people are reluctant to do. Te saved
time and efort, of course, is the ultimate prize.
Imagine a homemaker. Studies estimate the average
time spent daily on household chores is about six-and-a-
half hours, says Dr. Lee, If robots were to be employed
to reduce that workload, that person could use that
saved time for the beneft of their own self or family. Te
fnal result is a heightened quality of life.
However, the possibility of robots eliminating the need
for human labor raises concerns for many, particularly
those in a line of work that may undergo a robotic
takeover in the future. Dr. Lee, however, is confdent
that robots will actually create new jobs for displaced
workers.
3D jobs (dirty, dangerous, and demeaning) are
likely to be taken up by robots in the future, as are
procedures that necessitate extreme precision, such as
invasive surgery, says Dr. Lee, but consider a similar
controversy during the Industrial Revolution in Great
Britain, when textile workers formed the Luddite
movement to protest the induction of machines into
factories. Tough initially out of work, these workers
soon adapted to the new system and stepped in as
mechanics for those very machines. I think the same
principle applies to robots.
Tis eternal essentiality of the human element is a
key ingredient in Dr. Lees approach to robotics, which
seeks not to preclude human initiative, but to aid and
supplement it.
Take, for example, an educational robot, says Dr.
Lee. As the educational robot market expands, it will be
accompanied by a demand for content, be it storybooks
or nursery rhymes that the robot will read aloud to
a child. However, it is impossible for a robot to ever
replicate the imagination and creative capabilities of the
human mind, and so these newly furnished creative jobs
will naturally be taken on by humans.
Despite great strides having been made, Dr. Lee
is emphatic that there is still much room for both
technological and social progress.
Korean society has yet to establish a frm, informed
attitude towards robots, says Dr. Lee. Intelligent
robots are a break from a long tradition; unlike their
industrial counterparts, their sphere of activity will be in
close proximity with humans. To successfully integrate
artifcial intelligence in everyday life, we need to frst
devise a new paradigm for how robots are viewed in
society.
Written by Gary Hayes
A city at the heart of the nation
Spectacular coastline of Alligator Island, one of Chungjuho Lake's most scenic spots KTO
T R A V E L
N
estled at the foot of the Sobaeksan Mountains at the very geographic heart
of Koreaits even got a landmark pagoda to prove itChungju is one of
Koreas more pleasant small towns, a paragon of rustic charm and civility
whose most recent claim to fame is as the hometown of current UN Secretary-
General Ban Ki-moon.
If youre willing to do a bit of exploring, Chungjus mountains, rivers, and lakes
yield an abundance of scenic beauty. One scenic lake, Tangeumho, will even play host
to the 2013 World Rowing Championships, one of the biggest international sporting
events of the year. If youre looking for more relaxing pleasures, the hamlet of Suanbo
has grown into one of Koreas most popular spa resorts.
18 19
T R A V E L
20 21
Dining
Many of the better eateries of
Chungju can be found in the
Suanbo area. Pheasant (kkwong)
is a particular specialty. Multi-
course pheasant meals serve the
meat of this delicious bird in a myriad
of ways, including in dumplings and stews. Good place to
score it are Satkatchon Kkwong Yori (T. 043-846-2529) and
Daejanggun Sikdang (T. 043-846-1757), where meals start
at KRW40,000. Other local specialties include rabbit and
duck.
Accommodations
The tourist-class Chungju Grand
Hotel is a ve-minute taxi ride
fromthe bus terminal and a ten-
minute walk fromthe market and
downtown area. There are motels in
the area close to the train station and 10 minutes walk from
the bus terminal. For something a bit more edifying, try the
Seokjongsa Temple Experience program(www.seokjongsa.
org, T. 043-854-4505).
Getting around
FromSeoul its a 100-minute express bus journey from
Express Bus Terminal. Its also a one-hour express bus ride
fromCheongju International Airport. Taxis are available
outside the main bus terminal and in the downtown
area. Chungju is an easy city to cycle around; bicycles
can be rented at the World Peace Park. There is a tourist
information ofce inside the bus terminal.
MORE INFO
Seoul
Jejudo
Chungju
Chungjuho Lake
Northeast of Chungju is its monumental lake, Chungjuho, a
popular fshing destination. It is Koreas largest artifcial lake,
created by the construction of Chungju Dam. Te road across
the dam is accessible to visitors and ofers striking views. An
observatory elevator leads to the top of Uan Park; a cultural
center displays the story of the dam project. On the parks
lower level is a caf as well as impressive views of the dam and
a nature trail.
Across from the dam is the Chungju Ferry Terminal, where
round-trip cruises are ofered to Woraksan National Park and
further on to Danyang, home to the spectacular Gosu Caves
and Guinsa Temple.
Woraksan National Park and the Suanbo Area
Located south of the city, Woraksan National Park has well-
marked hiking trails. Be sure to visit the giant stone Buddha
at the ruins of Mireuksa Temple, at the base of the mountain.
Tere is excellent camping, and the restaurants serve local
produce. Te nearby Deokjusa Temple is the start of an
enjoyable hike to spectacular rock carvings and a hermitage.
Tangeumdae Park and Jungangtap Area
West of the terminal, the earthen fortress of Tangeumdae Park
is the place where the famed 6th century Korean musician
Ureuk played the gayageum, or 12-stringed harp. It was also
the site of one of the greatest battles of 16th century Imjin War,
when a Korean army led by Shin Ripin a desperate stand
with their backs to the riverwas cut down to the last man by
Japanese invaders.
Tangeumdae Park has a beautiful pine-tree-shaded circular
walk. Highlights include the Chungju Archery Center, a stylish
caf, and a Buddhist temple. Teres a memorial to Ureuk
and a viewing platform with panoramas across Imperial Lake
towards Jungangtap Park.
Neighboring Tangeumdae is the World Martial Arts Park, which
hosts a festival every September/October with competitions, cultural
performances, and a local farmers market. Te various martial arts
disciplines are celebrated in the World Martial Arts Museum. Tis
locale is family-oriented and includes areas for picnicking. Bikes can
also be hired in the park.
At Jungangtap Park, the impressive granite tower known as the
Tappyeongni Seven-Story Stone Pagoda of Chungju marks the center
of Korea and dates from 785. Te park includes a sculpture garden and
the Chungju Museum and is alongside the venue for the 2013 World
Rowing Championships. Close to Jungangtap, a museum has been built
to house a stele from the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo (37 BCE668
CE). It is said to be the only Goguryeo stele lef in Korea.
1. Korean rowers train at TangeumLake International Rowing Regatta, the venue for the 2013 World
Rowing Championships. 2. Outdoor spa with viewof Mt. Woraksan, Suanbo. Suanbo Hotspring
3. Giant Goryeo Era stone Buddha at ruins of Mireuksa Temple, Woraksan National Park. KTO
1
3
2
2013 World Rowing Championships (Aug 25Sep 1)
The 2013 World Rowing Championships, the highlight of the international rowing
calendar, will be held at the stunning TangeumLake International Rowing Regatta.
Some 2,200 athletes fromaround 80 nations will participate in the event, which will be
accompanied by all sorts of traditional Korean cultural events.
http://2013chungju.org
THE BEST EVER?
Park In-bee leads new generation of Korean golfers
Written by KimTong-hyung
S P O R T S
W
hen Pak Se-ri burst onto the scene in 1998
with one of the best rookie seasons in LPGA
Tour history, she opened the door for a wave of
Korean golfers attempting to emulate her success in America.
Fifeen years later, the tour is overfowing with Koreans,
who in some tournaments have represented up to one-
third of the players making the cut. While they threaten to
combine for double-digit wins every season, none of them
have managed to approach the individual brilliance of Pak,
who became a Hall of Famer in 2007 when the minimum
career-length requirement was fulflled.
But that was before Park In-bee opened this season with a
tour de force and confrmed she has a prayer at threatening
Paks title as Koreas best female golfer ever.
Park, currently the worlds No. 1 ranked female golfer,
defeated Scotlands Catriona Matthew in a sudden-death
playof to top the Wegmans LPGA Championship in New
York. On June 30, she took home her third straight major by
winning the US Womens Open; in so doing, she became the
frst LPGA golfer to win the frst three majors of the season
since Babe Zaharias did it in 1950.
Grand Slam in Sight
Te 24-year-old now has nine career LPGA wins, including
four major titlesand a shot at having a better season than Pak
ever did.
Afer winning four tournaments as a rookie, Pak followed
with four wins in 1999 and fve each in 2001 and 2002. Park
needed just half a season to reach four this year, and at the
time of this writing, needed just two wins in the next 15
tournaments to set a single season win record for a Korean.
Parks ascent to the upper echelons of womens golf was
unexpected before last year. She managed a bright start to her
career, winning the 2008 US Womens Open that doubled as her
frst LPGAwin and maiden major title. However, she went winless
for nearly four years before topping the Evian Masters in July last
year. She has been on a tear since, winning seven of her last 23
starts.
She now seems to be in the thick of her prime, displaying
power, aggression, and the fair for the moment that once
defned Pak but showing perhaps a more polished game than
her childhood idol.
Its an honor for my records to be compared to those of a
great player like Se-ri, Park told Korean reporters in New York.
What I want to achieve most this year is a career Grand Slam
by winning my fourth diferent major and winning the LGPA
Player of the Year award. I want to achieve the Grand Slam
as early as I can, and I am more motivated by my recent win,
which I feel has boosted my confdence.
A career Grand Slam is one milestone Pak failed to reach, as
she has never been able to fnish better than a tie for ninth at
Kraf Nabisco.
Parks competition in the remaining tournaments could
come from her compatriots. Even excluding Park, the list of
Korean golfers is loaded: theres last years US Womens Open
winner Choi Na-yeon, last years Rookie of the Year Ryu So-
yeon, and of course, reigning British Open champion Shin Ji-
yai, the only Korean other than Park to ever be ranked No. 1
in the world.
1. Park In-bee topped the leaderboard at the 2012 Evian Masters.
2. Pak Se-ri, the legendary Korean golfer who opened the way for
Korean participation on the LPGA tour.
2
22 23
3. Seo Hee-kyung
4. KimMi-hyun
5. Shin Jiyai
6. Ryu So-yeon
3
1
4
5
6
1
S
afe is a 13-minute flm from director Moon
Byoung-gon that took home the Palme dOr for
best short flm at the 66th Cannes International
Film Festival last month. It was Moons frst Cannes
win and the frst time a Korean director has taken
home the top prize at Cannes. Safe was also the only
Korean flm featured in the festival this year.
Te announcement came as something of a surprise
to both the 30-year-old director and the Korean flm
industry. Moon, who studied flm at Chung-Ang
University, is not a Cannes newbie; in 2011, his fve-
minute short Finis Operis was selected for Critics Week
at Cannes. But he was not a closely watched veteran
like regulars Bong
Joon-ho and Kim Ki-
duk, for example.
Te eyes of the
Korean flm industry
were trained on the
feature flms, and in
that sense Safe emerged
triumphant out of
relative obscurity from
the short flm section
albeit as a short flm
that packed a lot of
punch. And initial surprise aside, upon viewing the
flm the win feels appropriate rather than surprising.
In that sense, Safe is a reminder that size really isnt
everythingaudiences are missing out when theaters
are overwhelmingly geared toward standard-length
features. At the moment, this is not, unfortunately, the
sort of movie you can catch at the local Megabox.
Not Easy to Summarize
Safe is compact, stylish, and highly entertaining,
maintaining a sense of urgency for its entire running
time without feeling rushed. Te story follows a college
student working part-time as a cashier at an illegal
gambling center. Te setting is a claustrophobia-
inducing room in a dingy underground parking lot.
Te student wants to leave. Te audience wants her to
leave. But the gambling addict with the nervous fngers
who comes to her booth each day complicates her
plan. Even the brief moment of natural daylight in the
flm, a visual relief from the dimness of the booth, does
not quite deliver on the hope that it initially seems to
promise. Safe maintains a taut narrative throughout,
from the seemingly straightforward premise all the way
to the ironic and blackly humorous fnale.
Neither the grimy setting nor the dark subject
matter seems like the traditional stuf of humor. But
the ending, while undoubtedly dark, will surely garner
some appreciation for its situational irony as well as for
the clever nod to the title. Some vagueness is necessary
here for the sake of
leaving the ending
unspoiled for future
audiences. But even
those who have
read other reviews
will surely fnd
that watching Safe
is quite a diferent
experience from
reading about it;
a truly good flm,
afer all, is not one
that submits to an easy summary.
At a press conference in Cannes following his win, a
glowing Moon talked about howhappy he was with this
unexpected honor and about his hope that the win would
lead to other opportunities.
Safe was shot over four days and made with KRW 8
million (less than USD$8,000), which is chump change
even in the world of low-budget flmmaking. KRW
5 million came from the Shin Young Kyun Arts and
Culture Foundation; KRW 3 million came out of the
directors own pocket.
But if this director can create a story like Safe with
KRW 8 million and package it into a 13-minute
running time, then we can safely expect that, yes, his
win will lead to other opportunities. And ultimately, we
as audience members are the ones who will beneft.
24 25
SAFE
Written by Violet Kim
1. Director Moon Byoung-gon accepts the Palme d'Or at Cannes 2. Scene fromSafe
2
26 27
A
t 10am on July 27, 1953, delegates representing the UN
Command, the North Korean Peoples Army, and the
Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army signed the Korean
Armistice Agreement. Twelve hours later, the agreement went
into full efect, and guns fell silent across the Korean Peninsula.
Te agreementthe product of over two years of negotiations
brought the Korean War to a de facto conclusion; while incidents
and provocations would continue to the present day, major
military operations were over.
Tis year marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of this landmark
agreement. Accordingly, it also marks six decades of peace on the Korean
Peninsula, a peace that has allowed the Republic of Korea to develop into an
economic powerhouse and full-fedged democracy. Korea and the 16 nations
that participated in the Korean War are hosting a series of events to mark the
anniversary. Most notable, however, are eforts by the government of Korea to
turn the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the most tangibly dramatic product
of the armistice, into an international park and a global symbol of peace.
Marking the Armistice
As the anniversary of the armistice approaches, Korea and the allied nations
that fought alongside Korea during the war are preparing a series of events to
remember soldiers sacrifces and celebrate six decades of peace.
Te Korean military is hosting a series of events to mark the anniversary,
including reenactments of the South Korean/UN sides three greatest victories:
the Battles of Chuncheon, the Nakdonggang Perimeter, and the Incheon
Landing. Memorial ceremonies will also be held at other major South Korean
battle sites such as Hwaryeongjang, the Korea Strait, Hill 351, and the retaking
of Seoul. Battles fought primarily by UN forces, such as the Battle of Seolma-
ri and Jipyeong-ri, will also be commemorated. Surviving Korean War veterans
will be returning to Korea through the Revisit Korea Program, established by
the Korean government in 1975 to allow veterans of the confict an opportunity
to attend memorials and witness the development made possible through their
sacrifces.
In a nod to the growing infuence of Korean pop culture overseas, Korean
singer and actor Rain and singer Sangchu performed at the World Peace
Arirang Festival in Washington, DC on May 78. Commemorating the 60th
anniversary of the armistice and the Korea-US alliance, the festival included not
only K-pop performances but also a fashion show of traditional Korean clothing
and traditional Korean dance. Perhaps even more touching will be an orchestral
performance on July 26 at Dorasan Station, a small train station just before the
DMZ. Te orchestra will be composed of musicians from all 21 nations that sent
personnel to Korea during the war.
Participating nations will host their own events. At the Korean War Veterans
Memorial in Washington, DC, the US Department of Defense will present
its commemorative Heroes Remembered program on July 27 to pay tribute
to American veterans of the war and recognize the sacrifces of UN allies. In
Canada, 2013 has been designated the Year of the Korean War Veteranin April,
Minister of Veterans Afairs Steven Blaney accompanied 36 Canadian veterans
of the Korean War on a trip to Korea to participate in commemorative events. In
the United Kingdom, veterans will gather at Westminster Abbey on July 11 for a
service of thanksgiving.
2
S P E C I A L I S S U E
As the agreement that ended the Korean War
marks its 60th year, nations around the world refect
on sacrifce and peace
Written by Robert Koehler
ARMISTICE
TURNS60
1. American veteran of the Korean War reects as he gazes upon Brothers, a monument at the War Memorial of Korea, Seoul. 2. The signing of the Armistice Agreement, July 27, 1953.
1
60 Years of Alliance
The Korea-US alliance also turns 60 this year. Forged
in blood during the Korean War, the alliance has served
as the bedrock of Korea's national security. At a dinner
with Korean President Park Geun-hye at Washington's
Smithsonian Institution on May 8, US Defense Secretary
paid tribute to the alliance and stressed that it "remains
vital to the interests of both of our nations and a
cornerstone of stability in Northeast Asia." A series
of cultural events and exchanges have been planned
throughout the year to mark the anniversary.
DMZ Historic Sites
Nodong Dangsa: Built in Soviet style with Soviet construction techniques,
this concrete structure was the Cheorwon of ce of North Koreas ruling
party prior to the Korean War. Bombed during the bitter fghting of the
Korean War, italong with the rest of old Cheorwonwas lef in ruins.
Today it serves as a memorial to the tragedy of national division.
Seungilgyo Bridge: Started by the North Koreans prior to the war
and completed by the Americans afer the war, Seungilgyo Bridge is
sometimes called Koreas bridge on the River Kwai.
Woljeong-ri Station: Once a whistle stop on the Seoul-Wonsan Line,
Woljeong-ri Station is nowa museumjust south of the southern edge of
the DMZ.
JSA: Te iconic Joint Security Area (JSA) near the truce village of
Panmunjeomis the only place where the two Koreas come face-to-face.
Nations that Participated in the Korean War
Nations that sent combat troops: Australia, Belgium, Canada,
Columbia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, Tailand, Turkey, the United
Kingdom, the United States.
Nations that provided medical support: Denmark, India, Italy, Norway,
Sweden
DMZ Peace Park Project
In her address to the US Congress in May, President Park Geun-
hye said, Te Demilitarized Zone must live up to its name,
a zone that strengthens peace, not undermines it. Proposing
an international park inside the DMZa park that sends a
message of peace to all of humanityshe said, It would be a
zone of peace bringing together not just Koreans separated by a
military line, but also the citizens of the world.
If July 27, 1953 was the day the Korean War ended, it was
also the day the DMZ was born. Stretching 259 km across the
entire width of the Korean Peninsula, the DMZ serves as the
border between South and North Korea. Te day the guns
fell silent, both sides moved their troops back two kilometers
from the fnal line of contact, producing a four-kilometer-wide
bufer zone. In the center of this bufer zone ran the Military
Demarcation Line (MDL), which marked the old front line and
is the precise border between South and North Korea. Te
two sides were allowed to conduct patrols on their respective
halves of the bufer, but heavy weapons were strictly forbidden.
Civilian communities were removed as wellonly two villages,
Daeseongdong in the South and Kijong-dong in the North,
were allowed to remain.
Te DMZ is one of the worlds great involuntary parks.
Involuntary parks are formerly inhabited areas that for
historical, social, economic, or political reasons have been
abandoned and returned to nature. Once a stage for human
activity like anywhere else in Korea, the DMZ has been a
no mans land for six decades, during which time the strip
was reclaimed by the wild; it is now the Korean Peninsulas
greatest nature preserve. Te strip is home to many of Koreas
endangered species of fora and fauna, including leopards,
Amur gorals, and red-crowned cranes.
Te DMZ is also home to signifcant historical and cultural
heritage. It is, afer all, a product of one of the most important
events in 20th century Korean history. Te ruins of once great
towns, abandoned railroads, old North Korean monuments,
and other reminders of Koreas tragic national division are
hidden throughout the zones forests and felds.
In May, the Korean government began interagency
discussions on turning the DMZ into a peace park. Private
organizationssome of which have long called for the
establishment of such a park along the inter-Korean frontier
will be called upon for advice. Eventually, the government
hopes to put proposals forward for negotiations with the North
Korean authorities.
1. The ruins of what was the local offce of the North Korean ruling party, the Nodong
Dangsa in Cheorwon is nowa symbol of the tragedy of fratricidal war.
2. Wild geese in the restricted zone of Cheorwon. The DMZ is one of the worlds
biggest involuntary parks and home to many rare and endangered species.
3. South and North Korean military police face off at the Joint Security Area in
Panmunjeom. The DMZ is one of the last Cold War frontiers in the world.
28 29
2
1
3
CURRENT KOREA
SETTLING DOWN
As Korea grows more multicultural, government seeks to assist
newcomers in the settlement process
Written by Felix Im
T
he number of foreigners residing in Korea exceeded
1.5 million for the frst time in national history
according to a survey conducted by the Korea
Immigration Service, the results of which were announced
in early June. With the foreign resident population
having more than doubled within the last ten years, the
Korean government has begun to steadily increase the
implementation of policies and programs designed to ease
the settling process.
Seoul Global Center
Seoul Global Center is among the best-known and widely
used of such programs. Since its initiation in 2008, they
have been ofering a variety of services to help newcomers
adjust to life in Seoul. Tey not only ofer information on
basic needs such as visas, transportation, and housing but
also can tell you how to acquire a drivers license in Korea,
recommend schools if you have children in Korea, and
provide a job networking program for both job-seekers
and employers. Long-term or permanent residents can fnd
information on how to open a business in Korea, as well
as learn about investment opportunities and tax laws. Free
Korean lessons are also available on a weekly basis, along
with counseling services and volunteer opportunities.
One of their biggest events is the Foreigners Flea Market,
a gathering held four times a year that is designed to help
locals and foreigners mingle while exchanging used goods.
Te center has also recently introduced the Global Concert
series, multicultural performances designed to promote
understanding between Koreans and the international
community.
Te Seoul Global Centers main of ce is located near
Jonggak Station, with Global Village Center of ces located
throughout the citys various districts.
Hi Korea
Hi Korea is a government-sponsored portal that ofers
services similar to those of the Global Center, but is more
centered on ofering administrative information about visas
and other key documents. Cultural information about Korea
is also provided, along with guides for tourists to places
like the Institute of Korean Classical Music or the House of
Literature. Tey also operate an Immigration Call Center
(1345) that foreigners can call with their questions, which
are answered in 17 diferent languages.
Smart Entry Service
Te Smart Entry Service (SES) ofers a convenient way to pass
through immigration by allowing its members to become
preapproved for visas and other certifcations, which means
foreigners can now circumvent those annoying lines at the
airport. Members can use self-service gates that recognize
registered users fngerprints and other biometric information.
HuNet Korea
HuNet Korea presents a way for foreigners to apply for visas
online so as to avoid the trip to an immigration of ce. Tey
also ofer visa nominations and support services for those
with special skills and talent, placing them in the right jobs
with the right visas, with fewer bureaucratic complications.
KOTRA
Invest Korea is a website operated by the Korea Trade-
Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) thats specifcally
designed for foreign investors and those looking to do
business in Korea, ofering advice on where to invest as well
as information, support, and incentives regarding tax cuts
and of ce rentals.
KOTRA also runs Contact Korea, a system designed solely
to link talented individuals seeking to fnd employment
in Korea with corporations looking to employ such talent.
Members can apply to work in corporations, universities,
research centers, and government institutions. Teir main
goal is to strengthen Koreas working population with a variety
of qualifed individuals from all over the globe. Tose who are
accepted receive visa sponsorship and courses in Korean.
In addition to the above measures, the Seoul Metropolitan
Government has vowed to publish compact and informative
leafets for foreigners just arriving in Korea. Te leafets will
contain vital information on key tourist destinations, places
to eat (including places for vegetarians), and hotels. Tey will
also contain emergency information, such as numbers for
international hospitals and call centers that can be contacted
in cases of fraud or abuse.
30 31
32 33
SUMMIT DIPLOMACY
P
resident Park Geun-hye completed a four-day state visit to China on June 30, bringing home with
her to Seoul a pledge to boost bilateral ties between Korea and China and make concerted eforts
to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.
Parks visit to China, her second overseas trip since taking ofce, is an important one that comes at an
especially critical time. As bilateral ties mark their 21st year, China has grown to become Koreas largest
economic partner. China also has signifcant diplomatic infuence on North Korea, and cooperation with
Beijing is widely regarded as essential to securing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Written by Robert Koehler
Photographs courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae
Korean President Park Geun-hye and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold a joint press conference after their summit on June 27. During the summit,
the two leaders agreed to greatly bolster bilateral ties, including strengthening cooperation on North Korea.
34 35
SUMMIT DIPLOMACY
Park-Xi Summit
President Park arrived in Beijing on June 27 for her summit
meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Park was given
a warm welcome by the Chinese with a ceremony held in
front of the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People near the
landmark Tiananmen Square. Te location was signifcantin
Chinese culture, the east is regarded as an auspicious direction,
as the sun rises from it, so Chinese leaders have traditionally
greeted foreign dignitaries in an eastern location. Park was
also treated to a Chinese military honor guard and greeted by
Chinese children cheering in Korean, hwanyeong, hwanyeong,
hwanyeong (welcome, welcome, welcome). As she strode
on the red carpet, Park wore a yellow jacketin China, yellow
against a red background is considered especially auspicious.
Te summit meeting itself was held in the Great Hall
of the People. During the summit, the two sides agreed
to boost cooperation in a wide range of sectors, including
Korean Peninsula issues. Te two of us shared a common
understanding that Pyongyangs possession of nuclear weapons
is unacceptable under any circumstances, said President
Park in a press conference immediately following the summit.
We both agreed to continue strategic cooperation toward
our common goal and that we should keep international
obligations and promises, including the September 19 joint
statement, for denuclearization and the UN Security Council
Resolutions. Xi also expressed support for Parks eforts to
improve inter-Korean relations based on dialogue and trust.
Te results of the summit meeting were summed up in a
joint communique released soon afer the meeting. Besides
North Korea, the communique addressed many aspects of
the Korea-China relationship. Te two sides agreed to hold
close negotiations whenever the need arose and establish a
comprehensive and multilayered strategic communication
system. To do this, the two agreed to build strategic discussion
channels such as establishing dialogue systems between high-
ranking diplomatic of cials and beginning regular mutual
visits by their respective foreign ministers.
Te two also agreed to build systems of economic
cooperation that can contribute to economic stability and
long-term growth. In this regard, the two leaders signed
seven memoranda of understanding to promote cooperation
in the economy and trade and agreed to form a ministerial-
level consultative group in the ICT sector. Tey also agreed
to expand economic cooperation from trade and investment
to the high-tech, communications, energy, environment, and
fnancial sectors. Te two leaders further agreed to boost
bilateral trade to US$300 billion by 2015, allowing both
countries to play leading roles in regional and global economic
growth. To boost the bilateral economic relationship, the
two sides agreed that a new, future-oriented framework of
cooperation was needed, and that at the core of this framework
is a Korea-China free trade agreement (FTA). Tey agreed to
work to conclude an agreement in ongoing FTA negotiations.
Tey also agreed to closely manage the regional fshing
industry and fshery resources in a mutually benefcial way.
Te two presidents agreed to expand bilateral exchanges
between the peoples of Korea and China, especially in the
humanities. Both countries are friends that have shared a long
culture, said President Park.
On the second day of her visit, President Xi hosted a special
luncheon for President Park at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
It is extremely rare for China to propose extra special events
during state visits, and the frst time such an event has been
given for a Korean president.
Building Relations of Trust
On June 29, President Park worked her charm ofensive at
Beijings prestigious Tsinghua University. In an address given
before about 400 students and VIPs, including Vice Premier
Liu Yandong, Park praised the rapid developmentbased
on deep cultural tiesof the Korea-China relationship in the
roughly two decades since the establishment of diplomatic
ties. She also called for a new 20 years of trust based on frm
confdence between the leaders of the two nations. She called
on students to become partners so that Korea and China could
become partners of trust and build a new Northeast Asia
and new Korean Peninsula. Park gave about 5 minutes of the
20-minute address in Chinese. Afer the address she met with
students to discuss a variety of issues, including bilateral ties
and economic cooperation.
Just prior to her address at Tsinghua University, Park met
briefy with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Tsinghua
University president Chen Jining to discuss bilateral academic
exchanges.
Park concluded her visit to China with a trip to the ancient
Chinese city of Xian. With more than 3,000 years of history,
the cityhome to several UNESCO World Heritage sites,
including the world famous Terracotta Armyis also an
important jumping-of point for Chinas eforts to economically
develop its western provinces. Accordingly, the city has
attracted the interest of Korean companies who wish to expand
into Central Asia and Europe. While in Xian, Park met with
Zhao Zhengyong, the local Communist Party chief, to discuss
ways to bolster economic and cultural exchanges. During the
meeting, Park said the push by Korean companies to expand
their presence in the region would help eforts to boost local
development.
1. President Xi welcomes President Park in Beijing as a Chinese military honor guard stands at attention.
2. President Park examines one of the Terracotta Army in the ancient Chinese city of Xian. Park is the frst Korean president to visit the Terracotta Army, a UNESCOWorld Heritage site.
3. Speaking partially in Chinese, President Park charms Chinese students during a lecture at Tsinghua University.
1
2
3
36 37
POL I CY REV I EW
T
he west coast of Korea has never been more
beautiful, said Kim Yoo-jin, an of ce worker
who had visited Saemangeum Seawall in the
province of Jeollabuk-do over the weekend.
Kim, who rides her bicycle on the weekends, took her friends
to the neighboring region of Gogunsanyeoldo and Seonyudo
Islands on an extensive bicycle trip last month and watched
the sunset on the 33.9-kilometer dike, which is registered as
the longest man-made sea barrier in the world. We sat on the
seawall and watched the sun fall on the water and disappear.
With the wind gently touching our face, the whole scenery
took our breath away. Weve talked for hours and hours about
our lives in the serene and romantic atmosphere, she said.
Ten we went to a nearby restaurant where we had sashimi
and fsh soup for dinner over soju . . . What a way to pass a
Saturday!
Kim is just one among twenty million people who have
visited the Saemangeum Seawall since its opening in April 27,
2010. According to the Korea Rural Community Corporations
(KRCC) Saemangeum division, the number of tourists to the
40,100 hectares of land and freshwater lake marked an average
of 17,000 people a day.
More than 160,000 tourism coaches and 4.8 million
passenger cars have visited Saemangeum so far. On weekends
we have more than 20,000 visitors a day, the of ce said,
promoting the change of the estuarial tidal fat into one of the
SCENIC
SAEMANGEUM
Written by Bae Ji-sook
Worlds largest sea barrier
drawing tourists from all over
countrys largest tourism spots.
Saemangeum has received much attention from the very
beginning. Te idea was frst conceived in the late 1980s, and a
relevant plan was initiated in 1991 with the goal of reclaiming
the tidal fat to add approximately 75 percent of the landmass
of Seoul to the region.
Modeled afer famous waterfront cities such as Amsterdam
and Venice, the government has been planning to create
clusters of facilities for tourism, leisure, international afairs,
science, and renewable energy.
An of cial at the Saemangeum promotion division explained
that the Saemangeum Reclamation Project was begun with
the aim of overcoming harsh natural environment of Korea, a
small country with high population density and a territory that
consists of less than 30 percent fat land. Te reclaimed land is
140 times larger than Yeouido, the of cial said.
We can cultivate a variety of horticultural products and
feed crops. Also, we can secure water resources to prepare for
the future water shortage the country may have to sufer, he
added.
Tourism Belt
Tourism took the initiative. Te KRCC said that it has started
receiving applications from those willing to participate in the
creation of 193-hectare Saemangeum Tourism Belt covering
the area from Sinsi to Yami. Private developers will establish a
comprehensive marine leisure cluster comprised of tourism,
leisure, cultural, and sport facilities by leasing the real estate for
50 years, subject to further extension.
Te transport distance between Gunsan and Buan has
been reduced to 66 kilometers, and we are reinforcing public
transportation for the convenience of tourists, said an of cial,
who further explained that they are expecting marina resorts,
equestrian facilities, and even a hydroplane airfeld to be set up
to cater to the diferent needs of not only young and hip people
but also families.
Design Future of Saemangeum
Te government in May announced that the Saemangeum
development plan will undergo a major overhaul, mainly to
give more respect to the requests of the private sector.
Te Saemangeum Gaebalcheong (Saemangeum
Development Of ce) will be established in September to
oversee the whole process. Te National Assemblys Land,
Infrastructure and Transport Committee has recently agreed
to submit a special law for Saemangeum development at the
plenary session.
In May, the Of ce for Government Policy Coordination
at the Prime Ministers Secretariat said policymakers will
work closely with investors to refect their demands from the
beginning of the development. We will also join hands with
KOTRA to survey potential foreign investors at 712 global
frms, an of cial said.
1999
2004
2006
2008
Satellite photos reveal the development of Saemangeum. At 33 km, the SaemangeumSeawall is the longest man-made dike in the world.
4
CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
I
n what apparently would be regarded as a great leap
forward in the nations foray into Arctic exploration,
Korea became a permanent observer to the Arctic
Council in a unanimous vote of its 2013 Ministerial Meeting
held in Kiruna, Sweden, on May 15.
Te Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum
that is designed to address Arctic issues. It has eight member
countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,
Russia, Sweden, and the United States.
With its newly acquired status, Korea will be able to actively
participate in discussions related to Arctic governance,
including the enactment of regulations regarding the
development of sea routes and natural resources. Korea will
also be able to participate in council meetings as a regular
member country and propose ideas for Arctic development-
related projects as well as ofer suggestions for pending issues.
One of the key contributors behind these good
tidings is the Araon, Koreas frst icebreaker
that is specially designed to navigate
ice-covered polar regions with its
powerful propulsion. Te Araon, which was launched in
2009 and underwent sea trials in January 2010, has become
a milestone in the history of Koreas polar research by
having produced tangible scientifc results.
A Latecomer Arrives
Te icebreaking vessel is equipped with cutting-edge
oceanographic, geophysical, and Arctic environment
laboratories required for oceanic research. Te vessel can
sail for up to 70 days without refueling.
Araon is a compound word that combines ara (an old
Korean word that means the sea) and on (meaning all,
total, or complete, depending on the context), thereby
conveying the wish of the Korean people to cruise all the
oceans around the world.
Tanks to this and other incessant eforts, Korea has
made great progress in its Arctic exploration and fnally
succeeded in becoming a permanent observer of the Arctic
Council along with China, Japan, India, Singapore, and
Italy. Te latest news is quite meaningful because, when it
comes to forays into the Arctic, Korea was quite a latecomer
compared with Japan, which started Arctic exploration
in 1980, and even China, which sent its frst icebreaker in
1999.
It was not until the early 2000s that Korea began to step
up its eforts to advance into the Arctic, showing a growing
recognition of the importance of the Arctic, a region with
high potential for scientifc discovery and resources.
Te government expanded its research in 2002 by
establishing the Arctic Dasan Station, a research base
on a Norwegian island. It symbolizes the governments
willingness to develop the Arctic, one of the worlds last
uncharted frontiers that has also been emerging as a
treasure trove of untapped natural resources and new routes
for shipping.
In 2008, the nation mapped out a step-by-step plan to
boost its presence in the Arctic. Te same year, Korea
became an ad hoc observer in the Arctic Council along
with China, the European Union, Italy, and Japan.
With the latest decision to promote Korea into permanent
observer status on the Arctic Council, Korea will be able to
seek a bigger role and boost its presence in the far north.
Experts say Korea will gain advantages from the exploration
of arctic shipping lanes, considering that the coastal Arctic
states are competing to gain an upper hand in the mineral-
rich region.
Te Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is fully determined
to expand cooperation among the member countries and
set up a network of experts based on the discussions of
working groups in order to lay a cornerstone for advancing
more actively into the Arctic. Ministry of cials said that,
now that the nation has secured a beachhead for forays into
the mineral-rich Arctic, the government will come up with
concrete action plans to maximize economic benefts.
Breaking the Ice
The Araon secures beachhead for forays into polar regions
Written by Sohn Tae-soo
38 39
1. The Araon breaks the ice on a mission in the Antarctic.
2. The crewof the Araon pose for a photograph atop an Antarctic iceshelf.
3. Captain KimHyeon-yul, captain of the Araon
4. The Araon conducts research activites in the Antarctic.
1
2
3
1
G L O B A L KO R E A
K
orean celebrities these days are spreading the Korean
Wave, also called Hallyu, across the globenot
necessarily with their performances but by helping
out the needy outside of Korea.
An increased number of Korean actors, pop stars, and other
celebrities are sacrifcing their time and money to help the
underprivileged overseasfor instance, by sponsoring dozens
of children abroad, building a welfare center in Ethiopia, and
helping with Oriental medical services in Iraq.
Trough such charity works around the world, they are
proving not only that they are more than just eye candy but
also that they have warm, loving hearts.
Couple of Compassion
Such celebrities include the actor-actress couple Cha In-
pyo and Shin Ae-ra, who have become a household name in
celebrity charity in Korea for their continuous participation
in various volunteer services for almost 20 years: Kim Hye-
ja, the veteran, award-winning actress who has received
international recognition for her role in the critically acclaimed
2009 flm Mother; and Jeon Gwang-ryeol, who played Heo Jun
(15391615), a legendary royal doctor of the Joseon Dynasty
(13921910), in the explosively popular 1999 drama titled Heo
Jun.
Cha In-pyo and Shin Ae-ra in May were honored with the
32nd Sejong Culture Awards in the
category of international cooperation
and volunteer service. Since getting
married in 1995, they have showed
their love and the spirit of sharing
in 26 countries like the Philippines,
Peru, Uganda, India, and Bolivia,
said an of cial from the Ministry
of Culture, Sports and Tourism in
a press release on May 9. Te two
also sponsor 52 children abroad and
have personally visited each country
[to meet them]. Te couple conduct
much of their work through the
Compassion campaign, founded in 1952 by Reverend Everett
Swanson to help orphans in Korea; it is now a worldwide child
sponsorship program.
Te couple, which has two biological sons, is also famous for
having adopted two Korean girls, as adoption for a couple with
their own biological children is pretty rare in Korea.
World Vision
Meanwhile, Kim Hye-ja, the winner of the best actress award
from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) in
2010 as well as the best actress award at the Asian Film Awards
the same year, is ofen described as the mother of Koreans in
Korean media for her maternal, caring image. And she truly
has been the mother of many children at home and abroad.
As the goodwill ambassador of World Vision since 1991,
she has done a lot of charity work, particularly for children in
Africa. In fact, in 2010 a welfare center named afer her opened
in Ethiopia and is tasked with providing food, shelter, and
medical support for some 230 children aged between four and
six. Korea was once poor and received assistance from foreign
countries. But today it has become a country that is giving
assistance to foreign countries. I hope Ethiopia overcomes
its poverty and lets the world know about the excellence of
Ethiopia, its people and its culture, she was quoted as saying.
I plan to fy [to Africa] for as long as I can ride a plane, said
the 72-year-old, who also shared her experience spending time
with children in Africa in her 2004 essay Do Not Hit Even with
a Flower. (She donated the entire royalties to charity.)
Korean stars are also reaching out to the Middle East.
Jeon Gwang-ryeol in August 2012 formed a team of Oriental
medicine practitioners and led them to Sulaymaniyah, a city in
the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, for a four-day Oriental medicine
camp where they provided assistance to the residents there. At
that time, the 1999 drama Heo Jun was airing in Iraq, enjoying
ratings as high as 80 percent. Many people are talking about
Hallyu. But I think that besides being loved, its also important
to give back that love, Jeon Gwang-ryeol told reporters before
embarking on the trip.
Other stars that have been actively helping the
underprivileged overseas include Ahn Sung-ki, a veteran actor
who will star in the Hollywood flm Te Last Knights this year
alongside Morgan Freeman and Clive Owen and has been the
face of UNICEF since early 1990s; actress Han Ji-min, who in
May took part in fundraising for starving children across the
globe with the Join Together Society (JTS), an international
relief organization related to the UN; and Soo Ae, who recently
helped young girls in Bangladesh who are struggling with early
child marriage, sexual discrimination, unregistered births, and
other issues with Plan Korea.
40 41
MORE THAN JUST
ENTERTAINERS
Korean actors and pop stars are lending a hand on the global stage
Written by Kim Hyung-eun
1. Shin Ae-ra and Cha In-pyo visit Uganda through the child sponsorship group Compassion Korea. Compassion
2. World Vision goodwill ambassador actress KimHye-ja.
3. Actress Han Ji-min on a volunteer mission with the Join Together Society
3 2
G R E AT KO R E A N
Written by Charles Luskin
PARK YEON
Joseon scholar revolutionized Korean music
W
ith the emergence of the Joseon
Dynasty at the end of the 14th
century, Korea entered a period of
governmental stability, blossoming culture, and
scientifc advancement. Indeed, under the reign of
King Sejong the Great, astronomy, mathematics,
agriculture, and music were systematized, and they
advanced quickly to become independent from
the Chinese eforts on which they were based. Park
Yeon, an advisor to the king, was responsible for
the reorganization and rationalization of the ofcial
music for the new regime and the education of
King Sejong. To this end, Park Yeon developed new
musical instruments, perfected old ones, and led a
decade-long inquiry into the Confucian philosophy
behind ofcial music in Joseon, creating a Chinese-
infuenced yet independent musical logic.
Park Yeon was born in 1378 to a prominent
42 43
1
yangban family (Korean gentry-nobility). He showed early
musical talent and was profcient on several instruments.
In 1406 he passed the Chinese classics-based government
examinations. Park rose in rank and eventually took charge of
the education of the prince. Trough this association, Park was
able to instill in Sejong an interest in music. Sejong thought
highly of him and, in 1426, tasked Park with leading a team of
scholars to create a new musical system for Korean court music
based on ancient Chinese systems and Confucian principles.
Te state of contemporary Korean music was in disarray.
Secular folk music had seeped into ceremonial music because of
confusion over several diferent musical systems imported from
the Chinese Yuan, Han, and Tang dynasties. Tis confusion was
exacerbated by the fact that ceremonial instruments, like the
bianqing (stone chimes) and bianzhong (bronze bells), could only
be imported from China, and their tuning was based on local
Chinese measurements. Park Yeon and King Sejong believed,
as many European concert music composers did, that serious
music was the bridge between the divine and human. As such,
any corruption was deviance not only from an ideal Confucian
society but also from the sublime.
Park Yeon sought to rectify the problem by undertaking a
massive study into the history of Chinese music. In doing so,
he sought to produce instruments that could play ceremonial
music properly in Korea but according to Chinese standards.
King Sejong was also closely involved in the project, even
becoming Parks greatest philosophical opponent in the
derivation of a new musical system. King Sejong was insistent
that every efort should be made to precisely replicate Chinese
tuning standards. Park eventually persuaded him, however,
that an independent, yet correct, Korean musical system
could be derived. Park reasoned that that the earth and air
were diferent in China, and therefore a tuning system created
for Korean conditions and for Korean ears, using Korean
performers, would naturally be diferent from a Chinese one.
As such, a tuning system localized to Korea yet still true to
Confucian principles could be equally valid.
In addition to creating a new tuning system, Park Yeon refned
and invented several ancient instruments. For example, he
refned the Chinese bianqing to create the Korean pyeongyeong
(Korean stone chimes) and the teukjong, a new bronze bell
variant. Park also oversaw the indigenous production of these
new instruments. His eforts to create a Korean musical system
came to fruition in 1433, when on the Lunar New Year and in
commemoration of the 15th year of King Sejongs reign, Park led
an orchestra playing instruments he designed in the new Korean
Confucian style he created. Park Yeon is regarded as one of the
most important musicians in Koreas history. His hometown,
Yeongdong, still holds an annual ancient music festival to
commemorate his achievements.
2 3
1. Park Yeon and his wife National Gugak Center 2. Musicians performceremonial music at Parks shrine in 1982.
3. Overseas visitor plays a Korean drumat the Nangye Traditional Music Festival, held in Park Yeons hometown to honor his contributions to Korean music.
M Y K O R E A
MUD FOR ALL
Written by David Khimasia
Illustrated by Kim Yoon-Myong
Experiencing the Boryeong Mud Festival,
Koreas biggest summer party
45 44
N
ow, waking up at 5:30am on a Saturday morning to get on a bus has never been, and
will never be, my idea of a good time. But for several years now, deep in the warm
summer month of July, Ive done just that with a smile on my face. Tat time is upon
us; its time for the annual Boryeong Mud Festival!
Its the one festival here in Korea that needs to be witnessed at least once. Where else in the
world can someone meet new and old friends willing to wrestle, race, or douse each other in
mud?
Te festival isnt just for the young at heart who want to dive into a pool of warm Boryeong
mud. Its also for those who just want to sit back and enjoy the show that unfolds over a few
great summer days.
Boryeong is a fairly sleepy little town that comes alive every summer with big red and white
tents serving some extremely fresh seafood, Korean cuisine, and a few Western standards. If
the muds not really your thing, you can enjoy a few drinks beachside while watching a huge
freworks show that rivals almost any other here in Korea.
Indeed, the festival has a lot going for it: you can listen to a variety of music on the
main stage or head to the water park for some slippery water slides, not to mention the
large beach, leading to the conclusion that activities here are endless. But with that all
being said, lets not forget what the star of this festival isthe mud. Te mud has always
been the star, and it always will be.
Te mud, which is locally sourced, is everywhere and unavoidable. Arriving in the
early afernoon, you are immediately hit by a barrage of people wandering the streets
dripping with mud, convenience store foors plastered so thick with the stuf that people
care barely keep their balance.
Beside the beautiful Daecheon Beach youll fnd the Event Zone, where youll be
overwhelmed by the amount of strangers that, in good fun, will generously smear one or
two quick handfuls of mud all over you. To say things get muddy is an understatement!
Te festival features mud fghts, mud slides, mud baths, mud fountains, mud wrestling,
and, in some years, even a mud marathon.
Afer a long day in the sun and mud, everyone heads towards the water. In the early
evening, the tides recede to open up Daecheon Beachs vast beauty while the music
continues on the main stage. Te evening beach vista also provides a great background
for the awe-inspiring freworks show that takes place.
Te event truly is international, bringing together Koreans and foreigners alike,
whether they be family, friends, or strangers. Whether its throwing mud at each other,
sharing food on the beach in the early evening, or dancing till their hearts are content, its
always a fun gathering where youre bound to smile more than your average weekend. In
the days afer attending the Boryeong Mud Festivalwhen youve found and removed
those last clinging pieces of mud hiding in your hair and ears and when that sunburn
turns into a golden tanyoull sit back with a smile and realize it was all worth it.
Written by Loren Cotter
Head of internationally focused Yeoksam Global Village Center,
Christina Confalioneri shares her thoughts on multicultural Korea
YEOKSAM,
A GLOBAL VILLAGE
MULTICULTURAL KOREA
C
hristina Confalioneri loves her job. When chatting with the head of Yongsan
Global Village Center at their ofces, the Italians natural enthusiasm for her
role is clear in her voice as she describes the purpose of the complex. Te idea
was to arrange centers in areas where lots of foreigners are concentrated in order to help
them settle down in Korea. So Yeoksam Global Village is a help center for foreigners. We
provide lots of activities, but the main idea is one-stop service: you come here and you get
all the information you need.
Te beauty of the global village, according to Confalioneri, is this idea of a one-stop
service. We try to make foreigners welcome here and make them enjoy their lives in
Seoul, she says, starting from helping them with their ofcial documents.
Te Yeoksam Global Village Center can assist with almost anything, from legal advice to
help with paying bills. Te hub, which is the most inclusive of the seven typically nation-
orientated centers in Seoul apart from the Itaewon center, welcomes people from all over
the world. Tere are foreigners coming from the States, South Africa, Southeast Asia,
Europe, and South America, so its very international, Confalioneri says.
Te center also helps non-natives embrace their time in Seoul through Korean cultural
activities such as the Seoul Walking Toura tour guide service around the cityvolunteer
opportunities at Seoul St. Marys Hospital in Gangnam, and free Korean lessons.
Although the level of comfort Koreans feel when speaking English to non-Koreans has
risen dramatically in the seven years she has been living in the country, likely due to the
higher number of expats Koreans come into contact with on a daily basis, Korean classes
are the frst step to adjusting to life on the peninsula, according to Confalioneri.
For me its basic, she says. Its the frst thing. If you dont understand the language,
then you dont understand the culture. You dont really get close to other people living
here. We try to promote learning Korean as the frst step if you really want to be part of
this society.
Not that Confalioneri thinks that Korea is unfriendly to outsiders, even if they cant
speak Korean. Korea is getting more and more global these days, she says. You can see
the Seoul government policies. Tere are lots of help centers for foreigners; theres also
a center for multicultural families. Starting from the government level, theres a lot of
interest in foreigners.
And this extends to the rest of society, Confalioneri continues. Te people on the street,
they want to know more about foreign culture. Tey are happy when foreigners come to
Korea and learn about Korean culture and the Korean language.
Confalioneri has personally seen an increase in interest in Korea from people overseas
in the past year or so through the emails she receives from other Italians and Europeans
asking for advice on moving to Korea to study. She sees the potential infux of visitors to
Korea as a positive step towards a more multicultural nation.
I think its good to see this exchanging going on, Confalioneri stresses. Tere are lots of
foreigners interested in seeing Korean culture and learning, and at the same time Koreans
are looking at these foreigners and not looking at them as something diferent from them or
something totally far from them, but looking at them as people, the same as they are.
46 47
A
lthough the modern Republic of Korea is young,
ancient Korean history stretches back more
than 4,000 years to include centuries of warring
kingdoms, oscillating political borders, and countless dynasties.
In the beginning there was Joseon, the frst Korean kingdom,
and the frst Korean king, founding father Emperor Dangun.
Today we call this ancient Joseon Gojoseon, or literally old
Joseon, to diferentiate it from the Joseon Dynasty that came
a few thousand years later. Tis kingdom covered an area that
today includes parts of Manchuria as well as the entire Korean
Peninsula. Beyond these facts, history merges with legend, with
variations of the Dangun legend scattered throughout Chinese
and Korean history books of the era. Most versions place the
year of his founding at 2333 BCE.
Divine Lineage
But as with many Korean founding legends, the real story
begins before Danguns birth, with his ancestry.
Te Dangun story begins with Hwanung, son of Hwanin, a
god who lived in the heavens. Hwanung, however, wanted to
live on Earth. He descended onto the peak of Mt. Taebaeksan,
beneath Sindansu, a sacred tree, accompanied by 3,000
followers. He established Sinsi, his sacred city. Hwanung ruled
over the people of the land, motivated by the noble aim of
benefting humankind.
Ten two animals, a bear and a tiger, came to Hwanung
and begged him to let them become human. Hwanung gave
them garlic and ssuk, a type of fragrant mugwort that remains
a highly popular ingredient in many Korean foods today. He
instructed them to avoid sunlight for 100 days and survive on
his prescribed diet of garlic and ssuk, saying that they could
earn their humanity if they succeeded in this.
Te tiger gave up midway. But the bear persevered and
became a woman. Her name was Ungnyeoliterally Bear
Woman. But womanhood wasnt enough for the former bear.
She prayed beneath the sacred tree for a baby, and Hwanung,
48 49
who heard her prayers, briefy transformed himself into a
human to wed her. She bore him a son.
Tis son was Dangun.
Sometimes he is called Emperor Dangun or Dangun
Wanggeom. Dangun established his capital in the city of
Pyongyang (later moving it to Asadal, or originally establishing
it in Asadal by some accounts) and called his kingdom Joseon.
He ruled for 1,500 years before he became a mountain god at
the ripe old age of 1,908.
Danguns curious pedigree is only one of the many fantastic
aspects of his legend, but if it lacks believability when taken
literally, various interpretations suggest intriguing historical
insights. For example, some theories infer that the marriage of
Hwanung, representing the sky, and Ungnyeo, representing the
Earth, represented a political marriage between two tribes of
diferent religions. Other theories suggest that Danguns mixed
ancestry (bear and deity) was an attempt to justify a ruler who
was both priest and king, who ruled over political as well as
religious afairs. Te Dangun in Dangun Wanggeom refers
to his religious authority, while the Wanggeom title indicates
that he was also a political leader.
And despite inconsistencies between historical accounts,
ultimately Dangun is still considered the founder of this
nation. Today he is celebrated with Gaecheonjeol, or National
Founders Day, on October 3 of the lunar calendar.
Te birth and existence of the legend itself is also signifcant
in that it speaks to a budding sense of national identity. Te
following Goguryeo Kingdom adopted the Dangun legend as
a way of emphasizing its independence as a kingdom with a
coherent identity. Since then Dangun and his story have ofen
served as a romantic mascot for patriotic needs.
TALES FROM KOREA
Dangun, Father of Korea
Written by Violet Kim
Illustrated by Shim Soo-keun
Koreas foundation tale lends itself to many interpretations
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