ArirangTV A Feast for Kings: Korean Royal Cuisine

U.N. condemns attack on S. Korean ship

The U.N. Security Council has adopted a president’s statement condemning a deadly torpedo attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors, but the statement did not directly blame North Korea. 

“The Security Council condemns the attack which led to the sinking of the Cheonan,” said the presidential statement. 

Consequently, it calls for “appropriate and peaceful measures to be taken against those responsible for the incident.”

Bailey Rae to bring the noise

When you think of British soul singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, loud, brash rock probably isn’t the first thing to pop into your mind.

The 31-year-old from Leeds is mostly known for her intimate songs about relationships between the sexes and for a sound that makes listeners want to just cozy up with a warm cup of joe.

Rocking out under the blistering sun at a summertime music festival isn’t exactly what you might expect to do while listening to her music.

But come Aug. 1 ― on the last day of the three-day-long Jisan Valley Rock Festival ― Rae promises to bring the noise at Korea’s biggest music extravaganza as one of its headlining acts.

“We’re going to play a heavier range of music than we (usually) play,” Rae told The Korea Herald.

“I am really happy to be playing at a rock festival. Hopefully, it’s going to be fun because they’re going to hear something different from maybe what they’re going to be expecting.”

About her set at the festival, she added: “Rock festivals bring people together so that’s why I’m hoping with the music we play there will be a bigger crowd than usual. It will be new to people as well who haven’t seen or heard that side of me.”

Rock is not a genre that is too foreign to Rae.

She began her life as a musician as lead vocalist with a rock band called Helen, inspired by contemporaries like Veruca Salt and L7. 

“It was the first time I’d seen women with guitars,” she said.

“They are sexy yet still feminist. I wanted to be like that, at the front of something.”

The group played gigs all over Leeds and in the greater Manchester area, eventually becoming the first indie act to be signed to heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records in 1995, sharing the label with acts such as Slipknot. The band was short-lived, however, and dissolved after the bassist became pregnant.

KT CEO downplays smartphone worries

The chief executive of KT on Monday played down worries about its limited smartphone lineup due to its rift with Samsung Electronics, the biggest handset vendor in Korea, and the delayed rollout of the new iPhone. 

Concerns are growing that Korea’s No. 2 wireless carrier may lose its early lead in the lucrative market, as its bigger rival SK Telecom is fighting back with Samsung’s popular Galaxy S smartphone, which it sells exclusively. 

KT, the sole supplier of Apple’s iPhone in Korea, planned to launch the newest iPhone in late July, but the plan could be delayed to August because of a shortage of the gadgets. 

Mobile operators are betting big on smartphone sales to boost wireless datarevenue and generate new income streams in a saturated market. 

However, KT has difficulty in securing smartphones from Samsung as relations between the two former allies have deteriorated following KT’s introduction of the iPhone in late November. The iPhone has enjoyed huge popularity in Korea, dealing a blow to Samsung’s leadership in the home market. 

Lee Suk-chae, CEO and chairman of KT, expressed regret over the soured ties, but said the absence of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S would not undermine its leadership position in the domestic market. 

“It is heart-breaking,” he said at a news conference, noting that Samsung does not supply the Galaxy S to KT even while offering it to AT&T, the exclusive seller of the iPhone in the United States. 

“I expect (the issue) to be resolved as time goes by. ... The absence of Galaxy S will not undermine our efforts to become a company beloved by consumers,” he said. 

About 2010-2012 VISIT KOREA YEAR

About 2010-2012 VISIT KOREA YEAR

The years from 2010 to 2012 are the years when you need to visit Korea. So, be ready.

A campaign for introducing the elegance and flavor of Korea to tourists visiting South Korea, 2010~2012 VISIT KOREA YEAR provides diverse and convenient benefits such as discount program for long-stay visitors, welcome plan, Korea grand sale, and tourist coupon service.

We are also preparing various events such as Seoul Design Olympiad, IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011, EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea, Korean Wave Dream Festival , World Culture Festival, Korea food&tourism Festival 2010, Cheju Ole Tracking Competition, World Peace Festival, and Environment Festival.

Royal Ancestral Rite and Ritual Music of Jongmyo Shrine

Jongmyo Jerye is a ceremony held for the king and queens of the Joseon Period in the shrine where the ancestral tablets of theirs are preserved. Jongmyo, along with the rituals where services for the Gods of Earth and Corps were performed, is considered as the important symbol which is the foundation of national survival. It has Jeongjeon(Main Hall), enshrined 49 tablets in 19 spirit chambers, and Yeongnyeongjeon(Hall of Eternal Peace), enshrined 33 tablets in 16 spirit chambers.
Jongmyo Jerye was one of the five kinds of rites performed by the Joseon Dynasty's royal family. The five were classified as gillye(auspicious rites), hyungnye(funural rites), binnye(reception ceremonies), gunne(military rites), and garye(wedding ceremonies). The gillye includes the ritual service to the gods of heaven and earth and royal ancestral spirits. Besides the rite worshiping the royal ancestors, Jongmyo Jerye has also been dedicated to meritorious civil and military retainers. It was classified into regular and extraordinary ceremony. Regular ceremony was held on January, April, July, and October. Initially, extraordinary ceremony was held when auspicious occasions and national disasters occurred, but after the liberation from Japanese Imperialist rule, it was held at the first Sunday of May. As it was a model of all ceremonies for spirits, its order and procedures were very strict and solemn.
Jongmyo Jerye proceeded in an order of rehearsal → ancestral tablet placing → spirits welcoming → Singwanrye → food presenting → first obeisance → second obeisance → last obeisance → sacrificial food and drink partaking → Cheolbyeondu → Mangryo → closing. Before Jongmyo Jerye, a monarch was prudent in his speech and action for 4 days and cleaned his body for 3 days. 'Filial piety' is one of the Confucian tenets and Jongmyo Jerye, as the national manifestation of filial piety, took the role of enhancing the solidarity of people and bring them closer together through that very common denominator. Jongmyo Jerye, as a standard of art in Confucian society, is a valuable cultural asset and the music, dance, ritual vessels, and libation of foods of Jongmyo Jerye are essential manifestations of aesthetics of performing arts based on cosmic and Confucian principles.
Jongmyo Jeryeak, Royal Ancestral Ritual Music, had been performed when royal people held a ceremony for the repose of their ancestors in the Shrine, just named 'Jongmyoak'. Each procedure of the ceremony was composed of various music such as 'Botaepyeong' and 'Jeongdaeeop', songs called 'Jongmyoakjang' praising the civil achievements of the Joseon kings and their military exploits, and dances like 'Botaepyeong dance' and 'Jeongdaeeop dance'.
The Music was initially created in Joseon Dynasty's 4th King, Sejong's reign, for being used in royal palace banquet, and then it was modified as suitable for the ceremony under Sejo's reign, which has been handed down to the present. The music has been performed in Jongmyodaejae, which was discontinued in 1946 and was resumed in 1971, on the first Sunday of May every year.
Jongmyo Jeryeak performed in Jongmyo Shrine consist of Botaepyeong, which has 11 music pieces, and Jeongdaeeop, which also has 11 music pieces. The musicians are divided into the upper terrace orchestra in the foreground, called the Deungga, and the lower terrace orchestra, called the Heonga. Some music pieces of Jongmyo Jeryeak had their roots in the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty of China, and some grew in the native environment. These three different styles of music pieces are played with different instrumental ensembles.
Line dances are performed to the orchestral accompaniment of Deungga or Heonga in accordance with ritual procedures. Line dances aim at delineating the harmony of the negative and positive cosmic forces of yin and yang while they shifts between civil dance(Munmu), delineating the positive force of yang to praise the civil achievements of the Joseon kings, and military dance(Mumu), delineating the nature of negative force of yin to praise the military achievements of the Joseon kings, for which the hand-held props are changed appropriately.
Hundreds of officiants, musicians, dancers, and attendants all create the tout ensemble of this composite art reflecting solemnity and magnificence typical in Oriental world. That this original property has continued without impairment for 500 years makes it indeed rare in the world, so that its value should be preserved as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage and its benefits should be shared with a broad range of people worldwide. Jongmyo Jeryeak, Important Intangible Cultural Properties No. 1, was selected as 'Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity', with Jongmyo Jerye, Important Intangible Cultural Properties No. 56

The Injeongjeon (Hall)

Every palace has its own main hall, which was equipped with various decorations that symbolize the power and authority of the King. The Injeongjeon, as a main hall of the Changdeokgung palace, is stationed in the centre of the outer buildings of the palace. In fact, it is usual that the outer buildings should be located in the south of the inner buildings, and the most important buildings and pavilions arranged in accordance with the line of the main axis of the meridian.

The Changdeokgung differs from the Gyeongbokgung palace in this respect. All the buildings of the Changdeokgung are arranged according to its topography. This is the reason why the palace was built as a detached palace. This is also characteristic of the Changdeokgung palace. About 1912, when the wings of the Injeongjeon were reconstructed to be used for an exhibition hall, the gate called Injeongmun was also restored to function as an entrance of the hall, and each space between two posts was then rearranged, too. Built on the double bases called "Woldae", the Injeongjeon is a two-story building, the inside of which has no partition between both stories. It occupies 20 kan and has an eave with a complex bracket structure which represents the late style of the Joseon dynasty.

The Injeongmun (Gate)

This is an open entrance to the existing wing which surrounds the Injeongjeon where the king and his officials gathered together to hold a conference. This gate is located in the center of the south of the Injeongjeon. Going up the lower terrace stones, you will find an entrance with only an open 'kan' in the center among 3 kan's. This is different from any other entrances in this respect because it was later changed in structure and decorations, etc.

The Injeongmun was first built in 1418 during King Taejong's reign, but subsequently it was destroyed and reconstructed; It was destroyed during the Japanese invasion, King Injo's Reform, and King Yeongjo's reign. The existing gate is assumed to have been built in 1745 when the Injeongjeon was reconstructed. (Treasure No. 813)

Geumcheongyo (Bridge)

This bridge was built over the stream that sprang from the north and encircled "Oedang" which means the outer buildings of the palace. It is derived from our ancient belief that a place such as this one was one of the most auspicious sites for a palace. This is the reason why Yeongjegyo bridge in the Gyeongbokgung palace and Okcheongyo bridge in the Changgyeonggung palace were built over each stream that flowed from the north and encircled the Oedang. The bridge is 12.9m long and 12.5m wide. It was constructed by king Taejong in 1411. The banks of the stream were made up of long rectangular stones.

This is one of the oldest stone bridge to remain in Seoul now. The structure of bridges is as follows: It has two arches, and a mighty mythical animal called "Haetae" to the south and a turtle statue called "Hyeonmu" to the north were installed on the stand in the middle of the arches. Behind these statues, a monster, which is said to keep off evil spirits, is carved on the lateral side of the base where the two arches meet. On the both sides of the bridge, balustrades are established. The balustrades are composed of stone pillars with animal-shaped statues on the top, balusters, and flat stones with wind holes. Especially the lotus petal design on the balusterades, the statues in the shape of animal heads at the foot of each baluster, and a mighty mythical animal statue, called "Haetae", on top of the last baluster is very charming. This bridge is not flat, but arched with the rise in the middle. In front of the bridge, there was a gate called "Jinseonmun" which lead to "Oedang" that in Korean belief, had some relationship with the Myeongdangsu stream. Inside of the Donhwamun, there was a garden which was covered with the trees, like a locust, a zelkova, and so on. This is derived from an ancient Korean institution, too, and it's also why the palace was called "Goesin", which literally means the palace where the trees, including a locust, a zelkova, etc., were planted.

Changdeokgung

This is main entrance to the Changdeokgung palace. When it was first built, there was a white granite substructure, on the top of which a two-storied gate building was erected. This is a typical structure of the entrance to our palace that was transmitted from the Three Kingdoms period. Unfortunately, now, the substructure has disappeared; only the two-storied building remains. This is quite different from the structure of the Gwanghwamun, the main entrance to the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, which was erected on the structure with three open arches on the ground.

As one may observe, the Donhwamun is elegant but simple because it was built as an entrance to a separate palace of the Changdeokgung palace.  The Donhwamun was set on fire by the Japanese invaders, but it was reconstructed as it had been by King Seonjo in 1607. It's the oldest entrance to remain in Seoul. Only the threshold of the entrance was reconstructed so that an automobile could pass through it easily. (Treasure No.383).

seoul going green

Seoul boasts impressive natural resources – stunning mountains that surround 
and define the city, and the beautiful Han River, running right through its center. 
In addition, Seoul City is focused on bringing out its natural resources with an
emphasis on a greener downtown. The efforts include an extensive clean-up
and renovation of the area around the Han River as well as of Namsan
Mountain, in the heart of Seoul, to restore their natural beauty and turn them
into more eco-friendly areas. Seoul City will also gradually replace all carbon
fuel-powered public buses with natural gas-powered ones, a project scheduled
to be completed by the end of 2010. Having made remarkable progress in 
reducing air pollution, Seoul City is already known as one of the cleanest
cities in Asia.

seoul,as a business hub in notheast asia

Seoul is also making its mark in the business arena. It has been listed among 
the top ten cities in the world for doing business and is working hard to cement its
position as a business center. Geographically, Seoul is strategically located in the
center of the Northeast Asian economy and offers a city with a pool of one of the
world’s best-educated workforces. Among its growth industries: conventions,
tourism, digital content, fashion, design, R&D, finance, and retail distribution.
Seoul City is currently planning to designate an international financial zone in
which local and foreign financial companies will be given extensive support, both
through infrastructure development and various tax exemptions and reductions. 
Also now under development are plans to turn the the Dongdaemun Design Plaza
& Park in the Dongdaemun area into a world-class design and fashion district.

seoul, heart of korea culture

Seoul is a city characterized by variety 
and cultural vibrancy.
 The city has over 700
museums, including the National Museum
and the National Folk Museum – which 
boast extensive collections - and numerous
performance centers such as the Se-jong
Center for Performing Arts and the National
Theater. In addition, the city has more than
400 galleries exhibiting everything from the
most contemporary modern art to traditional
Korean furniture and African artifacts. Alternatively, 
enjoy traditional festive dances, eat like the Choseon emporers, 
or visit a Bukcheon traditional house (a Hanok) in the town of the
 Choseon dynasty. For a taste of the contemporary, experience a wide

range of modern and fusion culture, then go to world-class performances like ‘NANTA’, ‘JUMP’ and ‘B-boy’. Not tired yet? You can also see performances at Daehakro, Seoul Playground and Citizen’s park, all outdoor cultural spaces in Seoul.

history of korea

The Baekjae Dynasty first established Seoul as the capital city of the Korean people
in the year 18 BC. In traditional Korean, the word 'Seoul' actually means 'capital'.
As the capital city for the next 476 years, Seoul – and Korean culture – thrived. 
Much of Korean culture evident today evolved during that period. Even after
the Baekjae Dynasty moved the capital to present-day Gongju, centuries later,
Seoul retained some of its prominence. Underscoring Seoul's importance, 
competing dynasties fought for control over the area of Seoul bordering
the Han River. With the founding of the Choseon Dynasty in 1394, Seoul's
future was assured. In 1394, Seoul once again became the capital and flourished as a cultural and economic center for centuries.

Although Seoul was called “Hanyang” during the Choseon dynasty and “Gyeongseongbu” during the years of Japanese imperialism, the city officially became “Seoul” again after Korea regained its independence on August 15th,1945. In 1946, Seoul became a “do,” a reference to a specific type of region, and was named the capital by the new Korean government.

visiting seoul

Official Name	Seoul Teukbyeol-si
Location	Central west on the Korean Peninsula
Geography	Han River flows through Seoul from east to west and mountains surround the city. Bukhan-san (Northern mountain) and Dobong mountain are to the north of Seoul, Geomdan mountain to the east, and Gwanak mountain and Cheongye mountain to the south.
Population	10,488,327 (As of September 2009)
Surface Area	605.33 sq.km
Governing Area	25 Jachigu 497 dong (As of December 31st of 2009)
Language	Korea (Japanese, English and Chinese available in main tourist areas)
Religion	Christianity 25%, Buddhism 25%, and other various religions
Climate	Seoul has four very distinct seasons, with spring and fall being quite mild, summer hot and humid and winter being cold and dry. Although in August, considered to be the heart of summer in Seoul, the temperature reaches above 30℃, the average year round temperature remains around 11℃. Average annual rainfall is around 1,370mm, with seventy percent of that falling between June and September.