User:Stylescene

Wikipedia

어흥~

In Korea, there is many life experiment!

Yu Hwang-Wu, the representative of Korean language recognized in the U.S Department of state flickr

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Yu Hwang-Wu, the representative of Korean language recognized in the U.S Department of state flickr

Yu Hwang-Wu, the language lecturer receives lime light in nongovernmental diplomacy KOREA BRAND, http://www.flickr.com/photos/41561963@N06/) and Korea Tourist Service http://www.flickr.com/photos/cgs615/) has contributed in upholding national prestige through renowned foreign portal sites and in Flickr.

Yu Hwang Wu's Flickr is receiving it's attention from inner and outer netizen as nongovernmental diplomacy. Flickr is an international domain for sharing pictures managed by Yahoo.

In his private domain(http://www.flickr.com/photos/yuhwangwu/), Korean history, culture, information, and various english education columns, is being introduced to the international netizen. And now it is being introduced as neighbour of U.S. Department of State's Flickr. Yu Hwang Wu's Flickr is neighbouring with U.S. Department of State's Flickr to introduce Korea's culture and history. As his Flickr domain neighbours with George W. Bush, Barack H Obama, and even with Hillary Clinton, and continues to neighbour with U.S Department of State which has given him the title as representative of online diplomat.

Especially, his written article in the ibtimes 'How to prepare for the integrated essay examination?' has been a great approach to all. In the article he says, "Third, to write a good story, it must have characteristics of "appeal, persuasion, interest, and emotional stirring, and in order to achieve them, one must study on storytelling technique. Writing stories from words, and attraction of the book increases as writing proceeds in the story. American president Obama's autobiography <Dream from my father> and many other latest books are common in bringing mutual understanding for the readers. Story telling is important in writing. Especially, stories with interconnections stimulates readers with intellect and emotion." is the phrase that has been highly appraised by the netizen.

Representative Yu Hwang Wu says that this is the result of mass communication through online service also known as 'Social Network Service' which has helped him to share Korean culture, history, politic, education associated by pictures. Also he adds "I plan to share detailed and diverse contents about korea in the various social networks in the future."

Source from [1][2][3]

Yu Hwang-Wu Korean language classroom [4][5][6]

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Ludwig Von Beethoven

Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 4 in G Major, op. 58 An extraordinary pianist in his own right, 19th-century composer Ludwig van Beethoven wrote many piano concertos early in his career. Therefore, it is not surprising that many of his piano concertos were written to suit his own improvisational style. As this excerpt from the third movement (a rond? of his fourth concerto shows, Beethoven was structurally dependent on classical concerto form although he expanded on the established framework by intensifying the solo voice of the piano with expressive contrapuntal inventiveness and phrasing.

source: [7]

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The Star-Spangled Banner( United States of America )

Oh say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and brights stars through the perelious fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming! And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

[ Pledge of Allegiance ]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America And to the republic For which it stands One nation, under God, indivisible, With Liberty and justice for all

[ Rights and Privileges of a Citizen ]

I may think as please.

I may speak or write as I please, so long as I do not interfere with the rights of others.

I have the right to vote, By my vote I choose the public officers who are really my servant.

I have the right to choose my work, to seek any job for which my experience and ability have fitted me.

I have the right to try to improve my lot through various means.

I have the right to prompt trial by jury, if I should be accused of a crime.

I may seek justice in the courts, where I have equal rights with otheres.

I have the proviledge of sharing in the benefits of many of the natural resources of my country.

I may educate my children in free schools.

I have the right to worship as I think best.

I have the iright to "Life, liverty, and the pursuit of happiness.

[ The Duties of a Citizen ]

It is my duty to obey my country's laws.

It is my duty to vote, so my government may truly represent the will of the people.

It is my duty to keep informed as to the honesty and ability of candidates for public office.

It is my duty by my votes and my influencem to corredct injustice.

It is my duty to pay such taxes as have been devised y representatives elected by me, to defray the cost of government.

It is my duty to serve on a jury when called on.

It may sometimes become my duty to hold a public office for which I am suited, so my government may function effectively.

It is my duty to defend my country, if need should arise.

It is my duty to abide by the will of the majority, to stand behind my government, so my nation may be unfied in timeof crisis.

People's Republic of China

The People's Republic of China (PRC), commonly known as China, is a country in East Asia. It is the most populous state in the world with over 1.3 billion people, about one in five humans. China is ruled by the Communist Party of China under a single-party system,and has jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four directly administered municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing), and two highly autonomous special administrative regions (SARs) (Hong Kong and Macau). The PRC's capital is Beijing.

Source:[8]

Republic of China

The Republic of China (ROC), commonly known as Taiwan, is a state in East Asia comprising the island of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and other minor islands, which are located off the east coast of mainland China. Neighboring states include the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the west, Japan to the north-east, and the Republic of the Philippines to the south.

Source:[9]

God Save the Queen ( United Kingdom )

God Save our gracious Queen! Long live our Queen!

God Save the Queen! Send her Victrious. Happy and Glorious.

Long to reign over us, God Save the Queen!

"La Marseillaise", hymne national français( France )

1

Que veut cette horde d'esclaves, De traîtres, de rois conjurés ? Pour qui ces ignobles entraves, Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis) Français, pour nous, ah ! quel outrage Quels transports il doit exciter ! C'est nous qu'on ose méditer De rendre à l'antique esclavage ! (au Refrain)

2

Quoi ! des cohortes étrangères Feraient la loi dans nos foyers ! Quoi ! ces phalanges mercenaires Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers ! (bis) Grand Dieu ! par des mains enchaînées Nos fronts sous le joug se ploieraient De vils despotes deviendraient Les maîtres de nos destinées ! (au Refrain)

3

Tremblez, tyrans et vous perfides L'opprobre de tous les partis, Tremblez ! vos projets parricides Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix ! (bis) Tout est soldat pour vous combattre, S'ils tombent, nos jeunes héros, La terre en produit de nouveaux, Contre vous tout prêts à se battre ! (au Refrain)

4

Français, en guerriers magnanimes, Portez ou retenez vos coups ! Epargnez ces tristes victimes, A regret s'armant contre nous. (bis) Mais ces despotes sanguinaires, Mais ces complices de Bouillé, Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié, Déchirent le sein de leur mère ! (au Refrain)

5

Amour sacré de la Patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs Liberté, Liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs ! (bis) Sous nos drapeaux que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents, Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire ! (au Refrain)

Maple Leaf ( Canada )

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee

Taegeukgi ( South Korea )

The Korean flag, which is called the Taegeukgi

The National Antheme

1. Until the East Sea's waves are dry, (and) Mt. Baekdusan worn away, God watch o'er our land forever! Our Korea manse!

REFRAIN: Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of range and river land! Guarded by her people, ever may Korea stand!

2. Like that Mt. Namsan armored pine, standing on duty still, wind or frost, unchanging ever, be our resolute will.

3. In autumn's, arching evening sky,crystal, and cloudless blue, Be the radiant moon our spirit, steadfast, single, and true.

4. With such a will, (and) such a spirit, loyalty, heart and hand, Let us love, come grief, come gladness, this, our beloved land!

Das Lied der Deutschen( Germany )

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Fur das deutsche Vaterland! Danach laßt uns alle streben Bruderlich mit Herz und Hand! Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Sind des Gluckes Unterpfand. |: Bluh' im Glanze dieses Gluckes, Bluhe, deutsches Vaterland. :|

Unity and right and freedom For the German Fatherland; Let us all strive to this goal Brotherly, with heart and hand. Unity and rights and freedom Are the pledge of fortune grand. Prosper in this fortune's glory, Prosper German fatherland.

Advance Australia Fair( Australia )

Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free; We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil, Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in Nature’s gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history’s page, let every stage Advance Australia fair! In joyful strains then let us sing, “Advance Australia fair!”

When gallant Cook from Albion sail’d, To trace wide oceans o’er, True British courage bore him on, Till he landed on our shore. Then here he raised Old England’s flag, The standard of the brave; With all her faults we love her still, Britannia rules the wave! In joyful strains then let us sing “Advance Australia fair!”

Beneath our radiant southern Cross, We’ll toil with hearts and hands; To make this Commonwealth of ours Renowned of all the lands; For those who’ve come across the seas We’ve boundless plains to share; With courage let us all combine To advance Australia fair. In joyful strains then let us sing “Advance Australia fair!”

While other nations of the globe Behold us from afar, We’ll rise to high renown and shine Like our glorious southern star; From England, Scotia, Erin’s Isle, Who come our lot to share, Let all combine with heart and hand To advance Australia fair! In joyful strains then let us sing “Advance Australia fair!”

Shou’d foreign foe e’er sight our coast, Or dare a foot to land, We’ll rouse to arms like sires of yore To guard our native strand; Britannia then shall surely know, Beyond wide ocean’s roll, Her sons in fair Australia’s land Still keep a British soul. In joyful strains the let us sing “Advance Australia fair!”

Switzerland( Swiss )

When the morning skies grow red And o'er their radiance shed, Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light. When the Alps glow bright with splendour, Pray to God, to Him surrender, For you feel and understand, For you feel and understand, That he dwelleth in this land. That he dwelleth in this land.

In the sunset Thou art nigh And beyond the starry sky, Thou, O loving Father, ever near. When to Heaven we are departing, Joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting, For we feel and understand For we feel and understand That Thou dwellest in this land. That Thou dwellest in this land.

When dark clouds enshroud the hills And gray mist the valley fills, Yet Thou art not hidden from Thy sons. Pierce the gloom in which we cower With Thy sunshine's cleansing power Then we'll feel and understand Then we'll feel and understand That God dwelleth in this land. That God dwelleth in this land.

GERMAN LYRICS ( Gremany )

Trittst im Morgenrot daher, Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer, Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher! Wenn der Alpen Firn sich rötet, Betet, freie Schweizer, betet, Eure fromme Seele ahnt Gott im hehren Vaterland! Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Kommst im Abendglühn daher, Find' ich dich im Sternenheer, Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender! In des Himmels lichten Räumen Kann ich froh und selig träumen; Denn die fromme Seele ahnt Denn die fromme Seele ahnt Gott im hehren Vaterland! Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Ziehst im Nebelflor daher, Such' ich dich im Wolkenmeer, Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger! Aus dem grauen Luftgebilde Bricht die Sonne klar und milde, Und die fromme Seele ahnt Und die fromme Seele ahnt Gott im hehren Vaterland! Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Fährst im wilden Sturm daher, Bist du selbst uns Hort und Wehr, Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender! In Gewitternacht und Grauen Laßt uns kindlich ihm vertrauen! Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt Gott im hehren Vaterland! Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

ITALIAN LYRICS

Quando il cielo di porpora Nuovo dì colora, Te rivela aurora, O Signor! Nel tripudio del mattino A Te grato io m'inchino: Libertà, concordia, amor, All'Elvezia serba ognor, All'Elvezia serba ognor.

Se di stelle è un giubilo La celeste sfera, Te ritrovo a sera, Ô Signor! Nella notte silenziosa L'alma mia in Te riposa: Libertà, concordia, amor, Libertà, concordia, amor, All' Elvezia serba ognor! All' Elvezia serba ognor!

Quando tristi velano Atre nubi il cielo, Te presente anelo, Ô Signor! Se m'ascondi la Tua luce, Il mio spirito a Te m'adduce: Libertà, concordia, amor, Libertà, concordia, amor, All' Elvezia serba ognor! All' Elvezia serba ognor!

Quando rugge e strepita Impetuoso il nembo, M'è ostel Tuo grembo, Ô Signor! In ti fido, onnipossente: Deh, proteggi nostra gente: Libertà, concordia, amor, Libertà, concordia, amor, All' Elvezia serba ognor! All' Elvezia serba ognor!

LADINISH Words

In l'aurora la daman At cugnuoscha bain l'uman, Spiert etern dominatur, Tuot pussant! Cur ils munts straglüschan sura, Ura, liber Svizzer, ura. Tia orma sainta ferm, Tia orma sainta ferm, Dieu in tschêl, il Bap etern. Dieu in tschêl, il Bap, il Bap etern.

Eir la saira in splendur Da las stailas in l'azur Tai chattain nus, creatur, Toutpussant! Cur cha 'l firmamaint sclarescha In noss cours fidanza crescha. Tia orma sainta ferm, Tia orma sainta ferm, Dieu in tschêl, il Bap etern! Dieu in tschêl il Bap, il Bap etern!

Tü a nus nun est zoppà Cur il tschêl in nüvlas sta, Tü imperscrutabel spiert, Toutpussant! Tschêl e terra t'obedeschan Vents e nüvlas secundeschan. Tia orma sainta ferm, Tia orma sainta ferm, Dieu in tschêl, il Bap etern! Dieu in tschêl il Bap, il Bap etern!

Eir l'orcan plü furius Nun at muossa main a nus, Sco il dirigent dal muond, Tuotpussant! Eir in tempirals terribels Sun teis vorderns bain visibels. Tia orma sainta ferm, Tia orma sainta ferm, Dieu in tschêl, il Bap etern! Dieu in tschêl il Bap, il Bap etern!

BRAZILIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

It was heard, from Ypiranga's placid banks,

The resounding cry of a heroic people,

And the sun of freedom, in bright rays,

Shone at this moment in the homeland's skies.

As the promise of this equality

Was secured by our strong arms,

In your bosom, O Freedom,

We are ready to die.

O beloved, idolized homeland, hail, hail!

Brazil, a vivid dream, a lively ray

Of love and hope settles on the earth,

As in your beautiful sky, smiling and limpid,

The image of the Southern Cross shines resplendent.

A giant by nature, you are beautiful,

Strong, an intrepid colossus,

And your future mirrors this grandeur.

CHORUS

O land we adore, among a thousand, You are Brasil.

You are the gentle mother of the sons of this land,

Beloved homeland, Brazil!

HINO NACIONAL DO BRASIL

Ouviram do Ipiranga às margens plácidas De um povo heróico o brado retumbante, E o sol da liberdade, em raios fúlgidos, Brilhou no céu da Pátria nesse instante,

Se o penhor dessa igualdade Conseguimos conquistar com braço forte, Em teu seio, ó, Liberdade, Desafia o nosso peito a própria morte!

Ó Pátria amada, Idolatrada, Salve! Salve!

Brasil, um sonho intenso, um raio vívido, De amor e de esperança à terra desce, Se em teu formoso céu, risonho e límpido, A imagem do Cruzeiro resplandece.

Gigante pela própria natureza, És belo, és forte, impávido colosso, E o teu futuro espelha essa grandeza,

CHORUS

Terra adorada, Entre outras mil, És tu, Brasil, Ó Pátria amada! Dos filhos deste solo és mãe gentil, Pátria amada, Brasil!

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Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales

Invited to speak about "the future of the Internet" at New York University, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales instead spent the session dwelling on his smartphone's inbox. Why was the muse for the world's most exhaustive list of Simpsons episodes so distracted? Likely for the same reason he hired a personal security guard for the event: would-be paramour Andrea Weckerle. We're told that Weckerle, a PR consultant previously linked to Wales, has such a crush on Wales — unrequited — that she flew cross-country for the event, and told friends she was sharing a hotel room with Wales for a supposed tryst.

Alarmed, Wales arranged for a bodyguard. "He had an earpiece, greased hair, suit — totally conspicuous," an attendee tells us. "He was 15 feet away from Wales the entire time, including the reception downstairs. The guard was watching him like a hawk." If it's true that Weckerle made up the affair, it's an uncharacteristic display of restraint by Wales. Here's the Facebook attendee list for the event. Note how Weckerle signed up immediately after Wales did.

Source: [10]

Dokdo ( 독도 )

The historical facts of the Dokdo

Dokdo Island consists of a group of disputed islets in the East Sea. Liancourt Rocks are composed mainly of two islets, 150 meters apart (Seodo and Dongdo in Korean, Nishi-jima and Higashi-jima in Japanese; both literally meaning western island 西島 and eastern island 東島, respectively). The western islet is the larger of the two islets. Altogether, there are about 90 islets and reefs, volcanic rocks formed in the Cenozoic era.

The western islet consists of a single peak and features many caves along the coastline. The cliffs of the eastern islet are about 10 to 20 meters high. There are two caves giving access to the sea, as well as a crater.A total of 37 of these islets are recognized as permanent land. In 2006, a geologist reported that the islets formed 4.5 million years ago and are quickly eroding.

The total area of the islets is about 187,450 square meters, with their highest point at 169 meters in the western islet. The western islet is about 88,640 square meters in area; the eastern islet about 73,300 square meters. Liancourt Rocks are located at about 131°52′ East longitude and about 37°14′ North latitude. The western islet is located at 37°14′31″N, 131°51′55″E and the eastern islet is located at 37°14′27″N, 131°52′10″E.

Source: [11]

Dokdo Island consists of a group of disputed islets in the East Sea.

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Korea in 1000 BCE; borders extend beyond picture

A crater lake at chun jee (天池) at Paektu (Korean Paektu-san) at the border of China and North Korea

Gojoseon was an ancient Korean kingdom

Gojoseon was an ancient Korean kingdom, considered the first kingdom of the Korean people. According to the Samguk Yusa and other Korean medieval-era records, Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BC by the legendary Dangun, said to be the grandson of Heaven. It was centered in the basins of the Liao and Taedong Rivers, ruling over northern Korean peninsula and southern Manchuria.

Archaeological evidence of Gojoseon are found in the transition from the Jeulmun pottery to the Mumun pottery around 1500 BC, when groups of semi-sedentary small-scale agriculturalists occupied most of the Korean peninsula. Local bronze production began around the 8th century BC. Modern historians generally believe it developed into a powerful federation or kingdom between 7th and 4th centuries BCE.

Go-, which distinguishes it from the later Joseon Dynasty, means "Old" or "Ancient"; Joseon, as it is called in contemporaneous writings, is also romanized as Chosŏn.

Source: [12]

Dangun

Dangun Wanggeom was the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, around present-day Liaoning, Manchuria, and the northern Korean Peninsula. He is said to be the grandson of heaven, and to have founded the kingdom in 2333 BC. Although the term Dangun commonly refers to the founder, some believe it was a title meaning "high priest" used by all rulers of Gojoseon, and that Wanggeom was the proper name of the founder. The earliest recorded version of the Dangun legend appears in the 13th century Samguk Yusa, which cites China's Book of Wei and Korea's lost history text Gogi (古記).

Source: [13]

Gaecheonjeol

Gaecheonjeol is a public holiday in South Korea on October 3. Also known by the English name National Foundation Day, this holiday celebrates the creation of the state of Gojoseon (Modern-day Korea) founded by Dangun Wanggeom during the reign of the Chinese Emperor Yao in the year 2333 BCE.

Source: [14]

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Goguryeo Dynasty (高句麗 王朝)

Three Kingdoms of Korea (三國時代)

Goguryeo one of the greatest nation in Korea

Goguryeo Dynasty

The Goryeo Dynasty marks the last Buddhist-shaped dynasty in Korea after 1000 years of political influence. Goryeo, established in 918, united the Later Three Kingdoms in 935 and ruled Korea until replaced by the Joseon Dynasty in 1392. Goryeo pottery — the famous Korean celadon pottery — and the Tripitaka Koreana — the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka) carved onto roughly 80,000 woodblocks number among Goryeo's outstanding contributions to Korea culture. Goryeo also created the world's first metal-based movable type printing press in 1234. The name "Goryeo" derives from a shortened form of "Goguryeo," one of the ancient Three Kingdoms of Korea. The English name "Korea" originates from "Goryeo." See also Names of Korea.

Source: [15]

King Kwanggaeto The Great

Goguryeo's king Gwanggaeto (meaning "broad expander of territory") was born in 374 and ascended to the throne in 391, at the age of just seventeen, to become the 19th king of the Goguryeo Dynasty. He ruled over Goguryeo at the time in Korea's history known as The Three Kingdoms, so called because during this time the Korean peninsula was constantly being fought over by the three Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje dynasties. He is sometimes referred to as Great King Yeongnak, after the era name selected by him.

He expanded Goguryeo's territories far into the Korean peninsula by advancing southward at the expense of the Baekje dynasty to occupy the north of the Han River, and occupied Manchurian territory to the east of Liaohe. On his death in 413, at just 39 years of age, Goguryeo ruled everything between the Sungari and Han Rivers. This gave it control over two thirds of what is now modern Korea as well as a large part of Manchuria. In addition, the chieftains of Silla submitted to the northern kingdom's authority in 399 to receive protection from Japanese raids. Only Paekche continued to resist Goguryeo domination during this period, thereby preventing what would have been the first recognised unification of the Korean peninsula.

During his reign, King Gwanggaeto conquered 65 walled cities and some 1,400 villages, in addition to aiding Silla when it was attacked by the Japanese. In 392 he built nine Buddhist temples in Pyongyang. His accomplishments are recorded on a monument which was erected in 414 in southern Manchuria.

Source: [16]

Goguryeo War

The battle of Salsu

The battle of Salsu was an enormous battle that occurred in the year 612, during the second Goguryeo-Su War, between the Goguryeo and Chinese Su Dynasty. China’s Su Dynasty was waiting for the chance to attack Goguryeo. Finally Su launched series of attack commanding a large army under arms in 589. Su assailed the Yodong fortress and Pyongyang castle consecutively, but failed. Even though the number of the Goguryeo army was relatively smaller than the Su, it overwhelmed the Chinese troops in combat. On their way back, Su army reached near the Salsu river. There was no ship on Salsu and the water level was shallow than usual. Su army started to cross the river without any suspicion. Beforehand, Eulji (Goguryeo general) had already selected Salsu as the decisive turning point and had cut off the flow of the water, storing it behind the dam. When the Su army half crossed the river, Eulji opened the dam. The Su army was swallowed up by the waves. The surviving Su forces were forced to retreat to Manchuria to avoid being killed, however only two thousand survived. The battle is one of the most lethal battles in world history.

Source: [17]

Samjogo

A picture of a samjogo (三足烏, 삼족오, a crow which has three feet) in the sun.

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Balhae Dynasty

Balhae Kingdom

After the fall of Goguryeo, a man from Goguryeo, Dae Joyeong, formed an army of the Goguryeo and Malgal (a Tungusic tribe) people, and settled eventually near Jilin in Manchuria, and there founded Balhae.

Balhae declared itself the successor to Goguryeo and soon regained control of most of the former Goguryeo territory. The ruling class of Balhae consisted mostly of Goguryeo people.

Source: [18]

Balhae independent of China's Tang Dynasty

The following is the third in a series of articles on China's distortion of Korean history. This part deals with the Balhae Kingdom (698-926).

One of the most delicate problems with the ancient Korean kingdom of Balhae (698-926) is the paucity of formal and authoritative records about the kingdom lead historians to develop different views.

Debates boil down to two key issues: how much sovereign independence Balhae enjoyed from China's Tang Dynasty (618-907) and what was the ethnic background of the Balhae people.

For example, a monument describing Balhae's relations with Tang set up by the Chinese government near Mt. Baekdu claims that Balhae was one of the provinces of Tang.

Part of the monument reads in red letters, “Balhae, which was one province of Tang Dynasty, used this road to send a tribute to Tang.”

This reflects the most important rationale of China's claim to Balhae because Chinese historians think the tribute-investiture relationship takes place within one nation. In short, the Chinese side considers the independence of Balhae was not strong enough to be sovereign.

Sovereign Independence

Most of Northeast Asian countries see Balhae as an independent nation in its relations with Tang while China alone looks at the relations from a different perspective.

“The Chinese argument that Balhae was not independent enough is based on the fact that a tribute-investiture relationship existed between Balhae and Tang,” Han Giu-cheol, history professor of Kyungsung University in Busan said. “They claim Balhae kings were invested with the title of governor-general of the province of Tang.”

However, Han said that the investiture relationship at that time must be understood as a “diplomatic procedure.” The international order in Northeast Asia was led by China, but the relationship was between nations, he said.

Han said the tributary relationship was a type of trade by government officials between dynasties.

Actually, Balhae always used its “own era name” and freely offered posthumous titles to deceased kings without Tang's approval, according to the New History of the Tang Dynasty, a Chinese historical record.

There is other evidence that Balhae was independent of Tang.

Balhae, for example, even launched an armed attack on Tang in 732. King Mu, the second monarch of Balhae who died in 737, struck Tang's military base near the border of Balhae because he feared an attack from Tang.

source: [19]

Dae Joyeong King

Dae Joyeong", "Dae Jo-yeong", "Tae Choyŏng" redirects here.

Dae Jo-yeong (大祚榮, 대조영; unknown - 719), also known in Korea as King Go (고왕), established the state of Balhae, reigning from 699 to 719. His origin is heavily disputed (see below); most Korean scholars believed that he was of Goguryeo heredity, but most scholars in China believed that he is of Malgal (Mohe) ancestry.

Source: [20]

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Crown of the Silla kingdom, Korea, Silla (57 BCE – 935 CE)

The kingdom of Silla

Silla (57 BCE – 935 CE), was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. It began as a chiefdom in the Samhan confederacies. Allied with China, Silla eventually conquered the other two kingdoms, Baekje "Paekje" in 660 and Goguryeo "Koguryo" in 668. Thereafter, it is sometimes called Unified Silla or Later Silla, occupying most of the Korean Peninsula, while the northern part re-emerged as Balhae, which was a successor-state of Goguryeo. After nearly a millennium, Silla fragmented into the brief Later Three Kingdoms, and submitted to its successor dynasty Goryeo in 935.

Source: [21]

57 B.C. - 668 A.D.: The Three Kingdoms of Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje had similar ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. Koguryo occupied the northern part of the peninsula from the Chinese border to the Han River, while Silla and Baekche dominated the southern regions. All three kingdoms were heavily influenced by China, and Buddhism was introduced to Koguryo in 372. Various alliances were formed either with or against the Chinese until 660 when Silla allied with China to overthrow Baekje. Goguryeo fell shortly afterwards in 668.

668 - 935: The Silla Kingdom period marked the start of Korea's cultural development. Buddhism expanded and furled the construction of numerous temples and art works. However, despite Chinese influences, Silla remained largely tribal in culture. Society divided into distinct classes with a large semi-slave population supporting an aristocratic minority. Warlords began amassing power bases to the north and eventually took over Silla and founded a new kingdom- Goryeo.

Source: [22]

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Baekje Diadem King, Korea, Baekje Kingdom (18 BCE – 660 CE)

Scent of the Baekje Kingdom

Baekje (18 BCE – 660 CE), or Paekche, was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla.

Baekje was founded by Onjo, the third son of Goguryeo's founder Jumong, at Wirye-sung (around present-day Seoul). Baekje, like Goguryeo, claimed to succeed Buyeo, a state established in present-day Manchuria around the time of Gojoseon's fall.

Baekje alternately battled and allied with Goguryeo and Silla as the three kingdoms expanded control over the peninsula. At its peak in the 4th century, Baekje controlled most of western Korean Peninsula, as far north as Pyongyang. It became a significant regional sea power, with political and trade relations with China and Japan.

In 660, it was defeated by an alliance of Silla and China's Tang Dynasty, submitting to Unified Silla.

Source: [23]

Baekje was founded around the lower Han River in BC 18. Until it was destroyed by Silla-Dang Alliance Empire in 660 AD, the Baekje Kingdom lasted for 678 years, ruling over Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, Gangwon-do, and Gyeongsang-do. Baekje was founded by the Buyeo-tribe of the Goguryeo people. King Goi is generally credited with centralizing the Baekje state and gaining permanent ascendancy over the remaining states of Mahan. During the reign of King Geunchogo in the early Baekje period, with strong royal authority and the Damro (Baekje’s administrative district) system, the dynasty advanced into three provinces (Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Jeolla), Mid Nakdonggang area, Gangwon-do & Hwanghae-do, northeast China, and Japan. Later, the Han River area was taken over by the Silla Dynasty. Enraged by the defeat, King Seong made a retaliatory attack against Silla. However, he died at the battle of Gwansanseong (mountain fortress). During the reign of King Euija, the kingdom weakened due to frequent battles and was finally destroyed by the Silla-Dang Alliance Empire in 660.

Source: [24]

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The Goryeo Dynasty, established in 918

Kingdom of Goryeo

The Goryeo Dynasty marks the last Buddhist-shaped dynasty in Korea after 1000 years of political influence. Goryeo, established in 918, united the Later Three Kingdoms in 935 and ruled Korea until replaced by the Joseon Dynasty in 1392. Goryeo pottery — the famous Korean celadon pottery — and the Tripitaka Koreana — the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka) carved onto roughly 80,000 woodblocks number among Goryeo's outstanding contributions to Korea culture. Goryeo also created the world's first metal-based movable type printing press in 1234. The name "Goryeo" derives from a shortened form of "Goguryeo," one of the ancient Three Kingdoms of Korea. The English name "Korea" originates from "Goryeo." See also Names of Korea.

Taejo Wang Geon

During his lifetime, King Taejo was also known as Wang Geon. Taejo Wang Geon (태조 왕건) was born in 877 into a wealthy merchant clan based in Songak (now known as Kaesong), and which controlled trade on the Yeseong River. His father, Wang Yung, was the clan leader and had gained much wealth from trade with China. His ancestors were known to have lived within ancient Goguryeo boundaries, thus making Taejo a Goguryeon by descent.

Source: [25]

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Joseon Dynasty

State Structure

Near the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, in 1389, General Yi Seong-gye seized political and military power, deposing King Chang (r.1388-1389) and placing King Gongyang (r.1389-1392) on the throne. He and his faction then carried out sweeping land reforms. Neo-Confucian ideology became the political capital in his fight against the declining Goryeo monarchy and nobility.

The Gwajeonbeop (rank land law) was instituted, providing not only land for General Yi to distribute but also the power to rule the country. He and his group were well aware that the ability to bring order and to end the decadent Goryeo Dynasty lay in the land tenure system.

Under the terms of the status land system, land was ordinarily distributed for life only, on the basis of one's status or rank. Recipients were given the right to collect rents, while the peasant was given the right to cultivate. The customary rent amounted to half the crop and was usually paid as rent-tax to the state.

Since the peasant, as tenant, was guaranteed land tenure in terms of cultivation rights, not subject to confiscation, his livelihood was improved. In addition, the accumulation of land by the yangban, or office-holding aristocrats, was strictly controlled by the stipulation that status land would be granted to them only in the Gyeonggi area around the capital, where the government could easily maintain supervision and surveillance.

By resolutely carrying out land reform, Yi Seong-gye and his followers obtained economic influence. King Gongyang was forced to abdicate and Yi Seong-gye's followers placed Yi on the throne, bringing an end to the house of Wang. Yi Seong-gye renamed the dynasty Joseon and he was given the dynastic name of Taejo. The establishment of institutions of Confucian learning was given top priority in order to institute a Confucian state. A college and five municipal schools were set up in Hanyang, and local schools were established in all the magistrates. From these schools, Confucian-oriented scholar-officials were recruited for government.

The yangban class, acting in concert, had the power to influence the monarchial administration and decision-making procedures. Under Confucian precepts, the bureaucracy was to act as the agent of the monarch's will, since the monarch had a vested interest in benevolent rule. The monarch in turn had to heed the advice of the Confucian scholars. In this connection, the Office of Royal Lecturers and the Office of State Councilors (Uijeongbu) were of prime importance. Below this were the six boards of administration - civil appointment, taxation, rites, military, punishment and public works - the principal government organizations in the capital. In provincial areas, administrative divisions and magistrates under provincial governors carried out local administration.

The Censorate Offices submitted memorials and remonstrances to the monarch and had the authority to ratify and rectify the monarch's appointment of officials and his renovative decrees. The court historians, who were to record daily happenings in the court and render verbatim records of the royal conversation, were empowered to criticize the monarch and keep him under close surveillance.

In order to enhance Confucian learning, movable metal type was cast for the printing of Confucian classics and historical literature in 1403. Typography was developed and improved by the repeated casting of new fonts as a means of promoting Confucian studies for the welfare and prosperity of the state.

Source: [26]

Statue of Sejong the Great, the fourth king of Joseon.

King Sejong was born in 1397, the third son of King Taejong, the third king of Korea's Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Wongyeong. In 1418 he became the fourth King of the Joseon Dynasty. He was kindhearted, diligent, and placed a high emphasis on academics. His interests and talents were in many fields. He loved the Korean people and showed deep interest in their difficulties, ruling the nation with a righteous government. King Sejong's portrait adorns Korea's 10,000-won bill.

He established Jiphyeonjeon to encourage study and nurture many talented individuals. He created Hunminjeongeum (the first name for Hangul and also the name of the Chinese commentary book on Hangul), the foundation for taking Korea's culture to a higher level. He also installed Jujaso (a place for making type during the Joseon Dynasty) to progress development of typography by improving printing type (a more advanced printing type than the printing type developed in 1455 by Gutenberg). He improved agricultural and scientific technology by inventing and developing Cheugugi (equipment to measure amount of waterfall) and a sundial. In military matters, he strengthened the national defense by placing military outposts in the North to protect from China and elsewhere for trading with Japan. His achievements in the fields of medicine, music, extensive compilation projects, and law helped establish a firm foundation for Korea as a nation.

He died in 1450 and was buried in Yeongneung (Tomb) in Neungseo-myeon, Yeoju-gun, Gyeonggi-do (Historical Landmark 195). Hunminjeongeum

Source: [27]

Hunmin jeong-eum

Hunminjeongeum; The Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People

About Hangul

Koreans use their own unique alphabet called Hangul. It is considered to be one of the most efficient alphabets in the world and has garnered unanimous praise from language experts for its scientific design and excellence.

Hangul was created under King Sejong during the Choson Dynasty (1393-1910). in 1446, the first Korean alphabet was proclaimed under the original name Hunmin chong-um, which literally meant "the correct sounds for the instruction of the people."

King Sejong, the creator of Hangul, is considered to be one of the greatest rulers in the history of Korea. Highly respected for his benevolent disposition and diligence, King Sejong was also a passionate scholar whose knowledge and natural talent in all fields of study astounded even the most learned experts.

During his reign, King Sejong always deplored the fact that the common people, ignorant of the complicated Chinese characters that were being used by the educated, were not able to read and write. He understood their frustration in not being able to read or to communicate their thoughts and feelings in written words.

The Chinese script was used by the intelligentsia of the country, but being of foreign origin, it could not fully express the words and meaning of Korean thoughts and spoken language. Therefore, common people with legitimate complaints had no way of submitting their grievances to the appropriate authorities, other than through oral communication, and they had no way to record for posterity the agricultural wisdom and knowledge they had gained through years of experience.

King Sejong felt great sympathy for the people. As a revolutionary ruler strongly dedicated to national identity and cultural independence, he immediately searched for solutions. What he envisioned was a set of letters that was uniquely Korean and easily learnable, rendering it accessible and usable for the common people.

Thus, the Hunmin chong-um was born. In the preface of its proclamation, King Sejong states, "Being of foreign origin, Chinese characters are incapable of capturing uniquely Korean meanings. Therefore, many common people have no way to express their thoughts and feelings. Out of my sympathy for their difficulties, I have created a set of 28 letters. The letters are very easy to learn, and it is my fervent hope that they improve the quality of life of all people." The statement captures the essence of King Sejong's determination and dedication to cultural independence and commitment to the welfare of the people.

When first proclaimed by King Sejong, Hunmin chong-um had 28 letters in all, of which only 24 are in use today.

A Korean syllable is divided into three parts: Ch'osong (initial consonant), chungsong (peak vowel), and chongsong (final consonant). This is the basic framework that King Sejong and the Chiphyonjon scholars adhered to when created the letters. Chongsong was not separately created and was a repetition of the ch'osong. Therefore, Hangul is the consonants and vowels.

The Korean language has a well-developed and expansive vocabulary, and therefore, it is very difficult to express fully in foreign letter.

Because of its simplicity and the rather small number of letters, Hangul is very easy to learn even by children and foreigners.

It is no coincidence that by the time they reach the ages of two or three, most Korean children are already capable of expressing their feelings and thoughts, albeit in primitive form. By the time they reach school age, most exhibit mastery of Hangul, which is indeed a rare phenomena throughout the world. This fact clearly attests to the easy learnability and accessibility of the Korean alphabet.

Throughout history, Hangul has been at the root of the Korean culture, helping to preserve its national identity and independence.

Illiteracy is virtually nonexistent in Korea. This is another fact that attests to the easy learnability of Hangul. It is not uncommon for a foreigner to gain a working knowledge of Hangul after one or two hours of intensive studying. In addition, because of its scientific design, Hangul lends itself to easy mechanization. In this age of computers into their lives without difficulties, thanks to a large number of programs written in Hangul.

Source: [28]

Admiral Yi Sun Sin

Yi Sun-sin was a famous Korean naval commander. As the Lord High Admiral of the Korean fleet under the Choson Dynasty, Yi Sun-sin led the fight against the Japanese during their invasion of Korea in 1592. He turned back the enemy fleet of Japanese invaders with his innovative turtle ships, and became to many Koreans a national hero. He was shot by a stray bullet in the final battle at Noryang in November 1598, and died. He was posthumously given the title Chungmugong

Geobukseon

Geobukseon

First armored battleships are believed to have appeared in the 19th century. But few know that first armored battleships appeared, were built and actively used in Korea as early as the 16th century.

Geobukseon, or "a turtle ship", was a wooden vessel with a roofed hull. The roof was made of overlapping spiky iron sheets. The ship could go under sail. At the sight of the enemy sails were lowered and the ship was driven by oarsmen concealed on a shielded gallery. The ship design was extremely good. The spheroidality of the convex roof, included in the load-bearing structural skeleton of the hull, ensured additional stiffness. That is why Geobukseon was undestroyable in a ram attack of the enemy. The iron sheets of the roof were a reliable protection against incendiary arrows - the curse of the wooden ships at that time. The crew hidden by a reliable roof could actively shoot through special shot holes. Those who wanted to board the ship were awaited by the roof spikes, and to get inside the ship, they had to hustle through fiercely defended narrow manholes.

These ancestors of battleships created by Admiral Yi Sun Sin in the 16th century did not lie up: Koreans often waged wars against each other and against foreign enemies.

Source: [29]

Gyeongbokgung

This image shows Gyeongbokgung in Seoul, South Korea.

History of Gyeongbokgung (Palace)

Built by 15,000 populace with Buddhist priests from all round the nation, Gyeongbokgung(palace) has symbolized the Joseon Dynasty as the main palace of it. The construction work was concluded in 10 months since it began in the fourth year of the reign of King Taejo (the year 1395). Surrounded by mountains of Mt. Naksan, Mt. Inwangsan, and Mt. Bugaksan, it is located on a propitious site according to the theory of geomancy. It was completed with 390 rooms during the reign of King Taejo and expanded later, but afterwards it was burnt out during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. And Heungseon Daewongun, father of King Gojong, restored it in 1865, around the end of the Joseon Dynasty.

Most of the buildings were burnt down during the Japanese Invasion in the 25th year of the reign of King Seonjo and left in ruins for two hundred and seventy three years. In the second year of the reign of King Gojong (1865), Daewongun I Ha-eung who held the political powers disclosed his plans for rebuilding Gyeongbokgung to raise the dignity of a royal family and show off his power. He set up Yeonggeondogam to conduct the construction works. In spite of the conflict of opinions in court, he payed no attention to the opposed opinions and forced the restoring work to begin. Finally, the restoring work was concluded in the ninth year of the reign of King Gojong (1872) and Gyeongbokgung gained the present feature as the crystallization of the architecture, technology, and art in the late Joseon. Gyeongbokgung was restored to the original scale at that time. However, it lost its role of royal palace as the queen consort Myeongseong Hwanghu was assassinated by some Japanese at Geoncheonggung in 1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong's reign) and King Gojong took refuge to Deoksugung (Palace) (the "Agwanpacheon" affair) in February in the following year. Still, Gyeongbokgung has its features of the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, showing off the history of 500 years with buildings such as Geunjeongjeon and Gyeonghoeru and the rear gardens like Amisan and Hyangwonjeong in it.

Deoksugung

Deoksugung (Palace)

The Deoksugung (Palace) is a Historic Site No. 124 with a total area of 61,500㎡. When the Japanese invasion was ended in 1598, the then king settled in a private mansion for a prince located in the present site of the Deoksugung (Palace) and used it as a temporary royal residence because all the royal palaces were destroyed by the war fire. It was named the Gyeongungung later by Gwanghaegun. King Gojong and his court took refuge here when his queen consort Myeongseong was assassinated by some Japanese in 1895. He had the Gyeongungung expanded and declared to establish 'the Daehan Empire', an imperial government, here.

Then some buildings, including the Seokjojeon (Hall), and a garden in the western style were constructed, all of which make a unique harmony with other traditional constructions in the palace. The name of the Deoksugung, meaning 'a Place of Virtuous Longevity' and referring to the abdicated king's residence, was given when the King Gojong was forced to abdicate the throne to his Crown Prince and the new king moved to the Changdeokgung (Palace) in 1907.

Changdeokgung

Changdeokgung (Palace)

Changdeokgung was constructed in 1405 as the detached palace of Gyeongbokgung, the Joseon Dynasty's main palace. Some buildings were added during the reign of King Sejong, which include Jiphyeonjeon, the Hall of Worthies, Seonjeongjeon, the Hall of Good Administration, and Jangseogak, the Court Book Depository. Unfortunately, the palace was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion in 1592. Restoration was begun in 1606 (the 39th year of King Seonjo) and completed in 1610 (the 2nd year of King Gwanghaegun).

Changdeokgung has been rebuilt due to damages by several fires. The palace was partially destroyed in the course of the deposing of tyrant King Gwanghaegun by the successor King Injo in 1623. Injeongjeon, the Throne Hall, was burnt down in 1803 and rebuilt in the following year. Some buildings, including Huijeongdang and Daejojeon, the king's and queen's bedchambers, were burnt down in 1917.

Changdeokgung is not only a splendid palace preserving the architecture of the Joseon Dynasty but one that was used as the seat of royal regime for 258 years over the reigns of thirteen kings, witnessing many ups and downs of the dynasty. In this respect Changdeokgung is of greater historical value than Gyeongbokgung.

Well tuned with nature, the rear garden of Changdeokgung features the showcase of traditional Korean garden landscaping. Twenty-eight buildings including exquisite pavilions and manors remain intact. Although individual is restricted to enter in a bid to better preserve its natural conditions, guided tours are allowed.

As Changdeokgung has best preserved the original superb palatial architecture among the many palaces built in the Joseon Dynasty, it has been designated as Historical Site No. 122. It was honored by registration in UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage in December 1997.

Source: [30]

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Goryeo Celadon Cheongja unhak sanggam mun maebyeong, the 68th national treasure of South Korea.

Goryeo celadon, incense burner.

Goryeo Celadon

The term "celadon" for the pottery's pale jade-green glaze was first applied by European connoisseurs of the wares. One theory is that the name first appeared in France in the 17th century and is named after the shepherd Celadon in Honoré d'Urfé's French pastoral romance, L'Astrée (1627), who wore pale green ribbons. (D'Urfe, in turn, borrowed his character from Ovid's Metamorphoses.) Another is that the term is a corruption of Salah ad-Din (Saladin), Ayyubid Sultan, who in 1171 sent forty pieces of the ceramic to Nur ad-Din, Sultan of Syria. Yet another is the word derives from the Sanskrit sila and dhara, which mean "stone" and "green" respectively.

Main Article: Korean pottery and porcelain The celadon wares of the Goryeo Dynasty have been deemed among the finest ever crafted in any period of Korean history. Elaborate and intricate designs grace the celadon, glazed in a variety of colors. Bottles, bowls, cosmetic boxes, cups, vases with lotus motifs and lotus flower heads present a marvel to the artistic eye.

Source: [31]

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Joseon white porcelain exhibited at National Museum of Korea

Baekja cheonghak guimunho, late 18th century, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Joseon white porcelain

Joseon white porcelain or Joseon baekja refers to the white porcelains produced during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). White porcelains were preferred and praised than any other porcelains during the time to represent Confucian ethics such as frugality and pragmatism. In overall, Joseon ceramics undergone numerous transformations during the five hundred year period and is generally divided into three major periods; the early, the middle, and the late period. Although the chronology of Joseon ceramics differs between scholars, three major events affected kiln production; the influence of the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 and 1597, the establishment of Bunwon (hangul: 분원; hanja: 分院), government-subsided kilns at Bunwon-ri, Gwangju near Seoul in 1751, and the privatization of Bunwon in 1884. Joseon white porcelains are characterized by the beauty of unpretentious forms, understated decoration, and subtle use of color, reflecting the ideals of Confucian state.

Source: [32]

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Kimchi represents Korea's best known food.

History of Kimchi

Origin of Kimchi

Since human beings began cultivating, they have enjoyed vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. However, the cold winter, when cultivation was practically unavailable, led naturally to the development of a storage method- pickling. As a kind of pickled vegetables, kimchi was born in Korea around the 7th century.

Use of Hot Red Pepper Powder

At the earliest stage, kimchi was just salted vegetable, but during the 12th century they saw the appearance of a new type of kimchi with some spices and seasonings, and in the 18th century, hot red pepper finally became one of the major spices for kimchi. In particular, thanks to the introduction of Chinese cabbages in the 19th century, they witnessed the same type of kimchi as we know it today.

The Origin of the Name, Kimchi

It is suspected that the name kimchi originated from shimchae (salting of vegetable) which went through some phonetic changes: shimchae - dimchae - kimchae - kimchi.

Reasons Why Kimchi Was Developed in Korea

Few fermented vegetable foods are found worldwide. Some possible reasons why kimchi was developed as a fermented food especially in Korea are as follows: (1) vegetables were popular to the ancient people in Korea whose main industry was agriculture; (2) Koreans had a remarkable technology of slating fish which was frequently used as a seasoning; (3) Chinese cabbages (Brassica) appropriate for making kimchi were widely grown.

Major Historical Periods of Korea

The development of kimchi is reportedly rooted in the agrarian culture that began before the era of the Three Kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula. Due to the cold Korean winter, they had to come up with the storage technology of vegetables as a means of securing food.

Kimchi in Ancient Times

It is difficult to identify the process of development of kimchi in ancient times, as historical records of the times are barely available. We can only assume that they simply salted vegetables in order to keep them as long as possible.

Three Kingdoms Period

The first record found regarding kimchi is during the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. - 668 A.D.). The record is written as follows: "The Kogureou People are good at making brewing dreg, malt, bran, and pickling." This implies that fermented food was widely used in every day lives. However, no writings of this period mention seasonings or ingredients.

Kimchi during the Goryeo Kingdom

Though no direct records as to kimchi are found as in the previous period, cabbages are mentioned in an oriental medicine book titled Hanyakgugeupbang. There were two types of kimchi- jangajji (sliced radish preserved in soy sauce) and sunmu sogeumjeori (salted radish). In this period, kimchi began to receive new attention as a processed food enjoyable regardless of season as well as storage food for winter. It is suspected that the development of seasonings at that time enabled spicy kimchi to appear.

Kimchi in the Joseon Period

It was after foreign vegetables, in particular, Chinese cabbages (Brassica) were introduced and used as the main material that the current type of kimchi was formed. Hot red pepper was imported to Korea from Japan in the early 17th century (after the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), but it took roughly 200 years until it was actively used as an ingredient of Kimnchi. Therefore, it was only during the late Joseon that kimchi became associated with its red color.

Source: [33]

A bowl of doenjang jjigae

Doenjang-jjigae (Bean Paste Stew)

If Koreans were asked to nominate a national dish, they would probably name doenjang jjigae. It is eaten very frequently throughout the country. The key to the flavor lies in the quality of the bean paste. Bean paste is made early each Lunar year by soaking meju (bean paste blocks shaped like bricks) in brine for forty days and then draining off the soy sauce this produces. The residue is mashed into a yellow paste.

Other ingredients of doenjang jjigae can be tofu, clam meat, pork or beef, but some recipes are meatless. Seasonal vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, green peppers, and onions can also be added. Seasonings include garlic, anchovies, red pepper powder, and salt. A more exotic recipe, known as kungjung doenjang jjigae (royal soybean paste soup) calls for beef, mushrooms, tofu, and gingko nuts.

How to eat: Eaten with a bowl of rice. Most Koreans mix rice with spoonfuls of stew.

Kimchi-jjiggae

Kimchi-jjiggae (Kimchi Stew)

Along with doenjang-jjigae, this is one of the most common home dishes for common people. Baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi) makes the best ingredient for this stew. Ripened sour kimchi is sliced and sauteed in salad oil. Then the sauteed kimchi, bean curd, other available vegetables, tteok (Korean rice cake), and noodles are mixed with pork, beef, or sea food (such as oysters) and cooked as a stew. The amount of water and hot pepper paste determine the level of taste and spiciness.

How to eat: Eaten with a bowl of rice. Most Koreans mix rice with spoonfuls of stew.

Sundubu-jjigae

Sundubu-jjigae (Raw Bean Curd Stew)

This dish is made from boiled raw bean curd. other ingredients include cooked opened clams, clam water, chopped poke, chopped kimchi, sliced Welsh onion, and sauce in a small Korean traditional style pot.

To make the sauce, mix red pepper powder, chopped Welsh onion, garlic, and ginger with soy sauce, and put them into a prepared hot pot with oil. Many times an egg can be placed on top of the stew. The taste can be somewhat spicy, but very tasty.

How to eat: Eaten with a bowl of rice. Most Koreans mix rice with spoonfuls of stew.

Budae-jjiggae

Budae-jjiggae (Army Base Stew)

This dish results from Korea's painful history. During the Korean war, and for a time afterwards, people had little to eat. Most people had to fill their stomachs with the food distributed on the street called Kkulkkulijuk (meaning "pig's gruel"). People made this dish by combining left-over Spam and hot dogs from U.S. Army restaurants and whatever ele was available. All the left-overs were put into pot with water and boiled.

These days, restaurants usually use ramyeon noodles, ddeok (Korean rice cakes), sausages, meat, and goch'ujang paste for a hot and spicy taste, which Koreans like the most. To get the right taste of this dish, Spam sausage should be added.

How to eat: Eaten with a bowl of rice. Most Koreans mix rice with spoonfuls of stew.

Shinseollo

Shinseollo (Fairy Casserole)

This time consuming specialty is not sold as an independent dish, but usually served as part of a fancy table d'hote dinner or on a buffet table. This Korean style chafing dish has a hole for burning chacoal underneath the bowl to keep the dish warm. Meat balls, fried egg slivers, fried fish fillets, mushrooms, fried liver, pre-cooked carrots, ginko nuts, walnuts, and pine nuts are arranged for a colorful dish. Clear beef broth is added to make a tasty stew.

How to eat: This dish is usually served as a side dish.

Nakji-jeongol (Octopus Stew)

Seasoned octopus and vegetables are arranged in a pan casserole with beef broth and cooked at your table. Cooked noodles are added when the soup is boiling. Octopus is a favorite dish of Koreans.

How to eat: Eaten with a bowl of rice. Most Koreans mix rice with spoonfuls of stew.

Galbi-jjim (Short Rib Stew)

Koreans are proud of their method for cooking spareribs which are often served at celebrations and can often be found as part of a higher priced meal in an upscale restaurant.

The ribs are cooked for an hour with pyogo mushrooms, carrots, ginkgo nuts, and jujubes in a sauce that contains soy sauce, green onions, garlic, sugar, pepper, sesame seeds, sesame oil, pear juice, ginger juice, and water. The mixture is served with vegetables and decorated with egg strips and pine nuts.

How to eat: Usually served as a side dish.

Cheonggukjang-jjiggae (Fast Fermented Bean Paste Stew)

Fast fermented bean paste is created by boiling the new crop of soy bean in the autumn then storing in a warm place for several days. Salt, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper are added to the fermented beans, then the mixture is rolled into small balls.

Ch'eonggukjang-jjiggae is made from this paste by adding it to minced beef, shredded cabbage kimchi or sliced radishes, tofu, green onions, and garlic.

How to eat: Eaten with a bowl of rice. Most Koreans mix rice with spoonfuls of stew.

Source: [34]

Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki (Stir Fried Rice Cake)

Long tteok (rice cakes) are stir-fried with carrots, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and cucumbers and stewed in a gochujang-based sauce. Although it may sound unappetizing, the taste is very good. It is very popular at street vendors.

Gimbap

Gimbap (Rice Wrapped in Seaweed)

Gimbap (usually spelled Kimbap) is Korea's most popular and nutritious convenience meal. You can find it sold everywhere: picnics, schoolchildren's lunch boxes, street venders, and convenience stores. A layer of cooked rice is spread over a square piece of gim (dried laver). Various ingredients (including ham, sausage, spinach, cucumber, crab meat, carrots, and radishes) are thinly sliced and placed on top. The laver is rolled into a tube, sliced into sliced pieces, and seasoned with sesame seeds. The idea was borrowed from the Japanese during the colonial period, but Korean Gimbap is slightly different.

Sundae

Sundae (Korean food)

The small and large intestines of pigs are salted and stuffed with a mixture of pig's blood, rice, green onions, garlic, minced pork, and vermicelli before being steamed. The sausage is sliced when served and some steamed lung and liver slices usually accompany it. It is a very popular dish at street vendors. Use a toothpick or chopsticks to eat, dabbing each piece in salt to taste.

Samgyeopsal-gui

Samgyeopsal-gui (Grilled Side of Pork)

A side cut of pork is rolled and refrigerated. When ready to be cooked, it is sliced and broiled on an oiled grill. Sesame oil and salt are mixed for a sauce. It is often eaten with lettuce similar to pulgogi.

Soju

History of Soju

Researchers estimate that Korean soju went through its first distillation in 1300 A.D. Historians believe that the Koreans may have learned the method of soju distillation from the Mongols during the Mongol War. The Mongols, in turn, had acquired their knowledge of how to make soju from the Persians.

After the Koreans learned this technique, distilleries were built around the town of Kaesong, and soju production began in earnest.

During the Meiji period, a rice shortage caused the government to issue direct orders to reduce rice use in soju. This forced distributors to use pure ethanol. It was added to the mixture to create a diluted form of soju. Despite the current availability of rice, some makers continue this ethanol process.

Old methods of soju distillation still remain in certain parts of Korea, where distributors pride themselves on making the original Korean soju drink.

Source: [35]

Makgeolli

Makgeolli, also known as takju, is a traditional alcoholic beverage native to Korea. It is milky, off-white in color, and sweet. It is made by fermenting a mixture of boiled rice and water, and is about 6.5–7% alcohol by volume. It was originally quite popular among farmers, earning it the name nongju, which means "farmer liquor". Dongdongju is a drink very similar to makgeolli, and both are popularly drunk with the Korean "pancakes" called pajeon or bindaetteok .

Additionally, makgeolli is used during ancestral rites in Korea.

Commercially, makgeolli is most commonly available in aseptic box containers. As it is an unfiltered beverage, it is generally shaken before drinking as the cloudy white portion tends to settle to the bottom, leaving a pale yellow, clear liquid on top.

A similar beverage is gamju.

Source: [36]

Pajeon

Pajeon ( Korean pancake )

On the other side of the spectrum is the Korean pajeon, a whole-pan pancake whose batter is stout enough to handle just about any ingredient you can think of, including chopped vegetables, seafood, meat, bean sprouts or kimchi. Pajeon are fun and easy to handle; with a little practice and a nonstick skillet with sloping sides, you can flip them without a spatula. They are strongly seasoned and real crowd pleasers.

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Cheonggyecheon

Cheonggyecheon: Seoul Streamin

Touchy feely speak or not, there may be something to it. The stream known as the Cheonggyecheon is an urban getaway with a twist, a revamped sliver of 600 year old Korean history that cuts through the city between stone walls. Simply put, it's a park by a river in a trench. Though to stop there would be insincere. It's six kilometer length is cut into sections, marked by the 22 bridges and crossroads that run across it. Below them, the canal is constantly changing, an elongated bento-box of tastes. Sections are distinguished by the very features that keep the experience fresh. Stepping stones, elfen bridges, digital screens, and water-walls crop up along the way, but the adventure is in not knowing what's coming. Other areas are marked by statues and plaques, spouting something close to lyrical sentiment. The messages could just as easily come off as fairy-tale sonnet speak, given the Korean wave of happy ubiquitous well-being, used to promote everything from toothpaste to green tea lattes. Still, the heart is there. Korea seems to excel at finding sleeves long enough to wear it on. Thus, the Cheonggyecheon.

The shell

Central Business District. The 50 foot sea shell is painted in thin ribbons of red and blue, and lined in yellow skin. Given its size, the colors give it an impressive amount of air. The city can thank its designers, Coosje Van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg, for the effect. It practically floats at the head of Cheonggye Plaza, the more polished end of the canal. Facing the hole of the shell and a minute's walk to the right, is an older symbol of Korean history, the statue of Joseon-era war legend Yi Sun-sin. Chest puffed out, the Admiral watches over "Seoulite Street," the road leading to the city's main transportation hub, Seoul Station. Like everything else in the downtown core, the statue cranes necks, the result of a world that's built vertically. But compared to the nearby heights of Donga Ilbo and the Seoul Finance Center, the pagoda shell cowers. Art is art but big business is clearly the new dynasty. All the same, the canal isn't lacking attention.

A group of teenagers pose for cell phone pics. They're wearing the collared shirts and ties that can only be formal wear, but don't be fooled. It's not the humungoid beach shell on protein powder they've dressed up for. Korean education strikes again. School may be out for summer, but not for the weekends apparently. Alice Cooper would balk. They stand in front of the plaque that gives the names of the artists... and something else. Call it a delicate description, equal parts vague and necessary. "The vertical shape creates a dynamic atmosphere representing the restored vitality of the stream and the cultural aspect of Seoul's urban development." It's how you'll find the canal marketed wherever it's marketed. Symbol of progression. Symbol of life. More concrete information is available 50 meters downstream. Another plaque set into another wall gives an abridged history of the stream, 250 years worth whittled down to a handful of sentences.

From the early 1900s until the years following the Korean War, the focus on the country's economic development pulled rural populations to the city. Communities built up along the Cheonggyecheon with a shantytown aesthetic that did little for the condition of the stream. Archival photos show women washing clothes and children playing in the squalid conditions, a valued resource with all the delicacy of a Dickens locale. In 1958, it was with covered in cement for road space, then again into the 70s by an elevated highway. It was a time for Seoul to modernize, even at the expense of burying cultural relics. Times have changed. After a 30-year growth period spearheaded by a number of powerful family-owned companies (chaebol), no one is doubting that Korea is a country with economic "uumph." Now, it can backpedal. Presidential hopeful Lee Myung-bak has said as much. To drop a name at the mention of the canal's restoration is to drop his. During his tenure as Mayor of Seoul, he described the birth of a new urban culture that "strikes the right balance between nature and humanity," of which the Cheonggyecheon plays a part. But the naysayers are the first to question the purity of it all, at a cost several sources estimate at being 900 billion won. Lee has also been linked with controversy surrounding closed-door sessions with developers, eased building restrictions, and the bribery that might connect the two. Dynamic Seoul might come at a price yet.

The first sign of moving water begins at the base of the pagoda shaped shell. It trickles out of a small hole into a finger shaped groove cut into the plaza floor and winds along the tiles towards the actual stream. In a long line of eye candy it ends at the next piece, a black rectangular pool with fountain capabilities. There are two ends to the Cheonggyecheon, but the impression is that it all begins here. Watching from the pool, the water magically commands itself to be, then gushes over a waterfall into the 20-foot high trench. In reality, it's supplied by groundwater and two other sources, including the Hangang (River), at a volume of 120 kilotons per day.

At 40 centimeters it's a temptation for some. If you happen to see anyone under ten standing in over their knees, chances are dad's stuck a foot in first. There's more than legs in these waters though. All in all, the waterway is said to contain close to 500 species of plants and animals including carp, purple eulalia, mandarin ducks, and the unforgettable leech. Along with the Jungnangcheon, the stream that connects the canal to the wider Han River, the Cheonggyecheon is one of three migratory conservation zones in the area. On this night, three college-aged youth lean over within earshot of the waterfall, taunting fish with an empty coffee cup. Could be they're planning to take a little conservation home. The walkways here hang over the water in refined curves and zigzags, like something cut from a defunct ice age. If this is the future, it impersonal but sanitized. Don't be surprised to hear music down the way. The main plaza at street level holds almost weekly entertainment but the canal is prime busker territory. Foreign quartets and local folk musicians make regular stops.

A strong baseball throw from the waterfall is one of the standout features of the Cheonggyecheon, the Gwangtonggyo Bridge. Its pillars contain stones taken from the tomb of the concubine of Taejo, a Joseon dynasty king. It was also commonly used as a route for royal events and kite flying back in the day. What sits underneath the bridge could aptly be called the time tunnels. As the stream narrows from the waterfall, it veers to the right and passes under a boxy tunnel. It's clean and smoothly cut, and at night lit blue for futuristic effect. The left tunnel favors the past. Two sets of granite columns, massive biblical chunks set one on top of the next, are painted by red lights. You can almost smell the manual labor. It adds to the feeling of ages, and walking downstream though it makes a certain amount of sense as the canal gets less cosmopolitan from here.

Supyo Bridge

The Joseon Dynasty is one of history's longest monarchies and Korea's last. Most of what you'll discover as traditional Korean both in customs and culture comes from this period. National Treasure 853 sits just past Gwangtonggyo Bridge. It's a woodblock map from the early 1800s, a bit outdated as an aid for lost tourists, though you're more likely to be distracted by what's beside it. In 1795 King Jeongjo and Queen Mother Hyegyeonggung paid a visit to the tomb of their respective father and hubby in Hwaseong, the present day city of Suwon. Today a family of four might make a go of it jammed in a Kia Optima, but for the 22nd monarch of Joseon more prep-work was involved. The evidence is on the wall. The court appointed artwork is a tiled depiction of that day's procession, painted like elongated Peanuts characters in formal costume. High ranking officials. Common soldiers. Flag bearers and eunuchs. The figures are shown in profile, drawn with enough detail to give a feel for their style and occupation. The Royal palanquin is easy enough to spot in the center of the work. Picture the Queen Mother somewhere within the horse drawn box, escorted by gunmen and court soldiers with whips.

Somewhere a 23rd century prison movie titled "Zargon 5" is missing a set piece. The Samilgyo Bridge is rimmed with a half moon shaped metal cage. It glows like a space-aged bug light, cobalt and brilliant enough to color everything under it with a cool country sleigh ride feeling (or something back of a video store curtain). One young couple doesn't seem to mind. They're huddled up on one of the many waterside rest-stops. It's another popular reason to pay a visit: the lover's getaway, but just as much the social getaway. Even well into the colder weather, people can be seen spending time by the stream, sitting on chunks of stone that could easily double as Star Trek mise en scene. What better way to kill an hour than to stare at moving water with a raspberry mocha in hand, and an inkling of Captain Kirk at your back?

If you'd rather touch history than a loved one, Dongdaemun is another 20 to 30 minutes downstream. The horseshoe shaped East Gate, National Treasure No. 1, sits just left of the main intersection. You'll know the area from the crowds bunching up on either side of the canal. The water's long stilled by this point, so naturally it's time to shop. Pyeong-hwa Shijang is a second-world shopping warehouse made up of scores of kiosks the size of Japanese shower stalls. Try to time your arrival to the setting sun. The grime rushes behind longer and longer shadows until the neon breaks out on the surrounding buildings, fake urban beauty. If you're game, stay. The canal joins in the street level excitement with stage performances that one can watch from the Dongdaemun overpass above. Tonight they're blending traditional Korean drumming and American pop rip-offs, however well sung. The MC is a Kim Jong-il look-alike from the eyebrows up. His suit shines like black saran wrap. It's surreal enough, so if you're in any sense a Coppola fan, you'll give half a lookout for helicopters and Playboy playmates. It's not likely. Skirts and shorts are crawling up in all parts of the city, but the canal tends to bring out the conservative in people.

For a piece of Korean history used, buried, and brought back from the dead, the city around it can't help but still be archaic in parts. The end marked by Cheonggye plaza is upscale enough under the watchful eyes of City Bank and AIG. Beyond Samilgyo however, the financial institutions and five dollar coffee shops start to scale down. The streets running towards Dongdaemun are dominated by small business and market culture, electronics, shoes, and discount apparel. Jean jackets are the new suit coat while black plastic bags outsell Louis Vuitton by some sickening ratio. But the city has a plan. It's partially revealed inside the Cheonggyecheon Museum, in Seongdong-gu, where some of the billions that it's earmarked to rejuvenate the nearby neighborhoods and industry are shown in the form of snow-white models. The skeptics are out, including some of the local vendors. Dongdaemun World Design Park is a complex planned for construction next spring. Its purpose is nothing new: to inspire and invigorate, but building it means the marketers currently selling in nearby Dongdaemun Stadium will have to move once again. The city has held hundreds of meetings in consultation and assured them a home close by, but the concern still hangs. Where do the have-nots figure in the new and improved Seoul.

Towards the end of the stream, further outside downtown

You're nearing the end. Stay below, along the water, and you'll pass through the hubbub into even quieter terrain. Ahead, two pieces of chipped highway pillar stand in the middle of the stream, decapitated giants stubborn enough to stay put. Soon, the flora and fauna will take over. In some places it's enough to block your path completely, though no worries. From maps to wheelchair access, things have been planned out well ahead of time, and a bridge directs you around the swaying rushes and tear-shaped leaves. When the wind blows through them it's hard not to stare. It's nice to watch something move that isn't fuel dependant. The canal is wider now. Maybe it's a reward for getting this far. Where there's a path there's more land around it, creating the possibility of a picnic, or simple sit-down. Families and friends usually try it on. They seem to enjoy it. Even in the dark, when their faces can't tell the story, the numbers do. Estimates peg the number of visitors to the canal at 50,000 per day, more than double that on weekends. What they come to see is anyone's guess, but they come

Source: [37]

Namdaemun-sijang

Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market is a large market in Seoul, South Korea. The market is located next to Namdaemun, which means "Great Southern Gate," and was the main southern gate to the old city. The location of the market is within a 10 minute walk from Seoul metropolitan station and can is even closer to the subway (Hoehyeon Station, Line 4).

Namdaemun market is one of the oldest continually running markets in South Korea, and it is the largest retail market in Seoul.[1]. The streets in which the market is located were built in a time when cars were not prevalent, so the market itself is not accessible by car. The main method of transportation to and from the market is either by motorcycle or on the backs of pedlars. It occupies many city blocks, which are blocked off from most car traffic due to the prevalence of parking congestion in the area. The market can be accessed by subway or bus.

Much of the market is outside, but there are also many stores which line the streets. Many retailers buy their items, particularly clothing, at wholesale prices at Namdaemun, to resell in their own stores in other cities. Namdaemun is a popular tourist attraction, but most of the customers are Korean.

Source: [38]

Seoul Insadong

A Korean traditional porcelain store

Seoul Insadong

Insadong is a dong, or neighborhood of the Jongno-gu district of the South Korean city of Seoul. The main street is Insadong-gil, which is connected to a multitude of alleys that lead deeper into the district.

Source: [39]

The Insa-dong art and antique district has dozens of art galleries and shops selling art supplies, antiques, and handicrafts along one main street (Insadong-gil) and many side alleys. It also contains many traditional tea and coffee shops. The Korean Antique Association is located here and can be reached at (02) 732-2240. On weekends, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic, allowing the throngs of people to mingle without fear of being run down by Seoul drivers taking a shortcut.

Food and Drink:

Long renowned for its traditional tea shops, the area has increasingly become overrun with more modern versions. However, local merchants have been fighting to keep alive the old traditions, and many traditional tae houses still survuve, many playing old folk music. Several restaurants offer traditional recipes in authentic settings. Explore the side alleys for the best ones.

Source: [40]

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Jeju-do (South Korea)

Waves crashing against Jungmun Daepo Jusang Jeollidae, the columnar joints in Jungmun, Jeju-do, South Korea. The winds were strong when the photograph was taken.

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall at Night

Jeju-do Origin and History

According to legend, three demi-gods emerged from Samsung-hyeol which is said to have been on the northern slopes of Mt. Halla and became the progenitors of the Jeju people who founded the Kingdom of Tamna. It has also been claimed that three brothers including Ko-hu who were the 15th descendants of KoUlla, one of the Progenitors of the Jeju people, were received by the court of Silla at which time the name Tamna was officially recognized, while the official government posts of Seong-ju, Wang-ja and Do-nae were conferred by the count upon the three. While this was the golden period of Silla, the exact data is as yet unknown.

Although there is no concrete evidence of when the "Three Names" (Samseong-Ko, Yang and Pu) appeared nor for the exact date of when Ko-hu and his brothers were received by Silla. we may suppose that the founding Period by the "Three Names" occurred during the Three Kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla) period on the peninsula.

Taejo, the foundoms (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla) period on the same relationship to Goryeo as Tamna had been in its relation to Silla but with Tamna's refusal to accept this position the Goryeo court ordered a dispatch of army troops whereupon the chief of Tamna, Ko ja-gyeon, submitted to Goryeo and ordered his son. Prince Mallo, to Goryeo's court in 938. In 1105 (King Sukjong's 10th year), the Goryeo court abolished the name Takna which had to this time been used and from that year on, the island was known as "Tamna-gun" (district) and Goryeo officials were sent to handle the affairs of the island.

Tamna-gun was changed to Tamna-hyeon in 1153 during the reign of King Ui-jong and Choi Cheok-kyeong was posted as Tamna-Myeong or Chief of Tamna.

In 1121 during Huijong's reign, Tamna was renamed Jeju and the posts of Busa and Pangwan were established on the island.

In the 12th year of the reign of Wonjong, 1271, General Kim Tong-jeong escaped with what remained of his Sambyeolcho force from Jindo and built the Hangpaduseong (fortress) at Kwiil-chon from where they continued their fight against the combined Goryeo/Mongol army but within 2 years, faced by an enemy army of over 10,000 troops, the Sambyeolcho was annihilated.

The Yuan (Mongol) dynasty, in 1273 during the reign of Goryeo's King Wonjong, established a Daruhachi or military governor on the island and this was to last almost one hundred years with the island almost completely under the control of these governors.

After Yi Taejo established the Joseon (Yi) dynasty, all of the administrative rights and systems which Jeju island, had maintaining some independence until this time, were absorbed into the centralized from of government established by Joseon.

In 1402, in the 2nd year of the reign of King Taejong, the titles of Seongiu and Wangja which had so long been used on Jeju were abolished and to Seongju Ko bong-lyeo was given the symbolic title of Jwadojigwan and to Wangja Mun chung-se, the title of Seokdojigwan and in 1416, still in the reign of King Taejong, the island was divided into three major. Administrative districts : the area lying generally north of Mt. Halla was headed by a 'Moksa' or county magistrate while east in the area of Jeongui-hyeon (today's Seongeup Folk village) and the south western area of Daejeong-hyeon (today's Moseulpo, Daejeong-eup and Mt. Sanbang) were headed by a Hyeon-gam (also county magistrate).

In August, 1864, both Jeongui and Daejeong hyeons were moved from the control of the 'moksa' north of the mountain in today's Jeju-si area and were renamed 'Gun" (county) and came under the direct control of the Gwanchalsa (governor) of Jeolla province but because of strife between these 'Guns' and the Jeju 'moksa', the system was abolished in January, 1880 and the two 'Gun' reverted again to 'hyeon'.

In 1895 (King Gojong's 32nd year), Jeju-mok was redesignated as Jeju-Bu with a governor (Gwanchalsa) and Vice-governor (Chamsagwan) and a police agency was newly established while in both Jeongui and Daejeong the offices of 'Gunsu', (county chief) were again established but the very next year, the office of 'Gunsu' was abolished and the old system was returned to.

Then, in 1906 abolishing the Moksa system altogether, the Gunsu or County chief system was adopted and in 1910, Jeongui and Daejeong were included in Jeju gun while Chuja-myeon was placed under the jurisdicion of Wando-gun, part of South Jeolla province.

Japan 'annexed' Korea in 1910 and in 1915 the gun or county system which had been adopted in 1906 was abolished and Jeju island was designated as part of the 'island' system and called Jeju myeon under South Jeolla province. In 1931, Jeju-myeon was raised to the status of Jeju-eup or 'township' which gave the island one township(today's Jeju-si area) and 12 'myeon'. On August 1, 1946, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province was removed from the 'island' system under South Jeolla province and designated as an independent province with 2 counties, North County and South County, one 'township', today's present Jeju-si area and 12 'myeon'.

The provincial administrative building was burned to the ground in September, 1948 (during the April 3rd Rebellion) and a new building was completed in 1-do, 2-dong in December, 1952. On September 1, 1955, Jeju Township was elevated to city status with 40 administrative wards which on January 1, 1962, were reduced to 14 wards.

On July 8, 1956, Seogwi, Daejeong and Hallim-myeons were raised to the status of townships while the southwestern portion of Hallim Township was separated and newly designated as the Hankyeong district(myeon) which gave the province one city, two counties, three townships and 10 myeon or districts with 14 wards in Jeju-si, May 23, 1979 saw the restructuring of the Jeju-si wards and the addition of three more, giving 17 wards.

In March, 1980, the construction of a new provincial office was started in Yeon-dong of Jeju-si and in December of that year the four myeon of Aewol, Gujwa, Namwon and Seongsan were elevated to the status of townships Giving the administrative area one city, two counties, seven townships, six districts and, within Jeju-si 17 wards.

In 1981, the development of the Jungmun Tourist Complex brought about the unification of Seogwi township and Jungmun-myeon (district) into one as Seogwipo-si consisting of 12 wards (dong) giving the province two cities, two counties, six townships, five districts and 29 wards.

On October 1, 1983, Jeju-si's Samdo ward was divided into two wards to give a total of 30 wards in the province.

Yongdam ward in Jeju-si was restructured into Yongdam ward one and Yongdam ward two on October 1, 1985 and Jocheon myeon (district) was elevated to the status of Township followed on April 1, 1986 with Yeonpyeong-ri Gujwa township being raising to the status of Udo district (myeon), the provincial area now administering 2 cities, 2 counties, 7 townships, 5 districts and 31 wards, the status of the province as of 3 December, 1996.

Source: [41]

Jeju-do(transliterated Korean for Jeju Province, short form of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province) is the only special self-governing province of South Korea, situated on and coterminous with the country's largest island. Jeju-do lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946. Its capital is the city of Jeju.

The island contains the Natural World Heritage Site entitled Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.

Source: [42]

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Gangwon-do (South Korea)

Seoraksan, South Korea

Gangwon-do: Korea's tourism hub fosters environmentally friendly industries

Gangwon-do, in the east-central part of the Korean Peninsula, is the nation's tourism hub that has emerged as the center of the Korean Wave and the growing interest over affluent lifestyles.

More Koreans now take the time to leave the city and enjoy their weekends traveling or taking part in activities in suburban areas. And Gangwon-do is the most-favored destination.

The province has long been known as the center of eco-tourism in Korea, as 82 percent of its land is mountainous. Seven of the nation's major mountain trails, including Soraksan, Chiaksan, Odaesan and Taebaeksan, are located in the province. Also found here are some of Asia's largest caves and the Donggang, one of the 150 "wild and scenic rivers" designated by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of America.

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is also the focus of attention among scholars worldwide, as it remains untouched by humans for half a century, which has preserved the ecosystem in pristine form.

Governor Kim Jin-sun says the province's largest and most-precious asset is its natural environment.

"Wild animals and plants in Gangwon-do, although faced with the peril of extinction, stubbornly survive here. The province is the only place in the world that remains divided. It has preserved perfect conditions for natural ecosystem," he said.

The province's eastern side runs along the coast, providing an attractive spot to appreciate the East Sea. Gangwon-do's distinct four seasons add to this geographical advantage, making it the center of leisure activities ranging from paragliding to skiing.

Based on its rich natural resources and infrastructure, the province has successfully transformed itself as Asia's mecca of winter sports and a center of eco-tourism.

Its world-class winter sports facilities, in particular, have been used for major international sports competitions. Following this reputation, more Asian tourists are visiting Gangwon-do's European-style ski resorts in Pyeongchang-gun. The winter there is known to be the longest in East Asia.

In 2007 alone, about 82 million local tourists and 1.2 million overseas tourists visited the province, according to Gangwon Provincial Office data.

"Almost every Korean visited the province last year. And we estimate that many of the visitors made second and third visits," said Lee So-hee, an official at the province's tourism marketing division.

Gov. Kim attributed this huge number to "the province's firsthand experience in nature and world-class service."

Gangwon-do is East Asia's winter sports mecca.Gangwon-do is expecting more tourists in the future, as it will host a number of international sporting events, such as the 2008 IBU Biathlon Worldcup, the 2009 Biathlon World Championships and the 2009 FIS Snowboard World Championships.

The province is also aiming to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Last year, it failed in its bid against Russia's Sochi to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. However, preparations to build the infrastructure for the 2018 Winter Olympics are continuing, including the construction of the Peace Valley and the operation of the "Dream Program."

Gangwon-do's "10-year plan for the creation of cultural infrastructure" has pushed for the hosting of popular festivals, which add unique color to the region's popular Korean Wave sites, such as Jeongdongjin Port and Nami Island.

The province is set to expand its success in tourism to environmentally friendly industries. Its "7+3 Plan" consists of seven strategic industries and three knowledge-based industries in the region's key development clusters.

The province's Triangular Techno-Valley aims to maximize the economic value of clean environmental resources. The establishment of knowledge-based industrial clusters started in 1998 and will conclude in 2010 for cities like Chuncheon, Gangneung and Wonju. The total budget for this project is 1.3 trillion won.

Gangneung, which faces the East Sea, is being developed as a center of R&D and marine technology. Supported by the central government and the province, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology conducts studies on new marine materials and biotechnology here.

Along with KIST, Gangwon Techno Park, the Ceramic New Material Industrialization Support Center and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries run the R&D centers in the city.

Logistical advantage has also helped biotechnology development in the city. In order to attract more overseas investors, the city provides housing grants, educational support and electricity use of up to 1 million won per month.

Chuncheon, the province's capital city, accommodates industries that seek lower rent and accessibility to Seoul. The city is a 40-minute subway ride from Seoul. Companies relocating in the city from the Seoul Metropolitan Area are provided with subsidies of up to 50 percent of relocation fees or 5 billion won.

In the relatively small county of Gosung, the development of deep-seawater products is under way. Gosung was selected as the best place to study deep seawater by the Government.

Water that is at least 200 meters below sea level can be found 2.5 kilometers from the county. Deep seawater is known to be colder, which means that it is cleaner and higher in mineral content.

Gosung's seawater-development cluster is producing mineral salt, environmentally friendly agricultural products, cosmetics and health products.

In order to minimize the environmental impact of these development activities, the province in 2003 adopted the Environmental Management System (EMS) and the Geography Information System (GIS) for water management. Both are the first of its kind in the nation.

Source: [43]

Gangwon-do was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The province was formed in 1395, and derived its name from the names of the principal cities of Gangneung (강릉; 江陵) and the provincial capital Wonju (원주; 原州).

In 1895, Gangwon-do was replaced by the Districts of Chuncheon (Chuncheon-bu; 춘천부; 春川府) in the west and Gangneung (Gangneung-bu; 강릉부; 江陵府) in the east. (Wonju became part of Chungju District.)

In 1896, Korea was redivided into thirteen provinces, and the two districts were merged to re-form Gangwon-do Province. Although Wonju rejoined Gangwon-do province, the provincial capital was moved to Chuncheon, where it remains today.

In 1945, Gangwon-do (along with the rest of Korea) was divided by the 38th parallel north in 1945 into U.S. American and Soviet zones of occupation in the south and north respectively, which led to Wonsan joining the province's northern half in 1946 to serve as its administrative center. In 1948, the southern half of the province became part of the new Republic of South Korea. As a result of the Korean War ceasefire of 1953, the boundary between the South and North Korean portions of the province was shifted northward to the Military Demarcation Line. The province's boundaries have remained the same since 1953.

Source: [44]

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Cinema of Korea

Taegukgi Hwinallimyo (film)

Taegukgi Hwinallimyo (Hangul: 태극기 휘날리며) is a 2004 South Korean war film directed by Kang Je-gyu. It tells the story about the effect of the Korean War on two brothers. The film's title is the name of the pre-war Flag of Korea as well as the postwar Flag of South Korea. It was released in the United Kingdom as Brotherhood: Taegukgi and the United States as Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War.

Kang Je-gyu made a name for himself directing Shiri and was able to attract top talent and capital to his new project, eventually spending US $12.8 million on production. The film became one of the biggest successes in Korean film history up to that time, attracting 11.74 million people (almost 25% of South Korea's population[citation needed]) to the theatre, beating the previous record holder Silmido.

Source: [45]

Silmido (film)

Silmido is a 2003 South Korean film directed by Kang Woo-suk. It is loosely based on a military uprising from the island of Silmido in the 1970s. At the end of its run, the film was the most watched film ever in South Korea, and the first film to attract an audience of 10 million viewers in the country. The film Taegukgi later broke its record in 2004, and then The King and the Clown with additional 2 million in 2006.

Source: [46]

My Sassy Girl (film)

My Sassy Girl (엽기적인 그녀; literally, That Bizarre Girl) is a 2001 South Korean romantic comedy film in which the lead protagonist chance meeting with a drunk girl on the train changes his life. The film was directed by Kwak Jae-yong.

The film was extremely successful in South Korea. When My Sassy Girl was released throughout East Asia, it was well received in the entire region. An American remake, starring Jesse Bradford and Elisha Cuthbert, and directed by Yann Samuell is scheduled to be released in 2008. A Japanese drama adaptation with Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and actress Lena Tanaka as the leads started broadcasting in April 2008.

Source: [47]

Joint Security Area (film)

The film begins when two North Korean soldiers are killed in the DMZ at a North Korean border house. Alarms sound on both sides, and North and South Korean soldiers are quickly deployed at the scene, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. Sgt. Lee Soo-hyeok (Lee Byung-Hun) despite an injured leg runs from the North Korean side and attempts to reach the South Korean side. He is shortly rescued while the gunfire continues.

Two days later, the fragile relationship between the two Koreas now relies on a special investigation conducted by Swedish and Swiss investigators from the NNSC to ensure that this incident does not erupt into a serious conflict. The mission is led by Major Sophie (Lee Young Ae), her mother being from Switzerland and her father Korean; however, this is her first time in Korea.

As Sgt. Lee Soo-hyeok (a South Korean soldier on border duties) has confessed to the shootings, it is up to Sophie to investigate why the two Koreas have contradicting accounts of events. Sophie proceeds to read the story of Soo-hyeok's experience which tell of him being knocked out and kidnapped while defecating. He then wakes up tied up in the North Korean border house, before proceeding to secretly free himself and shoot three North Korean soldiers, leaving two dead. However, Soo-hyeok is totally unresponsive to Sophie and will not answer any of her questions. On asking Soo-hyeok's comrades about him, she receives stories praising his courage defusing a mine he stepped on, or of throwing rocks at the North Korean house; however this gets her nowhere. Sophie then visits North Korea whose sole survivor of the shooting Sgt. Oh Kyeong-pil (Song Kang-ho) tells a different story: one in which Soo-Hyeok barges into the border house and shoots everyone before retreating when the wounded Kyeong-pil fights back.

The autopsy report shows that one soldier was shot first in the chest and then in the head, while the other, Jeong Woo-jin, was shot eight times repeatedly, more indicative of a grudge than an attempt at escape. The events that led to the killing of two North Korean soldiers are then shown throughout the film in a series of flashbacks. First, the depositions of each surviving soldier are shown, providing conflicting versions on that night's events. Major Sophie looks further into the case and discovers that things are not quite as they seem.

Source: [48]

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Cropped the original. Performers in traditional costume as farmer dancing on the ground.

Korean Folk Village (Minsokchon) in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Arirang ( Korean folk song )

"Arirang" is arguably the most popular and best-known Korean folk song, both inside and outside Korea. Arirang is an ancient native Korean word with no direct modern meaning. 'Ari' means "beautiful" (For example 아리따운 native Korean word means "beautiful", "lovely", "charming") 'Rang' can mean "dear". Because of those words, arirang could be interpreted to mean "beautiful dear".

Hangul

아리랑, 아리랑, 아라리요... 아리랑 고개로 넘어간다. 나를 버리고 가시는 님은 십리도 못가서 발병난다.

Romanization

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo... Arirang gogaero neomeoganda. Nareul beorigo gasineun nimeun Simnido motgaseo balbyeongnanda.

English

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo... Crossing over Arirang Pass. Dear who abandoned me [here] Will not walk even ten li before his/her feet hurt.

Source: [49]

If you find this page on any site other than Wikipedia, you are viewing a mirror site. Be aware that the page may be outdated, and that the user to whom this page corresponds may have no personal affiliation with any site other than Wikipedia itself. The original page is located at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Stylescene.

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This user is not a Wikipedia administrator, but would like to be one someday!

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M1A2 TUSK, United States

Korean army K-1 Tank ( South Korea )

K1 88-Tank ( South Korea )

K1A1 Main Battle Tank, South Korea

Rotem (part of the Hyundai group) has developed the K1 series of vehicles, which includes the K1A1 120mm main battle tank, the K1105 mm main battle tank, K1 ARV armoured recovery vehicle, and the K1 AVLB armoured vehicle launch bridge. The vehicles are built at Rotem's automated production facility at ChangWon.

The first two prototypes of the K1A1 successfully completed operational tests in 1997 and the tank is in production and in service with Republic of Korea Army. Total requirement is for about 300 K1A1 tanks, scheduled to be in service by 2010.

Rotem is developing the successor to the K1A1, the K2 Panther, which is armed with a 120mm/L/55 smoothbore gun with automatic loader and has uprated engine and improved armour. Three pre-production tanks have been completed. It is planned that about 680 K2 tanks will be produced from 2011.

Source: [50]

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K2 Black Panther Tank ( South Korea )

K2 Black Panther Tank, South Korea

K2 Black Panther (Hangul: K2 '흑표') is the Republic of Korea's recently revealed prototype for a next-generation main battle tank. The vehicle was developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) of South Korea using foreign and indigenous technology with budget of over $230 million U.S. dollars for the past eleven years since 1995, and will be the successor to the K1 series main battle tanks.

The ROK Army is planning to field approximately 680 Black Panthers when the full-scale mass-production starts in 2011.

Source: [51]

The South Koreans have now developed the XK2 Black Panther (a successor of the K1 tank) battle tank which is said to be able to roam under water at up to 13.5 feet. Quoted to have “more superb capabilities than any other existing tank,” the XK2 Black Panther has a 120 mm gun that can fire at 15 rounds per minute, a live defense system against the enemy’s artillery (laser warner), smart munitions that can act like a homing missile to reach their targets perfectly, and a special suspension that enables the XK2 to fire at three distinct configurations and the highly-anticipated downhill firing. The anti aircraft gun along with an automatic system that identifies a friend from a foe is also well respected at. Not only that, but the tank allows a seating capacity for three: a commander, a gunner, and a driver.

Source: [52]

T-50 Golden Eagle ( South Korea )

Korean Aerospace Industries T-50 Golden Eagle, South Korea

Main Role: Advanced Trainer/Light Attack

Country of Origin: South Korea

Although increasingly well known for it's ships, cars and consumer electronics goods, South Korea also possesses a thriving aerospace industry. An industry which cut its teeth on component manufacture and licenced production has now produced its second Korean-designed aircraft, the T-50 Golden Eagle. That this aircraft should be a supersonic combat aircraft demonstrates the breadth of South Korea's capability and the extent of its ambition. Korean Air Lines (KAL) was the first company in South Korea to be involved in aerospace, establishing facilities in 1979 to carry out depot level maintenance of USAF aircraft based in South Korea and the Pacific. Daewoo, Hyundai and Samsung established similar capabilities soon afterwards. In 1981, KAL was contracted to assemble the Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs ordered by the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF). Korean industry subsequently won contracts to produce a wide range of components and sub-assemblies for Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Lockheed Martin - amongst others - and won praise for the high quality of workmanship evident in the delivered items. In 1988, development of South Korea's first locally-designed aircraft, the Daewoo KT-1 Woong-Bee was initiated. This PC-9 look-alike turboprop trainer first flew in 1991 and entered service with the RoKAF in 2000. In the meantime, Samsung was awarded prime contractor status in the Korean Fighter Programme, under which 108 F-16s were licenced-built for the RoKAF. The contract specified extensive technology transfer to Korean industry, resulting in the last 72 aircraft being wholly built in South Korea. In 1992, initial design studies were launched by South Korea's Defence Development Agency and Samsung into the development of an indigenous jet trainer/light attack aircraft to replace the T-38, Hawk and F-5 in RoKAF service. The designation KTX-2 (Korean Trainer, Experimental 2) was assigned to the project. Substantial input into the design was made by General Dynamics (later taken over by Lockheed Martin) under the offset agreement negotiated for the F-16 contract. In mid 1995 the basic external layout was agreed, but the project stalled at the end of the year as the gathering Asian Financial Crisis mean that available government funding could not now cover the remainder of the project - a foreign partner was essential to carry on. Several major aerospace companies showed interest, but none proved willing to invest their own money. Eventually, Lockheed Martin took the decision to upgrade its existing involvement from that of design consultant to full partner. On 3 July 1997, the South Korean government approved continuation of the project. Later in July, Lockheed Martin signed a formal agreement with Samsung under which it took responsibility for the Fly-By-Wire flight control system, avionics integration, wing design and supply of the APG-167 radar. In October 1997, the contract to build and test six prototypes was received - including two static test airframes. Detailed design was now able to proceed rapidly and in August 1999 the external shape of the KTX-2 was frozen, allowing manufacturing drawings to start being released. As part of the country's economic reforms, Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) was formed in October 1999 from the amalgamation of the aerospace divisions of Samsung, Daewoo and Hyundai. The other major South Korean aerospace manufacturer, Korean Air Lines remained outside of the main industry grouping. In February 2000 it was announced that the KTX-2 had been renamed the T-50/A-50 Golden Eagle. The T-50 Golden Eagle designation being applied to an Advanced Jet Training variant, and A-50 Golden Eagle to an armed Light Attack/Fighter Lead In Trainer variant. Final assembly of the first T-50 prototype began on 15 January 2001, and it was formally rolled out on 31 October 2001. The maiden flight was achieved on 20 August 2002, with flight testing continuing until mid 2005. The Golden Eagle bears a close resemblance to the F-16 - not really surprising when you consider its origins and the intended role of training RoKAF pilots to fly the F-16 - although it is actually about 80% the size of an F-16. Several design features are shared with its bigger brother, the most noticeable of which is the blended mid-set wing, complete with leading edge root extensions (LERX) and rear 'shelf' fairings ending in F-16-style split airbrakes. Sweepback is only applied to the wing leading edge, and missile launch rails are located at the wing tips. In a departure from F-16 influence, the engine air intakes are located at the fuselage sides, just below the wing LERX in a similar manner to those on the F/A-18. The two crew sit in a tandem stepped cockpit equipped with two large Multi-Function Displays (MFDs), a modern wide-angle Head-Up Display (HUD) and full hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls. The Lead In Fighter Trainer and Attack variants will be equipped with a Lockheed Martin APG-167 radar in the nose and a M61 20 mm cannon in the port wing root. The incorporation of many of the latest-technology but 'off the shelf' components and systems within the design is intended to deliver a capable but efficient, reliable and easy to maintain aircraft. The Golden Eagle already has a production order for 50 T-50 trainers and 44 A-50 Fighter Lead In trainers from the RoKAF. Further domestic orders may follow, to allow replacement of the F-5 and F-4 in RoKAF service. The type also has obvious export potential - particularly among the ever growing number of F-16 operators. It's manoeuvrability and advanced systems are designed to prepare future pilots to fly the next generation fighters such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Lockheed Martin F-35, while its combat capability allows dual-role adaptability. Potential rivals, such as the EADS Mako and Aermacchi M-346 have yet to secure any orders, while the class-leading but slow-selling BAE SYSTEMS Hawk may have reached the limit of its development potential. With the marketing clout of Lockheed Martin behind it, the future of the Golden Eagle is sure to be bright.

Source: [53]

The Great King Sejong Class Aegis Destroyer, South Korea

The South Korean Destroyer Experimental program (KDX) has produced three variants. The latest, and pinnacle of the program, is the AEGIS KDX-III class of destroyers which has now been named the King Sejong the great Class. The first vessel, DDG-991, Sejong the Great, was launched on May 25, 2007. The South Koreans are committed to building a total of three of these vessels, and may add an additional three, for a total of six. Utilizing the same advanced AN/SPY-1D AEGIS weapons system that the United States Navy utilizes on its Arleigh Burke class destroyers, the vessel has been enlarged to accommodate significantly more fire power than either the original Arliegh Burke class, or the follow-on Flight IIA batch of Arleigh Bure destroyers which this vessel resembles.

With the licensing of the AEGIS system to South Korea, the South Koreans became the fifth nation to utilize this vaunted, all-encompassing, battle management system. The United States, Japan, Spain, the Norwegians and now South Korea operate the system.

With a forward Mk-41 VLS launcher of 80 cells, the Sejong uses all of those cells for SM-2 Block II/III missiles for medium to long range air defense. A separate, indegenous VLS launcher aft houses 48 cells that contains 32 indegnous Hyunmoo land attack cruise missiles (LACMs) as well as 16 K-ARSROC anti-submarine missiles. In addition the vessels mount one 30mm Goalkeeper close-in-weapon-system (CIWS) aft, and a 21 missile Rolling-Air-Frame (RAM) missile launcher forward for additional close in anti-missile defense. The vessels also carry 32 light weight topredoes and have hangar facilities for two LAMS III helicopters for anti-submarine work.

With such a weapons an sensor fit, these vessels represent the most heavily armed and military capable AEGIS vessels afloat, surpassing the Japanese Kongo and Atago class, and even surpassing the vaunted U.S. Navy Ticonderoga class cruisers in terms of shear fire power. In reality, with a full load displacement of 10,000 tons, these vessels themselves could easily be considered AEGIS cruisers themselves.

Source: [54]

Submarine

Submarine Proliferation, South Korea

Korean Shipyards:

Daewoo:

Daewoo constructed nine Chang Bogo (Type 209/1200) vessels for the South Korean Navy.

Hyundai:

The shipyard is constructing Type 214 vessels for the South Korean Navy.

In 2003, South Korea and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense sector cooperation. Aside from upgrading Indonesian military equipment, South Korea will also replace engines on Indonesia's Type 209/1300 submarines at its shipyards. This MoU followed earlier talks on this subject, including on the possible joint production of vessels. More importantly, it has also been reported that Indonesia is interested in acquiring two of South Korea's Type 209/1200 Chang Bogo-class submarines. However, such a sale would require the consent of the German government, since the submarines were built from a German design.

Judging by South Korea's continued domestic design endeavors and confidence in its ability to construct submarines, as witnessed by building the entire class of its new Type 214 vessels, South Korea is likely to succeed in developing an indigenous design and construction capacity in the near future. This has been confirmed by South Korean officials, who state that the next generation submarine will be designed and constructed using domestic technology, including torpedoes, countermeasure systems, sonar arrays, and even combat systems. The cost of such a pursuit can only be offset by significant submarine exports. Therefore, South Korea is likely to become an independent exporter of submarines. To this end, in 2002 South Korea hosted an underwater defense technology conference for the first time, allowing potential partners to meet representatives from the Korean defense industry. South Korea is already becoming an after-sales service provider, as witnessed by an Indonesian contract concerning the overhaul of one of its Type 209 boats.

Alternatively, cooperation between HDW and the ROKN may develop along the lines of HDW's cooperation with the Turkish Naval Forces (TNF): used ROKN vessels may be sold to train regional navies without a submarine arm, with the ROK providing its local facilities and simulators, followed by the production of new boats at a Korean yard from German-supplied kits. As HDW's cooperation with the TNF and a Turkish shipyard has not met with success to date, a new alliance with the seemingly more promising ROK may be on the horizon.

Restrictive German arms export guidelines theoretically bar sales to areas of tension. However, both former and current German government coalitions have supported submarine sales; there appears to have been little concern about the submarine sales to South Korea. Therefore, future sales in the region are also quite possible.

Source: [55]

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American bison

Buffalo Hunt

American Bison ( Buffalo )

The American bison (Bison bison) is a bovine mammal, also commonly known as the American buffalo. 'Buffalo' is something of a misnomer for this animal as it is only distantly related to either of the two "true buffaloes", the water buffalo and the African buffalo.

The bison originally inhabited the Great Plains of the United States and Canada in massive herds, ranging from the Great Slave Lake in Canada's far north to Mexico in the south, and from eastern Oregon almost to the Atlantic Ocean, taking its subspecies into account. Its two subspecies are the plains bison (Bison bison bison), distinguished by its smaller size and more rounded hump, and the wood bison (Bison bison athabascae), distinguished by its larger size and taller square hump. Wood bison are one of the largest species of cattle in the world, surpassed in size only by the massive Asian gaur and wild Asian water buffalo, both of which are found mainly in India and Southeast Asia.

Source: [56]

HONDA ASIMO

Wind River Systems, Inc., a leading provider of software and services for connected devices, today presented the Honda with the Wind River "Cool Customer Design" award for Honda's ASIMO Humanoid Robot. ASIMO is a two-legged walking robot, capable of assisting humans by completing complex tasks.

Honda, known for successful and innovative motorcycles, cars and other power products, first began examining the principals of two-legged robotic locomotion in 1986, and in 1989 decided to rely on operating system software from Wind River as the heart of their robot projects.

ASIMO, short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, is the latest in a series of Honda robots to utilize the VxWorks?operating system.

"We've been with the VxWorks from the beginning," said Toru Takenaka, Honda's Chief Engineer for the ASIMO project. "With VxWork s, it was easier to operate it this way."

ASIMO is able to process and complete multiple tasks in real-time, thanks to the robust reliability of the Wind River operating system. "In the program at any given time more than ten tasks are running and if you include all of the programs, there should be something like some hundreds of thousands of commands in it," said Takenaka.

"For instance, a task to take control of leg balance and task to operate arms and also the wireless communication with external systems. Also, there is communication between the motors that actually move joints."

Wind River chairman and co-founder Jerry Fiddler has witnessed the progress of the ASIMO robot. "I was amazed by how cool it was," said Fiddler.

"You see the thing standing there and it's not until it starts moving that you realize just how remarkable a piece of equipment this is. I think the thing that surprised me most about it was its balance and what Honda has done is to really center the whole operation of the thing around balance. When you look at it and see how it moves and how it reacts, it's uncanny."

ASIMO stands four feet high, and weighs approximately 115 pounds. The robot is able to walk, wave, grasp and lift on its own, without human assistance. Power is provided by nickel-zinc batteries, stored inside of ASIMO.

Brushless servomotors perform the functions of human muscles, flexing and rotating the various upper and lower body joints. The body of ASIMO is made of a tough, lightweight magnesium alloy.

Honda envisions ASIMO as a something to assist human society in our daily lives, freeing us to become more innovative and expressive.

"I'd like to create a robot so that human beings, with the robot, would become more creative, more lively and vigorous," said Takenaka. "The humanoid robot and human beings, they can interact and they can come in touch in different ways so that people can become more creative."

Takenaka can imagine a world where ASIMO robots help men and women with basic housework and home maintenance. "Yes, we have plans to deploy the robots in that situation, and I think it will take another dozen years until the robots will be used at home," said Takaneka.

"Until then there will be some use in the public areas, such as the robots working as a guide at the museums or robots working as a body guard to some persons. Or could be used in the dangerous situations instead of human beings actually being there."

Fiddler can see an immediate need for ASIMO. "I can imagine a lot of applications where you'd want to use a robot where you wouldn't want to use a person because the environment is hazardous, because it's doing something that is either extremely boring or requires a lot of patience that human beings aren't very good at. So I can imagine it doing those kinds of tasks fairly soon, actually."

While ASIMO may be surprising, Honda's use of the VxWorks operating system is not. "We've been in robots for a long time. We were in industrial robots of all kinds so it doesn't surprise me to see the product in robots," said Fiddler.

"I think what has surprised me is I wasn't sure that all of the technology existed to make a robot this sophisticated. I've always been confident that when they were built they would use our software but when you see it, it's truly surprising."

Source: [57]

Rock music

Heavy metal and glitter rock.

The brutal music style that came to be known as “heavy metal” was built on the acid- and hard-rock of performers like Hendrix and the Who. Loud, propulsive, blues-based bands, such as the British group Led Zeppelin, spawned many heavy metal imitators with outlandishly aggressive stage acts and horror movie affectations, including the British groups Black Sabbath and Judas Priest and the American Blue Oyster Cult. Heavy metal remained a force in rock music through the 1980s and into the '90s with such bands as the California group Metallica. Bizarre and androgynous performers, including the American group Kiss, American shock performer Alice Cooper (1948– ), and British singer David Bowie, pioneered the “glitter rock” craze of the early '70s. Later in the decade, Bowie emerged as a leader of the “art rock” avant-garde in his influential collaborations with the British producer Brian Eno (1948– ).

Source: [58]

Basketball - James Naismith (1861-1939)

James Naismith was the Canadian physical education instructor who invented basketball in 1891. James Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario and educated at McGill University and Presbyterian Cllege in Montreal. He was the physical education teacher at McGill University (1887 to 1890) and at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts (1890 to 1895). At Springfield College (which was then the Y.M.C.A. training school), James Naismith, under the direction of American phys-ed specialist Luther Halsey Gulick, invented the indoor sport of basketball.

The first formal rules were devised in 1892. Initially, players dribbled a soccer ball up and down a court of unspecified dimensions. Points were earned by landing the ball in a peach basket. Iron hoops and a hammock-style basket were introduced in 1893. Another decade passed, however, before the innovation of open-ended nets put an end to the practice of manually retrieving the ball from the basket each time a goal was scored.

In 1959, James Naismith was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (called the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.)

Source: [59]

Here follows a brief Timeline

1265 Juan Gil of Zamora mentions the early guitar in "Ars Musica.

1283-1350 Guitarra Latina & Guitar Moresca are mentioned multiple times in the poems of the Archpriest of Hita

1306 A "gitarer" was played at the Feast of Westminster in England

1404 "Der mynnen regein" by Eberhard Von Cersne makes reference to a "quinterne."

1487 Johannes Tinctoris described the guitarra as being invented by the Catalans. This refers to the four course guitar. Each course represents one pair of double strings.

1546 "Tres Libros de Musica en Cifras para Vihuela" by Alonso Mudarra is the first publication to include music for guitar.

1551-1555 Nine books of tablature were published by Adrian Le Roy. These include the first pieces for 5 course guitar. The addition of the fifth course was attributed to Vicente Espinel

1600-1650 Many publications of tablature for the guitar. It's popularity begins to rival the lute.

1674 Publication of "Guitarre Royal" by F. Corbetta increased the guitar's popularity. It was dedicated to Louis XIV.

1770-1800 A sixth string was added to the guitar and the courses were replaced by single strings.

1800-1850 Guitar enjoyed a large popularity both in performances and publishing. Fernando Sor, Mauro Guiliani, Matteo Carcassi and Dioniso Aguado all performed, taught, wrote and had published their compositions.

1850-1892 Guitar maker Antonio de Torres develops the larger more resonant instrument we know today.

1916 Segovia performs at Ateneo, the most important concert hall in Madrid. Before this it was thought that the guitar did not have the volume for this type of venue.

1946 Nylon replaces gut as a string material

source: [60]

May 15 is Teacher's day!( write a letter )

Congratulation it gives the teacher's day! Though, I cannot follow well but the teacher it watches me and it gives, it teaches eagerly and it gives and and from it thanks. In the future to teach me well. Day of the teacher, congratulation it gives, the bedspread. The teacher Korean language there is a fun and it teaches and it gives,, a fun and and there is it will be able to study with the same class friends and it is happy. In the future compared to the possibility of improving in order to be, will become I which endeavor to the bedspread.. Day congratulation of one teacher it gives again.. It is happy ! ♡

English Wikipedia at first, difficult,

but this skill is a little better now.

I know a lot of the material from English Wikipedia.

I really feel it's best.

English Wikipedia best!

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