December 16, 2013

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Monday, December 16, 2013

  
Good morning, Excellency!
Here are The Korea Post news, African proverbs, humor from Korean-language economic dailies, and a roundup of important headlines from all major Korean-language dailies, TV and other news media this morning:
/s/
        
Lee Kyung-sik
Publisher-Chairman
Korea Post Media
-------------------------------------------
The Korea Post news

'One of Seven Wonders of Winter' for a 22-day run

Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival opens Jan. 4

Named one of the 'even Wonders of Winter' by CNN and Lonely Planet, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival is probably the most famous winter event in Korea. During the month of January every year, more than 1,000,000 people swarm Hwacheon in Gangwon province hoping to catch mountain trout bare-hand or ice fishing.

Mayor Chung Gap-cheol invites the Ambassadors and families to attend of Festival on Thursday January 17, 2014 and The Korea Post is transmitting the Invitation of Mayor Chung to the Excellencies with a detailed schedule of the Festival.

(Further details and photos are toward the end of this Headlines.)

Who said Hwacheon offers only ice-fishing? You can land mountain trouts also from the water standing on the river bank (top left). Koreans, expats, young and old, all enjoy various events of the Festival.
-------------------------------------------

At the KUK Cultural Foundation Building behind Ritz Carlton Hotel

KUP hosts Year-end Concert with famed World Vision

Children’s Choir of Korea

The Korea United Pharmaceutical Co. (KUP), hosts a Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert at the Cultural Foundation Building of the Company in Seoul (located behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel) on Dec. 26, 2013. It is presented by the famed World Vision of Korea Children’s Choir. Chairman Kang Duk-yung of the KUP invites the ambassadors and madams to the prestigious concert.
(See invitation and full details of the Concert at the end of this Article.)

Famed Sunmyung-hoe World Vision Children’s Choi of Korea presenting a performance overseas. They are presenting a year-end preSentation at the Korea United Pharma Cultural Center in Gangnam behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Thursday 26 Dec. 2013 where Ambassadors and Madams are invited. (Individual invitation to the Excellencies have already been faxed and email, but in case of our Transmission failures, please call 2298-1740/2 for re-transmission of the Invitation.)
-------------------------------------------

Dr. Sang-Ki Hahn's African wise-sayings:

Things (property) are for the strong.
- A Kenyan and Tanzanian proverb

If you skin the ant with patience, you see its intestines.
-A Ghanaian proverb

After my day, I do not care if grasses grow or not.
-An Ethiopian proverb

-------------------------------------------
Humor from Korean-language economic dailies this morning:

Seoul Kyungje

A Blonde was driving to Disney World.
She looked on a sign and it said, 'Disney World Left' so she turned around and went home.

Hankuk Kyungje

Why?
-If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
-Why did suicidal Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
-Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead?
-Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check you say the paint is wet?
-Why do they use sterilized needles to execute death sentence by lethal injection?
-------------------------------------------
KBS (
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/)

Gov't Closely Monitoring N. Korea Following Jang's Execution
The government is closing watching North Korea to be prepared against possible provocations by the North following the execution of leader Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-thaek.

N. Korean Leader Makes 1st Public Appearance Since His Uncle's Execution
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made his first public appearance since the execution of his uncle, Jang Song-thaek.
KORAIL Management and Union Fail to Reach Agreement
The management and labor union of South Korea’s state-run rail operator, KORAIL, failed to reach an agreement five days into a strike.

Arrest Warrant Requested for Hyosung Group Chief
Prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Suck-rai to further look into allegations Cho was behind the group’s massive tax evasion and slush funds.

Nation's Performing Arts Market Grew 30% from 2010

Leading Media Cover Kim Jong-un's Politics of Terror

-------------------------------------------
Yonhap (
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)

Kerry ties NK leader's brutality with that of Iraq's Hussein
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry unleashed a harsh criticism Sunday of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for his "ruthless and reckless" leadership.

S. Korea's expanded air defense zone takes effect
South Korea's expanded air defense zone went into effect on Sunday, with its airborne early warning and control aircraft conducting a patrol and surveillance mission over it.

Rail workers threaten massive protest rally
Striking rail workers on Sunday threatened to stage a large-scale protest rally in Seoul this week unless the government withdraws its decision to set up a new rail operator that they claim is the first step toward privatization.

Nearly 80 pct of firms remain conservative in biz plans next year: survey
Nearly 80 percent of major companies in South Korea will not likely expand their businesses aggressively next year, a poll showed Sunday, indicating lingering anxiety in the corporate sector over future market conditions.

Korea weighs in on timing of joining TPP
South Korea may still be able to join ongoing negotiations for a regional trade pact known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), although it may have come to the table just a little too late, perhaps a bit intentionally, according to officials Monday.

EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Dec. 16
The National Intelligence Service, which has been under fire throughout the year for alleged political interference, came up Thursday with a plan to reform itself. As expected, however, the three-page self-reform plan, unveiled after five long months of foot-dragging, largely adheres to the status quo showing little even remotely resembling reform.

---------------------------------------------
The Korea Herald (
http://www.koreaherald.com)

Latest developments point to instability in N. Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s reinforced reign of terror is further increasing uncertainty over the long-term polit...

Samsung Electronics to fine-tune business strategy
Hundreds of executives from Samsung Electronics are scheduled to gather in Suwon and Gihueng, G...

Deregulations for brokerages face industry skepticism
Financial authorities are about to further deregulate laws governing the capital market as a last resort to save the declining securities sector, but industry watchers see the meas...

Cable TV programs emerge as mainstream player in showbiz
Cable and general programming TV programs have been widely regarded as less in quality, but the...

N.K. leader Kim’s aunt, wife in spotlight
Following the demise of Jang Song-thaek, the once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the ...

KT shortlists CEO candidates

Iran says nuclear talks continue despite...

'Purge won't hurt economic policy'

N.K. releases first photos of Kim since ...

U.S., Chinese warships nearly collide in...

China makes ‘giant leap’ with moon rov...

Search is on for new chiefs of KT, POSCO

Ahead of local elections, lawmakers bent...

Year-end party

Prosecutors indict 70 for tax fraud

Message ignites student gathering on pol...

Korea’s new air defense zone takes effe...

Pro-N.K. activists to stand trial for al...

Rail workers threaten massive protest ra...

Kazakhstan goes East to Korea

-------------------------------------------
The Korea Times (
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

NK tries to show Kim in charge
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made his second public appearance in as many days, Sunday, a move experts believe is aimed at showing his subjects and the outside world that he is firmly in charge.

KADIZ flyover includes Ieodo
The Air Force conducted a surveillance flight that included Ieodo, Sunday, the first day its expanded air defense zone took effect.
Lotte to sell 18 stores to foreign investors 
Lotte Group plans to sell 18 outlets of Lotte Department Stores and Lotte Mart to overseas investo... 

NK risks fail to impact economy 
The recent political upheaval in North Korea won’t affect the South Korean economy, North Korea ex...

 

Allies apart over USFK cost-sharing  
Seoul and Washington still remain poles apart in working out how to share the cost of American tro... 

Seoul may need Moscow to deter NK provocation 
The execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s uncle Jang Song-thaek is causing concerns here ... 

Railway strike affects KTX services  
A strike by unionized railway workers, which passed the one-week mark Sunday, is starting to affec... 

Cause of Asiana crash back in dispute 
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) recent hearing into the crash of Asiana Air... 

Result of cyber command probe to be unveiled 
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Sunday that it will announce the results of its invest... 

Korean studies expand to Poland, Laos 
The Korean Studies Promotion Service (KSPS) of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) has been suppor... 

State exam operator under fire over hiring of private law firm 
The administrator of the state college entrance exam is drawing public criticism for hiring a top-... 

Amway helps Korean SMEs grow 
Amway (American Way) Korea said Sunday it will strengthen its partnership with Korean small- and m...

-------------------------------------------                                   
          
Dong A (
http://english.donga.com)

Korea, US mull over conditions for wartime control transfer
South Korea and the U.S. are reportedly considering adding the South Korean military’s capacity to cope with a sudden change of internal situation in North Korea to the "conditions" by which to determine the timing for... 

Photo of Jang`s trial suggests torture
North Korea`s official Rodong Sinmun disclosed a photo of Jang Song Thaek standing stands trial before a special military tribunal in Pyongyang on Thursday. In the photo, Jang is standing with a stoop with his hands...
N. Korea launches tour including game with Rodman’s team
Foreign tourists visiting North Korea will have a chance to watch a basketball game in Pyongyang between the North Korean national team and a team taken to the North by Dennis Rodman, when the event takes place on...

`Study Broadcast` gains popularity
“Let’s enter Seoul National University at the top of the class, slap the president in the face. A broadcast of study encouraging your willingness to study.” A college prep student identified by his internet ID “Eong-x”...

Economic recovery possible after second half of next year
Nine out of 10 large companies predicted domestic economy will recover after July next year. Investment and employment also will not increase in earnest. According to the survey by the Federation of Koran Industries,...
Haynes under fire for violent play against Korean basketballer
The Korean pro basketball league, in which teams were engaged in fierce competition to secure higher places, is facing an “unexpected Haynes debacle.

----------------------------
Chosun Ilbo (
http://english.chosun.com)

Experts Puzzle Over Jang Song-taek's Ouster
The ouster and execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-taek has laid bare the fault lines running through the secretive regime, where various factions jostle for control of diminishing resources.

More Divorced Women Remarry
The number of divorced women who remarry has grown more than twice as much as the number of men over the last 30 years. The number of couples where the woman is divorced and the man marrying for the first time surged. The reason seems to be that more women gain higher positions in society and the economy.

Samsung Loses Patent Lawsuit in Korea
Samsung has lost a second patent infringement suit against rival Apple in Korea, putting more pressure on the Korean electronics giant after it also lost a similar suit in the U.S. last month. The latest trial began when Samsung filed a suit against Apple at the Seoul Central District Court accusing the U.S. company of infringing three of its patents in March last year.

Kerry Says N.Korea's Leader Reckless, Ruthless
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry described North Korea's Kim Jong Un as reckless and insecure after the execution of the leader's powerful uncle, and said Kim's actions...Dec.

'Lawrence of Arabia' Star Peter O'Toole Dies
British actor Peter O'Toole, who shot to instant stardom as "Lawrence of Arabia" and was nominated eight times for an Academy Award, has died. He was 81. O'Toole's agent said..

Bruno Mars Named Billboard's 2013 Artist of the Year
Singer Bruno Mars was named Billboard's 2013 Artist of the Year by the industry trade magazine on Friday. Hawaiian-born Mars, 28, topped eight of Billboard's year-end music chart..

China Lands Lunar Rover

U.S., Chinese Warships Avert Near-Collision in South China Sea

Ireland Exits Bailout with Last Tranche of IMF Aid

Nelson Mandela Laid to Rest in Ancestral Village

To massage effectively

-------------------------------------------
Hankyoreh (
http://english.hani.co.kr)

Jang’s purge and execution display bizarreness and cruelty in N. Korea
North Korea’s image will take a hit from recent purge, making outsiders even less likely to want to invest there
Jang Song-thaek, former head of the Administrative Department of the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP), was executed on Dec. 12. The execution came four days after Jang purged from all of his positions in an expanded meeting of the KWP Political Bureau on charges of anti-state and counterrevolutionary factionalism.

N. Korea’s ‘Baekdu Line’ solidifying its grip on power
Following the purge of former Party Administrative Division director Jang Song-thaek, it appears that believe that North Korea’s Baekdu bloodline (descendants of Kim Il-sung), of which leader Kim Jong-un is the head, has consolidated its grip on power. During this process, it seems unlikely that government officials who are grouped with Jang will manage to avoid being purged. First vice director Ri Yong-ha and vice director Jang Su-gil may have been early examples of this.

Amid N. Korean turmoil, inter-Korean projects going ahead
The same day that North Korea executed former Workers’ Party of Korea administrative department chief Jang Song-thaek, it issued a proposal to South Korea for a meeting of the joint committee on the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

-------------------------------------------
Joong Ang (conservative): (
http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/)

Aunt of Jong-un appears spared
Kim Kyong-hui forced to divorce husband before killing: Asahi
Following the brutal execution of leader Kim Jong-un’s powerful uncle Jang Song-thaek, his wife Kim Kyong-hui appears to have emerged unscathed.Kim Kyong-hui, the influential 67-year-old younger sister of the late leader Kim Jong-il and the paternal aunt of Kim Jong-un, was listed sixth in a recent political party list…

Vietnamese study Korea’s lessons
What sort of infrastructure development projects did Korea engage in? What were some of its successful and not so successful large-scale…

Companies expect lousy 2014, want government to help
Korean companies are expecting a gloomy 2014, separate corporate surveys showed, putting more strain on the Park Geun-hye administration to go…

Unregistered dog breeding sites escape the law
Dogs at an unregistered dog breeding site in Incheon. Confined in a case stacked next to each other in a building with no ventilation…

North’s agents in China are disappearing: FNKR
In the aftermath of the unprecedented execution of Jang Song-thaek, uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, North Korean officials with close ties…

Jang plotted 1996 coup with Hwang Jang-yop
Jang Song-thaek, the uncle of leader Kim Jong-un executed last week for major crimes including treason, plotted a coup to overthrow the Kim Jong-il leadership in the 1990s…

Startups pinning hopes on crowdfunding
Four entrepreneurs receive business capital raised through crowdfunding at a contest Thursday hosted by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning at Coex…

Samsung group moves suggest a restructuring
Samsung Life Insurance bought a chunk of Samsung Card from a host of the group’s other finance-related subsidiaries in what analysts see as a signal…

Korea keeps its sanctions waiver for Iran trade
Korea’s Iranian crude imports rose in November from October, but still met a target of a 15 percent cut in shipments for June-November, which ensured it secured…

When will smartphones snap out of a tech stupor?
SAN FRANCISCO - This may be remembered as the year smartphones became boring.Although high-definition displays on smartphones have gotten bigger…

Examining apps’ risks, potential rewards
A 30-year-old housewife surnamed Chun frequently plays with her smartphone at home. It’s not that she is checking her messages or surfing the Internet to shop…

Hard times for banks and employees
A manager nicknamed Mr. A, who is an employee at Shinhan Bank with 20 years of experience, feels anxious these days. Thinking he has built a good career by…

Dutch team’s former coach set to join Hong’s staff
Ton du Chatinier Coach Hong Myung-bo of the Korean national football team will have a foreign staff member with European league coaching experience…

---------------------------------------------
Edaily (
http://eng.edaily.co.kr/Stock/)

[Table- Weekly Market] Weekly Fluctuation of World Index
12.09~12.13 this is the weekly fluctuation of world index. [table] Weekly fluctuation of world index ...

[US the closing price]The U.S. Dow Jones Index, 15.93p( 0.10%) slightly up.
The U.S. Dow Jones Index Closing (At 2013.12.13) The Dow closed at 15,755.36p, slightly up 15.93p( 0.10%)...

[Table- Weekly Market] Weekly Fluctuation of Interest Rate
12.09~12.13 this is the weekly fluctuation of interest rate. [table] Weekly fluctuation of interest rate ...

[Table]Exchange Rate Quotation
This is Exchange rate Quotation offered by Korea Exchange Bank. [table] Exchange Rate Quotation Offered by KEB ...

[Table- Weekly Market] Weekly Fluctuation of Exchange Rate
12.09~12.13 this is the weekly fluctuation of exchange rate. [table] Weekly fluctuation of exchange rate ...  

---------------------------------------------
Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (
http://news.mk.co.kr/english/)

Financial regulator to facilitate brokerage firms’ M&A deals
South Korea’s financial watchdog will offer incentives for brokerage firms that seek mergers and acquisitions (M&A) such as loosening requirements for being qualified as investment bank (IB). The Financial Services Commission (FSC) announced Sunday that it devised the plans to promote brokerage firms’ M&A deals and make them effective as early as latter half of next year. The FSC will relax the requirements for brokerage houses to become IBs by lowe..

Poll: 83% of S. Korean conglomerates expect 2014 economy to be little changed or slightly more upbeat
Eight out of 10 South Korean large conglomerates expected the nation’s economic condition for next year will remain the same as this year or slightly improve, showed survey.

Samsung Elec. unveils ‘466’ sales strategy for next year
Samsung Electronics set its 2014 sales target of smartphones at 400 million units, tablets at 65 million units and flat TVs at 60 million units,

Samsung Heavy Industries wins $300mn orders
Samsung Heavy Industries, South Korea’s major shipbuilder, announced Friday that it received orders for a Liquefied Natural Gas Floating Storage Regasification Unit (LNG-FSRU) and two oil products carriers. The..

------------------------------------------------

'One of Seven Wonders of Winter' for a 22-day run

Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival opens Jan. 4

Named one of the 'even Wonders of Winter' by CNN and Lonely Planet, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival is probably the most famous winter event in Korea. During the month of January every year, more than 1,000,000 people swarm Hwacheon in Gangwon province hoping to catch mountain trout bare-hand or ice fishing.
(Mayor Chung Gap-cheol invites the ambassadors and families to attend the Festival on Friday 17, 2014.)

1.4 million persons reportedly visited Hwacheon Mountain Trout Festival last year having their fill of the joys of the winter--ice-fishing mountain trouts and treating their eyes to the colorful lanterns of the angels at the Seondeung Candle Light Festival that takes place in the night.

Who said Hwacheon offers only ice-fishing? You can land mountain trouts also from the water standing on the river bank (top left). Koreans, expats, young and old, all enjoy various events of the Festival.

Left: Visitors pass through the colorfully lit ice tunnel. Right: You can also enjoy a 'sky ride' down the river.

Nestled between the town of Hwacheon and the mountains, the Hwacheon River is not only covered by a thick layer of ice, but also by thousands of festival participants.

The Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival will be taking place in Hwacheon County in Gangwon-do province on Jan. 4-26, 2014. This virtually untouched region is known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the river is covered with a thick layer of ice.

Visitors can try out ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch mountain trout with their bare hands. Along with fun activities and performances, there is also an exhibition of ice sculptures that usually take 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors can sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.

A foreign visitor said: “Unlike some Korean festivals I have been to, there is a lot to do at this festival. You can ride an ATV or go kart on the ice, go sledding, ice skating, push a metal cart on the ice, or do some regular reel fishing.”

The events that are most popular are ice fishing and bare-handed fishing. For the ice fishing, you are provided with a hole in the ice and a bag for putting your catch for 10,000 won of which you get 10,000-won Love Gift, money you can spend around the festival grounds on food and souvenirs. “If you aren’t Korean, make sure to head to the foreigner only section. It is not only less crowded, but there is English-speaking help and you are given a free fishing pole,” said the foreign visitor.

When you get on the ice, pick a hole, let out enough line to get your lure to the bottom of the river. Then, quickly flick your wrist upwards and let it float back to the bottom. Some persistence is required, he stressed.

Hwacheon is considered a “clean region” where mountain trouts and otters live. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is opened in every January under the slogan of “Unfrozen Hearts, Unforgettable Memories” at Hwacheon that has geographical features of the fastest ice freezing in the country because of cold valley wind and clean water.

This is a unique theme experience festival full with good shows and 40 or about various experience programs, such as ice sledding, snow sledding, snow sculpture and ice soccer, Sancheoneo experience programs combined with the image of Hwacheon that has clean natural environment with the first grade clean water in Bukhangang (river) for catching Sancheoneo by hand, Sancheoneo fishing on the ice to catch the fish easily and enjoy the fishing by everybody, breaking the ice with 40cm thickness and above and looking at Sancheoneo in the deep water for your exciting play available for experiencing at Hwacheon only and heart-warm memory in winter.

Winter Sancheoneo! Sancheoneo Fishing! To mention about ice fishing, you need to catch at least one Sancheoneo. It is an elegant fish underneath ice out of comparison to the other fishes due to moderate size and beautiful shape.

Sancheoneo is hard to catch as it is rare but everyone can catch one or two Sancheoneo at Hwacheon with somewhat good luck and knack since 32 or 3 tons of fresh Sancheoneo are being put just under the fishing place every day for visitors for Sancheoneo festival. It is just the reason why a child or young girl without fishing experience is indulged in Sancheoneo ice fishing. K
---------------------------------------------

At the KUK Cultural Foundation Building behind Ritz Carlton Hotel

KUP hosts Year-end Concert with famed World Vision

Children’s Choir of Korea

The Korea United Pharmaceutical Co. (KUP), hosts a Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert at the Cultural Foundation Building of the Company in Seoul (located behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel) on Dec. 26, 2013. It is presented by the famed World Vision of Korea Children’s Choir. Chairman Kang Duk-yung of the KUP invites the ambassadors and madams to the prestigious concert.

The repertoire consists of three parts, which include:

Part I:
Han-River Taryung (arr. Lee, Hyun Chul)
This is an arrangement of Korean folk song 'Han River Taryung' and winner of '2013 Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival' in Folk song category. Using Korean traditional musical techniques and colors, it demonstrates the beauty and prosperity of Han river. Also fan dance emphasizes its beauty.

Surround A-Ri-Rang (arr. Lee, Sun Taek)
One of most famous Korean folk song in Korea would be 'Arirang', and this piece is an arrangement with this song in unique way. Divided into three groups, it starts with echoes and developed more dramatically. The final climax with Arirang is a breathtaking moment in this piece.

Gagopa (arr. Lee, Hyun Chul)
Originally composed by Kim Dong Jin, this famous Korean Art Song is re-arranged to emphasize its beauty. Longing for homeland and old friends, lyrical melody line shows the emotion of sadness and also happiness.

Part II:
Gloria (A. Vivaldi)
This is the first piece from 'Gloria' by baroque composer A. Vivaldi.

Laudate Dominum (W. A. Mozart)
This solemn and holy with full of beauty piece is composed by one of the most famous composer W.A. Mozart. Pure melody line and beautiful harmony fills the air as the song of angels.

As dew in Aprile, This little (B. Britten)
(from 'A Ceremony of Carols')
This two songs are from 'A Ceremony of Carols' by British composer B. Britten. It sings that Jesus was born in mother's womb and came to earth to win a battle with Satan. Rhythmic variety and repetitive pattern emphases the meaning of this carol.

Part III:
When I Sing (B. Henderson)
"When you feel blue or depressed, sing a song, then you will feel much better and be happy"
Bright melody and joyful rhythm makes our face smile.

Champs-Elys?es (M. Wilsh, M. Deighan)
Composed by Mike Wilsh and Mike Deighan, this chanson sings the beauty and free-and-easiness of Champ-elysees avenue in Paris. Many pop singers have sung this chansons and it is arranged for choral to sing in choir.

Blessing
OST Medley (arr. Shin, Sang Woo)
Moon River / Over the Rainbow / Under the Sea / Sing / I Have a Dream
Moon River, Over the Rainbow, Under the Sea, Sing, I have a dream. These are most famous O.S.T. to all. Pianist and composer Shin Sang Woo, who perform in various fields, arrange this piece and he will play piano today.

Blessing (arr. Lee, Hyun Chul)
Famous CCM Artist Twila Paris composed this blessing based on Moses final blessing in Numbers 6 in the bible. Simple, but sincere melody fills with love and blessing.

About the World Vision Korea Children’s Choir
Throughout its 53-year history, various professional musicians in Korea and around the world compliment the Children’s Choir, praising the Choir as “Echoes of the Heaven.” The Choir’s achievement and quality have been proven by thousands of successful worldwide concerts.

World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea (led by Artistic Director Kim Hee-Churl) has been bringing messages of hope and love to children around the world since 1960.

After the Korean War (1950-3), the World Vision Children’s Choir brought aid from foreign sponsors to the orphans and war widows of Korea. Founded by Rev. Dr. Bob Pierce, the Children’s Choir was formed by those helped by the World Vision.

Their mission was to sing on hope and love through God, and to seek more sponsorship. After winning the highest award at the prestigious 'Let the Peoples Sing' competition organized by the BBC of the United Kingdom in 1978, the World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea has gained international fame.

For the past 53 years, the Choir has sun to give hope and love to the helpless and voiceless children in Korea and around the world.

The Choir also performed for combined traditions and fresh ideas to create the best choral music that the Choir is proud as it plays a role model in sharing peace, hope, and love.

About the Artistic Director Kim Hee-Churl
Hee Churl Kim studied choral conducting under worldly renowned conductor Hak Won Yoon in Chung-Ang University. In Georgia State University, he studied with Dr. John Heberlen, who was the president of ACDA. In 1993, Mr. Kim conducted Vancouver Chamber Choir in Eric Ericson Master Class as a representative of Asia in World Choral Symposium held in Canada. From 1995 to 1997, he joined Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus to sing with Robert Show, who was one of the best choral conductors in the world. He conducted Atlanta Korean Children's Choir and Atlanta Master Chorale, and he served as a president of Atlanta Korean Musician Association. From 1994 to 1997, while he was a visiting professor of Georgia Theological Seminary, he had served as a coordinator in 'Music and Worship Conference’ held by PCUSA. After returning to Korea in 1997, he had conducted many choirs, such as, World Vision Korea Children's Choir, Gwang-Myung City Women's Chorale, and Sung-Nam City Teacher's Choir. He also taught in Chung-Ang University. He also served as a board member of the Korean Church Music Association. Currently, he is the conductor of Gwacheon City Women's Choir, which is the only professional women's choir in Korea, had concert tours in Manila, Philippine by invitation of Philippine Madrigal Singers in 2004. Also, the choir was invited from Vancouver to celebrate the Winter Olympic Games in 2009. In 2004, he became an Artistic Director and Administrative Director of World Vision Korea Children's Choir. In 2009, he made a film called 'You and You' with World Vision Korea Children's Choir under director Je Hyun Park, who is one of the famous movie directors in Korea. As an artistic director, he has been hosting International Children's Choir Festival every three years by inviting the most prestige choirs from all around the world to help poor and devastated children in the world. As an opening concert of 2007 ICCF, he conducted a contemporary piece 'Gana and Dara' composed by In Sun Cho, worldly renown contemporary composer who served as a professor in Chung-Ang University. Mr. Kim made several CDs and DVDs, such as, 'Blessings', Songs of Love', 'Winter Sonata', and etc.
------------------

November 27, 2013

Invitation to Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert

I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that Chairman Dr. and Mrs. Kang Duk-young of Korea United Pharmaceutical Co. cordially invite Your Excellency and Madam, together with other Ambassadors and Madams, to a Gala Year-end Dinner and Concert presented by the famed World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea at the Culture Foundation Building of the United Pharma in Seoul at 6:30 p.m. Thursday December 26, 2013. The repertoire includes a Christmas Carol by the famed World Vision Sunmyung-hoe Children’s Choir. The details are as follows:

Venue: Concert Hall of the Culture Foundation of the United Pharma Co., 616-12 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 3 blocks southward from the Grand Hannam Bridge (behind Ritz Carlton Hotel).

Time/Date: 6:30 p.m. Thursday December 26, 2013

Schedule of Event:-

6:30-7:30 p.m.: Dinner hosted by Chairman and Mrs. Kang at the Banquet Hall.
7:30-7:40 p.m.: View exhibits at the Art Gallery and Handicraft Exhibition Hall
7:40-9:00 p.m.: Grand Year-end Concert

Repertoire:-Part I: ‘Han River Taryung,’ winner of 2013 Andre O. Veneration International Choral Festival (arr. Lee Hyun-Chul); ‘Surround Arirang’ (arr. Lee Sun-Taek); ‘Gagopa--Yearning for Home’ (arr. Lee Hyun-Chul).
Part II: ‘Gloriva’ (A. Vivaldi); ‘audate Dominum’ (W.A. Mozart); As dew in Aprile, this little babe’ (B. Britten).
Part III:
‘When I Sing’ (B. Henderson), ‘ Hamps-Elysees (M. Wilsh, M. Deighan); ‘OST Medely’ (arr. Shin Sang-woo); and ‘Blessing’ (arr. Lee Hyun-Chul)).
----------------------

Elder sister of famed ROK Army Lt. Cho Chang-Ho

Late Madam Cho Chang-soo decorated with Order of Cultural Merit,

Okgwan

The government of the Republic of Korea has decided to posthumously honour the late former Curator Madam Cho Chang-soo (1925-2009) of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in the United States with an Order of Cultural Merit, Okgwan. Madam Cho dedicated her entire life to the introduction of Korean history and culture to the general public in the US, thus promoting the American people’s understanding of the Korean history and culture. The presentation ceremony will take place at the National Palace Museum on Dec. 10, 2013.

Madam Cho also made great efforts for the return of Eobo (Official Seal) of Emperor Gojong and Emperor Sunjong of the Joseon Dynasty and a total of 93 other Korean cultural treasures and properties to Korea?through fund-raising and donations.

The late Madam Cho Chang-soo (left) and her son, General Manager Eric Swanson of Millennium Seoul Hilton

The late Madam Cho is the mother of General Manager Eric Swanson of the Millennium Seoul Hilton. She is also the elder sister of the widely known late Lieutenant Cho Chang-Ho who succeeded in escaping North Korea and returning to Seoul after 43 years of captivity in North Korea where he got silicosis from forced labor in coal mine pits where he had been sent because of his repeated attempts of escape to the South after his captivity during the Korean.

      ▲Madam Cho at her university graduation ceremony

Madam Cho studied at the universities in Japan and the US and worked as a curator at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum for 44 years from 1965 to 2009--playing an important role in various areas, including exhibitions, research work, publication and education. In 2007, she even succeeded in establishing a Korea Hall at the Smithsonian Museum.

   ▲Madam Cho (seated at center) with fellow workers at the Smithsonian Institute

There are a number of other recipients of the Cultural Orders, who include Director Lee Kang-bak of Gangneung Institute (Order of Cultural Merit, Eungwan) and Professor Yoon Sae-young of Korea University (Order of Cultural Merit, Bogwan).

The late Lt. Cho Chang-Ho.

----------------------------------------------------

저작권자 © The Korea Post 무단전재 및 재배포 금지