Sunday, December 27, 2009

Korea Headlines December 27 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

Seoul regrets Tokyo's claims over Dokdo

Korea Herald

Lee Chung-yong At Bolton Wanderers

Soccerphile

Forced Laborers Seek Due Compensation

Korea Times

How to Make the Most of Hot Spring Baths

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Korea Headlines December 20 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

North Korea and South Korea engage in swine flu diplomacy

BBC

Drunk driving on the increase in South Korea

Korea Herald

Pohang Steelers lose to Estudiantes at FIFA World Club Cup

Soccerphile

K-Pop Girls Generation live on sparse diet of water and cucumber

Korea Times

One in every five men is likely to have trouble finding a spouse by 2014

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Soju & Makgeolli

Soju & Makgeolli

The traditional Korean drinks of soju and makgeolli are both enjoying a renaissance amongst drinkers in Seoul.

Makgeolli

Makgeolli is a milky-colored rice wine with a taste somewhere between Japanese sake and beer. Baekseju Village (1317-11 Seocho-Dong, Seocho-Gu near Gangnam subway station Tel: +82 2 595 1003) offers a range of specially prepared Korean traditional wines from the company's own brewery, together with some delicious side dishes. The roasted pork slices (bossam) braised with red pepper paste (gochujang) come highly recommended.

Soju is a distilled liquor similar to Japanese shochu and packs a real kick. Chungdam Ann Sojubang (118-19 Chungdam-Dong, Gagnam-Gu / +82 2 541 6381) offers excellent king ribs and pan-broiled octopus with your deceptively alcoholic fruit soju cocktails.

Soju

Cheers!

© Korea Guide

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Korea Headlines December 13 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

North Korea agrees nuclear 'co-operation' with US

BBC

Ozawa apologizes for Japanese wartime atrocities

Korea Herald

Pohang Steelers win first game in FIFA World Club Cup

Soccerphile

Sejong City Project to Be Completed by 2020

Korea Times

Lee Offers to Help North Korea with H1N1 Flu

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Choral Singing In Pyongyang

Choral Singing In Pyongyang

Choral Singing In Pyongyang

Female voices raised in revolutionary fervor are a Pyongyang favorite, always propaganda, always praising the leadership.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Bulguksa Temple Guardians

Bulguksa Temple Guardians

Bulguksa Temple Guardian
Bulguksa Temple Guardian

Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju is a Korean national icon. Bulguksa was completed in 774 in the Silla dynasty but was unfortunately destroyed by an invading Japanese army in the early 17th century.

These huge temple guardians are a common feature in temples in China, Korea and Japan and are related to ancient Hindu demi-gods or devas (cheon in Korean). Their job is to prevent evil spirits from entering the sacred grounds of the temple's inner sanctum.

Image © Daniel Allen

© Korea Guide

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Korea Headlines December 6 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

North Korea currency change sparks panic

BBC

2010 no fun as weekends eat up public holidays

Korea Herald

Pohang Steelers in FIFA World Club Cup

Soccerphile

Transsexual Model Fights Prejudice

Korea Times

Skepticism Lingers Over Honam KTX Line

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Korea Headlines November 29 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

South Korean fined in first racial insult case

BBC

More Koreans seek foreign spouse for second marriage

Korea Herald

Senol Gunes Leaves FC Seoul

Soccerphile

Transsexual Model Fights Prejudice

Korea Times

Korea's Brand Power 10th Largest in World

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Korea Headlines November 22 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

Scepticism over North Korea's talks offer

BBC

Anticipation rising for U.S.-North Korea talks

Korea Herald

Chunnam Dragons Upset FC Seoul in K. League Playoffs

Korea Times

Plastic Surgery Boom Reaches Alarming Proportions

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Hwangnam Bread

Hwangnam Bread (Hwangnam bbang)

Hwangnam Bread is a specialty of Gyeongju.

Hwangnam Bread

Hwangnam bbang (Hwangnam Bread) is a delicious sweet red bean paste pastry and makes for a delicious snack with coffee or tea. Each bun is stamped with a distinctive sunburst motif.

The Hwangnam Bakery, where you can watch the bakers hard at work, is the mecca of Hwangnam Bread. The bakery is just across the street from Cheonmacheong, and bread is available to take away in various sized boxes.

Hwangnam Bread

Korea images © Daniel Allen

© Korea Guide

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Korea Headlines November 15 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

N Korean and S Korean ships clash at sea

BBC

Most South Koreans use cell phones

Korea Herald

Free Agent Kim Tae-kyun Joins Chiba Marines

Korea Times

Dual Nationality to Become Legal

Chosun Ilbo

Fire in South Korea shooting range kills 10 including 8 Japanese tourists

Reuters

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Korea Headlines November 8 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

N Korea 'has extracted plutonium'

BBC

U.S. Army headquarters to stay

Korea Herald

Kim Hye-ja Named Best Actress in China Festival

Korea Times

Fewer Korean Children Go Abroad to Learn

Chosun Ilbo

South Koreans Struggle With Race

New York Times

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Monday, November 2, 2009

Anapji Pond

Anapji Pond 안압지

Anapji in Gyeongju is a beautiful pleasure garden and lake built by King Munmu in 674 as part of his palace.

The Anapji Pond is said to mirror the shape of King Munmu's kingdom at the time and the beautiful lotus pond and surrounding trees are illuminated at night.

Anapji Pond

When the area was restored in the mid-1970s the lake was dredged to reveal thousands of relics fom the Silla dynasty which are now exhibited in the National Museum in Gyeongju.

Anapji Pond

Korea images © Daniel Allen

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Korea Headlines November 1 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

South Korea plans non-combat Afghan deployment

BBC

Major parties differ over ruling on media laws

Korea Herald

Korea to Build Eco-Friendly Houses

Korea Times

Kim Yu-na Boosts Global Celebrity Status

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Cheomsongdae Observatory

Cheomsongdae Observatory

Cheomsongdae Observatory in Gyeongju is the oldest observatory in East Asia.

Cheomsongdae Observatory

The building dates back to the 7th century and the rule of Queen Seondeok (632-647) in the Silla dynasty. The 12 stones at the base of the building may represent the 12 months of the year or the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. The number of stones in the construction equals the number of days in a lunar year - 362.

The structure is illuminated at night and a favorite place for lovers' snaps.

Korea images © Daniel Allen

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Korea Headlines October 25 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

North Koreans meet US envoys in New York

BBC

Fears grow about roaming wild boars

Korea Herald

Calvin Klein’s Sexy Billboard to Be Taken Down

Korea Times

Seoul to Host Snowboarding Contest

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Arirang Festival 2009 Ends

Arirang Festival 2009

North Korea

The Arirang Festival 2009 officially ended on Tuesday in North Korea. The world's largest choreographed display attracted 1.4 million spectators according to the authorities in Pyongyang.

The Arirang Festival began at May Day Stadium in mid-August. Guests included Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao who watched the festival with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on October 5.

© Korea Guide

Monday, October 19, 2009

Seoul By Night

Seoul Illuminated

As well as the Banpo Bridge many areas of Seoul are now lit at night and have colored water displays.

Seoul By Night

Korea images © Daniel Allen

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Korea Headlines October 18 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

North Korean diplomat to visit US

BBC

Drunk defense under scrutiny

Korea Herald

Koreans Detained in Foreign Countries Top 1,000

Korea Times

Construction of Asia's Tallest Building Starts

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Monday, October 12, 2009

North Korea Map

North Korea Map

New "cartograms" from Worldmapper graphically show the population density of North Korea.

North Korea Map

The estimated total population of North Korea in 2008 was 23,479,088, less than half the population of South Korea.

Click on the map to enlarge it.

© Copyright 2009 SASI Group (University of Sheffield)

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Korea Headlines October 11 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

North Korean 'may return to talks'

BBC

More Korean women in 20s, 30s remain single

Korea Herald

President Lee’s Bicycle Sold for 310,000 Won

Korea Times

'Sarang' Named Loveliest Korean Word

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Monday, October 5, 2009

Banpo Bridge Seoul

Banpo Bridge Seoul

In 2008 the 1.4 km-long Banpo Bridge in Seoul got a major facelift with the installation of a 9,380-jet fountain that runs along both sides of the bridge that crosses the Han River.

Banpo Bridge Seoul

The nozzles spray 190 tons of water per minute pumped from the river below. The fountain is illuminated at night, set to music and makes for a dramatic sight.

Banpo Bridge Seoul

Korea images © Daniel Allen

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Korea Headlines October 4 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

Chinese premier meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-il BBC

"Comfort Women" victims pin hopes on Japan PM Hatoyama Korea Herald

Chuseok holiday-travelers' traffic clogs highways Korea Times

Korean Economy 'to Grow 3.6% Next Year' Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Saturday, October 3, 2009

South Korea Map

South Korea Map

New style "cartograms" from Worldmapper graphically show the very high population density of South Korea.

The main population density areas are Seoul and neighboring Incheon. The gray areas represent areas of low population density, with only the south west and eastern coasts having a relatively sparse population.

South Korea Map

The estimated total population of South Korea in 2008 was 48,379,392.

Click on the map to enlarge it.

© Copyright 2009 SASI Group (University of Sheffield)

© Korea Guide

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Korean Sashimi

Korean Sashimi

Thick cut and delicious Korean sashimi (raw fish) is a gastronomic delight.

Korean Sashimi

Eat at Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan or at numerous specialist fish restaurants in Seoul, Korean raw seafood is a culinary adventure.

Korean Sashimi

© Korea Guide

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

KTX Trains Korea

KTX Trains Korea 서울

The KTX is one of our favorite trains. It has a very elegant shape - sleek and refined.

KTX

© Korea Guide

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Korea Headlines September 27 2009

Korean News

News from North and South Korea.

Korean families in rare reunion

BBC

Japan PM Hatoyama to visit Seoul October 9

Korea Herald

After School Girl Band Harassed by Rowdy Bikers

Korea Times

Korea 'to Host Next Year's G20 Summit'

Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Pusan International Film Festival

Pusan International Film Festival

PIFF.

Pusan International Film Festival in Busan will take place this year from October 8-18 on Haeundae Beach in the southern port city of Busan.

PIFF is Asia's largest film festival and began life in 1996. Cinemas for screenings are MegaBox Haeundae 5 and Busan Yatching Center Outdoor Theater.

2009 PIFF
Annex 2-1, Yachting Center
1393 Woo1-Dong
Haeundae-Gu
Busan 612-797
Korea
Tel: 82 51 747 2684
Fax: 82 51 747 2694

© Korea Guide

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Korea Headlines September 20 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

North Korea ready for nuclear talks.

BBC

Charges pressed over Imjin flood deaths

Korea Herald

Koreans Fighting Obesity

Korea Times

Three Men Arrested for Illegally Uploading 'Haeundae'

Chosun Ilbo

A Succession Saga Goes Silent

Washington Post

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Dongdaemun Gate

Dongdaemun Gate 동대문

The Dongdaemun or "Great East Gate" has stood on its present spot in Seoul since 1396 though the present structure dates from 1869.

Dongdaemun Gate

Dongdaemun Market is the major tourist attraction in the vicinity.

© Korea Guide

Monday, September 14, 2009

Eating Korean: from barbecue to kimchi, recipes from my home

Eating Korean

Eating Korean: from barbecue to kimchi, recipes from my home

Eating Korean: from barbecue to kimchi, recipes from my home

by Cecilia Hae Jin Lee

John Wiley & Sons

ISBN: 0-7645-4078-5
272 pp

This book is an excellent introduction of the delights of Korean cooking. Written by a first-generation Korean-American and award-winning chef, the book covers the standard favorites of Korean cuisine such as bulgogi, bibimbap and kimchi as well as offering recipes that may not be so well-known to a Western audience.

Among the one hundred plus recipes presented are plenty of hot soups, vegetable dishes, noodles, and those saucy, hot Korean dips.

The author interweaves the recipes with personal stories about her large extended Korean family as well as interesting cultural insights into Korean food and culture. Highly recommended for those wanting to try Korean food at home with a useful list of US suppliers of Korean ingredients listed by state.

Buy this book from Amazon USA I UK I Japan

© Korea Guide

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Korea Headlines September 13 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

Ruse or reality in North Korea's uranium admission? BBC

Exhibition showcases Korean medicine Korea Herald

Book Highlights Essence of Korean Temples Korea Times

More Foreigners Take Korean Proficiency Test Chosun Ilbo

South Korea says supports U.S. talks with North Washington Post

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Seoul Puns

Seoul Puns

Seoul survivor.

The fact that the word "Seoul" has the same pronunciation as the English words "soul" and "sole" is a punner's and headline writer's dream.

In English "soul" can mean spirit or individual, sole is the bottom of your shoe, a type of fish or can have the meaning of only as in 'the one and only'. Then there is the soul music genre.

Here's a list of our favorite Seoul puns - add yours in the comments section below.

Soul Seoul - spirit, individual

Seoul Brother(s), Seoul Sister(s), Heart and Seoul, Lonely Seoul, Wandering Seoul, Lost Seoul, Seoul Food, Seoul Searching, All Seoul's Day, Rest His/Her Seoul, Seoul Mate, Set My Seoul On Fire, Seoul To Seoul, Seoul Eater, Seoul Dust, Seoul Kitchen, Body and Seoul

Sole Seoul - as in instrinsic, one and only

Seoul Trader, Seoul Survivor, Seoul Application, Seoul Purpose

Soul Seoul - the music and, of course, Northern Seoul

Seoul Classics, 1960s Seoul, Black Seoul, Seoul Man, Soul Lyrics, Seoul Train, Seoul Asylum, Seoul Singers, Seoul Hits, Seoul Music, Seoul Kitchen

Sole Seoul - as in the shoe

Rubber Seoul, Leather Seoul, Double Seoul

Or how about Dover Seoul, Seould Out?

© Korea Guide

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Japan Korea Flights

Japan Korea Flights

Japan to Korea flights

Flights to Korea from Japan have become much cheaper over the years and with the present exchange rate making the Won good value against the Japanese Yen, there is no better time to fly over the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and enjoy a visit to the Land of Morning Calm.

As well as a number of daily services from the big airports such as Narita, Haneda, Osaka, Fukuoka and Chubu International, there are regular flights to both Incheon International Airport and Busan from smaller, provincial airports in Japan, including Hiroshima.

English language newspapers or your travel agent are a good place to find cheap flights and good value package trips on tours. These will include airfare, hotel and usually a bus tour and last usually for 3 or 4 days. Recent prices quoted include 17,000 yen from Tokyo, 18,800 yen from Osaka (KIX).

© Korea Guide

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Korea Headlines September 6 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

North Korea enters final phase of uranium enrichment

BBC

Korea beat Australia 3-1 in football friendly

Korea Herald

Foreign Investors Flocking to Kosdaq

Korea Times

Report Predicts Older, Multicultural Korea on Stilts

Chosun Ilbo


Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Saturday, September 5, 2009

South Korean Provinces

South Korean Provinces

Provinces in South Korea.

For administrative purposes, South Korea is divided into 8 provinces (도,道,do), 1, Special self-governing Province, 1 Special City and 6 Metropolitan Cities.

The 8 provinces are: Chungcheongbuk, Chungcheongnam, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongsangbuk, Gyeongsangnam, Jeollabuk and Jeollanam. The 1 Special self-governing Province is Jeju. The 1 Special City is the capital Seoul and the 6 Metropolitan Cities are Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwanju, Incheon and Ulsan.

Gyeonggi is the largest province in terms of population with Busan the largest Metropolitan City, though, of course, smaller than Seoul - the Special City.

Gyeonggi-do Province includes the capital Seoul, though Seoul has its own administration. The provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do is Suwon. Other provincial capitals are Chuncheon (Gangwon), Cheongju (Chungcheongnam), Daejeon (Chungcheongnam), Jeonju (Jeollabuk), Muan (Jeollanam), Daegu (Gyeongsangbuk) and Changwon (Gyeongsangnam).

Municipal level divisions are slightly similar to those in Japan: Si (city), Gun (county), Gu (district), Eup (town), Myeon (township), Dong (neighborhood), Ri (village).

© Korea Guide

Friday, September 4, 2009

Moon Handbooks South Korea

Moon Handbooks

Moon Handbooks

Moon Handbooks South Korea

by Robert Nilsen

Moon Handbooks

ISBN: 1-5669-1418-3
860 pp

If you are considering a stay of a few weeks or more in Korea, then Robert Nilsen's excellent Moon Handbooks South Korea, should be one of the first things you pack. Full of detailed travel, historical and cultural information on Korea's main cities and often hidden places of interest, this book takes you well off the normal traveler's well-beaten track.

The clean black and white design and decent maps are a bonus, as are the well-penned and informative history and language sections. A great background resource for the long-term traveler or resident, but in need of a sharper edit on more precise travel information for the hungry or lost, casual Seoul-searching tourist.

Buy this book from Amazon USA I UK I Japan

Find more books on Korea

© Korea Guide

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Korea Headlines August 30 2009

Korea Headlines

Korea Headline News

Koreas to resume family reunions BBC

Government to introduce anklets for criminals Korea Herald

N. Korea Frees 4 S. Korean Fishermen Korea Times 

One-stop Service Centers Open for Medical Tourists Chosun Ilbo

Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Internet Cafes in Korea

Internet Cafes in Korea

As befits the most wired nation on earth, internet cafes are everywhere.

Look out for the "PC" sign on buildings and in the street.

Internet Cafes in Korea

Mainly popular with gamers rather than surfers, cybercafés or PC bangs are comfortable and cheap and most seem to be open 24/7.

Expect to pay around 1 USD an hour to get online in any of the major Korean cities.

© Korea Guide

Friday, August 28, 2009

Busan Weather

Busan Weather

Weather in Busan
Fish market in Busan

The climate in Busan is less extreme than the weather in Seoul to the north. The sea acts to cool temperatures in the Korea Peninsula's very hot summers and helps to moderate the harsh cold of the Korean winter. Busan can be 4 or 5 degrees Centigrade warmer than the capital in winter and a couple of degrees cooler in summer.

BUSAN WEATHER

August is the hottest month on the south coast with July the wettest with an average of around 300mm of rainfall expected in the month. November through March are the driest months with average precipitation less than 70 mm.

© Korea Guide

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Gwangalli Beach & Gwangan Bridge

Gwangalli Beach & Gwangan Bridge

Gwangan Bridge is a huge bridge in Busan on the southern coast of South Korea. Gwangan Bridge carries National Highway 66 and crosses the bay west of Haeundae to Daeyeon-san-dong.

Gwangan Bridge, which is 6.5km long is the largest bridge in Korea and is illuminated at night.

Gwangalli Bridge

Gwangalli Beach looks out on to the bridge and is a popular spot for water sports or to try one of the many seafood restaurants or trendy cafes and shops in the area.

image © Daniel Allen

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Jagalchi Fish Market Pusan

Jagalchi Fish Market Pusan 자갈치시장

Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan is the largest marine products market in Korea, and like Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, is an ideal place to sample raw fish and the Korean version of sushi or gimbap (steamed white rice - bap - with seafood rolled in dried seaweed - gim).

Jagalchi Fish Market Pusan

Jagalchi is located in the Nanpo-dong area of Busan and the market itself is both indoors and outdoors. Fried tuna or chamchi is a popular dish here.

Jagalchi Fish Market Pusan

Korean sashimi - hoe - is usually cut thicker than in Japan and served on a bed of lettuce.

Raw seafood in Busan

Images © Daniel Allen

© Korea Guide

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Korea Headlines August 23 2009

Korean Headlines

News from North and South Korea.

South Korea's champion of democracy Kim Dae-jung

BBC

Rocket launch hopes for lucky number 8

Korea Herald

Foreigners’ Crimes Outgrow Interpreters

Korea Times

Korea Bids to Host 2022 World Cup

Chosun Ilbo


Previous Korea news

© Korea Guide