Hello, this is Suny. I would like to talk about deep ocean water, which is, one of the valuable resources that can be found in in the ocean. Deep ocean water refers to ocean water found below 200m where sunlight does not reach. Deep water circulates through the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, beginning its cycle near Greenland.

Seawater does not remain in one place, but circulates the whole planet, and when it reaches the glacial waters of Greenland, its specific gravity increases due to the cold temperatures. Once the specific gravity is great enough it sinks with its temperature rapidly falling to about 2℃. This cold water does not mix with warmer surface water, but forms a boundary similar to that between water and oil. This deep sea water is called deep ocean water.

This water is full of nutrient rich inorganic salts and is free from pollution. In waters closer to the ocean surface, sunlight triggers photosynthesis in small organisms which reproduce, and pollution from the air and land easily contaminate such waters. But the waters below 200m are maintained in pristine condition. Deep ocean waters circulate the whole planet in a regular cycle. This cycle is extremely slow, taking about 2000 years just to circulate one time! The water temperature is a consistent 2℃ 2during this cycle, and it is rich in such inorganic salts as nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon.

The United States and Japan began to take an interest in the deep ocean waters about 30 to 40 years ago, with their utility and becoming more and more recognized in such fields as fisheries, food, beverages, cosmetics, and medicine. In Korea, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has begun research and development of deep ocean waters off the coast of Goseonggun in Gangwon-do, and the government has developed a model industrial complex for deep ocean waters.

The government is also promoting a method for ensuring a low-carbon environmental model for Olympic stadiums by using the cryogenic deep ocean waters which remain a constant 2°C year-round, in the Pyeongchang Olympic ice-rinks. If the new energy technology of deep ocean water can be used in the Pyeongchang Olympics sports complex, energy use will be reduced 60% over existing air conditioning and refrigeration machine systems. Costs are estimated to be reduced by about 81.9% or 800 million KRW annually, and carbon-dioxide emissions likewise reduced by about 63.8% or 1648 tons annually.

Energy supply instability is increasing globally, along with increases in oil prices. It would be of great benefit if we are able to harness deep ocean waters to help provide for our energy needs.

Dolsan, an island south of Yeosu, has its own specialty food, Gotkimchi – which is Kimchi made of mustard leaves and stems. Thanks to the warm oceanic climate and rich soil, Yeosu grows excellent tasting “Got” which cannot be found in any other place in Korea. This is why “Gotkimchi” is the symbolic food of Yeosu. Its strong taste and unique aroma are major features of Gotkimchi. Our ancestors recorded the healthy attributes of Got in their medical books. It is now known that the folic acid in Got helps prevent anemia, strokes, and cancer.

The Yeosu Dolsangot Farm Cooperative operates a Gotkimchi-Making Program. The program starts with a short film showing the process of making Gotkimchi. After the film, you change into a uniform and move to the program site. What awaits you are salted Got, fermented fish sauce, and seasonings such as garlic, pepper, ginger, and green onion. Salted Got is mixed with the seasonings. Even though the spicy aroma stings the eyes and tickles the nose, the participants still very much enjoy the process. The finished Gotkimchi is vacuum-packed at the site for you to take home.

To make delicious Gotkimchi, be careful not to put excessive seasonings to ensure the original taste of the Got is preserved. In addition, Gotkimchi should be left to ferment before eating for a more delicious taste.

Got is mustard leaves. There are red Got and green Got. The former is used as fillings for Baechugimchi (Chinese Cabbage Kimchi), and the latter is used as the main ingredient of Gotkimchi. Got was first introduced in Dolsan by the Japanese. Since the weather conditions in Dolsan are perfect for growing Got, this area produces the best Got. Got is a very healthy vegetable high in protein, vitamin A and C, calcium, and iron. The program site is located on Route 17 before Bangjukpo Beach.

User’s Guide

• Address: Jeollanam-do Yeosu-si Dolsan-eup Jukpo-ri 471-1
• Phone number: 061-644-0636 (010–)
• Website: http://ysdolsangat.co.kr
• Hours of operation: 09:00 – 18:00
• Parking fees: Free
• Guided tour: Available at all times
• Program fee: 13,000 won per person for making 3 kg of Kimchi
• Capacity: 10 persons per program
• Photogenic spots: Gotkimchi arranged decoratively on a plate

source: eng.expo2012.kr

Hello, this is Suny. The exciting concept of vehicle sharing is gaining popularity worldwide. Car sharing began in part to help reduce environmental pollution whereby a car is rented from a business or individual at a fixed cost. A car storage facility is located near residential areas, and people can use a car for certain periods as needed and return the car to the storage place. This is very different from the car rental model. People use this system for small and frequent errands such as grocery shopping or moving possessions because the borrowing period is only by the hour.

Bicycle sharing is also growing in popularity at present. Bicycle riding really helps to reduce human carbon emissions. Bicycles are very popular in Korea, but even more so in the United States and Europe. We’ll take a look at bicycle sharing in other countries.

Vélib – Paris, France

This is Vélib, a bicycle sharing program started in Paris in 2007 with 10,000 bicycles. The number of bicycles was increased to 17,000 in 2011. It is so much more lovely to ride a bicycle in romantic Paris than drive a car.

Ispart – Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul and bicycles seem an unusual good match at first glance, but the blue bicycles are very tempting. A bicycle tour around Turkey would prove to be quite a memorable trip.

Melbourne Bike – Melbourne, Australia

The bicycles in Melbourne are dark blue in color, matching the color of the Australian flag. Melbourne Bike began in 2010, but is having a hard time maintaining the program due to budget deficits.

Hubway – Massachusetts, United States of America

Hubway launched in Massachusetts in 2011 with 61 stations and 600 bicycles. It appears to be a larger scale venture. The somber grey is will matched to the city’s atmosphere.

Youbike – Taipei, Taiwan

Colorful bicycles are well suited to Taiwan. Youbike, began in 2009 with 500 bicycles and has gained huge popularity, with 20,000 people using the program in just the first 6 weeks of. I would really like to try one of these bicycles if I ever go to Taiwan.

The bicycle is one good alternative to resolving traffic congestion and air pollution problems around the world. We should all try to use the bicycle whenever we can.

Written by the group of ‘ILOVEYEOSU’ : Choe Hyeju, Kim Jiyun, Seo Uijin, Kim Dayeong, Oh Jiseong. Guidance teacher : Park Yongseong

“Are the beaches of Yeosu so beautiful?”

“Sure. Golden and silvery sand spread on the beaches.”

picture is an emblem of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. It looks like a ball that is used when we play in beach. However, the symbol means very profound.

What is that picture? It looks like a ball, but it is not just a ball. It is a symbol of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. Each color has it’s meaning. Do you hear that?

Red symbolizes the life living in the sea and land. Green means environment that we come along with other living. And blue has a meaning of sea that will be main title of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. Lastly, white wave pattern in emblem symbolizes water running through Yeosu coast. By the way, do you know why the emblem is circular shape? The earth is so round that we can be harmony with life, environment and sea.

Photo by Choe Hyeju

This is a map of beaches in Yeosu. There are so many beaches, even though we selected beaches close to Expo site.

Now, we will introduce you to the beautiful beaches which are bound to be a part of the emblem. In Yeosu, there are ten beaches or more, but we took into consideration to select six beautiful and cozy places to visit easily. The point in this map are beaches that we will introduce.

“Shall we go to Mosageum beach which is warm and comfortable as the bosom of mother?”

Photo by Seo Uijin

This is Mosageum beach, which is the most comfortable and tidiest place we’ve ever been to.

First, where we’ll face is Mosageum beach in Ocheon-dong in Yeosu. Although Mosageum beach is not as big as others, there are fine golden sands and refined gravels. Above all, it can be the most suitable place for lovers’ date because of a prominent sight of the sunrising and really beautiful scenery.

It seems to be in the middle of island because it is surrounded with the villages gathered in small beach, the rocks of seashore running around both sides, and breakwater. Why don’t you drop in and take a stroll on the beach when you are somewhat exhausted? So, it has a classical touch to the fishing village.

“Let’s go Bangjukpo beach to enjoy swimming in the sea and walking through the wood.”

Photo by Kim Dayeong

The picture is Bangjukpo beach. Big pine trees make Bangjukpo more beautiful.

Bangjukpo beach is located in small and concave pot in the east coast of Dolsan island, which makes you feel cozy. There are always gentle waves and a sandy beach good for walking around barefoot. Bangjukpo is a great place for a family outing with children because the sea doesn’t have heavy water but is shallow to swim in.

In addition, pine trees on the beach living more than 100 year make a dense forest and surround the beach. Bangjukpo can be enjoyed not only swimming but also walking through the wood. It is also worth visiting near Maritime& fisheries Science Museum.

“Do you want to enjoy with swimming and fishing? Come to Sindeok beach!”

Photo by Choe Hyeju

People enjoy fishing on the waterside rock. You can enjoy both swimming and fishing.

Sindeok beach is located in Sindeok-dong, The drive course to Sindeok beach makes us happy. Because drive course is very nice. In addition, Thanks to the Sindeok beach’s soft sand and gentle waves, even young children and seniors can come to see the beach with comfort and convenience.

There is one thing to attract people better than anything else. This is the best place to fish for those who would like to do something besides swimming. Especially you can enjoy fishing on the rock, with a gentle breeze over the huge waterside rock. If you feel inclined to fish, Sindeok beach is good for you. Because you can enjoy fishing. During the fishing, you can feel your whole body thrilled differently in taste and you can be soak in fishing rod’s hand taste. And, try drinking Korean traditional drink(Soju) with fish you catch. It couldn’t be better eating with relish raw fish and Korean traditional drinks.

Do you feel stiff in the shoulders? Then come to Manseongni beach to recover from your fatigue!”

Photo by Choe Hyeju

Manseongni beach is famous for black sand beach. It serves a double purpose of sea bathing and recovery from exhausted.

Have you ever heard ‘Black sand beach’? This is Manseongni beach in Manheung-dong, Yeosu. You can see black sand, blue sea and lined parasol, which feel me exotic. Especially, to take a black sand bath rare in the nation wide, which could take miraculous effect on women’s disease and neuritis. It helps to improve the circulation of blood and discharge our body’s waste.

According to the legend, in every April 20, black sand will take effect work on patients. So, many people come to Manseongni beach to take a sand bath. On the beach, you can see Odongdo island and the southern sea. So, take pleasure in looking at beautiful spectacles and enjoy sand bath. By the way, Manseongni beach is well known for delicious blue crap soup, try eat!

“Ungcheon beach is a capital spot for a family picnic.”

Photo by Oh Jiseong

Would you see the people resting in an artificial beach? There is camping site near the beach, it may be hard for you to pass through because of a smell of roasted meat.

Ungcheon beach is artificial in Ungcheon-dong, Yeosu. They made broad sand and browny decks and set up cabin shaped tent on the beach along with a camp site. Environmentalists argued that this beach has ecological problems. As it has already been made, though, it should be well preserved, too.

Above all, Ungcheon artificial beach has camping ground. There are about 40 decks and tents or more, well equipped with convenient facilities. So it is best place to stay one day. Yeulmaru, Culture-Art Complex, is being made nearby the beach. Drop by here for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. It is nice in the day and will be better at night.

“Why do we naturally associate Yeosu Expo whenever we go to Musulmok beach?”

Photo by Kim Jiyun

Here is Musulmok beach. what a surprise that how beautiful daffodil coming into bloom is among their pebbles.

Crossing the Dolsan bridge, you can get Musulmok beach behind the Jeollanamdo maritime museum, it takes 10 minutes. Musulmok lies between Gamakman and Gwangyangman bay. Seen far away, they look linked with each other. It is well known for an old battlefield general Yi Sunsin used to win at Iimjinwaeran(Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592), using this geographical advantage.

Even though beach always reminds me of a lot of sand, there are many of tiny and round pebbles here and there. So, it is so called ‘Mongdol’ beach. However the better like that, you can see pink daffodil among pebbles. When you visit here at June, you can feel the power of wonderful life in beautiful daffodil. It is nothing but us who think of ‘The Living Ocean and Coast’ subject of Expo?

“Would you dream to save the ocean?”

Photo by Yeo Dongchan

took into deep consideration of the ocean, looking around the beach and thinking of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea as we had an interview with professor Park Ilheum.

Actually, we think Expo’s theme, ‘The Living Ocean and Coast’ is far from us. Struggling with this problem, we realized why Yeosu Expo should be succeeded. We know this fact as we met professor Park Ilheum.

 Professor Park said. “Carbon energy is gained from getting something burn, which makes the global warming. Decreasing to discharge carbon gas is worldwide problem, so we should find alternative energy. This solution is in the ocean to make green energy using wave and tide.”

Photo by Jeong Jonghyeon 

We are dreaming of how I fly to the sky, thinking over ‘The Living Ocean’ in the artificial beach. Would you come to cheer us?

At first, Professor’s words have not appealed to us for one year, I came to learn and feel much more roaming around here and there. The problem is that we should revive this beautiful ocean and let them enjoy sea bathing after 1000 years, no less than 2000 years.

Yeosu also have environmental problem. But solving this problem, our dream is to make Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea succeed and revive the earth. We want to fly to the dream up in the air, really!

source: korea.kr

News written by the group of ‘ILOVEYEOSU’ : Park Jina, Kim Yujeong,KimJihye, Lee Minjeong, Hwang Inseon. Guidance teacher : Park Yongseong

“Yeosu is a beautiful city, isn’t it?”

“Sure. And it is famous for a lot of delicious food.”

To make good wine, you need a good environment. Intense sunlight, thin fog and good breezes are essential elements for the highest quality grapes. Fertile soil and wine-making skills are also needed. An environment that creates a high quality wine is called ‘Terroir’ in French.

Terroir applies to wine, but a similar concept can be applied to Yeosu cuisine. Yeosu has many mountains, fields and fishing ports, so it has many vegetables, wild edible greens, and fresh seafood. Also the mothers of Yeosu are such excellent cooks that all food in Yeosu is called “best food”. Therefore, Yeosu is not only a beautiful city, it is also well known for its food. If you have ever visited Yeosu, you will agree with me.

“Is boiled barley ‘poor food’? Now we call it ‘well being food!”

Photo by Park Juyeon

This is boiled barley – Boribap. Where can we have such a rich table for less than ten dollars? Maybe nowhere but Yeosu.

Years ago, we Koreans had to subsist on a poor diet. The poor had to get over the ‘barley hump’-the farm hardship period between May and June when there was no food to eat because old grain was exhausted and new crops hadn’t ripened. “Overcoming the barley hump is harder than hiking a high mountain.” Would they say these words if it weren’t that bad? It was not until after the barley ripened that they could eat boiled barley. How delicious it was! It might taste of honey though it was made of only barley.

By the way, it was recently discovered that boiled barley is a health food as well as an inexpensive yet filling food source. Barley contains protein, essential amino acids and a water-soluble dietary fiber that relieves digestive inconveniences. And after eating boiled barley, you will exclaim “Oh, how flavorful it is!”

Gourmet: Jinbok restaurant, near rotary, Jungang-dong, Yeosu-si, 061-664-7555

“Handmade knife-cut noodle’ soup tastes fantastic!”

Photo by Choi Hyeju

From upper right hand corner, clockwise: wild sesame clear soup with wheat flakes; red-bean gruel taken on the winter solstice; short-necked clams with knife-cut noodles; big dumplings. You can eat three of them for just 6,000won. Red-bean gruel is 6,500won.

Handmade knife-cut noodles are our traditional food made of wheat vermicelli. The vermicelli flour is hand-kneaded and cut with a knife. People eat them mainly in summer because we lose appetite in that season. When flavored with wild sesame, red-beans, anchovy, or short-necked clams, the knife-cut noodle soup is something to be savored on a hot summer day.

There are so many great dishes we can share and enjoy; Red-bean gruel; clear soup with wheat flakes and wild sesame; and knife-cut noodles, either on their own, with short-neck clams caught in the sea of Yeosu, or with red beans. Go to a restaurant with your friends and family, and order and share different dishes. You will understand the saying that “Taste makes harmony”. Oh, and eat one big dumpling per person for dessert. Yummy!

Gourmet : restaurant : Deulkkaenara, across from Buyeong the 3rd Apt. Singi-dong, Yeosu-si, 061-685-5678

“Loach soup, which is not eaten only in autumn.”

Photo by Kim Minji

This is loach soup. Loach soup, which is boiled from loaches that are as fat as pigs. They are found in the ditches around the paddy fields in summer, but they are perfect as a health food during the change of seasons. It costs 7,000 won per person.

Many years ago, when finishing the autumn harvest, our ancestors would take a loach from the soil and after removing the smell of mud by sprinkling it with salt, eat it as loach soup with rice or as a snack with drinks. Loach soup is boiled for a long time then seasoned with dried radish leaves, bean sprouts, green onion, soybean paste and hot pepper sauce.

By the way, we can eat loach soup all year round now. Loach contains as many nutrients as an eel. It is rich in Vitamin B1, B2, protein, fat, calcium, and iron, and so warms our internal organs and helps blood circulation. While you are visiting the Yeosu Expo, if you don’t feel well, please have some loach soup. There is a restaurant where they have boiled the loach soup for 60 years.

Photo by Choi Hyeju

This is a grilled eel. When you take it with loach soup, it is a perfect as a relish with a cup of hard liquor. You will feel a wonderful food of living ocean and sea in Yeosu. It costs 12,000 won per head for a set. Please help yourself. Our slogan is : “The loach soup of the land, the grilled eel of the sea!”

Gourmet : Seonok restaurant , in front of Nonghyup(National Agricultural Cooperative Federation), Gwanmun-dong, Yeosu-si 061-662-5048

“Do you want to get the royal treatment? Eat rice cake rib.”

Photo by Kim Huigon

This is a rice cake rib. Long years ago, It was treated only to a king. Now, it is treated to anyone for 9900won.

Farm cows were very important to Korea because Koreans lived in an agricultural society for a long time. So, our ancestors didn’t often eat beef. But the king ate them anytime. By the way, he ate rice cake rib because he didn’t tear at the meat with his bare hands. Why don’t we act like the king today?

When you eat rice cake rib, it captures our tongue with a spicy surface fragrance and a juicy beef stock that bursts from the inside. You can wrap the beef in lettuce. It’s a delicacy. In Korea we say “It’s drop-dead delicious.” You can add gatkimchi, the principal products of Yeosu, and lotus root and greens. You can taste their freshness.

Gourmet : Maehwagangsan, the front of seonso, Hak-dong, Yeosu-si, directly opposite of sea, 061-692-1616

“We Koreans have a proverb: A mother-in-law shows love to her son-in-law by providing a well-done brood hen. What does it mean?”

Photo by Park Jina

It’s Samgyetang: Clean chicken containing ginseng, jujube, chestnut, and garlic, and sticky rice soaked in water for more than an hour, making a good thick stew. 12,000 won for 1 person.

I know a warm-hearted story from Jack Canfield’s book, “Chicken Soup for the Soul.””Such a feeling, we call ‘affection(情)’. If you want to feel it, try Korean chicken soup, Samgyetang.

Chicken soup was a very precious food when our country was poor. Even though poor, a mother-in-law served a brood hen for son-in-law. Then as she got a bit rich, she served a chicken with ginseng, jujube, ginger, and garlic. This is called Samgyetang. Nowadays, it is one of Korea’s representative recuperate food in the summer season. How about a bowl of chicken soup for lunch? Maybe you can feel like a dear son-in-law.

Gourmet: Gogung restaurant, Hak-dong, Yeosu-si, near Yeosu Fire station, 061-681-5087

Photo by Jeong Jonghyeon

A picture taken in chicken broth restaurant. Aren’t we cute? Please understand us even if we were in a awkward pose.

We have introduced a variety of foods to you. We recommend food that will help you your experience both Korean unique taste and Yeosu local specific taste, all for less than ten dollars. We also hope that you will enjoy for yourself 10 beautiful reminiscences as well as tasty food.

So we are promoting a campaign activity: Let five hundred thousand foreign friends from all over the world visit Yeosu Expo and return home with 10 cherished reminiscences of 10-dollar meals. Furthermore, we wish this movement will expand to the extent that five million reminiscences will bloom like five million flowers in the parts of the world.

We call this ’5010 project’. How about this project? Is it funny? If so, please, visit the Expo, experience the taste of various foods, and cherish beautiful reminiscences in Yeosu. Our mascot, Yeony and Suny, will guide you with sincerity.

source: korea.kr

News written by the group of ‘ILOVEYEOSU’ : Kim Minji, Son Jiseong, Ham Chorom, Yang Dasol, Lim Hyeyeon, Wee Suhwan. Guidance teacher : Park Yongseong

Is it wrong?

No, It’s different.

Photo by Kim Minji

There stands a totem pole called Jangseung at the entrance road to Sanggwan village. Jangseung used to indicate a boundary among regions, play a role of milepost and be the object of worship as a village’s guardian.

Do you ask me what this “strange” thing is? This is “Jangseung”. And in Yeosu, it is also called “Beoksu”. In korea, in front of village’s entry, a wooden image which looks like man stands playing a role of milepost. But while a disease was raging, we would perform a memorial service for Jangseung to heal disease. So it’s not only just a role of milepost but also a guardian to protect villages from a disease or minor demons.

By the way, Are you saying “why are you talking about Jangseung story so long?” You said it was odd when you looked at Jangseung before. Yes. When you look at this first, you could say like that. In your country it’s hard to watch. But it’s not strange, moreover, not wrong, it’s different, though. I’m a little sad when you say it’s wrong. Life is different. So that’s why they made culture is also different. Today, we talk about this matter. Let’s take a trip.

“We’ve dressed like this.”

Photo by Kim Minji

We tried dressing “Hanbok” personally! Do you think Hanbok is graceful, elegant dress but it dosen’t look good because we are wearing? Oh, my goodness!

It’s so beautiful, right? This is korea’s traditional clothes “Hanbok”. Hanbok has color’s beauty by using 5 colors: yellow, blue, white, red, and black. A harmony of straight line and a curved line shows our ancestors’ esthetic sense.

Fabrics also use differently at each season. In summer, they used cool material such as hemp cloth or ramie fabric that have good ventilation. And in winter, used silk or cotton, so it can keep warm. Hanbok’s coat is called ‘Jeogori’ and it is fasten down by tieing a breast-string.

Photo by Son Jiseong

We have “pyebaek” rite, where bride and groom greet old members of family and at that time we can see them in Hanbok.

In old days, Hanbok was ordinary dress. But nowadays it become a special clothes which usually wear in a festive day or event. When you come Yeosu to see Expo, stop by a wedding ceremony hall once. Then, you can see the bride and bridegroom who dress up Hanbok lovely.

“We’ve eaten like this.”

Photo by Ham Chorom

It’s a picture of eating with a knife and fork. If you go to restaurant selling western food, you can easily see them.

Are you familiar with this picture? That’s right! In the West, people use a knife and fork to eat with. This is because Western food consists of mainly bread and meat. This food is easy to eat with knife and fork.

Photo by Ham Chorom

This is a Korean small dining table. There are a rice bowl, a soup bowl, Kimchi dish and chopsticks. Take a good look at the chopsticks.

Because Korea’s spoon is similar to Western’s, it isn’t particularly special. But chopsticks are miraculous. So chopsticks are said to symbolize oriental food culture. But using chopsticks differs from country to country. Chinese chopsticks are long, but Japanese’s short and Korean’s medium size.

Chinese chopsticks are longer than the rests because Chinese people eating at a large table have to reach a long way to get certain food. By contrast, Japanese chopsticks should be short and pointed at the end to separate flesh from the fishbone. Korean chopsticks are in the middle size between those of Chinese and Japanese because Korean food consists of mainly vegetables and Kimchi. When in Korea, try using spoon for rice and soup and chopsticks for vegetables and Kimchi.

“We’ve lived in these places.”

Photo by Kim Minji

This is a tile-roofed house with an admirable classical elegance of lines and curves in Soho-dong Yeosu.

Well then, what kind of house did our ancestors live in? Rich people lived in a tile-roofed house. This house has tiled roofs made of soil. And tile-roofed house used a lot of black tiles. As tiles were so expensive, common peoples couldn’t afford to build tile-roofed house.

Many thatched houses gathered in a cluster are indeed sentimental. 50 years ago, most villages used to be these features, which is different now. But, thatched houses now remain only in the Folk Village.

This is the very thatched house where our grand father and mother lived. Our ancestors have lived cultivating rice from ancient time. So, they made thatched roof with rice straw, and thanks to adiabatic effect, summer is cool and winter is warm. 50 years ago, thatched house was in general, these days, it is difficult to find out, though.

Yet, the house is not completely changed to Western style . We can still see “Ondol”, as a heating system in modern apartment our ancestors invented. A heater that keeps the floor of a room warm for long cold and snowy winter is the very Ondol.

“We’ve treated disease in these ways.”

Yes. You know the way of wearing, eating and sleeping. but, how did they do when they were sick? Did you ever watch the drama ? Drama was televised containing Joseon dynasty’s skilled doctor, Heo Jun. Find it out. You can find respect for human in our traditional medical treatment. By the way, Do they get disease treated these days? Sure!

When sick we go to the hospital or oriental medicine clinic. They use herbal tea extracted from several sorts of native herbs in korea. It is strange to foreigners that herbal doctors treat patients with acupuncture.

Photo by Yang Dasol

The left is syringe and the right is acupuncture. It looks like sharp syringe, but how to use it and the efficacy of a remedy are different from each other.

Acupuncture is a thin and sensitive needle and gives proper stimuli to some part of body to circulate energy and blood in body, only to treat the disease. Strength and blood is a source of living body’s energy.

Like this, acupuncture is different from syringe which is directly injected in tissue and blood vessel. Western medical treats a painful part of the body but oriental medicine treats the whole body. So oriental medicine has a principal that overcomes disease for oneself. Acupuncture and syringe symbolize a difference of eastern and western culture.

Photo by Yang Dasol

We went to see an oriental medicine doctor to ask one thing or another of him. We didn’t know anything about oriental medicine, so we felt very shy.

How do we know about it? Surely we were taught by oriental doctor. Both eastern medical and oriental medicine do not always show strong disapproval of each other. Nowadays, even though hospitals are using long needles in order to abirritate, herbal clinics are using syringes to put some medicines in. They complement their shortcomings each other.

Once I had my ankle sprained in the school sports, and had a treatment with acupuncture at oriental medical clinic. Not sick but prick. Don’t be scared. When you visit Yeosu to have sights of the Expo, if you should sprain your ankle by chance, try being treated with acupuncture at oriental medical clinic. It’ll be surprise and good experience to you.

“Go to temple staying, and you will see all of these.”

In this way we have lived, going through our culture of our lives achieved. It is the way we have lived, wearing, eating, sleeping, and healing disease so. By the way, There is a place to experience all of these cultures together. Do you know what? It is the “Temple stay”. Shall we go to the closest temple from Yeosu, “Heungguk” temple.

Photo by Ham Chorom

It’s a house in the temple where we can experience temple stay. Look at that buddhist sitting silently. Isn’t it peaceful?

Let’s see. Could you notice “the tile-roofed” house, Korean traditional house? Long ago, it was only for noble-men called ‘Yangban’, korean ruling classes at Joseon dynasty. So feel what the yangban is. Your mind and body will get generous. And can you see the costume worn by woman? That is improved “Hanbok”, and maybe one can wear it during temple stay. This seemingly comfortable clothes have you feel peaceful sense of our culture.

Here is a picture taken in the room for temple stay, feeling neatness, adequate and dignified.

Let me show you the room. In the room, there are large tables monks use for studying and meals. Having a meal in temple is called “Gongyang” and bowls for it are called “Balu”. Gongyang and Balu will be likely to be very impressive to you, for after washing dishes using a little water, drinking that water without any waste is helpful for environment.

But the best thing you can get from doing temple stay is that you can enter into the priesthood. Getting rid of stresses itself is the way of curing mind. Temple stay originally started with a view to treatment through relaxation and meditation. So “regardless of religion, how about taking part in temple stay?”

“Is it wrong? No. It’s different.”

Photo by Son Jiseong

Here are some foreign friends who wear traditional costumes dancing in the festival. Yeosu is the place where various cultures mingled with one another would be made again only to be harmonious dance.

Foreign residents already surpassed 1.2 million in Korea. At first, we mistook the culture difference for being wrong and there were a lot of trouble between us. but now, we are making progress with coexistence and harmony.

Over 100 countries may participate in this Expo and they are going to introduce their own culture. Probably, it will be a flower garden which is made by the diverse culture from all over the world. It is not the exhibition which displays simple things, but shows our beautiful culture. That is exactly the Expo we dream.

Photo by Jang Yeongok

We sincerely pray for success of International Exposition Yeosu Korea 2012 as our ancestors did standing near by Jangseung.

When you meet the Beoksu on the street, take a picture and think of it inhabiting in Korean life. Smiling like us, pray for something you want.

source: korea.kr

Kim Soo Jeong is Korean famous child actress and a quiz setter in famous quiz show.

Yeony-Suny reporters had an interview with Kim, Soo-jeong and had some time to celebrate.

Let’s see a message from Kim, Soo-jeong

Hello! This is Yeony. I would like to share some great news about Yeosu Expo with you. Korean women active in a number of fields in 30 nations worldwide will gather in Yeosu.  

The Korea Women’s International Network (KOWIN), with 600 Korean women participating globally, will gather in Yeosu from August 28^th to 31^st.

KOWIN was established in 2001 along with the Ministry of Gender Equality to strengthen solidarity and enhance communication among Korean women internationally, with an annual conference now running. The conference will have its 12^th anniversary this year, and has been held in larger Korean cities in previous years, including Seoul, Incheon, Busan, and Ulsan. Jeollanam do will the first district to hold the conference.

Eminent Korean women from various walks of life will gather at the Jeonnam Conference, with a theme focused on strengthening the capabilities of Korean women with thematic discussions, networking events, and cultural tours of the district.

Jeollanam-do hopes that the conference will afford the opportunity to promote its other international events like the 2012 Yeosu Expo, the International Agriculture Expo, and the 2013 Suncheon Garden Expo.

A preview of the conference can be had by looking at the conference in Ulsan last year.

Ulsan bills itself an ecological city with its Taehwa River, called the river of life. Reflecting this, the conference there took on the theme of ‘Green Korea’. It marked a great experience for Korean women leaders, coming from 32 nations to Ulsan for the purpose of communication and sharing friendship. Ulsan Mayor Park Mang Woo, said ‘Korea has only become a strong country thanks to the efforts of women, who stood firmly in overcoming language barriers and poverty.’ Many ideas were exchanged through theme lectures and discussions on women led green businesses.

Attention this year is on the Korea Women’s International Conference to be held in Yeosu. Jeollanam-do director of health and welfare Bae Yang Jasaid “This is a golden opportunity to make Yeosu and its Expo better known around the world” and “We will do our best to prepare this event a true communications venue for the wisdom of Korean women around the world.” I will pay further attention to Yeosu expo city as well!

Left to right – Kreingkrai Kanjanapokin, CEO of Index Creative Village, H.E. Dr. Chaiyong Satjipanon, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korean, and Monica Yoo, Construction Director of Thailand Pavilion.

Thailand Pavilion 2012

(Language: Thai)

source: thailandpavilion2012.com