Friday, December 20, 2013

The Korean daily media headlines and humor

Friday, December 20, 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
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The Korea Post news

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

Hwacheon Mountain Trout Ice Festival opens Jan. 4 

Ambassadors and families are invited to attend the Festival on

Thursday January 17, 2014. (Further details and photos are toward the end of this Headlines.)

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At the KUK Cultural Foundation Building behind Ritz Carlton Hotel

KUP hosts Year-end Concert with famed World Vision Children’s Choir of Korea (See invitation and full details of the Concert at the end of this Article.)

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

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

Cross the stream where it roars.
- A Kenyan proverb

You have got to the stream, yet you are fetching.
- A Nigerian proverb

One cannot store water in his stomach for the harmattan (dry season).
-A Ghanaian proverb

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Humor from Korean-language economic dailies this morning:

Seoul Kyungje

Teacher: Why are you late?
Student: There was a man who lost a hundred dollar bill.
Teacher: That's nice. Were you helping him look for it?
Student: No. I was standing on it.

Hankuk Kyungje
Sexual Statistics

A businessman boards a flight and is lucky enough to be seated next to an absolutely gorgeous woman.
They exchange brief hellos and he notices she is reading a book about sexual statistics.
He asks her about it and she replies, “This is a very interesting book about sexual statistics. It identifies that American Indians have the longest average penis and Polish men have the biggest average diameter. By the way, my name is Nancy. What’s yours?”
He cooly replies, “Tonto Gowalski. I happen to be a Polish, nice to meet you.”
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KBS (
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/
)

S. Korea to Feel Little Impact of Tapering; Weak Yen May Pose Problems
Anchor: The South Korean government said the U.S.' decision to scale back its economic stimulus measures will have a limited impact on local markets because the drawdown was anticipated. But a weak yen prompted by prolonged Abenomics even as the U.S. winds down its stimulus program could weaken the export competitiveness of South Korean companies. Our Kim In-kyung has more.

G20 Delegates Visit Gaeseong Industrial Complex
A group of 25 officials from G20 countries and international organizations visited South and North Korea’s joint business venture in the North on Thursday.

Assembly Urges Japan to End Pursuit of Collective Self-defense Right
The National Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution urging Japan to halt its pursuit of the right to collective self-defense.

S. Korea Agrees to Return of Remains of Chinese Soldiers
The government has agreed to return the remains of Chinese soldiers killed during the Korean War.

Rodman Makes Third Trip of Year to N. Korea
Former American basketball star Dennis Rodman is making his third trip to North Korea.

Unification Minister Highlights DMZ Peace Park Plan
Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae says circumstances on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia are rapidly changing following a series of recent developments in North Korea.
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Yonhap (
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr
)

S. Korea offers to hold road show for Kaesong complex
Officials of the two Koreas discussed Thursday sustainable development of their joint factory park as global financial officials toured the enclave, a symbol of inter-Korean detente.

Hagel, Dempsey concerned about growing uncertainty over Korea
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Gen. Martin Dempsey, who oversees field operations of American troops, voiced strong concerns Thursday about increased uncertainties surrounding North Korea and the possibility of additional provocations.

Park calls for Uzbek support for Korean firms in infrastructure projects
South Korean President Park Geun-hye asked for Uzbekistan's support Thursday in Korean firms' efforts to participate in infrastructure modernization projects in the Central Asian nation, her office said.

Rodman arrives in Pyongyang following execution of leader's uncle
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman arrived in North Korea on Thursday on a trip that may include a meeting with leader Kim Jong-un following last week's shocking purge and execution of his once-powerful uncle.
---------------------------------------------
The Korea Herald (
http://www.koreaherald.com
)

Korea boosts market vigilance after U.S. QE cut
Korea’s financial policymakers and regulators have tightened their vigilance over the financial market following the U....

How are you, really?
A seemingly apolitical statement turned out to be anything but apolitical. At first, “How are ...

GM not pulling out yet: sources
While GM Korea is paring down operations in Korea, it has not yet decided whether or not to actually leave, sources close to the carmaker said on Thursday.“General Motors has of c...

Kang Sue-jin: It was now or never
It was like meeting “the one” you want to marry ― when you know, you just know.Famed balleri...

S. Korea offers to hold road show for Ka...

Rodman in NKorea to prep for game on lea...

Samsung, Apple, Coca-Cola, Boundless: In...

Facebook's Zuckerberg to sell 41.35 mill...

Suicide bomber hits Shiites as Iraq unre...

Hyundai Motor workers ordered to pay rec...

Koreans’ life satisfaction index stays ...

Seoul to return remains of 425 Chinese w...

Police step up investigation of striking...

Prosecution indicts 12 in ‘celebrity’ ...

China names new ambassador to Seoul

Koreas hold talks on boosting joint fact...

No escape from Shanghai smog

Pakistan’s illegal drug trade blights ‘...

Sweden struggles with surge in Syrian re...
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The Korea Times (
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr
)

'Fed tapering to help economy'
The U.S. Federal Reserve's (Fed) decision to cut its stimulus programs will benefit rather than harm the Korean economy as it will clear away uncertainty in the global financial market, experts here said Thursday.

Multucultural youth awardees celebrated With snowflakes falling like confetti in the morning, the 2nd Korea Multicultural Youth Awards took place at the Press Center in downtown Seoul, Thursday.

GM union pushes on for bigger pay
High labor costs will continue to weigh on GM Korea's performance as it could be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in back-pay to its workers following a court ruling on "normal wages," analysts said Thursday.said Th...

11 Army hackers indicted for Dec. 19 poll postings  
The Ministry of National Defense said Thursday that 11 officials of its Cyber Command will be indi...  KBS wants to tax your smartphones 

KBS wants to tax your smartphones
While pressing the government to raise the monthly television license fee from the current 2,500 w... 

Hyundai union workers told to pay W9 billion 
A court ordered subcontracted unionized workers of Hyundai Motor Group Thursday to pay 9 billion w... 

'Korean economy bottoms out' 
The Korean economy will be on a stable course toward recovery next year, according to Joyce Chang,... 

Park's press secretary in hot seat 
President Park Geun-hye’s senior press secretary Lee Jung-hyun came under fire Thursday for remark... 

Will Jang's followers flee en masse? 
Followers of the recently executed Jang Song-thaek are reportedly seeking asylum in China or South... 

Hana praised for backing soldiers 
The Ministry of National Defense has offered its gratitude to Hana Financial Group for its support... 

AIA to strengthen foothold in Korea 
AIA Korea has purchased the N-Tower in Junggu, downtown Seoul to be used as its headquarters, the ... 

Hana SK, Aviva vulnerable to hacking 
The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has punished Hana SK Card and Woori Aviva Life Insurance f... 

The Beetle makes strong comeback 
The Volkswagen Golf has been a huge success for the German automaker, but there was a more popular... 

SK hynix, AMD to team up for new chips  
An executive of SK hynix said Thursday the firm will cooperate with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) o...
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Dong A (
http://english.donga.com
)

North Korea`s `untouchable` young leader
North Korea is distancing itself further from the international community by making itself "untouchable." "Rogue state" North Korea recently added an image as tyranny after its incumbent 29-year-old leader Kim Jong Un...

`Watch your house on smartphone`
LG-Uplus showcased Tuesday an intelligent CCTV that can be activated by smartphone, in a model house of GS E&C in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The CCTV has various functions including real-time rotation monitoring, intrusion...

A body found in Brisbane; suspected to be a missing Korean
A 28-year-old Korean student who was in Brisbane for a working holiday program went missing on Monday. Local police started investigation. The Brisbane Times said on Thursday that Kim is dead already and a body...

Former president’s seized jewelry auctioned off
Seized watches and jewels from former President Chun Doo-hwan and his family were sold off for 96 million won (91,640 U.S. dollars) in a public auction on Thursday. The public bidding was made on Onbid, an online public...

11.5 trillion won for chronic pork-barrel politics
“Pork-barreling,” a practice that lawmakers add funding for their districts to the government’s budget proposal, is estimated at 11.5 trillion won (10.86 billion U.S. dollars) for the 2014 budget proposal. While...

Former NBA star on third trip to N. Korea despite purge in Pyongyang

Attention drawn to roles of N. Korean leader`s siblings
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Chosun Ilbo (
http://english.chosun.com)

Is Choe Ryong-hae Now N.Korea's Most Powerful Man?
Since the execution of leader Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-taek, the most prominent official in the North has been Choe Ryong-hae. Sources on Wednesday claimed former leader Kim Jong-il asked Choe on his deathbed to help his son Jong-un.

Park's Approval Ratings Settle in Mid-50% Range
After a slow start, President Park Geun-hye now enjoys higher approval rating than her immediate predecessors Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak during the first year of their presidencies. In a Gallup poll last week, Park's approval rating stood at 54 percent.

1st Smartphone-Shot Feature-Length Movie Opens
"Cats and Dogs," the first feature filmed with an iPhone, opened in movie theaters here on Dec. 12. Director Min Byung-woo said, "Thanks to the smartphone, the time has come when even individuals with no capital can make a feature-length film. Instead, ideas and stories are important again.

Million-Dollar Picasso Sold at Charity Raffle for 100 Euros
A million-dollar drawing by Pablo Picasso was snapped up on Wednesday by a 25-year-old American art lover at a online charity raffle for a mere 100 euros ($140).  Jeffrey...

Reports: Max Baucus Chosen as Next U.S. Ambassador to China
Influential U.S. Senator Max Baucus is reported to have been chosen as Washington's next ambassador to China, filling one of America's most complicated diplomatic posts at a time...

Rodman Won't Discuss Politics in N.Korea
Retired U.S. basketball star Dennis Rodman is in North Korea for his third visit in recent months, but says he will not raise political issues with the country's leader, Kim Jong...

China to Expand Presence in Antarctica with New Research Bases

Tokyo Governor Resigns Amid Scandal

To prevent mold in a bathroom
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Hankyoreh (
http://english.hani.co.kr
)

Supreme court: bonuses to be included in regular wages
Move is meant to reduce the number of hours worked by South Koreans by changing how overtime is calculated
Regular bonuses count as regular wages, the Supreme Court has ruled.
The decision came in a suit that current and former workers of automobile part company KB AutoTech filed against the company, claiming wages and severance. On Dec. 18, the Supreme Court Grand Bench (with Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae presiding) decided that regular wages include bonuses. Agreements between labor and management that exclude this from regular wages are invalid because they violate the Labor Standards Act, the court ruled.

Prominent ruling party members blast party’s ineffective first year in power
Two Saenuri Party (NFP) stalwarts blasted their party’s leadership and the Blue House’s “disregard for communication and public welfare” during its first year in power.
The Dec. 18 message from Lee Jae-oh and Chung Mong-joon, both prominent figures from outside the party’s mainstream, came just a day before the first anniversary of Park Geun-hye’s election victory.

“Totally subversive” student movement being suppressed at high schools
The “How are you nowadays?” movement continues spreading as supporters band together offline and on. Some are sharing images of their posters through social media, while others are organizing rallies and press conferences.

Gwangju remembers special student-labor activist
Around a hundred people gathered at the Dandelion Little Theater in the Gung neighborhood of Gwangju on Dec. 16. They were there to attend a memorial service for Park Gi-sun, a university student-turned-labor activist who died 35 years ago at the age of 21.
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Joong Ang (conservative): (
http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/
)

Foreigners spend a day at Kaesong’s factory park
A delegation of foreign officials from international financial organizations visited the Kaesong Industrial Complex on the invitation of South Korea’s government, which wants to draw foreign investment to the eight-year-old park to keep it from becoming a political football whenever tensions rise between the South and the North…

New base salaries to be tough for manufacturers
Will the Supreme Court’s ruling recalibrating workers’ base salaries push foreign manufacturers out of Korea? Concerns are rising that the ruling will change…

Anniversary has scant joy for Park
Yesterday was the anniversary of President Park Geun-hye’s presidential election, but her administration has been bogged down in endless partisan feuding…

Cyber unit did not try to sway election: Ministry
The Ministry of National Defense said yesterday that nearly a dozen agents from the military’s cyber warfare unit breached their political neutrality by posting…

Seoul rally on 11th day of Korail workers’ strike
Railway workers from around the country descended on Seoul for a mass protest rally a day before the government is scheduled to approve its controversial plan…

Exhibition recalls worker program
Three silver-haired seniors watched an old video footage, which detailed an era half a century ago when groups of Koreans were dispatched to West Germany …

Pretrial detention order for Cho denied by court
Cho Suck-rai, the chairman of Hyosung Group, was spared from being placed behind bars yesterday after a Seoul court rejected a pretrial detention warrant…

Tapering’s start stimulates markets
Stock markets across the globe including the Seoul main bourse responded positively yesterday to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s first step toward normalizing…

Koreans cash in on exchange rate
Less than three months after a visit to Tokyo, Chang Sun-jan is already planning her next Japanese trip to take advantage of the won’s surge to a five-year…

KAL details plan to raise cash, aid Hanjin Shipping
Korea Air Lines, the nation’s top flag carrier under Hanjin Group, yesterday announced a plan to strengthen its finances while helping affiliate Hanjin Shipping…

Rivals focus on the big picture
LG Electronics’ 105-inch curved UHD TV. Provided by the companySamsung Electronics and LG Electronics said yesterday they both have developed…

Reports say Samsung hires away Apple store designer
Samsung Electronics is reported to have hired Tim Gudgel, a senior Apple Store designer, in what is seen as a bid to strengthen its retail presence in the United States…

Pharmaceutical companies upped R&D investment in 2012
Multinational pharmaceutical companies increased the number of their research and development (R&D) projects to 1,430 in 2012, up 6.4 percent from a year earlier…
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Edaily (
http://eng.edaily.co.kr/Stock/
)

[US the closing price]The U.S. Dow Jones Index, 11.11p( 0.07%) slightly up.
The U.S. Dow Jones Index Closing (At 2013.12.19) The Dow closed at 16,179.08p, slightly up 11.11p( 0.07%)...

[Closed] Domestic rate of return of final bid closed. 3-year government bond down -1bp.
This is the rate of return of final bid. Quoted by Korea Financial Investment Association, domestic rate of return of final bid of 3-year government bond recorded at 2.89%, down (-1bp) from yesterday. ...

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

[Table]Exchange Rate Currency Crossrate
2013.12.20 08:10(Korean time), this is Currency Crossrate of major 12 countries. [table] FX Cross Currency ...
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Maeil Kyungje (neutral-oriented conservative, economic/business): (
http://news.mk.co.kr/english/
)

S. Korea retailers capitalize on big data to boost sales
The “EyeSee Mannequin,” developed by Italy-based mannequin maker Almax, is employed by retail outlets and department stores all across Europe and the US. With embedded facial feature identification software and camera sensors, the mannequin observes consumers’ faces and identify their age, sex and race. The EyeSee mannequin also automatically analyzes the total daily number of visitors and the peak time of their visit.The big data wave is also swee..

Sales diplomacy aims to create biz opportunities overseas
President Park Geun-hye on Thursday vowed to provide a new overseas business opportunity for Korean small and medium enterprises by systematically manage and share the result of her ‘sales diplomacy’, so that they will be able to grow as global companies.

Samsung Elec. steps up search for global brains
Samsung Electronics’ accelerated push for attracting foreign brains has sparked a global human resource competition.

Court rules Hyundai Motor non-regular worker union pays $8.5mn for illegal strike
Hyundai Motor’s temporary worker union was ordered by the South Korean court to pay nine billion won ($8.5 million) damages for their illegal occupation of the plant.

11 cyber warfare officials indicted over online smear campaign during presidential election
South Korea’s 11 cyber warfare officials were found to have posted political writings in connection with last year’s presidential election, neglecting the military’s obligation of political neutrality.

S. Korea revamps consumer price index calculation method
South Korea has revised the method of calculating consumer price index (CPI) by raising the weights of food, apparels and others and lowering those of alcohol, tobacco, education and others.

Loss-ridden local public firms raise chief salaries by up to 26%
Annual salaries of South Korea’s local public company heads climbed up to 26 percent year-on-year in 2012 when the companies posted record high losses.


'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
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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.

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