General

Country Name Republic of Korea(South Korea) Gross Domestic Product US$833 billion(2009)
Location Strategically located at the crossroads of GDP Growth Rate 0.2 percent(2009)
Northeast Asia, Korea lies between Japan, the
Per Capita GNI US$17,175(2009)
Russian Far East and China
Production Services, 60.3 percent; mining and manufacturing,
Territory 100,210 sq km(2009)
28.3 percent; construction, 7.0 percent; agricul-
Capital City Seoul ture, forestry and fishing, 2.5 percent; electricity,
gas and water supply, 1.8 percent(2008)
Population 48.75 million(2009)
Exports US$363.8 billion(2009)
Median Age 37.3 years(2009)
Imports US$322.8 billion(2009)
Life Expectancy Males, 76.54 years;females, 83.29 years(2008)
Major Industrial Products Semiconductors, automobiles, ships, mobile
Political System Democracy with president elected to a single 5-
telecommunication equipment, consumer elec-
year term by direct popular vote. Division of
tronics, steel and chemicals
power among the executive, legislature (uni-
cameral National Assembly) and judiciary Leading Companies Samsung Electronics, Hyundai-Kia Motor, POSCO,
LG Electronics
Suffrage Universal at 19 years of age
Science and Technology Korea boasts the highest broadband subscription
Currency South Korean won;US$1 = 1,277.25 won
(the average exchange rate as of 2009) rate in the world(32.14 per 100 inhabitants),
and one of the world's most advanced mobile
Foreign Exchange Reserves US$269.9 billion(2009) telecommunications infrastructures.

02•03
 History

Goryeo
As Silla weakened, there emerged the Later Three Kingdoms period, during

History
which Silla struggled with Later Baekje and Later Goguryeo, and in the process,
the Goryeo Kingdom(918-1392) was established by Wang Geon to reunite the
nations and overcome the injustices of Silla society. Wang Geon named his
dynasty Goryeo, from which the modern name Korea is derived. It achieved a
sophisticated culture represented by cheongja or bluegreen celadon and flour-
ishing Buddhist tradition.

Gojoseon and Three Kingdoms

Human settlement on the Korean
Peninsula can be traced back to the
Paleolithic era about 600,000 years ago.
The earliest state developed when a
league of several tribes came together to
form the Gojoseon(Old Joseon) Kingdom
around the 10th century BCE. Gojoseon
fell to an invasion by the Han Dynasty of
China in 108 BCE, after which there
emerged various walled tribal states.
As their political power strengthened,
these tribal states developed into Blue-green celadon from the Goryeo Kingdom Gilt-bronze statue of the Maitreya Bodhisattva
(918-1392) seated in meditation from the Silla Kingdom
Goguryeo(37BCE-668 CE), Baekje(18BCE-
(57BCE-935CE)
660CE) and Silla(57BCE-935CE). These
three kingdoms developed different cul-
tures, affected by different environments.
Joseon
Unified Silla and Balhae In the late Goryeo period, a warlord named Yi Seong-gye led a coup against what
he saw to be a corrupt regime. He and his army were eventually able to topple
In the mid-7th century, Silla defeated
the Goryeo regime and seize sovereignty for themselves, establishing the Joseon
Baekje and Goguryeo to unite the
Kingdom in 1392.
territories of the former Three
The early rulers of Joseon, in order to counter the dominant Buddhist influence
Kingdoms and laid the foundation
during the Goryeo period, supported Confucianism as the guiding philosophy of
for a united nation. To the north in
the kingdom. The Joseon rulers governed the kingdom with a well-balanced
Manchuria, refugees from Goguryeo estab- Gilt-bronze incense burner with a design political system.
lished the nation of Balhae, which carried of Bongnaesan(one of three sacred Taoist
on the cultural tradition of Goguryeo over- Mountains), a dragon and phoenix from From the early 17th century, liberal-minded scholars strongly recommended agri-
the next 200 years. the Baekje Kingdom(18 BCE-660 CE) cultural improvements along with sweeping reforms in land distributions.

04•05

Painting depicting a royal procession
to Suwon by King Jeongjo, the 22nd
Joeseon monarch. During such pro-
cessions, the kings met with his sub-
jects.
History
Japanese Occupation
and Independence Movement
In 1910, after wars against China and Russia,
Japan forcibly annexed Korea by political sub-
terfuge and violence, bringing the Joseon
Kingdom to an end. Koreans were forced to
accept Japanese colonial rule. Colonial rule
stimulated the patriotism of Koreans. Korean
intellectuals were infuriated by Japan's offi-
cial assimilation policy. On March 1, 1919, a
peaceful demonstration calling for independ-
ence spread nationwide and was ruthlessly
suppressed. This inspired the establishment
of the Provisional Government of the
Republic of Korea in Shanghai in November
1919. While lacking unity or any authority, the
Provisional Government promoted armed
struggles and other forms of resistance
against the Japanese both at home and
abroad, especially in Manuchuria.
Koreans labored under colonial rule until the
end of World War II in 1945.
Inauguration of President Lee Myung-bak in February 2008
Founding of the Republic of Korea
Koreans rejoiced at the victory of the Allies
over Japan in 1945 and promptly set about
founding the Government of the Republic of
Korea. However, their joy was short-lived.
Korea was able to solidify the ground for liberal democracy.
Liberation did not instantly bring about the
independence for which the Koreans had Korea demonstrated great wisdom in overcoming the foreign exchange crisis that
fought so fiercely. Rather, it resulted in a swept the Asian region at the end of 1997. In June 2000, the nation achieved an
country divided by ideological differences, epoch-making breakthrough in inter-Korean relations by
resulting from the emerging Cold War. Thus in holding a historic South-North Summit
1948, the democratic Republic of Korea was in Pyongyang. Adding to these achieve-
established in the south and the communist ments, Korea successfully cohosted the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which grabbed
north. the attention of the whole world, thereby
taking yet another energetic step for the
The newly independent Korea came to suffer
advancement of the nation.
the subsequent tragedy of an internecine war
when North Korea invaded the South on June President Lee Myung-bak, who was inau-
25, 1950. The Korean War ended on July 27, gurated for a five-year term in February
1953 with an armistice instead of a peace 2008, has adopted five major objectives
treaty, and the two Koreas still remain locked under the guiding principle of practical prag- Gwanghwamun, the south gate of
Gyeongbokgung Palace, restored to its
in a standoff even to this date. Despite all matism. The five goals are a government original shape and location in August
these difficulties, the Republic of Korea began serving the people, a lively market economy, 2010
to carry out economic development policies an active welfare, a country rich in talent and
in the 1960s and rapidly achieved moderniza- a global Korea. Through this, the President intends to advance the day when
tion and industrialization. Following the his- Korea will be respected as a fair society and a leading advanced nation in the
toric success of the Seoul Olympics in 1988, community of nations.
06•07
 Economy

The US financial crisis that took hold at the

end of 2008 sent shockwaves through the

Economy
financial system. Korea, heavily dependent
on exports and trade with countries around
the world, was no exception.
Korea responded with preemptive steps to
help stabilize the market: it established a
US$30 billion currency swap line with three key
countries-the United States, Japan and China-
and set up a 3.3 trillion won bank recapitaliza-
tion fund(about US$2.8 billion) and a 2.1 trillion
won bond market stabilization fund(about
US$1.8 billion). The Korean Government has
also taken steps to stabilize the financial mar-
ket by encouraging the restructuring of compa-
nies with high credit risks as well as companies
in distressed industries, including construction,
shipbuilding and shipping.
In its 2009 September assessment of Korea,
Fitch Ratings, one of the primary global rating
agencies, positively reviewed the actions of
the Korean government during the crisis,
applauding the governments rapid response
and effective policy measures taken as the cri-
sis unfolded. And in December 2009, the
International Monetary Fund(IMF) noted that
the Korean economy was turning around
more quickly than expected thanks to the
Government's “comprehensive fiscal, mone-
tary and financial policy responses.” Another
credit rating agency, Moody's, upgraded
Korea's sovereign rating in April of this year,
saying that the Korean Government had put in
place financial and fiscal policies in a swift and
appropriate fashion. The Organization of
Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD)
published a positive evaluation of Korea's
economy in a June 2010 report titled “OECD
Economic Surveys: Korea”. According to that

Korean-made mobile
phones, the synthesis of
Korean information tech-
nology

Korea's flagship export product:

semiconductors

08•09

The mainstays of Korean exports:
ships and automobiles
Economy
report, “Korea's strong recovery from the
2008 global recession has been driven by
buoyant export growth and an effective policy
response. The fiscal stimulus was the largest
in the OECD area, while monetary policy and
measures to support financial institutions
helped to prevent a liquidity crunch.”
Korea's faster-than-expected economic recov-
ery was largely attributable to the Korean
Government's preemptive countermeasures
against the economic downturn. The
Government has actively expanded fiscal
spending to cushion the impact of the eco-
nomic crash and taken bold measures to sta-
bilize the market, helping the private sector to
regain sustainable growth.
In 2009, President Lee Myung-bak presided
over more than 40 sessions of the Meeting for
Emergency Economic Measures to discuss
how to deal with the crisis. Following up on
decisions made at the meetings, the
Government created a revised budget and a
supplementary budget totaling 11.4 trillion
won(about US$9.9 billion) and 28.4 trillion
won(about US$24.7 billion), respectively in a
bid to further expand fiscal spending. The
Government also front-loaded budget spend-
ing, gradually lowered the benchmark interest
rate to two percent on six occasions and dras-
tically increased the liquidity of Korean and
foreign currencies.
For the sake of market stabilization, the
Government took additional measures to sup-
port SMEs, including the extension of loan
terms, the expansion of credit guarantees,
and as the creation of Fast Track, a program
aimed at providing liquidity to businesses suf-
fering from temporary liquidity issues. All
these measures helped ease the burden for
small businesses.
Thanks to expeditious Government measures,
financial and foreign exchange markets quick-
ly stabilized. Stock prices also recovered rela-
tively rapidly: the average share price at the
end of the first quarter of 2010 was nearly two
times the figure at the end of October, 2008,
while market interest rates fell to a lower level
than before the crisis. A series of steps taken
to assist businesses led to a sharp decrease Incheon Bridge opened in October 2009. It is 21.38 km long and stretches 18.38km over the sea.
10•11
 Economy

in the default rate on corporate bills and in the number of bankruptcies, indicat-
ing a marked improvement in management conditions. Decreases in the ratio of
non-performing loans and increases in the BIS capital adequacy ratio have also
indicated the improved soundness of financial institutions. Now, they have
increased financial resources that can be utilized to assist the real economy.
Driven by the continued efforts of the Government to stabilize the economy,
household income and consumption in the first quarter of this year swelled by
the greatest margin since 2003. According to the announcement made by the
National Statistical Office(NSO) on May 14, average household monthly income
recorded was 3,729,000 won or about US$3,200, a 7.3 percent increase from
the first quarter of last year. Real income, which takes the inflation rate into con-
sideration, also increased by 4.4 percent. Earned income rose by 4.9 percent,
business income 12.4 percent and the transfer income 13 percent.
Even in the midst of the global economic crisis, the nation's manufacturing sec-
tor, including semiconductors, automobiles and shipbuilding, maintained its
competitiveness, thus making significant contributions to the nation's emer-
gence from economic crisis at the fastest pace in the world. Pronounced recov-
ery in the electric and electronic sectors, including semiconductors, components
and video and audio equipment as well as telecommunications devices, has led
to an increase of 3.6 percent in manufacturing output compared to the preced-
ing quarter. Notably, the output increased by 20 percent from the same period of
the previous year for the first time since the third quarter of 2000 when it record-
ed a 20.6 percent increase.

The Sherpa Meeting held in July 2010 in preparation for the G20 Seoul Summit

Korea's nuclear power plant technology globally recognized for its high performance and safety

As the Korean economy was showing signs of rapid recovery, Korea officially
became a nuclear technology exporting country when it won the UAE nuclear
power plant project worth approximately $20 billion in December, 2009. Since
Kori Unit 1, Korea's first nuclear power plant, began operating, nuclear power
plants in Korea have accounted for 2.4% of GDP, making a significant contribu-
tion to the national economy. With the export of the nuclear power plant to the
UAE, it became clear that the nuclear power industry has become an engine for
future economic growth in Korea, along with the previously established semi-
conductor, automobile and shipbuilding industries.
In another economic milestone, Korea recently signed the EU-Korea Free Trade
Agreement(EU-Korea FTA). Both parties authorized the agreement in September
2010, and signed in early October. In its official statement, the European
Commission said, "This agreement is the most ambitious trade agreement ever
negotiated by the EU and the FTA is our first deal with an Asian partner.” The
Korean government expects the agreement to help pave the way for Korea to act
as an East Asian FTA hub, connecting Europe, East Asia, and the United States.
Specifically, the Korean government expects that Korea's major exports - auto-
mobiles, electronic devices, fiber, and shoes - will benefit from the elimination of
tariffs.
According to data concerning industrial activities released by the National

12•13

The Korea-EU FTA signed on October 6, 2010 in Brussels, Belgium
Statistical Office(NSO) on April 30, the output in mining and manufacturing in
March rose 22.1 percent from the same month of the preceding year, marking
the ninth consecutive monthly increase. Brisk production in mining and manu-
facturing is attributable to soaring exports of semiconductors and their compo-
nents and the recovery of domestic demand in the construction and mechanical
equipment sectors. As a result, the average capacity utilization rate in the manu-
facturing sector stood at 80.5 percent, returning almost to the pre-crisis level,
80.8 percent.
The Government is projecting that Korea will be able to achieve 5 percent growth
in 2010 without much difficulty. According to the April 12 Bank of Korea report on
the 2010 prospects for the Korean economy, exports, consumer spending and
capital investment will increase steadily. The central bank has said that GDP
growth is likely to hit 5.2 percent this year, having moved from negative to posi-
tive growth in the first quarter of 2009. Korea was one of the first OECD member
countries to return to positive growth.
Economy
Korea's LED panel manufacturers boast
the biggest global market share.
In the first quarter of 2010, Korea's GDP growth rate was 7.8 percent. This is the
highest level since the fourth quarter of 2002. The rate is 3.2 percentage points
higher than the third quarter of 2008 just before the country was hit by the glob-
al financial crisis. Other auspicious indicators include the raising of Korea's sov-
ereign rating by international credit rating agencies, an increase in new jobs of
267,000 in March as well as a moderate inflation of around two percent. Korea is
considered likely to continue on this growth path in the coming months.
The Government's domestic and external economic policies are contributing to
the reduction of the state debt to GDP ratio. According to the IMF economic out-
look report released on May 16, Korea's state debt to GDP ratio in 2015 is expect-
ed to be 26.2 percent, the third best among 28 advanced countries. Other low
debt-ratio countries include Hong Kong at 0.5 percent, Australia at 20.9, New
Zealand at 36.1 and Switzerland at 36.2. The IMF lauded Korea for its extraordi-
nary efforts to achieve fiscal health in the midst of its economic turnaround. The
Korean Government's debt ratio in 2009 was 32.6 percent, and the ratios for the
ensuing years have been forecast as follows: 33.3 percent(2010), 32.7 per-
cent(2011), and 28.5 percent (2014). Korea's 2011 ratio of 32.7 percent puts the
country in fourth place, preceded by Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. In
2014 and 2015, however, the IMF predicted that New Zealand's ratio would rise,
raising the Korean ranking by one notch to third place.
The following is the gist of the IMF report on Korea dated May 14, 2010: Because
of the fiscal risks in some advanced economies, the international financial mar-
ket is paying close attention to the fiscal soundness of countries. In recent years,
the fiscal deficit worsened in general due to pump-priming measures taken in
connection with the latest global economic crisis. In Korea where the economic
recovery is proceeding at a fast pace, various measures are being taken to nor-
malize fiscal conditions.
14•15
Green
Growth
What is Green Growth?
" Today, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the found-
ing of the Republic of Korea, I want to put forward "Low
Carbon. Green Growth" as the Republic's new vision. Green
growth will bring about another miracle on the Korean penin-
sula to succeed the 'Miracle on the Han River' "
Excerpt from the address
by President Lee Myung-bak, 15 August 2008
Two years ago, President Lee Myung-bak launched Korea's Green Growth initia-
tive, with the intention of turning Korea into a leader in the field of green growth
technology. With the goal of using less energy and ensuring environmental sus-
tainability, his vision of “Low Carbon, Green Growth” encompasses three key
objectives, each of which benefits from a synergistic relationship between eco-
nomic growth and environmental protection: (1) to promote eco-friendly new
growth emngines for the national economy, (2) to enhance the quality of life for all
members of society, and (3) to contribute to international efforts to fight climate
change.
This vision requires shifting the current development paradigm, shaped around
quantity-oriented, fossil-fuel dependent growth, to quality oriented growth with an
emphasis on the use of new and renewable energy resources.
Electricity-generating wind turbines in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon-do Province
National Strategy for Green Growth
To implement this vision of green growth, the Korean government launched the
Presidential Committee on Green Growth and its Secretariat in February, 2009, to
coordinate and oversee Korea's green growth policies.
Following the establishment of PCGG, each local government organized regional
committees dedicated to green growth. In addition, local government bodies were
asked to designate Chief Green Officers (CGOs) to promote green growth policies
in their respective organizations. In order to encourage a public-private partner-
ship, consultative councils were established to bring in and promote expert advice
and private sector involvement in green growth policies.
The legal foundation for Korea's green growth policy, the 'Framework Act on Low
Carbon Green Growth' was enacted in January, 2010 to effectively implement
measures for dealing with climate change, energy, and sustainable development
based on the vision of green growth.
In order to lay-out the long term plan for green growth, the government developed
the National Strategy for Green Growth. It is the highest level government plan on
Green Growth and sets policy objectives for 2050 and performance indicators for
2020 in 10 key policy areas.
In order to implement elements of the agenda set out in the National Strategy in a
more systematic and consistent manner, the government created a series of 5-year
plans, a practice which was very effective in the early stages of Korea's economic
development. The goals are ambitious. The first of those 5 year plans calls for 2%
of GDP to be invested in green growth initiatives annually, totaling 86 billion USD
between 2009 and 2013.
16•17
 Green Growth

Smart Grid
In 2009 Korea officially announced plans to complete the world's first-ever
nationwide smart grid by 2030, under the leadership of the Presidential
Committee on Green Growth, and the country finalized a 'National Smart Grid
Development Roadmap' earlier this year.
The smart grid is crucial to realizing a low-carbon green lifestyle as it enables the
expansion of clean energy and the rational use of energy. Korea's advanced
technology on electric grid management, communication infrastructure and IT
technology have given the country a unique competitive advantage in establish-
ing plans for a nation-wide smart grid.
With this roadmap, the world's most advanced and largest smart grid test bed is
now under construction on Jeju Island, with $215 million from government and
private companies.

International Cooperation
To put green growth policy on the international agenda and generate tangible
outcomes in the area of green growth technology, Korea is actively involved in
efforts to enhance multilateral and bilateral discussions. In July, 2008, Korea ini-
tiated the East Asia Climate Partnership, with
total funding of 200 million dollars over four
years, 2008 to 2012, to assist the developing
countries in East Asia to move toward greener
growth.
A solar power station in Sinan, Jeollanam-do Province
In May, 2009, the Global Green Growth
Institute(GGGI) was launched with Korea to
fund the various efforts, systemize the theo-
Mitigating Greenhouse Gases ries of green growth and disseminate models
On November 17, 2009, the Korean government set its goal to cut the country's of green growth to the world. GGGI plans to
greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from the business-as-usual scenario initially establish overseas branches in major loca-
projected for 2020. The Korean government's goal is the highest level of mitigation tions and recruit more experts, with the goal
recommended by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for of transforming itself into an international
developing countries. organization based on an inter-governmen-
As a non-Annex I country, Korea''s goal setting is a voluntary and unilateral action, tal treaty by 2012.
and Korea hopes its efforts will create a more conducive atmosphere for other
developing countries' willing to make similar commitments, and will serve as a
model for further commitments from developed countries.
To implement the measures necessary to meet its goals, the Korean government
Change, a hydrogen fuel-cell powered car, displayed in a green growth exhibition.
will allocate the target amount of GHG mitigation by sectors and industries. In addi-
tion, it will introduce a 'Greenhouse Gas & Energy Target Management System' for
facilities and sites which exceed certain standards. They will be mandated to set
mitigation targets and their progress will be evaluated.

Energy Independence
Korea imports 97% of its energy supply from overseas and 84% of its energy supply is
derived from fossil-based energy sources. In order to reduce the use of and reliance on
fossil-based energy sources and move beyond oil, actions will be taken to enhance
energy efficiency and the supply of clean, renewable energy.
Korea also plans to expand its nuclear power plants, the most practical alternative
energy source for GHG mitigation. To enhance the country's energy independence,
Korea is also working on strengthening its capacity for developing resources overseas.

18•19
 Science and Technology

S cience and
Technology

For the last 40 years, Korea's competitiveness in science and technology has
been remarkably enhanced thanks to incessant efforts by the government. The
unprecedented development of the Korean economy is largely attributable to
the development in science and technology.
In particular, Korea has witnessed a continued rise in its scientific and technolog-
ical prowess since the 1980s. Advanced and dynamic R&D activities have served
as a prime driving force behind the process of accelerated economic growth.
R&D investment saw a whopping 73-fold increase to US$31.29 billion in 2008,
from US$420 million in 1981. During the same period, the percentage of GDP
taken up by R&D soared greatly from 0.59 percent to 3.37 percent.
Increased also was the number of researchers, which stood at
300,050 in 2008, up from 20,718 in the 1981.
The growth so far has led to an increased number of scien-
tific dissertations and patents. For instance, in 2008, the
number of Korean scientific papers registered on the
Science Citation Index(SCI) amounted to 35,569, ranking
12th in the world, while patent applications under the
2008 Patent Cooperation Treaty(PCT) reached 7,902. The
2009 national competitiveness index, prepared by the
International Institute for Management Development(IMD)
in Switzerland, placed Korea at 14th and 3rd out of 57
countries in terms of technological and scientific competi-
tiveness, respectively.

ARAON, the first icebreaker constructed with Korea's indigenous technology, set sail in 2009.

20•21

Throughout
its long history of several
thousand years, Korea has
cultivated unique cultural
characteristics reflecting the
optimistic, unpretentious
and yet highly rich aesthetic
sensibilities of the people.
These sensibilities found ade-
quate outlets of expression in
the form of fine arts, literature,
architecture, lifestyles, culinary
culture and many other areas.
Culture
Culture
Korean Language and the Hangeul
More than 70 million people living on the
Korean Peninsula speak the Korean lan-
guage. Linguistic and ethnological studies
have classified the Korean language in the
Altaic language family, which includes the
Turkic, Mongolic and Tungus-Manchu lan-
guages. All Koreans speak and write the
same language, which has been a decisive
factor in forging their strong national identity.
Korean has several different dialects in addi-
tion to the standard used in Seoul. Only the
dialect of Jeju-do Province, however, is so dif-
ferent that it is difficult for others to under-
stand.
The Korean alphabet, Hangeul(originally
called Hunminjeongeum), was created in the
15th century by King Sejong the Great(r.
1418-1450) working with a select group of
scholars. Hangeul, which consists of 10 vow-
els and 14 consonants, can be combined to
form numerous syllabic groupings. It is sim-
ple, yet systematic and comprehensive.
The value of Hangeul was officially recog-
nized when the book explaining the alpha-
bet, also titled Hunminjeongeum(Correct
Sounds for the Instruction of the People),
was registered by UNESCO on the Memory
of the World Register in October 1997. In
addition, every year UNESCO awards the
King Sejong Prize to individuals and groups
who have contributed to the fight against
illiteracy.
Hunmin jeong-eum
(Correct Sounds for
Instructing the People),
a theoretical explana-
tion of Hangeul, the
Korean alphabet that
was devised by the
King Sejong the Great
in 1443.
A Korean b-boy group
22•23
Gayageum, a 12-stringed traditional Korean instrument in the zither family
World Heritage List
Korea has nine cultural sites and one natural site on the UNESCO World Heritage
List. It also has seven books on the Memory of the World Register and eight
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Following are
brief explanations of selected Korean entries.
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty : The 40 tombs of the 27 Joseon Dynasty
kings(and their consorts) who ruled over the Korean peninsula for more than
500 years embody Korea's centuries-old tradition of Confucianism.
Royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty on Hwaseong Fortress : Hwaseong, the
the UNESCO World Heritage List “Brilliant Fortress”, was built in the
late 18th century by King Jeongjo to
honor and house the remains of his
father, Crown Prince Sado, who was
murdered after being locked alive in a
rice chest by his own father. The
fortress was constructed very scien-
tifically after drawing on both Eastern
and Western theories of military con-
struction.
Haeinsa Temple Janggyeongpanjeon
: These depositories house the
81,258 wooden printing blocks
which collectively form the UNESCO
World Heritage-listed Tripitaka
Koreana. With ventilation, damp
Gyeongsangbuk-do Province(top)
Mask Dance(above)
proofing, and temperature fully in mind, the complexes
utilize several ingenious preservation techniques which
have kept the wooden printing blocks safe for cen-
turies. Recognized by UNESCO as “one of the most
important and most complete corpus of Buddhist
doctrinal texts in the world,” the Tripitaka Koreana
is also valued for its high aesthetic quality of its
workmanship.
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes : Housing a
number of parasitic volcanoes, the world's
largest lava tubes and various other rare organ-
isms and endangered species, Jeju Island has
significant academic value for the study and Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju,
research of the formation of volcanoes and our Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
planet's ecology. The beautiful landscape and
bio-geological value of Mt. Halla's nature reserve has been designated a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Memory of the World Register : Korea has several objects registered with
UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, including Hunminjeongeum, which
was created under the reign of King Sejong the Great during the Joseon Dynasty
and describes the purpose and proper use of the Korean national script,
Hangeul; Jikjisimcheyojeol, which was officially recognized as the world's oldest
metal type in 1972; and Donguibogam (Medical Thesaurus of Korea), included in
the Memory of the World Register in July 2009 and listed as the world's oldest
medical guide for public use.
24•25
 Culture

Memory of the World Register

• The Hunminjeongeum Manuscript
(Correct Sounds for the Instruction
of the People, 1997)
• Joseonwangjosillok
(The Annals of the Dynasty of Joseon, 1997)
• Seungjeongwonilgi
(The Diaries of the Royal Secretariat, 2001)
• Buljo Jikjisimcheyojeol(vol.II)
(Summary of the Essentials of the Buddha
and Patriarchs' Teachings on Direct
Pointing at the Mind and Body, 2001)
• Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks
(The most complete compilation of
Buddhist scripture in East Asia, 2007)
• Uigwe, the Royal Protocols of the Joseon
Dynasty (2007)
• Donguibogam
(Exemplar of Korean Medicine, 2009)

Woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana, a compilation of

Buddhist scripture, preserved in Haeinsa Temple

Korea's World Heritage

Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Province
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Cultural Heritage Hahoe Mask-Dance Drama of Humanity
• Haeinsa Temple Janggyeongpanjeon(1995) • Jongmyo Shrine (1995) • The Royal Ancestral Ritual at the
Jongmyo Shrine and its Music (2001)
• Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (1995)
• The Pansori Epic Chant
• Changdeokgung Palace Complex (1997) (Long, solo epic song, performed to
• Hwaseong Fortress (1997) the accompaniment of a single drum,
2003)
• Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (2000)
• Gyeongju Historic Areas (2000) • The Gangneung Danoje Festival
(A festival on the fifth day of Fifth Moon,
• Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty(2009) marking the end of spring planting,
• Hahoe and Yangdong Villages (2010) 2005)
• Ganggangsullae Circle Dance (2009)
• Namsadangnori
(The entertainment of itinerant troupes
of male performers, 2009)
Natural Heritage
• Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (2007) • Yeongsanjae
(Rites of Vulture Peak, a ceremony held
in the hope of leading the living
and the dead into the joy of
enlightenment and perpetual peace,
2009)
• Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut
(Jeju Rites for the Goddess of the Wind,
2009)
• Cheoyongmu
(Dance of the Son of the East Sea
Dragon, a mask dance-drama, 2009)

26•27

Korean food
Korean Food, Hansik
Rice still remains the staple food for
most Koreans; it is accompanied by
soup and various side dishes, mostly
seasoned vegetables, stew and meat.
A traditional Korean meal is not com-
plete without kimchi, a mixture of vari-
ous pickled vegetables such as
Chinese cabbage, radish, green onion
and cucumber. Most kinds of kimchi are
made spicy with the addition of red chili
pepper powder, while others are pre-
pared without red peppers or are soaked
in a tasty liquid. However, garlic is always
used in kimchi to add to its flavor.
In addition to kimchi, doenjang (soy-
bean paste), with its anti-cancer attrib-
utes, has attracted the attention of
modern-day nutritionists.
Koreans used to make doen-
jang at home by boiling yellow
beans, drying them in the
shade, soaking them in salty
water, and fermenting them in
the sunlight. However, only a
few families go through this
process these days and the
majority buy factory-made
doenjang.
Among meat dishes, sea-
soned bulgogi (thinly sliced
meat, usually beef, sea-
soned with soy
sauce, sugar, garlic and
green onion and cooked
at the table) and galbi
(beef or pork ribs, sea-
soned and cooked in a
similar way) are the most
favored by both Koreans and non-
Koreans.
Other popular dishes are bibimbap (a
mixture of rice, vegetables, egg and
hot pepper paste), doenjang-jjigae
(bean paste soup), naengmyeon
(buckwheat noodles in cold beef
broth) and sam-
gyetang (stewed
chicken stuffed with
rice and ginseng).
Culture
The Wonder Girls, a popular song-and-dance group Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, two of the
most popular Hallyu movie stars
Entertainment & Hallyu
Hallyu, the “Korean Wave,” is a fairly
recent socio-cultural phenomenon
that refers to an explosive popularity
of Korean culture, including TV dra-
mas, movies and music, which has
spread across Asia since the mid-
1990s especially in China, Japan,
Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam.
It was first triggered by the TV drama
What is Love? which initially became
very popular with viewers in Chinese-
Veteran actress Yoon Jung-hee
speaking countries. What is Love? has
since been followed by a string of hits
such as Autumn in My Heart, Star in My in the Palace, is said to have pro-
Heart, Winter Sonata and Jewel in the voked a new level of interest in tradi-
Palace, all creating great enthusiasm tional Korean clothing, herbal medi-
for Korean dramas. Since the broad- cine and court cuisine. The great pop-
casting of these dramas, many fan ularity of this drama, many experts
clubs for Korean celebrities have been agree, explains “the strength of the
formed. Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji- cultural software” of Korea. Korea's
woo, the mesmerizing stars of Winter booming film industry, which ably
Sonata and Song Seung-hun of produced 10-million-ticket block-
Autumn in My Heart have become the busters like Silmido, Taegeukgi and
hottest celebrities in Japan, China and The Host, as well as Korean pop
other countries. music stars like BoA and Rain have
also been forces intensifying the pop-
The most recent hit, the charming
ularity of the Korean Wave.
16th century royal court drama, Jewel
28•29

Sports
Winners of the U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup
The Koreans have a long tradition of sports and games. With the country's
remarkable economic growth, public interest in a wide variety of sports has been
growing steadily. Nowadays, many Koreans are actively participating in a diverse
array of international sports competitions competing against the best athletes in
the world. The globalization of Korean sports went into full swing in the wake of
two international events-the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988 and the Korea-Japan
FIFA World Cup in 2002.
Many Koreans have risen in prominence in a wide range of global sports. The
Korean baseball team, in particular, attracted keen attention from the world when
it won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and second place at
the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In Major League Baseball, Park Chan-ho of the
Pittsburgh Pirates and Choo Shin-soo of the Cleveland Indians are the two out-
standing Korean players. Kim Tae-Kyun of the Chiba Lotte Marines and Lim
Chang-Yong of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows are displaying outstanding perform-
ances in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Young Korean players have stunned the world with impressive performances in
events in which their predecessors have not been strong. Swimmer Park Tae-hwan
set new Asian records in three events in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, winning
three gold medals, one silver and three bronzes. In the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Sports
Games, he won the gold medal in the men's 400m freestyle with a time of 3:41:86,
thus becoming the first Korean swimmer to grab a gold medal in Olympic Games.
The Vancouver Winter Olympic Games held in February 2010 was a major mile-
stone for Korea's winter sports competition. In the Vancouver Olympiad, Korea
not only reaped record-breaking results but also demonstrated the superiority of
its athletic training system. The most remarkable thing about the Korean nation-
al team was that it secured a good number of medals in several categories in
which they had never distinguished themselves. The only category in which the
Korean team had excelled before the 2010 Winter Games was short-track speed
skating. But a breakthrough came when Korea's Mo Tae- Bum and Lee Sang-
Hwa won gold medals in the men's and women's 500m speed skating event,
respectively. Also, Lee Seung-Hoon won the men's 10,000m race. In the history
of Olympic skating, no country had the honor of winning both men's and
women's 500m race simultaneously.
In this way, the long and medium-distance speed skaters won more gold medals
than the traditionally strong short-track team members did, catapulting the
Republic to a leading position in overall speed skating events. The medal count
Figure skater Kim Yuna Park Tae-hwan
in the medium and long-range category was three golds and two silvers, while
the short-track team earned two golds, four silvers and two bronzes.
Exalted as the “Queen of Ice” by countless fans around the world, Korea's Kim
Yu-Na was crowned as the indomitable champion of women's figure skating by
registering a previously unimaginable 228.56 points-78.50 in the short program
and 150.06 in free skating. For the first time in history, she achieved the grand
slam of figure skating by taking all four major international women's single
championships-the Grand Prix Final, the Four-Continent Championships, the
World Championships and the Winter Olympics. Korea became the third country
to win individual gold medals simultaneously in all three major events-figure
skating, short-track speed skating and speed skating, preceded by the United
States and Canada.
It is also noteworthy that Korean women's football has recently made remark-
able progress. There are only 65 girls and women's football teams, playing in
schools or in the Korea Women's Football League. Of 1,450 registered players,
just 345 girls are playing on high-school teams, but they have attained world-
class skills thanks to systematic training and a fighting spirit. On the strength of
such ongoing efforts, Korean women's football teams have stunned the world by
clinching third place in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in August 2010 and
winning the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Trinidad and Tobago on September
26, 2010.
30•31
Tourism

Located on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, the Republic of Korea is
blessed with beautiful nature that provides ever-changing scenery over the
course of four distinct seasons throughout the year.
In spring, dubbed by poets as the queen of the seasons, a variety of festivals and
fairs are held in many parts of the country taking advantage of the flamboyant
flowers coming into full bloom. There are many places famous for cherry blos-
soms across the nation, including Yeouido in Seoul as well as a four-kilometer
tunnel of cherry blossom in Hadong and Jinhae, both in Gyeongsangnam-do
Province. In addition, cherries line the international marathon course in
Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Spring is also the season for tea afi-
cionados, who usually travel to the southern part of the country to enjoy the
taste of newly picked wild green tea leaves. Particularly spectacular are the
spring rape flower fields on Jejudo, the most exotic island in Korea known as a
popular honeymoon destination.

32•33
 Tourism

Cheonggyecheon stream in downtown Seoul Mud festival in the coastal city of Boryeong, Sunrise over the South Sea A ski slope in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province
renovated in an environment-friendly way. Chungcheongnam-do Province

Surrounded by seas on three sides, Korea has about 3,200 small and big islands, Gangwon-do Province; the Horizon Festival in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do Province; the
including the southernmost Jejudo and the easternmost Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Namgang Yudeung Festival in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do Province; the Hwaseong
There are also 350 or so beaches along the east, west and south coasts. All these Cultural Festival in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Province; and the World Kimchi Culture
add to the excitement of summer in Korea, the best season for all kinds of water Festival in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do Province.
sports such as water skiing, skin or scuba diving, windsurfing and fishing.
To many people, winter comes as a season of inaction or hibernation, but not so to
Mountainous areas account for about 70 percent of the total land, thus moun-
travelers who believe in winter adventures and romance. Snow-covered mountains
taineering, rock climbing and rafting in the rivers are very popular. An increasing
and countryside provide serene, idyllic vistas. Braving the cold weather, quite a
number of foreign tourists are joining various cultural programs, gaining firsthand
few people visit beaches and temples in remote mountains and become immersed
experiences in learning about the ecosystem in tidal mud flats and life in rural com-
in the spectacular sights conducive to deep thinking.
munities.
Winter sports are also popular in Korea. Famous places offering skiing, snowboarding
Many local festivals are gaining popularity among tourists, including the Boryeong
and sledding facilities include Yongpyeong, Sungwoo and Daemyeong Resorts, all
Mud Festival, the Muju Firefly Festival and the Gangjin Celadon Festival. A well-
of them located in mountainous Gangwon-do Province. They are favorite destina-
known phrase describing Korea's natural attributes is “silk brocade embroidered
tions for tourists originating from hot Southeast Asian coun-
with beautiful mountains and streams.” The phrase especially fit the autumn season.
tries. Other Gangwon-do Province towns hold annual winter
Mountains in this season turn many shades of red and yellow, attracting even
festivals as well. Hwacheon and Inje build ice theme parks
those who do not much enjoy mountain climbing in normal times. Rocky mountains
and offer trout and pond smelt fishing opportunities respec-
tinged with colorful foliage provide an extraordinary landscape. Many mountains
tively on frozen lakes and rivers. Taebaek is noted for a festi-
are adjacent to residential areas, thus making them easy to climb. Mountains
val featuring a snow sculpture exhibition and other snow
famous for autumn leaves include Mt. Seoraksan, Mt. Naejangsan, Mt. Jirisan and
park events. Natural hot springs also draw a great number of
Mt. Gyeryongsan.
people during winter. Renowned hot springs within three
In autumn, many cities and towns hold diverse festivities featuring locally produced hours' drive from Seoul are Suanbo, Onyang, Yuseong and
crops and foods as well as traditional cultural performances. Some of the well- Deoksan, all of them situated in the Chungcheong-do
known annual county fairs include the Songi Mushroom Festival in Yangyang, Provinces.

34•35